Middle School Bible Study Please take a seat beginning with the first row and working towards the back. Seats along the walls are reserved for adults. We will begin as soon as everyone is quiet. Thank you.

Welcome & Introductions Program Coordinator: Debbie Parisi Catechists: 6A Maureen Engle & Maria Nielsen 6B Jim Merrigan, Beth Cusick & Carol English 7A Joanne Naccarato & Joanne Russell 7B Elizabeth Martin & Lauren Gonzalez 8th Joyce Hildebrand & Manisa Sekelick

Program Overview 6:00 Pizza – Classroom 6/7 6:30 Large Group – Classroom 1 7:00 Small Groups – Various Locations 7:40 Large Group – Classroom 1 8:00 Dismissal

What is Bible Study? Bible Study IS… Bible Study is N T… Friendly Cliquey Fun Playtime Interactive Entertainment Structured Free-for-All Educational Recreational Catholic Church Competition

Bible Study Etiquette Fresh & Clean Good Attitude Be on Time Food & Drinks Bathroom & Drinking Fountain Cell phones & Electronic Devices Courteous, Kind & Respectful Protect Property

Heavenly Father, through these words help me understand the things you wish to teach me. Dear Jesus, through these words let me feel the love you have for me as you feel your Father’s love for you. Holy Spirit, through these words inspire me to live as a follower of Jesus and bring your love to everyone I meet today. Amen Opening Prayer

Epic / We Are The Catholic Church Video

Introduction to People of the Early Church Our Study

People of the Early Church Who was there when the church began? Jesus Mary Apostles – Peter, James & John Disciples – Mary, Martha & Mary Magdalene Converts - Luke & Paul

Their Faith & Beliefs Who were these people and what religion did they follow? Jews Romans & Greeks Gentiles Non-believers

The Church Who started the church? Jesus Christ “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:12-14)

Marks of the Church What distinguishes Jesus’ church from all the others? One Holy Catholic Apostolic

Scripture & Tradition Did the early Christians have a Bible? No, there was no set canon Old Testament scriptures written over 200 years before Christ was born New Testament not yet written Both Jews and early Christians transmitted their faith orally, or by Tradition

The Bible & The Church How did we get the Bible? The Bible is a collection of books The Church determined which books (scriptures) were the inspired Word of God The Bible Canon was approved in the 4th century All Bibles were Catholic and contained the same books until the Reformation in the 15th century

Catholic Christians Are Catholics Christians? Yes, we are the original Christians Catholic means universal Jesus established only one church for the sanctification of all people

Mission of the Church What will we learn about in this study? People who carried on Jesus’ mission after the Crucifixion. People who joined the Church or converted from other faiths. People like you and me.

Small Groups In a few moments we will break into our small groups. Wait for instructions Small Groups

Together We’re the Church Activity

Closing Segment Catechists, please sit with your small groups. Fill seats beginning with the first row and working towards the back. We will begin as soon as everyone is quiet. Thank you.

Announcements Fri, Aug 31…………Screens & Greens Permission Slips due!!! Sept 2 & 5….……..No PSR – Labor Day Fri, Sept 7…………Screens & Greens Social Sept 9 & 12………..Mary of Nazareth Sept 16 & 19.……...John the Baptist Sept 23 & 26..…….Service Day / Ornament Decorating

“You are the light of the world “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14) Verse of the Day

Why do we need the Church? Think About It

The Catholic Church / We Are Catholic Video

Prayer Petitions For our Mother Church, may she be as gentle with the faithful as a mother with her babies, and may her leaders be compassionate, tolerant, and accepting servants of God’s children, Let Us Pray to the Lord; Lord, hear our prayer For the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome and for his Cathedral, the Lateran Basilica in Rome, may this faraway place be a sign of unity among all who are Catholic, Let Us Pray to the Lord; For the Holy Catholic Church and all Christian churches, may we trust in Christ and become one vigorous, fruitful community of faith, so that the world may see one King of Glory and one Kingdom of God, Let Us Pray to the Lord; . R: Lord, hear our prayer.

O God, You want the whole world to believe in you and in Jesus whom you sent to save us. Show us how to believe, and teach us what we should believe. Though people may laugh at us for believing, give us courage to stand up for you and live as we should. We ask you this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen Closing Prayer