Unit 2 – Lesson 5 Knowing God The Act of Faith Our time today will focus on defining FAITH and seeing what role faith plays in our lives. 1

Prayer The Act of Faith Prayer O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; I believe that your Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths the Holy Catholic Church teaches because You have revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. 2

Today’s Objective & Overview Objective: To appraise the idea – Does faith matter in our lives? We will begin our study by looking at the Parable of the Sower. Definition of a Parable: Jesus often used parable to teach important ideas. A parable is a story or example on a life experience that illustrates a religious or moral principle 3

So Just What Is Faith is a free supernatural assent (agreement) of the intellect through which a truth revealed by God is believed on the authority of God, who revealed it. Complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual acceptance rather than proof. Believing without proof – A simple matter of trust 4

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Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:1-23 The Parable of the Sower Summarize the Parable of the Sower What are the four types of seeds that the sower spreads on the ground? How can you keep from being one of the first three kinds of seeds? In what ways can you “nurture the soil” so that you can make holy choices in your life? How does the “good soil” help us to find true happiness in God? 6

A Story About Faith There are three key words in the Parable of the Sower: The Sower – Jesus (The Word of God) The Soil – Is Our Response to God’s Call The Seed our Faith 7

Graphic Organizer Motives of Credibility Qualities of the Act of Faith You may work with a partner on this assignment. Motives of Credibility information can be found of pages 37 through 44. Qualities of the Act of Faith information can be found on pages 45 through 46. 8

Qualities of the Act of Faith 9

The Motives of Credibility 10

Couple Final Thoughts Faith is believing and accepting God’s Divine Revelation without fully understanding the revealed truths. 11

Some thoughts of Thomas Aquinas Aquinas once noted that “the world tempts us, either by seducing us with its vanities or by terrifying us with its misfortunes.” Still, he continued, faith in God and in the promises of Heaven can help us overcome these temptations! 12