1. Erin Brockovich Questions Group Questions 1. Determine five most important things in Erin's life. Think about decisions she made, things she said, etc. 2. From the above five things, determine which were the top three in her life and rank those in order of most important to least important. This may take some careful consideration and time. Again consider the choices Erin made, sacrifices she made, and what she did and said. List the three things in order. 3. Explain your choices for the order. Make sure you support your selection and order of the three things with specific actions, words, or choices from the film. 1. We chose______ and put it in the first position specifically because… 2. We chose_____ and put it in the second position specifically because… 3. We chose______ and put it in the third position specifically because…

2. Erin Brockovich Questions Individual Questions 1. The film is based on a true story. What does the story tell us about our society? 2. What are the three most important moral/ethical problems portrayed in the movie. Explain why those three? 3. What lessons from the film can you apply to your own life? Give at least two. Back up your answer with examples from the film.

3. Sin and God’s Love

4. Reflection-Discussion Please go to p. 81 in your textbooks and complete the activity “Before we Begin…” Be ready to discuss and defend your choices

5. Assignment Think about the meaning of sin; draw a picture of sin that in a symbolic way represent your understanding of this reality. After you finish, be ready to share your “picture of sin” with the rest of the class.

6. Sin and God’s Love In the book of Genesis 3 we have the story of the Fall of the first human beings. What does the story tells us about sin?

7. Sin and God’s Love Sin basically means the lack of love. MISSING THE MARK has been the biblical image for sin. When we sin, or miss the mark, we settle for behavior that does not reflect the love for God, others and ourselves. Missing your goal, not being the person you were created to be, becoming less than human.

8. Sin and God’s Love The second biblical image of sin is HARDNESS OF HEART. A “hard heart” is a turning inward. It is a me, me attitude. Only MY opinion matters; only MY desires matter

9. Sin and God’s Love Selfishness is another name for sin. Ancient wisdom often pointed to selfishness as the root of sin, a misguided placing of our will and desires above the needs of others.

10. Sin in Christian Tradition Today our society has a tendency to avoid speaking about sin. We are afraid to call it what it is, we are afraid to offend anyone or to be seen as judgmental.

11. Sin in Christian Tradition But only when we recognize that a problem exists can we overcome the problem. If we don’t recognize that there is also a “dark side” to us, then we give it power over us.

12. Sin in Christian Tradition In the Christian tradition, however, sin is not as important as FORGIVENESS is. The essential message of the Christian story about sin is that Jesus CONQUERS sin. Please go to p. 89 in your textbook and complete Activity at the bottom of the page

13. Sin in Christian Tradition The Christian traditions distinguishes a variety of sin Original Mortal Sin Venial Sin Sins of Commission Sins of Omission

14. Sin in Christian Tradition Mortal Sin The term “mortal” implies “deadly.” It is the more serious types of sin We sin mortally when we reject God completely An action so destructive that it mortally wounds (kills) our relationship others and thus with God

15. Seven deadly sins Lust Gluttony Greed Sloth Wrath Envy Pride

16. Sin in Christian Tradition Sin is mortal when it meets 3 criteria: It must involve a grave matter It must be done with full knowledge (an informed conscience) The person performing the action does it deliberately

17. Sin in Christian Tradition Venial Sins Less serious sins Are actions that weakens our relationship with other and thus with God They can become habitual and can lead us to a complete turning away from God

18. Sin in Christian Tradition Sins of Commission purposely doing an action that is harmful to oneself or another. Sins of Omission not doing something when we should have.

19. Five Gospel Based Characteristics of Sin 1.Views sin in terms of relationship (not just breaking of law) 2.Stresses doing the positive 3.Focuses on overall life patterns, as well as specific acts

20. Five Gospel Based Characteristics of Sin 4.Emphasizes sin as being an offense against God and other people 5.Recognizes the social dimension of sin

21. The Effects of Sin COMBINING THE VERTICAL AND THE HORIZONTAL The reality of sin is not simply between us and a God who is distant form us; rather, sin is between us and God who is present in the people around us. IF WE DO NOT LOVE OTHERS, WE DO NOT LOVE GOD.

22. Social Sin Sinful social structure – ways societies are structures resulting in unjust distribution of power, benefits, and privileges. Social sin – a term referring to sinful structures leading to social conditions and institutions that do not embody God’s law of love.

23. Sin in Christian Tradition Please go to p. 97 in your textbooks and answer questions For Review, 1-5 and the activity Group Talk