1. Textbook pages 2-21

2. 60 second free-write: How do you know God exists? How do you know things about God?  Desire for God is implanted in our hearts ◦ Nothing else fully satisfies us  Reason/intellect ◦ Creator, “First Cause”, “Supreme Being”, “Grand Designer”  Divine Revelation ◦ Revelation = “unveiling” ◦ Definition: God’s self-communication whereby God makes known the mystery of the divine plan.

3.  Catholics believe divine revelation comes through two sources: ◦ 1. SACRED SCRIPTURE  Definition: The written record of salvation that teaches what is necessary for our salvation. ◦ 2. SACRED TRADITION  Definition: The living transmission of the message of the Gospel in the Church.

4.  “Tradition” comes from a word meaning “handed on”  Sacred Tradition began with what Jesus handed on to the Apostles  Today we find Sacred Tradition in the Church’s teaching, life, and worship ◦ The MAGISTERIUM interprets and explains Sacred Tradition  Definition: the official teaching authority of the Church that resides in the pope & the bishops

5.  Sacred Tradition passes on the story of SALVATION HISTORY ◦ Definition: The story of God’s saving activity in human history  God’s love  covenants with humanity  Abraham, Israel, Messiah  Climax of Salvation History = coming of Jesus ◦ In your small group write the story of salvation history in 50 words or less!

6.  The fullness of divine revelation took place in the INCARNATION ◦ Definition: A core Christian teaching (dogma) that the Son of God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ  Jesus is fully God AND fully human  Prologue of John’s Gospel (1:1-14) ◦ What image is used for Jesus? ◦ What characteristics of Jesus are emphasized? ◦ Copy down the verse that best supports the dogma of the Incarnation

7.  Early heresy (false teaching) of Docetism said Jesus only seemed to be human  Problem with this perspective: ◦ If Jesus only seemed to be human, then he only seemed to die and resurrect ◦ Jesus’ death & resurrection brought about our salvation; if he didn’t really die & rise, then we aren’t really saved.  Christian teaching is that Jesus was really human and really God

8.  God becoming human heals the relationship between God and humans  Jesus revealed God’s love to us  Jesus is the perfect model of holiness  God becoming human helps humans share in God’s nature

9.  List the names of 3 people who taught you something about Jesus and what they taught you about him. Name of PersonWhat they taught you about Jesus 1. 2. 3.

10.  A. Historical Jesus ◦ All can agree that Jesus was an actual historical person 1. Basic facts about this historical person: - “last names” (3): - religion: - birthplace: - year of birth: - mother: - hometown: - occupation:

11.  A. Historical Jesus (continued) 2. Jesus’ Public Ministry - Date * ~28 C.E. - Message * Repentance, Coming of Kingdom of God - Works * Healing, Feeding, Teaching

12.  A. Historical Jesus (continued) 2. Jesus’ Public Ministry (continued) - Reactions * Positive: disciples followed him and lived out his teachings * Negative: some thought Jesus was crazy, some were threatened or angered by his actions - Death * Arrested, tried, crucified by authorities (religious and political)

13.  B. Jesus as the Son of God ◦ What do Christians believe about Jesus that others would not believe about him?  He rose from the dead (Resurrection)  He is God  He sends the Holy Spirit to his followers ◦ In order to believe these things we must have FAITH  Faith is a gift from God

14.  C. Personal Relationship with Jesus ◦ How do you connect with Jesus?  Scripture  Sacraments  Prayer  In other people

15.  D. Names & Titles for Jesus ◦ 1. JESUS  Common name in the 1 st century  Means “Yahweh saves”

16.  D. Names & Titles for Jesus (continued) ◦ 2. CHRIST  Greek = Christos; Hebrew = Messiah  Means “anointed”  God promised the Israelites he would send a Messiah to rescue them.  They expected:  Someone from the line of David  Political ruler  Military leader

17.  D. Names & Titles for Jesus (continued) ◦ 3. SON OF GOD  Christian use of this title recognizes Jesus as the one who shares God’s divine nature  Used differently in Hebrew Scripture: referred to those who had a special relationship with God  Jesus’ miracles, words, and Resurrection reveal that he is the unique Son of God

18.  D. Names & Titles for Jesus (continued) ◦ 4. LORD  Commonly used in 1 st century to address a powerful person  Believers use this title differently to show that Jesus is God  LORD = substitute for divine name Yahweh

19. How Do We Know Jesus? D. Names & Titles for Jesus (continued) 5. PRIEST o Mediator between God and humanity o Offered sacrifice for the sake of his people 6. PROPHET o Spoke God’s message o Taught a message of salvation through his words and deeds 7. KING o Ruler of the universe o Rules with gentleness, compassion, and love