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Engaging Faith
Practical Lesson Ideas and Activities for Catholic Educators
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Rules for Drills and Games in Religion Class
In her resource for religious education, Faith Facts for Young Catholics, Sr. Kieran Sawyer SSND offers five principles to guide the use of drills and games in the classroom. They are:1. Everyone Pays Attention. Learning games should be structured to keep every person engaged in the learning process. Everyone should be able to see and hear the entire activity. The team that is not "up" should be learning as well as the team that is. The persons not called on should be thinking along with the one who is. If the class should become unruly or disrespectful, stop the game, review the rules, and begin again. If that fails, change to a quiet activity.2. Every Minute Is Learning Time. Keep the mechanics of the game simple so that as much time as possible is spent in actual learning. Memorize the directions for the game in advance so that you are sure to now how to play it. Ask questions in such a way that they themselves are part of the learning process. Give clues to keep a game from bogging down when someone doesn't know the answer. Use time between rounds or games to study or review. Keep a supply of study cards and flash cards in a prominent place and encourage students to study them together before class and at breaks.3. Everyone Is a Winner. Learning games should be planned so that every student feels that he or she is succeeding. Avoid situations that always allows the brighter students to win. Avoid choosing sides in a way that would leave the slower student to be chosen last. Pay special attention to problem students, giving them extra clues, allowing them to shuffle cards, keep score, etc. Give reading roles to better readers who will not be embarrassed by mistakes. If a game is faltering because few people seem to know the answers, stop for a few minutes of review and study time, then resume the game, or switch to one that is less challenging.4. Everyone Works Together. While learning games need a certain amount of competition to be enjoyable, the focus should be on cooperative learning rather than competition. Build up team spirit with cheers, chants, and small rewards for the winners. Encourage teams to cheer for their teammates and for other teams. Give teams time to review together, which encourages the brighter students to help the slower students review the content. Switch teams often, trying to keep them balanced, and giving the students a chance to work with all of their classmates.5. Everyone Has Fun. Learning games should be fun for the teacher as well as the students. Keep a positive,k upbeat attitude. Use a game or two to live up a difficult or dull lesson, or to reward the class for especially good behavior. Don't play any one game too long. Once the class has become acquainted with several of the games, allow them to choose the one they want to play. Do not allow cheating, booing, or other unsportsmanlike activities.
Catholic and Jewish Dialogue
This is the time of year when Christians and Jews share two important holy days and seasons: Easter and Passover. This year, Easter Sunday is on April 12. Passover is celebrated from April 9 to 15. On Good Friday, Catholics pray especially for their Jewish brothers and sisters. Use the opportunity to explain some of the common and different beliefs between Catholics and Jews. The following material is reprinted from Exploring the Religions of the World by Nancy Clemmons, SNJM. Relationship Between Catholics and Jews The relationship between Catholics and Jews is unique indeed. Catholicism is rooted in Judaism historically, scripturally, liturgically, and theologically. No two religious traditions have so much in common. We both believe in one God (CCC, 228). We share Abraham as our father in faith, the first to believe in the one God (CCC, 72). We believe God has made multiple covenants with the Jewish people—with Noah, with Abraham, with Moses, with David—and that God has broken no covenant (CCC, 71). We know God has broken no promises. We affirm God’s revelation on Mount Sinai to Moses, then to the Jewish people, and then to all mankind (CCC, 72). We accept the Ten Commandments as a minimum guide for moral living (CCC, 1980). We pray the same psalms. We believe that God has spoken to us through the prophets. We accept the Hebrew Bible as the Word of God, and it is contained in the Old Testament. We know that at the end of time we will see that history has meaning, that there will be a final judgment, and that the world will be redeemed (CCC, 1060). Yet, those things that are common to both religious traditions are also the sources of our differences in the following areas. Messiah The most noted difference between Catholics and Jews is in the person of Jesus. Both agree Jesus was a historical figure. Jesus was born of a Jewish woman named Mary, raised in a traditional Jewish home in the Jewish homeland, was a charismatic itinerant preacher and wonder-worker, and died a criminal, crucified by Romans around 30 CE (AD). Here the commonalities end and the differences begin. Jews still expect a Messiah or messianic age to come. Jews believe that the Messiah (“the anointed one”) will be a wise person who will reestablish the House of David and that he will bring about the messianic era when the “lion shall lie down with the lamb and swords shall be turned into plowshares.” Catholics believe the Messiah has already come in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. While Jews at the time of Jesus were looking for a Messiah who would be a warrior-king, a political figure, from the House of David, Jesus of Nazareth was a spiritual rather than a political figure. The coming of the Messiah is the inauguration of God’s reign on earth. It is a spiritual, moral reign rather than an earthly reign, for Christ’s kingdom is not of this world. The Gospel of Luke cites Jesus reading in the synagogue from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Lk 4: 18–21) At the end of time, it will be revealed that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Jewish Messiah and Redeemer for the entire world. For Christians, the end of time will be the Second Coming of the Messiah, while for Jews it will be the first coming. Incarnation Jesus is something else besides the Messiah, the Anointed One of God (CCC, 453). Jesus is God. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). God became one of us in Jesus. At Jesus’ conception, the human nature of Jesus was perfectly united with the divine nature of the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity (CCC, 479). Jesus is not part human and part divine. Rather, Jesus is truly God and truly human (CCC, 480). God became one of us in Jesus to bring about our salvation, to reconcile us to God. This is the doctrine of the Incarnation. Jews expect the coming Messiah to be a human being, anointed by God, but not divine. Jews see no reason for a mediator between them and God. Each person has the power within to reconcile, to make right, with God. However, the doctrine of the Incarnation is not totally foreign to Jews. Both Jews and Christians believe the Word of God was present at creation, for God spoke, and it came to be. While for Christians the Word became Incarnate in the Person of Jesus, for Jews, the Word became Incarnate in a book. These are not the same or even similar doctrines. Rather, they both say that God is present to us through something concrete. For Christians, the tangible is Jesus, who is truly God and truly human. For Jews, the tangible is the Torah. It, too, has a divine and a human nature. The words of Torah make God present in the midst of the human reader. Scripture To Catholics, God’s inspired word in Scripture is contained in more than the Hebrew Bible. All Christians accept also the New Testament as revealed scripture. While Jews accept the New Testament as documents written, for the most part, by first-century Jews, they do not accept the New Testament as revealed by God. Christians commonly believe that the Old Testament is the same as the Hebrew Bible, though that is not exactly true. The Church included seven books (1 and 2 Maccabees, Judith, Tobit, Baruch, Sirach, and Wisdom), which were mostly written in Greek after 300 CE, not included in the Hebrew Bible B.C. (CE). These seven books are referred to as deuterocanonical—“second canon”—to show that they are not accepted in the Jewish canon. The word “testament” means “covenant.” So, while Christians could say that their scriptures are made up of the Old Covenant and New Covenant, as noted above, God made multiple covenants with the Jewish people, the most important of which is the covenant on Mount Sinai. God does not break covenants. God’s covenants are eternal. Jesus did not enter human history to render the Old Covenant void. Liturgy There are striking similarities between the annual Passover meal of the Jews and the daily Eucharistic celebration of Catholics, also known as the Mass or the Lord’s Supper. In each there are readings from scripture, the offering, blessing, and fracturing of unleavened bread, as well as the offering, blessing, and consuming of wine. Even the beginning of the blessings can be similar. Jews pray, “Blessed are you, King of the universe,” and Catholics pray, “Blessed are you, God of all creation.” Holy Thursday and Passover There is a connection also between Easter and Passover. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke report that the Last Supper was a Passover meal. The Passover is in commemoration of the Jewish exodus from Egypt. In this historical event, Jewish slaves in Egypt were brought to freedom through the leadership of Moses. After many attempts to get the pharaoh to release the slaves through the use of plagues, it was the last plague that caused the release. In the last plague, the first-born son would be slain. To avoid the killing of the first-born son, the Jews were to slaughter an unblemished lamb and mark the post and lintel of their dwelling with the blood of the lamb. The angel of death would “pass over” any dwelling that was marked with blood. The death of first-born sons was too much for the pharaoh, and he let the Jews go free. Christians see Jesus as the Lamb of God who was slain and whose blood released believers from the slavery of sin to freedom in Christ Jesus. Pentecost and Shavuot The Christian feast of Pentecost and the Jewish fest of Shavuot are related. In fact, Shavuot is known also as Pentecost. While Shavuot means “weeks,” referring to seven weeks after Passover, the name Pentecost refers to fifty days after Passover. Shavuot began as a spring harvest feast, but it is better known as a celebration of when God gave the Torah and the Mosaic Law to the Jews through Moses. This momentous occasion on Mount Sinai is when the Jews became a covenantal people. When the first followers of Jesus were celebrating Shavuot/Pentecost in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit came upon them. They, too, became a people. Pentecost is sometimes known as the “birthday of the Church.” In accepting Jesus, the Mosaic Law was not nullified, but fulfilled. Assignment Research four areas in which Jews and Catholics are in agreement. What are some other topics that can further Jewish-Catholic dialogue in a positive way.
Scriptural Way of the Cross for Teens
Have the students work in pairs to pray this Scriptural Way of the Cross. Allow a defined amount of time for each station. Call time and then read the leader prayer part for each station. Working with a partner, have the teens follow these directions: One person reads aloud the Scripture passage while the other follows along in the Bible. Each person takes two or three minutes to reflect on and answer the question for his or her own life. Each person tells something of his or her personal reflection to their partner. Respond to the prayer. Station 1 Agony in the Garden Luke 22:39-46 When was the time you were most afraid? Prayer: Lord, you sweated drops of blood in your anxiety for our human condition. Help us to remain awake because.... Response: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Station 2 The Arrest of Jesus Luke 22:47-53 Recall a time when you were falsely accused of something? How did you feel? Prayer: Lord, darkness had its hour but it could not over come you because.... Response: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Station 3 Peter's Denial Luke 22:54-62 When was a time you gossiped or betrayed a friend? Prayer: Lord, the love you always showed to others won because...." Response: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Station 4 Jesus Is Sentenced to Death Matthew 27:20-26 When did you go against the crowd and stand up for something you believe in? Prayer: Lord, we crucify you in so may ways: in our cruelty, greed, and injustice. Give us the strength to stand along with you, even to the point of death, because.... Response: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Station 5: Jesus Is Mocked Matthew 27:27-31 Describe a time when someone made fun of you. How did you feel? What did you do? Prayer: Hail, king of the universe. By your stripes we are healed. We honor you always because.... Response: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Station 6: Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross Matthew 27:32 Who was a person you were forced to help when you didn't want to? Prayer: Lord, we offer you our hands and our hearts. Give us the strength to be your helpers, because.... Response: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Station 7: Jesus Is Crucified Luke 23:32-43 Name someone you knew or heard who gave up his life or her life for another. Prayer: Jesus, remember us in your eternal kingdom as we praise you forever, because.... Response: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Station 8: Jesus Dies on the Cross Luke 23:44-46 Imagine you were there when Jesus died on the cross. Describe your feelings. Prayer: We adore you O Christ and we praise you, because.... Response: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Note: There are only eight stations (not fourteen) in the Scriptural Way of the Cross.
Guided Meditation: Anointing at Bethany
Share this guided meditation from Mark 14:3-9 of Jesus' anointing by a woman at Bethany (from Encountering Jesus ) by Patty McCulloch. Begin by telling the students that "You are with Jesus. You are at supper. A woman comes to Jesus and you will have the opportunity to talk with her. So . . . " Enter into this place. Relax. Let go of everything. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Be still. Relax. Let all your worries fly away. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Imagine . . . You are sitting around the table with friends. Smell the rich aroma of a home-cooked meal. Enjoy the companionship. Picture yourself there with your friends. A woman who does not belong to your group enters the room. She looks around and heads toward Jesus. What is she doing here? What does she have in her hands? What does she want? Watch her. She has a bottle. She opens it. A wonderful perfume fills the air. She lifts the bottle over Jesus' head. She pours out the perfume on him. She rubs it through his hair with her hands. Why is she doing this? What is Jesus reaction? Judas yells out, "What is the point of such a waste of expensive perfume? It could have been sold for over thirty dollars and the money given to the poor." Everyone else is whispering, gossiping. The woman ignores all of you. She continues to anoint Jesus' head with perfume. Look at Jesus and the woman. The woman finishes. Jesus glances around the table. He says, "Let her alone; why must you make her feel uncomfortable? She has done a beautiful thing for me. You have the poor with you always. You can reach out to them whenever you like." Reflect on these words. How are they true? Jesus continues, "You will not always have me with you. She has done all she could. For she has anointed my body in preparation for burial. I assure you that wherever the gospel is preached throughout the whole world, this deed of hers will also be recounted, as her memorial to me." Sit back and wonder what these words mean. Go up to the woman. Ask her why she anointed Jesus. What does she say? Talk to her about her actions. Listen to her. It is time to reenter this space. Say good-bye for now. Ask Jesus to lead your way into the rest of the day. Say thank you. Come back gently. Open your eyes. Remember. Sit up.
Quick Jesus Quiz
Assign the short fill-in-the blank quiz. See how many the students can complete in 15 minutes.1. The name Jesus means __.2. Jesus' hometown is____.3. Jesus was born in __.4. Luke traces Jesus' genealogy to __.5. Matthew traces Jesus' genealogy to ___.6. Nazareth is located in the province of ____.7. Jesus probably studied the ___ like other young Jewish boys.8. The __ was a place of Jewish assembly and worship.9. In Matthew's Gospel, God's protection of his Son is symbolized by the flight to____.10. Both _ and ____ recognized Jesus as Messiah during Jesus' presentation in the Temple.11. The term meaning God becoming man in Jesus is ____.12. The angel __ announced to Mary that she would be with child.13. The bar means ___ in the phrase "Jesus bar Mary."14. The Jews belived that the Messiah would come from the descendants of __.15. Bethlehem is in the province of ___.16. The ruthless king of Judea, ___, was a volatile mixture of policy and passion.17. The Emperor at the time of Jesus' birth was ____.18. Matthew was primarily writing to a __-Christian audience.19. Luke was primarily writing to a __-Christian audience.20. Jesus is both__ and ____.Answers1. "Yahweh is salvation."2. Nazareth3. Bethlehem4. Adam5. Abraham6. Galilee7. Torah8. synagogue9. Egypt10. Anna, Simeon11. Incarnation12. Gabriel13. son of14. King David15. Judea16. Herod the Great17. Caesar Augustus18. Jewish19. Gentile20. God, Man
Teens Want to Know Jesus
The new handbook Catholic Essentials: An Overview of the Faith helps teenagers to really come to know Jesus. The book encourages a transforming relationship with Jesus to one of friendship and love. With stories of saints and contemporary people who are friends of Jesus along with the "essentials" of the Catholicism (Sacraments, Beatitudes, Creeds, Prayers, Scripture, and the like) teenagers are provided a base knowledge to grow deeper in their faith. Check out this new video to see how!
Catholic College Bracketology
Here's an annual breakdown of the NCAA men's basketball tournament with a focus on Catholic colleges that have been selected. Amidst the filling out of brackets, use the opportunity to share some information on the particular Catholic colleges, their charisms, founders, and missions. Encourage your students to consider attending a Catholic college. Of the sixty-five entries beginning the tournament, seven were Catholic colleges. This is down from nine Catholic colleges in 2008 and eleven participants in 2007. To begin, ask your students to circle the Catholic colleges on a bracket sheet. The teams are: Midwest Region Siena Dayton Boston College West Region Marquette East Region Xavier Villanova South Region Gonzaga Ask the students to rate the Catholic teams (based on seedings). It might look something like this: 1. Villanova (3) 2. Gonzaga/Xavier (4) 4. Marquette (6) 5. Boston College (7) 6. Siena (9) 7. Dayton (11) Also, hand out a blank map of the United States. See how many students can correctly place the Catholic college in the correct location by state. Pennsylvania Villanova Washington Gonzaga Ohio Xavier Dayton Wisconsin Marquette Massachusetts Boston College New York Siena And, don't forget to ask some questions pertinent to the colleges. For example: 1. Which colleges are founded by the Jesuits? (Gonzaga, Xavier, Marquette, Boston College) 2. Which colleges are named for saints? (St. Aloysisus Gonzaga, St. Thomas of Villanova, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Francis Xavier). 3. Which school originally had the nickname the "Fighting Irish"? (Gonzaga) 4. Which school was founded by the Friars of the Order of St. Augustine? (Villanova) 5. Which college is named after an explorer? (Marquette for Father Jacques Marquette (1637-1675), a French, Jesuit missionary and explorer in North America). 6. Which college was originally named St. Mary's College for Boys? (Dayton) If you have additional questions, activities, or games connected with "March Madness" share them with your fellow teachers in the comments section below. Also, you can conduct similar lessons with the NCAA Women's basketball bracket that will be released on Monday evening.
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