Chapter 8: The Sixth and Ninth
Commandments
OUR MORAL LIFE IN CHRIST
1. Marriage and Creation (pp. 204–207)
ANTICIPATORY SET
Opening Prayer on an excerpt from Liturgikon (Rite of Marriage).
According to our text, “Many in the time of Christ felt it was impossible
for a man and woman to be truly united in a permanent bond of marriage.”
Reflect on this statement in writing using the following questions:
❏ Would many agree that it is also impossible today for a man and woman
to be truly united in a permanent bond of marriage?
❏ Whether or not it is possible, do you wish it to be possible for your
family?
❏ Into what kind of marriage bond do you think your own children will
want to be born?
1. Marriage and Creation (pp. 204–207)
BASIC QUESTIONS
❏ Why did God create each human person as either male or female?
❏ What did Christ do for marriage?
❏ What is chastity?
KEY IDEAS
❏ God made man male and female and created lifelong, exclusive,
and loving marriage as the way to bring new human persons into the
world.
❏ Christ restored marriage to its original meaning, ruling out divorce,
which Moses had permitted.
❏ Chastity is the virtue of living human sexuality according to God’s
plan.
1. Marriage and Creation (pp. 204–207)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ How is human sexuality different from that of animals?
In animals, sexuality is a matter of instinct, whereas the human person can
control his or her sexuality and direct it to higher ends.
❏ What should be the proper nature of the marital act?
A personal and loving “meeting” between husband and wife is proper,
which reaffirms their total dedication to each other.
1. Marriage and Creation (pp. 204–207)
❏ What is the fundamental truth that governs every moral
question involving marriage and sexuality?
Every sexual act or expression must fully respect both the unitive and
procreative aspects of human sexuality.
❏ What is the conjugal act (or marital act)?
It is sexual intercourse. It is called conjugal or marital because
marriage is the only proper setting for it.
1. Marriage and Creation (pp. 204–207)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Our text states that the Sixth and Ninth Commandments teach,
“Human sexuality can only find its true meaning and full expression
within the inner sanctum of marriage” (p. 205).
A think / pair / write / share on the following question:
❏ How would you reply to someone who said, “I don’t mind if my
sexual activity isn’t as meaningful or fully expressed as the Church
says it should be; I’ll settle for it the way it is”?
1. Marriage and Creation (pp. 204–207)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What is the matrimonial covenant?
It is an agreement that a man and woman make to become lifelong
partners.
❏ What does the expression “by its nature ordered to” mean in
relation to the marriage covenant?
It means that God created the very structure of marriage. In this case, God
made the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of
children essential purposes of marriage.
❏ What is the relationship between natural and sacramental
marriage?
Christ took marriage, a natural human institution, and made it a source of
supernatural life and grace.
1. Marriage and Creation (pp. 204–207)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What are important reasons for voluntarily and freely renouncing
marriage?
One may take care of one’s family or give oneself to God in religious life, the
priesthood, or the apostolate of the faithful.
❏ Where does sex belong according to God’s plan?
It belongs only in marriage.
❏ How does sexual intercourse make man and woman co-creators with
God?
God has designed the marital act so that the man, the woman, and God are all
necessary in order to bring a new human being into the world.
❏ Why is chastity a joyful affirmation?
Something very good comes from purity of heart: the ability to see both God and
the dignity of every person.
1. Marriage and Creation (pp. 204–207)
GUIDED EXERCISE
A think / pair / share on the following question:
❏ What is the focus of this chapter, and what are the three headings
under which this idea will be developed?
1. Marriage and Creation (pp. 204–207)
CLOSURE
Write a paragraph that describes God’s plan for marriage based on
the truths revealed about the human person in Genesis.
1. Marriage and Creation (pp. 204–207)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
❏ Study Questions 1–3 (p. 230)
❏ Workbook Questions 1–5
❏ Read “Purposes of Marriage” through “Theology of the Body” (pp.
207–211)
1. Marriage and Creation (pp. 204–207)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Free write on the following question:
❏ Of the six truths about marriage found in Genesis, which one do
you find the most attractive, and why?
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
ANTICIPATORY SET
Opening Prayer based on a letter from Tertullian (AD 160-225) to his
wife on marriage.
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
BASIC QUESTIONS
❏ What is the unitive aspect of sexuality? What is the procreative aspect of sexuality?
❏ What are the two essential properties of marriage?
❏ What does the marital act communicate according to the theology of the body?
KEY IDEAS
❏ The unitive aspect of sexuality is the expression of complementary love between a
husband and wife that renews their marital covenant. The procreative aspect of sexuality
is the begetting of new life in cooperation with God, who infuses a unique human soul.
❏ Matrimony is characterized by two essential properties: exclusivity and indissolubility.
❏ Since man and woman possess body and soul, the physical union must always mirror
the spiritual union expressed in the faithful and total commitment of the marital
covenant.
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What does the complementarity of man and woman mean?
It means that, by God’s design, man and woman, in both their
differences and similarities, help to complete and perfect each other
physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
❏ Why does complementarity, an inherent requirement of
marriage, rule out marriage between persons of the same
gender?
Complementarity cannot exist between two persons of the same
gender.
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY
Guided Exercise
Complete the following graphic to organize your knowledge on the
three “approaches” to marriage and sexuality.
View
Three View of Marriage and Sexuality
Definition
Implications
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
View
Puritanical
Self‐centered view
Catholic view
Three View of Marriage and Sexuality
Definition
Implications
Sexual passions and
Sex is distasteful. It may
attractions are a result of
be necessary for
original sin.
procreation but it and
marriage are sinful.
Sex is for self‐gratification. The mystery, respect and
sacredness of sexuality
and marriage are replaced
with irreverence and
casualness.
Sex is inherently very
All the implications of
good but it must be
sexual morality in this
expressed according to
chapter apply.
God’s plan.
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What is the ideal in the marital act?
It is when the physical, emotional, and psychological pleasure, which is
experienced in the marital act, are united to the love, affection, and sacrifice
that each spouse gives to the other.
❏ How is the marital act debased?
It is debased when it becomes an act of self-gratification.
❏ Biologically, what is the purpose of the sex organs?
It is human reproduction.
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
❏ How does human reproduction go beyond that of the animal world?
Because man and woman have intellect, will, and self-awareness, they can give
expression to their love and willingly cooperate with God in creating new
persons.
❏ What is the logical link between conjugal love, the begetting of
children, and their education?
The conjugal act can beget a child. That child then needs to be cared for and
educated over a long period of time.
❏ How does the Church view large families?
Large families are signs of God’s blessing and the generosity of the parents.
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Write on the following question, and then share responses:
❏ How is the union between husband and wife reflective of the
union between Christ and the Church?
GUIDED EXERCISE
Gaudium et Spes says children “contribute very substantially to the
welfare of their parents.”
Work with a partner to come up with a list of ways in which children
benefit their parents.
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
GUIDED EXERCISE
A think / pair / share:
❏ What do the terms unitive and procreative mean in relation to the
marriage act?
GUIDED EXERCISE
Sex seems to be all about pleasure and joy, yet the text states, “For marital
relations to maintain their true meaning, a habitual spirit of loving sacrifice
must be continually present” (p. 211).
Work with a partner to explain this apparent paradox of pleasure and
sacrifice.
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What are the two properties of marriage?
They are exclusivity and indissolubility.
❏ Why is marriage exclusive?
Because marriage is a total self-giving of one spouse to the other, there is no
room for someone to give himself or herself to another person.
❏ How do adultery and polygamy violate the exclusivity of marriage?
Adultery is giving what belongs only to one’s spouse to another person who
is not one’s spouse. Polygamy gives to a supposed second (or third or fourth)
wife what belongs only to the first wife. It is the unjust giving of what is due
to one person to another person.
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Work with a partner to complete the following exercise:
❏ Explain in your own words how using the human body for
self-centered sensual gratification is a sacrilege.
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
CLOSURE
Write a paragraph explaining as simply as you can the twofold aspect
of human sexuality.
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
❏ Study Questions 4–13 (p. 230)
❏ Practical Exercises 1–2 (p. 232)
❏ Workbook Questions 6–18
❏ Read “Sins Against Marriage” through “Sins against the Integrity
and Dignity of the Conjugal Act and Against the Dignity of the
Child,” including the sidebar “Working with God: Natural Family
Planning” (pp. 211–217)
2. Commandments Marriage and Sexuality (pp. 207–211)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Write a precise explanation of how polygamy violates one of the
essential characteristics of marriage.
Then discuss other reasons women suffer when men practice
polygamy.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
ANTICIPATORY SET
Do a focused reading of the paragraph beginning, “Any act that directly
violates the marriage covenant...” (p. 211) using the following question:
❏ How can an act violate the marriage covenant and become a grave sin?
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
BASIC QUESTIONS
❏ What are the primary sins against marriage?
❏ How is NFP different from contraception?
❏ What is responsible parenthood?
KEY IDEAS
❏ The primary sins against marriage are divorce and adultery.
❏ NFP respects the order of nature God has established, whereas
with contraception the couple says “no” to procreation.
❏ Responsible parenthood means, in part, determining family size for
serious reasons using moral means.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What is theology of the body?
It is the name given to Pope John Paul II’s teaching on chastity and human
sexuality.
❏ What did Pope John Paul II show through his meditation on
Genesis?
The beauty of conjugal relations is inherent in the original meaning that
God gave to marriage.
❏ What did the Pope show to be a consequence of the dignity of
man and woman?
A person must always be given love for his or her own sake and never
become an object of use.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
❏ What is communio personarum?
It means “community of persons” and refers to the union between a man
and a woman in marriage.
❏ How is the union between husband and wife a reflection of the
Blessed Trinity?
The communio personarum that Adam and Eve formed, and that each husband
and wife forms, reflects the community of Persons that constitutes the
Blessed Trinity.
❏ What quality makes it possible for marital relations to maintain
their true meaning?
Sacrificial love and a spirit of service make it possible.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
GRAPHIC
ORGANIZER
Complete the
following graphic to
organize the
material on sins
against marriage.
Sin
Divorce
Adultery
Contraception
Artificial
Insemination
Sins against Marriage
Definition
Offends against
Effects
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
Sin
Divorce
Adultery
Sins against Marriage
Definition
Offends against
Civil dissolution of Indissolubility (and
marriage.
exclusivity if
another marriage is
contemplated).
Sexual relations
Contradicts the
between a married unitive purpose of
person and one to marriage and the
whom he or she is exclusivity of
not married.
married love.
Effects
Has devastating
effects on both
spouses, children
and society.
Injustice against
the injured spouse.
Often destroys the
marriage.
Deeply wounds
the offended
spouse and
children.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
Sin
Contraception
Sins against Marriage
Definition
Offends against
Any of a number of Procreative
barrier or chemical purpose of the
measures used to
marital act.
prevent pregnancy
which could result
from sexual
intercourse.
Effects
Some methods
are also
abortifacients.
Turns the act
from mutual love to
selfishness.
Leads to abortion,
divorce, pregnancy
outside marriage,
promiscuity, STDs,
genetic
engineering, in
vitro fertilization,
assisted suicide,
euthanasia,
embryonic stem‐
cell research, and
cloning.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
Sin
Artificial
insemination
Sins against Marriage
Definition
Offends against
Causing
The unitive
conception outside purpose of the
the marriage act.
marital act and
often the sanctity
of human life.
Effects
Requires
masturbation.
Involves “clinical
adultery” (non‐
spousal sperm and
egg donors and
surrogate
mothers).
Creation and
destruction of
“spare” embryos
Sex selection.
Child is denied the
right to be the fruit
of a natural act of
his father and
mother and may be
denied a natural
father and mother.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What does “language of the body” mean?
It means that the body “speaks” or conveys meaning through its nature
and actions.
❏ What does the marital act “speak” in the language of the body?
The marital act “speaks” spousal unity and the commitment of service and
love to each other.
❏ Why should there be both a physical and spiritual union of man
and woman?
The human person is a union of body and soul.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
❏ What must the physical union of husband and wife mirror?
It should mirror the spiritual union of total commitment between the
spouses created by the marriage covenant.
❏ Therefore, according to theology of the body, what is the
marital act supposed to express?
The bodies of the spouses should express what is present in their
hearts and minds.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Work with a partner to break down Supplementary Reading 5 from Humanae
Vitae (p. 227), on the meaning of responsible parenthood, into bullet
points.
Share responses, and then discuss the following question:
❏ Is the Church saying that Catholic couples are required to have as many
children as possible?
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ Are marital relations during times of natural infertility
immoral?
No. In fact, they are good. They are expressions of marital love and
renewals of the marriage covenant.
❏ What is the difference between the marital act performed
during a period of natural infertility and the marital act
performed using contraception?
In the former, the couple is respecting the procreative powers that
God has provided them. In the latter, the couple is making themselves
infertile.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What is Natural Family Planning (NFP)?
NFP utilizes knowledge of the fertility cycle inherent in a woman’s
biological nature, which allows the couple to abstain from marital relations
when a pregnancy likely could occur.
❏ What does NFP permit the couple?
NFP permits the married couple to plan the number and spacing of the
children while remaining open to the gift of additional children if God
deems otherwise.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
❏ Is it wrong to deliberately refrain from the marital act during
the time when the wife is likely to be fertile?
No. When used with the proper intentions, the practice of temporary
abstinence in marriage can be a gift of self-sacrifice and can increase
the communication and love shared between a husband and a wife.
❏ What are the moral requirements for using NFP?
Each conjugal act must be open to the transmission of life. The
decision to use NFP must be made with a conscience informed by the
teachings of the Church. There must be a serious reason for
determining the number and spacing of the children (e.g., physical and
mental health, finances, the legitimate needs of the existing family,
etc.).
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
GUIDED EXERCISE A mini-lecture on the relationship between
contraception and the sexual revolution.
❏ In 1930, the Church of England’s Lambeth Conference permitted the use
of contraceptives for married Anglicans. This decision was contrary to 1900
years of Church teaching, whether Catholic or Anglican.
❏ Pope Pius XI wrote Casti Connubii the same year, reaffirming the
traditional Catholic position on contraception.
❏ In his 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI addressed the Catholic
understanding of the nature of the “marriage act,” that is, sexual intercourse
between husband and wife. He reaffirmed the two “ends,” or purposes, of
the marriage act. These are the unitive—the physical union of love between
husband and wife—and the procreative—the possibility that the act could
result in a new human being. Even though these two purposes can be
separated, the Pope explained that they should not be separated.
Husband and wife should not say “yes” to the unitive dimension of the
marital act while saying “no” to the procreative dimension by using
contraception.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
❏ Pope Paul VI predicted what would result if the Church’s teaching
were not followed:
An increase in premarital sex; in marital infidelity; in the wife becoming
a sex object for the husband; in divorce; in abortion; and in
governments forcing contraception, sterilization, and abortion on its
citizens. All these things, in fact, have come true.
❏ The logic that would allow a married couple to physically separate
sex from procreation would also have to allow premarital sex, adultery,
homosexual sex, masturbation, and even bestiality. These acts all
separate sexual pleasure from procreation.
❏ Artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization are also immoral as
they separate procreation from marital relations.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What is the problem with spouses having very close friends of the
opposite sex?
This could lead to temptation or to an “emotional infidelity” that would violate the
close friendship owed to one’s spouse.
❏ What is the biggest mistake that a spouse can make in terms of
temptation?
Considering oneself invulnerable to temptation.
❏ What are the main sins against the marriage act?
Divorce, adultery, contraception, artificial insemination, and in vitro fertilization.
❏ What is the level of seriousness of these sins against marriage?
All of them are intrinsically grave.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
❏ When is a civil divorce legitimate?
In those cases when a civil divorce is necessary to protect an innocent
spouse and children.
❏ In such a case, is the offended spouse free to remarry?
No. In a valid sacramental marriage the marriage bond remains, regardless
of the civil divorce.
❏ What is an annulment?
It is a declaration by the Church, after thorough investigation, that a
sacramental marriage never existed due to a particular impediment.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
GUIDED EXERCISE
A think / pair / write / share on the following question:
❏ According to CCC 2378, why is there no “right” for a person to
have a baby?
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
CLOSURE
Write a paragraph summarizing the sins against marriage.
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
❏ Study Questions 14–27 (p. 230)
❏ Practical Exercises 3–4 (p. 232)
❏ Workbook Questions 19–32
❏ Read “Sins Against Chastity” through “Conclusion,” including the
sidebars “How Far Can We Go Before It Is a Sin?” and “The
Sex-Crazed Media and the Christian Response” (pp. 218–225)
3. Commandments Sins Against Marriage (pp. 211–217)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 7 on conditions for
using NFP.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
ANTICIPATORY SET
It has been said that, when a woman is dressed modestly, a man’s eyes
are naturally drawn to her face, especially her eyes. On the other hand,
when a woman is dressed immodestly, a man’s eyes are drawn to her
body.
This lesson will present a number of practical ways in which a young
person can grow in the joyful virtue of purity.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
BASIC QUESTIONS
❏ Why is sex outside the marriage act wrong?
❏ What are the basic means of growing in chastity?
❏ How is chastity empowering?
KEY IDEAS
❏ Sex outside marriage is morally wrong because, when it is separated from
the Sacrament of Matrimony, it ceases to express its true meaning.
❏ A firm commitment to Christ, fostering a life of piety and Christian
virtue, prudent use of the media, modesty in dress, sensible norms for
dating, and certain religious practices are the basic means of growing in
chastity.
❏ Chastity empowers a person to see the image of God in every human
being.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ Why is sex outside marriage wrong?
It is not an expression of love but a deceptive misuse of one’s sexuality.
❏ How is extramarital sex wrong in terms of the unitive and
procreative purposes of marriage?
It is wrong because one or both purposes are missing.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
❏ How is sex outside marriage wrong according to the theology
of the body?
In the language of the body, the marital act is a complete union of
persons. However, in extramarital sex, lifelong commitment or the
proper openness to procreation is absent. For these reasons, sex
outside of marriage is a lie because it is the sign of a union that simply
does not exist.
❏ Why is a “trial marriage” wrong?
Marriage is by nature designed to be permanent, and a “trial marriage”
is temporary.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
❏ Why is masturbation wrong?
It has neither a unitive nor procreative purpose.
❏ How serious is masturbation?
It is intrinsically and gravely disordered.
❏ What are some other serious problems to which the practice of
masturbation can lead?
It easily becomes an addiction, leading to sexual obsession and a weak
character.
❏ How is an addiction to masturbation overcome?
It is overcome through serious effort, frequent reception of the Eucharist
and Reconciliation, prayer, penance, and God’s grace.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ Why are homosexual actions intrinsically disordered?
They are devoid of both the unitive and procreative dimensions of human
sexuality.
❏ Even though fornication and homosexual acts are both gravely
sinful, why is one intrinsically disordered and the other is not?
Fornication involves an act that does correspond to human nature because it
could result in procreation, whereas homosexual acts have no purpose
related to human nature.
❏ Does the cause of same-sex attraction make the acts themselves
excusable?
No.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
❏ What does Christian morality ask of homosexual persons?
It asks a life of chastity, just like it does of everyone else.
❏ What are the means of living chastely if one has homosexual
inclinations?
Spiritual direction and the Sacraments are necessary.
❏ What should be the attitude toward persons with same-sex
attractions?
Accept such persons with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
GUIDED EXERCISE
A think / pair / share on the following question:
❏ Why are homosexual inclinations objectively disordered but not in
themselves sinful?
GUIDED EXERCISE
Work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 3 on scenarios related to
sins against marriage and chastity.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What might the question, “How far can we go?” reveal about the
one who asks it?
It betrays a lack of love and generosity, akin to saying, “How badly can I
treat my friend before it is wrong?”
❏ What erroneous belief do some teens have about petting, mutual
masturbation, and oral sex?
“These actions are not ‘sex’ and, therefore, morally permissible.” This view
is incorrect.
❏ What is the general effect of resisting temptation?
The person becomes stronger in the face of all types of temptation.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
❏ Are there any circumstances under which premarital sex, or
fornication, is permissible?
No.
❏ How can a couple avoid premarital sex?
They can be prudent by avoiding situations, discussions, or actions that may
lead to temptation.
❏ How has the emphasis in fashion shifted?
It has gone from an emphasis on elegance, which reinforces the dignity of
the person, to a preoccupation with immodesty, which conveys the message
that a person is valued by his or her sexual attractiveness.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Review the final three paragraphs of the section, “How Far Can We
Go...” (p. 222).
Then discuss:
❏ Is Christ or his Church demanding the impossible, following a false
puritanical standard, or just plain wrong in forbidding any deliberate
sexual thought, desire, or action outside marriage?
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What are the common sins against chastity?
They are impure thoughts and desires, masturbation, premarital sex,
oral or anal intercourse, homosexual acts, and bestiality.
❏ How common are temptations to impure thoughts and
desires?
They are very common, especially for young persons.
❏ When do temptations to impure thoughts and desires
become sins?
When a person consents to them.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
❏ What are some near occasions of sin in regard to impure thoughts
and desires?
Sexually provocative actions, words, and images.
❏ What is meant by guarding your eyes or mind?
Guarding one’s eyes means not looking at something offensive once he or
she becomes aware of it. Guarding one’s thoughts means not to dwell on
thoughts, desires, or images that have entered the mind and, instead, to
occupy one’s mind with something else.
❏ What effect will giving our hearts and minds to Christ and his
teachings have on temptations?
We will more resolutely reject temptations and conform our actions to
God’s will.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
GUIDED EXERCISE
Write a bullet point summary of the various spiritual means of
embracing chastity.
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students write a bullet point summary of the various reasons
exclusive dating is not a good idea before one is ready for marriage.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What does the human heart desire, and what do many young
people experience?
Chastity is a joyful and liberating virtue.
❏ What will chastity give a young person?
It gives greater freedom to love others in sacrificial service, an inclination to
a deep relationship with Christ, and the ability to contemplate God’s
goodness and beauty in every person.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
❏ What are the means for growing in chastity?
They are a firm commitment to Christ, fostering a life of piety and Christian
virtue, prudent use of the media, modesty in dress, sensible norms for
dating, and certain spiritual practices.
❏ What is the first step necessary for a Christian young person to live
chastity?
He or she needs a firm commitment to follow Christ.
❏ What are the usual causes of difficulties in living chastely?
There are no inherently difficult challenges but rather bad habits, a weak
commitment, and a lack of love.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
GUIDED EXERCISE
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation research study done in 2005,
seventy percent of all television shows have sexual content, up from 56%
in the first study in 1998 and 64% in 2002.
Over two-thirds (68%) of all shows include talk about sex, and 35% of
all shows include sexual behaviors.
The proportion of shows with sexual content in prime-time on the major
broadcast networks has also increased.
Nearly eight in ten such shows (77%) include sexual content, compared
to 67% in 1998 and 71% in 2002. (from
www.kff.org/entmedia/7399.cfm.)
Why does television has so much sexual content and what effect is this
likely to have on children and teenagers?
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
❏ What did Christ mean by “plucking out your eye” if it causes
you temptation?
He meant we must aggressively rid ourselves of all that would lead us
to sin.
❏ Can we overcome temptation if we want?
Yes. God will always give us the grace to overcome temptations, avoid
occasions of sin, and grow in virtue.
❏ Why is it important to use the media prudently?
The media can bring immoral images into our imaginations through
our senses. Therefore, we must be vigilant in protecting our eyes and
minds from all temptations.
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
CLOSURE
Work on your own to create a bullet-point summary of the
sidebar “The Sex-Crazed Media and the Christian Response.”
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
❏ Study Questions 28–41 (p. 231)
❏ Practical Exercises 5–8 (pp. 232–233)
❏ Workbook Questions 33–43
4. Chastity (pp. 218–225)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
A class discussion on Practical Exercise 5, Katie’s dating dilemma.
Discuss why this situation is a good illustration of why exclusive dating is
not a good idea when there is no prospect of imminent marriage.
The End