God’s plan for each person is not simply to know everything about Him or even to know Him, God’s desire is nothing less than for

each person “to become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pt 1:4; Eph 2:18). We are to be to be His sons and daughters

(cf. Gal 4:5), His Children, inserted into His Family, the Church. There are four means for insertion into the Mystery of

Christ (cf. Acts 2:42).

1. Sacred Scripture

2. Liturgy/Sacraments

3. Systematic catechesis

4. Testimony of Christian living

Scripture is the basic means for insertion into the Mystery of Christ. Scripture provides a biblical-historical catechesis, that is, it

tells us our Salvation Story, as God revealed Himself and His Plan through the course of history, time and space. Scripture is the

basic means for insertion because Scripture is the inspired language of God, love letters from our heavenly Father.

In order to reveal himself to men, in the condescension of his goodness God speaks to them in human words: 'Indeed the words

of God, expressed in the words of men, are in every way like human language, just as the Word of the eternal Father, when he

took on himself the flesh of human weakness, became like men. (CCC 101)

Thus, “the Church’s teaching, liturgy, and life spring from this source (Scripture) and lead back to it” (CT 27; parenthesis added).

Scripture is essential for catechesis.

a. familiarize yourself with Scripture; read daily, study, and reflect, e.g. Lectio Divina

b. generally speaking use Scripture for every lesson

c. to find applicable Scriptures use CCC and the footnotes, a concordance, and/or internet SEARCH engine

d. in the lesson, don’t give every Scripture reference

e. adapt to age group, Toddler Bibles, Teen Bibles, etc. and when possible read directly from the Bible

Liturgy is the prime means for insertion into the Mystery of Christ and refers to “guidance in living sacramental life/elementary

instruction on Church’s worship” (CT 23). Liturgy includes Sacraments, Liturgy of the Word, and Liturgy of the Hours. Liturgy is

primary because the one sure way of being freed from sin and being reborn as a child of God is through Baptism.

Liturgy is essential for catechesis.

Catholics, especially catechists, need to live a sacramental life (Sunday Mass, regular Reconciliation) otherwise catechesis

becomes intellectualized. Catechesis comes to life in liturgy and the sacraments because it is at these moments that we

encounter Jesus, especially at Mass. (cf. CT 23)

Liturgy may be used in most catechetical settings.

a. catechetical meetings could begin with liturgy

b. elements of liturgy should be tied into every lesson because we pray, what we believe “lex orandi, lex credendi”

c. use the missalette

d. use the prayers and norms from other rites; which are found in Rites book, Book of Blessings, and Liturgy of the Hours

The final two means for insertion into the Mystery of Christ are systematic catechesis and the testimony of Christian living. The

two are often seen as contradictory rather than complimentary. Some will insist that students live the faith and then learn about

what it means.

Some will insist that living the Gospel is enough, there is no need for explanation, observers will intuitively understand. Pope John

Paul II writes, It is useless to play off orthopraxis (testimony of Christian living) against orthodoxy (systematic catechesis):

Christianity is inseparably both. Firm and well-thought out convictions lead to courageous and upright action. (CT 22;

parenthesis added)

Systematic catechesis is the most perfect way for insertion into the Mystery of Christ in that it works the way humans are made

to work: reasonable, logical, and relational. Systematic catechesis is begins with God’s eternal fatherly love, that is the catechist

presents first what God has done, what God still does, and what God will do until we attain our full participation in His

glory, heaven. These truths are articulated in the Creed and the Sacraments by which God gives His very self to us. Next,

systematic catechesis explains how we are able to respond to this Divine Love. Inspired by grace, we are able to receive the

sacraments, keep the commandments and seek in prayer.

Systematic catechesis is essential. Systematic catechesis is possible because of the integrity of the content: the Mystery of

Christ, although made up of many different truths is one mystery. However, there is a hierarchy of truths that is some truths are

more foundational than others (cf. CT 31; CCC 90). This does not mean that some truths need not be known, but rather that

some truths need to be known before others are understandable.

The testimony of Christian living is the foundational means for insertion into the Mystery of Christ. The term refers to the witness

of Christian living by individuals and a community living in love, especially in families, parishes and religious communities. Through

their witness they image the Trinity who is a communion of persons. The testimony of Christian living is foundational because it is

the ordinary way that leads the young or non-Christians to a first personal contact with Jesus Christ and His Family, the Church.

All are called to give “explicit and courageous witness to the faith of Jesus Christ” (GDC 26).

The testimony of Christian living is essential for catechesis.

a. use every class

b. the witness of your daily life

c. verbally sharing faith, guest testimonies, news stories or student sharing's

d. reading of saint’s lives - have share research

e. explicit statement of change required by doctrine taught