Discussion-Oriented
85 results
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The Socratic Seminar
This handout provides a set of guidelines and instructions to help students successfully participate in a Socratic seminar.
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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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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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Three Renewal Movements
Work with your group to complete the section of this handout that corresponds to your assigned topic.
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School History Scavenger Hunt
Write your name and the names of your group members at the top of this handout. As a group, research the history of our school and complete the following questions. For each answer, note the source of your information. This …
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Reading Reflection: Pope John Paul II's 1992 Address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences
In your group, read the excerpt from Pope Saint John Paul II’s 1992 Address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Work in your group to answer the questions about your assigned paragraph. Then complete the questions about the remaining paragraphs …
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Creating a Promotional Brochure
Your group has been assigned to create a brochure about one of the two major religious orders to emerge during the Catholic Reformation: the Jesuits or the Carmelites. Imagine that you are members of this new religious order during the …
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Web Quest on Renaissance Culture
Write your group member’s names at the top of this handout, and circle the topic assigned to your group. Use the Internet to locate three reliable sources about your group’s assigned topic in Renaissance culture. Use this handout to organize …
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Challenges to the Papacy
Complete this handout with your group as you review article 21, “Challenges to the Papacy,” in the student book.
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Characteristics of Apologetics
With your group, read Saint Ignatius of Antioch’s letter to the Romans. Then answer the following questions.
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The Development of the New Testament
Use a separate sheet of paper to answer the following questions. Each group member must turn in an answer sheet.
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Handout: Jesus and Forgiveness
Read the passage listed under “Forgiveness and Salvation,” and then read your assigned passages from Matthew, Mark and John, or Luke, and answer the questions as your teacher has directed, either in writing (on a separate sheet of paper) or …
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Called to Share the Mission of Jesus
Questions about how we can imitate Jesus’ example in the way we interact with others.
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Jesus and Forgiveness
Questions about Scripture verses that talk about forgiveness and salvation.
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The Message of Jesus
Read and discuss the meaning of the parable your group was assigned from the list below. Use this question to guide your discussion: What lesson was Jesus trying to teach about the Kingdom or about our relationship with the Kingdom …
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The I Am Sayings of Jesus
Choose three of the Scripture passages below to look up and read. After reading each one, discuss with your group what it says about Jesus’ identity. Write down a summary of your discussion below the saying.
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One of Us
Answer the following questions with your group that are related to the questions asked in the song “One of Us”. Your instructor will lead you through Part II. Use the following questions as prompts for taking notes in your notebook.
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Created in God’s Image
You will be guided through this handout, taking notes and answering questions as directed in your class.
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Secular Institutes
A worksheet completed in groups about the history, role, and characteristics of secular institutes.
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Exploring Religious Orders and Congregations
A research assignment worksheet done in pairs to find important information about different religious orders.
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Being versus Doing
A scripture passage from the Gospel of Luke about Martha and Mary is read along with a commentary, and is followed by large group discussion questions.
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Inspirations and Charisms Worksheet
A partially independent and partially group completed worksheet for students to fill out about the inspirations and charisms of a particular religious congregation or order.
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The Effects of the Sacrament of Holy Orders
A worksheet completed in groups about the effects of the Sacrament of Holy Orders from both the book and the student’s personal knowledge.
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The Sacrament of Holy Orders Graphic Organizer
A worksheet completed in groups about the symbolic words and actions that take place during the Rite of Ordination, as well as their meaning and effect.
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The Threefold Ministry of a Bishop
This resource is a group activity worksheet that has students list examples of the Bishop’s roles in the areas of teaching, governing, and sanctifying.
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A Call to Priestly Ministry
This resource is a discussion guide and worksheet about the call to priestly ministry based on the film clip from There Be Dragons.
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Getting to Know Jesus
A partner activity on getting to know Jesus through Scriptural accounts of his miracles.
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Getting to Know Mary, from Section 3 Part 1 of "Jesus Christ: God's Love Made Visible"
A partner activity where Scripture passages are used to get to know Mary.
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The Gospel of John and Anti-Semitism
A group activity on the Gospel of John and anti-Semitism.
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Analyzing Artistic Depictions of the Book of Glory
A group activity where students analyze the artistic depictions of the Book of Glory.
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Old Testament Themes and Images in John's Prologue
A worksheet on the Old Testament themes and images in the prologue of the Gospel of John.
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Exploring John's Christology
A worksheet where the critical questioning method is used to explore John’s Christology.
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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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The Mystery of Suffering - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. Rather than a philosophical or theological discussion of the mystery of suffering, this resource asks students to meditate and think about Jesus' example of suffering for people he loves.
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Sharing in the Ministry of Jesus: Priest, Prophet, and King
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Groups of students can answer questions about Jesus as Priest, Prophet or King and reflect on models and characteristics of these distinct but related ministries.
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Reflection Questions: The Call to Holiness
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can reflect on what it means to be holy and how to grow in holiness through these series of questions.
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The Prodigal Son A Story of Conversion
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can reflect on and answer questions about the conversion of the Prodigal Son.
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Heroes of Prayer
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to research and answer questions about a "Hero of Prayer", including doubt they experienced and prayers they used.
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Music and Liturgy
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can reflect on various songs and pieces of music in the liturgy to come to a greater understanding.
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Reflections on Suffering
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can reflect on their experiences of and response to suffering through this series of though-provoking questions.
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Redemptive Suffering in the Ministry of Jesus
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students must look up various scripture passages referring to Jesus' suffering and answer questions about the scenario and the significance of redemptive suffering.
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Common Beliefs about Suffering
This activity allows students to reflect on a series of questions about human suffering and God's participation in it. They can agree or disagree with various statements of commonly held beliefs about suffering.
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Why We Go to Mass Reflection and Discussion Questions
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to reflect on and discuss the significance of the Mass through these questions.
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Visual Meditation on the Ascension
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may reflect on images of Jesus' Ascension and answer these questions.
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Redemptive Love in The Spitfire Grill
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can answer questions about the themes and characters in the movie, "The Spitfire Grill".
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The Miracles of Jesus
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can work in groups to look up passages of some of Jesus' miracles and reflect on them together.
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Reading the Parables
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students must look up some of Jesus' parables and answer questions about the analogy and imagery used and the message being given about the Kingdom of God.
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Symbols of Baptism
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It invites students to reflect on the significance of key symbols used in baptism.
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The Baptism of Jesus
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can read the account of Jesus' baptism and answer questions about it.
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Interview Questions about Your Baptism
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students ask the provided to questions to adults who can tell them about the details of that student's baptism. A reflection on the significance of the sacrament is done at …
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The Parable of Juan and the Fishbowl Reflection
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can answer basic, advanced, and highly reflective questions about the story.
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Using the Lectionary to Understand How God’s Ancient Promises Are Fulfilled in Jesus
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can use this handout to explore some Old Testament prophecies that find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
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Redemptive Love: Simon Birch
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students watching the movie "Simon Birch" can use this handout to follow along and reflect on major themes in the film.
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Introduction to Salvation History - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint presentation is part of the Living in Christ Series. It explores salvation history, the transmission of Divine Revelation, and the role of the Magisterium.
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Being Human - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It asks students to reflect on what it means to be human and how Jesus models the way to live fully alive.
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The Parables of Jesus - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students reflect on various Gospel parables through works of art that depict them. After viewing the art, students are asked to think about common themes.
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Where Have Jesus, Mary, the Apostles, Disciples, and Others Modeled the Ways to Discipleship?
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to reflect on the discipleship modeled by Jesus, Mary, the Apostles, and others.
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Definitions and Application of Theological Terms
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can use this chart to fill in the definiton of various terms, then find a practical application for their life.
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Portfolio Instruction
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers instruction to students who must put together a portfolio of their readings, writings and assignments from lessons on Jesus and Christology.
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Cross the Line
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It introduces a method of classroom discussion that is interactive and a part of the bodily-kinesthetic learning method. Students move to indicate their responses to various questions.
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A Gallery Walk - Discussion Technique
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It is an instructional article for teachers to learn how to administer a "Gallery Walk" discussion technique.
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Finding God and Being Found by God - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a great introduction to what God desires from humans and why God chooses to reveal Himself to us.
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Learning About Learning
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. It asks students to reflect on their responses, likes, and dislikes to new learning methods.
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The Ascension of Jesus
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can read the account of Jesus' Ascension and answer questions about it.
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Leadership Statements
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. It includes several statesments about leadership in the Bible, including who's called, what skills are necessary, and what it takes to be a good leader.
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What Kind of Leader Is Moses?
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to look up verses and make assessments about Moses' leadership in the Old Testament.
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Sprint Through Salvation History Scriptural Passages
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to explore the Bible for key events in the Old and New Testaments in Salvation History.
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God's Existence - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers discussion points for a classroom where students can talk about faith, doubt, and reliable resources to know of God's existence.
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Etymology and Understanding
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students define, associate, and find similaries among various words that a teacher or catechist assigns, in order to see the root and relationship between them.
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Interview Questions: Personal Relationship with Jesus
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are to interview an adult in their life whom they know that has a personal relationship with Jesus.
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Paul's Conversion
Background for the Teacher This session focuses our attention on Paul's conversion experience. Using a hard-boiled egg and a raw egg as focusing symbols, the young people reflect on the meaning of conversion. Then two or three of the participants …
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Paul: A Unique Person
Background for the Teacher Saint Paul has fascinated Christians throughout history. The combination of his Jewish upbringing, his exposure to Greek culture, his fiery personality, and his openness to God's grace uniquely prepared him to spread the Gospel. This session …
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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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Who Does the Movie Say Killed Jesus?
Much of the controversy about The Passion of the Christ centers around one question: Who killed Jesus? The Anti-Defamation League feels the movie lays the blame at the feet of the Jews. Mel Gibson, the movie's director, producer and cowriter, …
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Advent: Saint Joseph and Jesus
This can be easily adapted to a video call. 1. Gather the group in a circle for a moment of silence. Light the candle and read these passages about Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew (1:18-21 and 2:13-15). Ask the …
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Pope
What is the pope? The pope is the bishop of the Church of Rome, Italy. Because of the importance of Rome, Tradition recognizes the pope as the supreme pastor of all Christians. Why is the Church of Rome so important? …
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Six Ways to be Truly Catholic
I always thought that I would have made a great archbishop in Salzburg during the time of Mozart. But instead I'm the archbishop of Milwaukee in the time of rock 'n' roll. That's the way life turns out. We live …
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Using Literature in Theology Classes
Editor's note: The author of our feature article, Kathleen Hodapp, was one of the participants in last summer's workshop "The Catholic High School As Faith Community," held here in Winona, Minnesota, as well as on the East Coast and the …
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Expect Much, Praise Much, Be Present to Them
Course materials, such as the high school religion textbooks and teacher's manuals published by Saint Mary's Press, are a significant ingredient in the education of our young people. But we all know that the most important factor in a student's …