Grade 9 Session 10
January 17, 2016
11:05 Introductions
11:10 Review of God’s Friendship through Jesus, Part I
11:25 Bible 101, Large Group
11:35 Bible 101, Small Groups
12:05 Rosary 101 – Large Group
12:15 Closing Prayer – First Luminous Mystery – The Baptism of Jesus
12:25 Homework = Mark 3 & 4 plus all insets in those chapters.
Pray with each of the pictures at least once.
Return Perm Slip for “God’s Love Lasts” – req’d Gr 9 & 10 class!
Return Perm Slip, Liability Form, $40 for Youth Rally – req’d Gr 9 retreat
12:30 Depart – Go Packers!
Introductions

Liz – Welcome, Housekeeping, Cell Phones.

Permanent Small Group Facilitators – Kayleigh Cowan, Danny McDonnell, Terry Riesch.

Parent Small Group Facilitators – Schmidt, Schmitt, and Stuesser.
Review of God’s Friendship through Jesus, Part I
Based on “The Real Face of Jesus” by Mike Filton dated January 23, 2015 at popularmechanics.com/science/health/a234/1282186
Last week we began our study of God’s Friendship through Jesus. We got an overview of
Jesus’ conception, birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension through some fabulous art.
If you remember, I shared that medical artist Richard Neave used forensic anthropology to
create an image of Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus was arrested in
the garden of Gethsemane before the Crucifixion, Judas Iscariot had to indicate to the
soldiers whom Jesus was because they could not tell him apart from his disciples. Therefore,
Jesus features were typical of Galilean Semites of his era. Neave started with three wellpreserved skulls from near Jerusalem and the time of Jesus. With CT, computer programs,
and scientific data, he re-created the muscles and skin overlying a representative skull. The
nose, lips, and eyelids were modeled to follow the shape determined by the underlying
muscles. Two key factors could not be determined from the skill – hair and coloration. For
these, Neave’s team turned to drawings at various archaeological sites dated to the first
century. They determined that Jesus had dark eyes and, in keeping with Jewish tradition, a
beard. Most Biblical scholars believe that Jesus’ hair was probably short with tight curls.
Drawings from the first century also show that short hair was appropriate to men of that time.
Short hair, however, does contradict the long hair seen on the Shroud of Turn which some
believe to be the burial cloth of Jesus. As far as height and weight, skeletal remains from the
time show that a man was, on average, 5 feet 1 inch and 110 pounds. Since Jesus probably
worked outdoors as a carpenter until he was about 30 years old, it is reasonable to assume
he was more muscular and physically fit. His face was also probably weather-beaten, making
him appear older. All that said, forensic depictions are not an exact science. Forensic artists
differ widely in how the details in the face follow the soft tissue above the muscle. And the
most recognizable features of the face – the folds of the eyes, structure of the nose, and
shape of the mouth – are left to the artist.
Also show the “positive image” from the Shroud of Turin.
Now back to the video from last week – using the art, we made a timeline for Jesus (show
posters). It is not totally accurate as it is a combination of all four Gospels. But it does give us
“the big picture” of Jesus’ life. We can divide Jesus’ life into 6 sections (red signs). The first
section is called, “The Early Years & Hidden Life of Jesus.” Now we are reading the Gospel
of Mark – again because it only has 16 chapters! Mark’s Gospel does not address the first
section at all! Remember that Mark starts with the preaching of John the Baptist. So Mark
starts at the second section which is called, “Jesus’ Public Ministry of Teaching & Healing.”
Today we will be looking at the first three events in that section: “Jesus is Baptized by John,”
“Jesus is Tempted in the Desert,” and “Jesus Calls & Teaches his First Disciples.”
Show 3 pixs from Israel trip.
Bible 101 – Large Group
Based on Biblical Literacy Made Easy by Brian Singer-Towns
But first…a little birdy told me that some of us are a little shaky on looking passages up in the
Bible. So…we have to address that first!
1. Use a Catholic Bible. The books that make up the Catholic Bible were officially declared
by the Church to be inspired by God in the year 382 AD. These books are sometimes
called the canon of Scripture. Both Catholics and Protestants agree on the 27 books of
the New Testament. However, the Catholic Old Testament has 46 books -- 7 more than
the Protestants. Those 7 books are: Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Ben Sira (aka
Sirach or Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and The Book of Wisdom (aka The Wisdom of
Solomon). The Catholic OT also includes expanded chapters in the books of Esther and
Daniel. These books are called “deuterocanonicals” (second list) by Catholics, whereas
Protestants call these same writings “the apocrypha” (hidden things). (The Orthodox Bible
has 50 books in the OT – but it is not a point of contention! And, for the most part, the
Catholic OT is also the same as the Jewish Bible, although modern Jewish Bibles do not
include some of the books.)
2. Choose a Bible appropriate for your needs. Note that the Catholic Church has no official
translation of the Bible in English. For study of the Bible, use a word-for-word translation,
aka a formal equivalence translation. For more leisurely, reflective reading, use a
meaning-for-meaning translation, aka a dynamic equivalence translation. The New
American Bible (1970, basis of our Lectionary) and the New American Bible Revised
Edition (2011, new Lectionary) are what Catholics use at Mass and in this class! Look for
the translation on the front cover… These translations are in the middle – somewhat
word-for-word and somewhat meaning-for-meaning. We avoid older translations like the
King James Version because of their inaccuracies and difficult language. We also avoid
paraphrased and condensed Bibles such as The Living Bible and the Reader’s Digest
Bible, respectively. One great online tool is biblegateway.com – you can look up a
passage, search on a word, and change the translation!
3. Choose the full edition rather than a reader’s edition. The full version contains the
footnotes and cross-references added to the translation by biblical scholars. These extra
tools are valuable helps to reading and understanding the Bible. Study Bibles such as
yours also available that have even more material such as commentaries and
introductions to each book. Take a look at the footnotes, cross-references, and Map 7,
The Ministry of Jesus – point out Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jesus’ Baptism, the Desert, and
the Sea of Galilee.
4. Using the poster, show that the Bible is divided into 2 main sections: the Old Testament
and the New Testament. The 46 books of the OT are primarily about God’s relationship
with God’s Chosen People. We just covered that! The 27 books of the NT tell how God
fulfilled the OT promises to send a messiah or savior. The Messiah is God’s own Son,
Jesus the Christ (Christ is the Greek word for Messiah). Now through Christ’s life, death,
and resurrection, God’s Covenant is extended to all people, Jew and Gentile (non-Jew)
alike. Both the OT and NT are further subdivided into sections and then books. There are
various ways to section the OT and NT. Let’s get into our small groups where we can
explore the sections up close.
Bible 101 – Small Groups
Based on Biblical Literacy Made Easy by Brian Singer-Towns
Send everyone off into small groups to do the handout Bible 101 – Small Groups!
Rosary 101 – Large Group
Based on “A (Very) Brief History of the Rosary” at stursula.com/PDFdocuments/vol3bonusissue1.pdf
The Rosary is a devotional that is a combination of prayer and meditation on the life of Christ,
honoring His Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary. Its name derives from the medieval Latin
rosarium meaning rose garden – which is how, in that time, the faithful considered Our Lady
– and the collection of prayers were a little crown or chaplet of roses, a kind of bouquet.
The earliest idea or start to this type of prayer seems to have come from 9th Century Irish
monks, who would, as part of their daily worship, recite the 150 Psalms. The residents nearby
the monasteries found the prayers beautiful and wanted to pray along, but it was difficult to
memorize all of the Psalms, books were very expensive (only the wealthy could afford them)
and most people of the time were illiterate anyway. It was suggested that the laity pray 150
Pater Nosters (Our Fathers, or The Lord’s Prayer) instead. To keep track of the repetitions, a
small pouch of 150 pebbles was carried – but this became cumbersome, and so 50 knots
were tied into a narrow rope to be prayed 3 times through for the complete devotion. Later,
little pieces of wood were tied into a string. The monks traveled throughout Europe, and the
idea spread.
In some areas, people started to add the Angelic Salutation – or the first part of the Hail
Mary/Ave Maria – as part of their devotion: an Angelic Salutation said for each knot or piece
of wood on the prayer string. Then, along about the 13th Century, theologians began to
interpret the 150 Psalms as veiled mysteries about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus
Christ and they started writing a series of 150 Psalters (praises) in honor of Jesus for each
interpretation. Additionally, 150 Psalters honoring Mary were written. To fit the prayer string,
they were divided into groups of 50.
It was around this time that St. Dominic (de Guzman), founder of the Dominican Order,
instituted the Rosary or Mary’s Psalter at Our Lady’s behest, to “preach the Rosary to the
people” with the understanding that “this prayer would be an exceptionally” effective aid
“against heresies and vices.” St. Pius V wrote in the Consueverunt Romani Pontifices (1569)
that St. Dominic invented and propagated the Rosary, consisting of the recitation of 150 Ave
Marias, adding one Pater Noster to each decade of Aves and meditation on the mysteries of
the life our Lord Jesus Christ.
In 1700, or thereabout, the thoughts about these mysteries became sets of narratives. The
most common sets were composed by St. Louis de Montfort, and eventually became used as
meditations for each decade of the rosary. These narratives were divided into 5 Joyful, 5
Sorrowful, and 5 Glorious meditations, referred to as “mysteries.” Finally, in 2002, Pope St.
John Paul II added the 5 Luminous mysteries. Each set of mysteries has also been assigned
a certain day of the week to make them easier to pray. Show the 4 large posters with the sets
of mysteries.
Distribute the Rosaries and Rosary Pamphlets. Explain how to pray the Rosary. Also explain
how to pray the Rosary as a group – with a leader praying the beginning of the prayers and
the rest joining in half-way through. Finally, explain that the app Laudate, for iOS and
Android, makes it super easy to pray the rosary anytime and anywhere.
Closing Prayer – First Luminous Mystery – The Baptism of Jesus
Based on Biblical Literacy Made Easy by Brian Singer-Towns
Put up the Poster of the First Luminous Mystery – The Baptism of Jesus. Invite everyone to
listen as one of the small group leaders reads the reflection. Then have another small group
leader lead the group in the beginning, First Luminous Mystery, and the end. In other words:

Sign of the Cross

Apostle’s Creed

Our Father

3 Hail Marys for an increase in Faith, Hope, and Charity

Glory Be

Announce the First Luminous Mystery – The Baptism of Jesus

Our Father

10 Hail Marys

Glory Be

Fatima Prayer (aka O My Jesus)

Hail, Holy Queen

Sign of the Cross
Forensic Anthropology
Shroud of Turin
Site of the Baptism of Jesus, Between Israel and Jordan
Mount of Temptation with Monastery outside Jericho, West Bank
Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee – Peter’s House and Temple
Rosary 101
Taken from gloryofgodprayergroup.org/images/photos/sacred/rosarywithprayers.gif.pagespeed.ce.NGJnCTG4Lq.gif
Rosary – First Luminous Mystery – The Baptism of Jesus
Based on Full of Grace: A Teen Guide to the Rosary from Life Teen
His eyes surveyed the scene. The crowd gathered on the shore of the mighty River Jordan,
entering one by one to be renewed and “made clean” by the wild and prophetic Baptizer
named John. As Jesus drew near the water, he did the unthinkable…God, Himself, asked to
be baptized. The sinless One offered a humble and holy example, one that calls us all to
follow in His sacred footsteps. As the water fell from Christ’s brow, the heavens were “torn
open” and the Spirit descended. The Father’s voice boomed from heaven leaving no doubt of
His love for His child when He said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased”
(Mark 1:9-11).
Those privileged to witness such a sight were no doubt left speechless during it and anything
following it. But why Baptism? Why water? In the days of Noah and of Moses we saw the
power of God bring death and new life through water. It was Joshua who, in this same
historic river, would lead God’s children into the Promised Land centuries before Jesus saw
His saintly cousin. There, in that luminous moment, the Trinity was present once again to
lead God’s children to freedom – a freedom from sin and despair into a life of peace and
blessing.
Do you ever wonder if God loves you – I mean really loves you? Do you ever fall into that trap
of thinking that God’s love for you varies based upon how you act?
Don’t. Don’t fall into that trap.
Read that line from the Gospel again, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
God wasn’t just talking to Jesus…God is talking to you. Whether a man or woman, through
the grace of your Baptism you have been claimed and named – you are a son or a daughter
of God. Is that too hard to believe, too incredible to grasp? Good, then this next decade of the
Rosary is a great place to start.
Feel the humid air next to the river Jordan while you pray. Listen to the running water. See
the dove fall and hear the voice of your heavenly Father reminding you that God’s love is not
conditional, it is perfect. Nothing you do can make God love you more and nothing you do
can make God love you less. Our sin affects our ability to receive God’s love but doesn’t do
anything to lessen God’s love for us. And the next time you dip your hands in that holy water
and make the sign of the cross, remember your Baptism, the gift you were given, the water of
the Jordan that preceded it, and that the Trinity who was present then is still present to you.
God Friendship through Jesus, Part II
Homework due on February 7, 2016
Bible
Mark 3 & 4 plus all insets in those chapters.
Prayer
Pray with each of these pictures at least once.
Permission Slip
Return the Youth Rally Liability Form,
Permission Slip,
and $40 check made out to St. Boniface.
God Friendship through Jesus, Part II
Homework due on February 7, 2016
Bible
Mark 3 & 4 plus all insets in those chapters.
Prayer
Pray with each of these pictures at least once.
Permission Slip
Return the Youth Rally Liability Form,
Permission Slip,
and $40 check made out to St. Boniface.
Bible 101 – Small Groups
Based on Biblical Literacy Made Easy by Brian Singer-Towns
 Pull out the pens and the Post-It notes – you should have 2 different colors. Use one color
for the Old Testament and the other for the New Testament. For each section, write its
name on the edge of the appropriately colored sticky note and then place it at the
beginning of that section.
 Take turns reading about each section of the Old Testament and then the New Testament.
 Help one another – some of you may be very familiar and some of you may have no clue!
 Let’s start with the sections of the Old Testament:
o Pentateuch – Pentateuch literally means “five books.” The first 5 books are the
heart of the OT and are also called the Torah. They contain the Primeval
History with Adam and Eve, the Patriarchs with Abraham and Sarah, and the
Egypt and Exodus with Moses and Miriam. Put the sticky note at the beginning
of the book of Genesis.
o Historical – The second section of the OT contains 16 books of religious
history and a few short novels about legendary heroes. The historical books are
not history in the way we think of history books today. They are neither
comprehensive nor unbiased. Some are based more on legend than historical
record. Understanding this, however, is not a denial that these books truly
reveal God’s saving power at work in the world. The Historical Books contain
the Settling of the Promised Land with Joshua and the Kingdoms of Judah and
Israel with Solomon. Put the sticky note at the beginning of the book of Joshua.
o Wisdom – These 7 books teach some of the collected wisdom of the Chosen
People. This section contains psalms used for worship and prayer, books of
advice for living a good and holy life, a book of love poetry, and a debate about
why good people sometimes suffer. Most of these books were written in the
form of Hebrew poetry. Put the sticky note at the beginning of the book of Job.
o Prophets – The last section of the OT has 18 books containing the prophecies
of some of Israel’s prophets. (There are other prophets in the Bible such as
Elijah whose prophecies were not recorded in separate books.) The prophets
prophesied over a span of 500 to 600 years. The prophets delivered God’s
judgment to the rulers and the people, condemning their idolatry, injustice, and
lack of faith in God. But when the people despaired, the prophets delivered
God’s hope-filled promises of a coming Kingdom of justice, love, and peach,
ushered in by a righteous and suffering messiah. The Prophets contain the
Exile and Return with Daniel. Put the sticky note at the beginning of the book of
Isaiah.
 Now let’s move on to the sections of the New Testament:
o Gospels – Gospel literally means “good news.” Each Gospel has stories about
Jesus’ life and teaching. As each Gospel builds to the climax of Jesus’ death
and resurrection, the case is made that Jesus is God’s own Son, the Savior of
the world. And though the core truths in the 4 Gospels are the same, each
Gospel has its own unique perspective on Jesus Christ. We need all 4 Gospels
(Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to fully understand who Jesus is. Put the
sticky note at the beginning of the book of Matthew – make sure to use a new
color now!
o Acts – The book of the Acts of the Apostles is written by the same author who
wrote the Gospel of Luke. Acts tells how the first followers of Jesus Christ
continued his mission, spreading the Gospel message and starting new
Christian communities throughout the Roman Empire. Put the sticky note at the
beginning of the book of Acts.
o Letters – This section contains 21 letters (a few are more like written homilies)
that give us insight into what the Apostles taught about Christ and Christian
discipleship. Early Church leaders sent these letters, some to specific
individuals and others to specific Christian communities. This section is
sometimes broken down further – the first 14 letters traditionally associated with
Saint Paul and the remaining 7 letters associated with the other early Church
leaders. Put the sticky note at the beginning of the Letter of Saint Paul to the
Romans.
o Revelation – The Book of Revelation is a one-of-a-kind book in the NT. It is a
collection of prophecies and symbolic visions. These visions represent the
struggle between the Roman Empire and the Christian mission during the
author’s lifetime and the promise that in the end God will always be triumphant.
Put the sticky note at the beginning of the book of Revelation.
 Let’s practice! Distribute Books of the Bible. Explain that the names of 27 of the 73 books
of the Bible are contained in the pictograms. For example, the pictogram in the top left
square stands for Matthew (welcome MAT-U). Ask the teens to decipher the remaining 19
names as a group. Also have them list the section (Historical, Letters, etc.) and the
Testament (Old or New). Suggest that they use the Table of Contents and the tabs in their
Bibles for help. Assist the teens, providing hints as needed. When everyone is finished, go
over the answers together.
 How do we find a passage in the Bible? Turn to page 11 in your Bibles. Scripture
references are listed as: Jn 3:16-17 (also written as Jn 3, 16-17 or Jn 3.16-17). That
means the book of John, chapter 3, verses 16 to 17. First locate the beginning of the book
using the Table of Contents on pages 4 and 5. If an abbreviation is used, use the chart on
the last page, C56, to decode what book is meant. Next locate the chapter – these are the
relatively large numbers in green in the text of the Bible. Finally locate the verse – these
are the small numbers in black embedded with the words of the text.
 Let’s practice! Distribute Trivia Questions on the Twelve-Plus Apostles. Each person does
not have to look up all 20 questions – the participants can divide and conquer. Suggest
that they use the Table of Contents and the tabs in their Bibles for help. Assist the teens,
providing hints as needed. When everyone is finished, go over the answers together.
Pictogram Answers:
1. Matthew – Gospels -- NT
11. Philemon – Letters – NT
2. Psalms – Wisdom -- OT
12. Tobit – Historical – OT
3. Esther – Historical – OT
13. Genesis – Pentateuch – OT
4. Acts of the Apostles – Acts – NT
14. Luke – Gospels – NT
5. John – Gospels – NT
15. Hebrews – Letters – NT
6. 2 Kings – Historical – OT
16. Judges – Historical – OT
7. Numbers – Pentateuch – OT
17. Samuel – Historical – OT
8. Romans – Letters – NT
18. Exodus – Pentateuch -- OT
9. Mark – Gospels – NT
19. Jonah – Prophets – OT
10. Isaiah – Prophets – OT
20. Hosea – Prophets -- OT
Trivia Answers:
1. Peter
11. Matthew
2. Nathanael
12. Philip
3. Andrew
13. Peter, James, and John
4. Thomas
14. Philip and Andrew
5. Simon
15. James and John
6. Philip
16. Peter, James, and John
7. Thomas
17. Peter
8. Judas
18. Matthias
9. Peter
19. Barsabbas
10. James and John
20. Paul
Materials
□ Lesson Plan for Catechist and Small Group Facilitators
□ Pencil
□ Cell Phone, Charged
□ Bell
□ Class Sign, Laminated
□ Blue Tape
□ Homework / Permission Slip / Liability Form for Youth Rally
□ Entry Table
□ Attendance Sheet
□ Small Bin with Pens and Permanent Marker
□ Homework and Absentee Information
□ Box for Paperwork
□ Groups (5)
□ Chairs
□ Big Bins
□ Pens
□ Group Sheet
□ Mutual Invitation Method Cards, Laminated
□ Extra Bibles
□ Handout – Bible 101 -- Small Groups (4 sides)
□ Handout – Books of the Bible Pictographs / Trivia Questions on the Twelve-Plus Apostles
□ Rosaries
□ Rosary Pamphlets
□ Table for Prayer & Supplies
□ Green Cloth
□ Crucifix
□ Candle and Candle Holder
□ Matches
□ Bible marked to Mark
□ Bible Stand
□ Catechism of the Catholic Church
□ Activities
□ Popular Science Jesus, Sheet Protected plus Story
□ Jesus from the Shroud of Turn
□ Pictures from Israel Trip: Baptism, Temptation, Calling of Disciples
□ Posters from the last class with the events in Jesus’ life
□ Poster with the Books of the Bible
□ 4 Posters with the Mysteries of the Rosary
□ Poster with the First Luminous Mystery – The Baptism of Jesus
□ Blue tape
□ Roller Board