Discussion-Oriented
28 results
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Dear Millie and Mike
This handout provides several real-life situations that teens might encounter. Students are challenged to respond to the situations and give advice to other teens.
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What It Means to Be Human
This handout helps students list characteristics that come from society and from Jesus’ teachings that describe what it means to be human.
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The Narrow Door: A Guided Meditation
This guided meditation communicates the Gospel message of simple living in a way that engages the imagination and inspires young people to actively simplify their lives. This activity is an excerpt from the book Justice and Service Ideas for Ministry …
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Helping the Church of Today and Tomorrow
This handout challenges students to reflect on and brainstorm what it would have been like to create Church teachings and rules shortly after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
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The Consequences of Moral Decisions
This handout examines how actions, attitudes, and decisions affect ourselves and the people around us
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Called to Share the Mission of Jesus
This small-group activity provides each group with an example of Christ's mission. Groups must answer questions surrounding their particular example.
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Cases to Examine: Is This Euthanasia?
This handout provides three situations for students to read and evaluate. Students must decide if the story shows an example of Euthanasia.
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Perspectives on Sex
This handout provides several comments from teenagers about sex. It can be used as a discussion starter or writing prompt.
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Three Perspectives on Drugs
This handout provides three different comments from teens about their drug and alcohol usage. This can be used as a discussion starter.
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Life Issues A Summary: Dealing with Peer Pressure
A good summary on dealing with peer pressure.
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The Disciples on the Road to Emmaus Part II
Discussion questions based on The Disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).
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Justice Conversation Starters
A list of several conversation starters or self-reflection questions on the topic of justice.
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Dilemma Questions
A set of questions based on real-world situations and dilemmas that a person may be dealing with.
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Fiddler on the Roof
Questions for discussion for "Fiddler on the Roof" from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."
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Gospel Reflection on Sin and Salvation
A Gospel reflection on sin and salvation from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."
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An Examination of Conscience
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers great reflection questions for going through an examination of conscience, dividing the questions into those referring to love of God, and those referring to love of neighbor. This …
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Paul: A Profound Conversion
[Saul] heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts of the Apostles 9:4) It was on his way to Damascus that Paul was struck down by God and blinded. A brilliant light from heaven …
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Paul: Persecutor of Christians
Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women . . . To prison. (Acts of the Apostles 8:3) Convinced that following the teachings of Jesus was wrong, Paul pursued the early Christians …
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Paul: Religious Zeal
I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. (Galatians 1:14) A tent maker by trade, Paul's Jewish name was Saul. But because Paul …
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The First Address from Pope Benedict XVI
"Grace and peace in abundance to all of you! In my soul there are two contrasting sentiments in these hours. On the one hand, a sense of inadequacy and human turmoil for the responsibility entrusted to me yesterday as the …
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Be At Peace Among Yourselves
"Be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5:13) "None of us is alone in this world; each of us is a vital piece of the great mosaic of humanity as a whole." (Pope John Paul II, Israel-Palestine) Think About That …
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Moral Decision Making and Real-Life Applications
If you have used the Saint Mary's Press textbook Growing in Christian Morality, then you're familiar with the LISTEN process for making moral decisions. The process is introduced in the textbook and is used throughout the companion student casebook. LISTEN …
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On the Frontier of Justice in Ghana
"Africa has been the land of hope, salvation, and redemption. Abraham had come to Africa, Joseph from slave to savior. It was the land of refuge for Jesus and helped to carry his cross. Will we continue to dismiss Africa …
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Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Movie Activity
Disney's 1996 movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame can serve as a great starting point for discussions on the following topics: Moral Development. One can find examples of Quasi relying on childlike, adolescent and adult morality--which makes sense for an …
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Patch Adams - Movie Reflection
Patch Adams is a great movie to use with students! It is the fact-based story of Hunter "Patch" Adams, the founder of the Gesundheit Clinic. Robin Williams plays the lead character with grace and skill. Synopsis: After spending some time …
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Getting to the Heart of the Matter
Step 1: Look at the situation What exactly is happening? Why is it happening? Who is involved? What are their motives? How is it happening, that is, by what means or method? When and where is it happening? Step 2: …
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Community Service Courses:
This past semester, at the end of a year-long service program at a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed youth, two students from my community service course wrote a poem to express the significance of their experiences. These are the …
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Catholic Identity
For a couple of years, Saint Mary's Press sponsored a listserv discussion group online. Discussions on a variety of topics were pursued via e-mail. In this article I hope to summarize some of the highlights from postings on the timely …