Recommended for Grades 9-10

This forty-lesson unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the meaning and significance of key aspects of the Christian Scriptures’ people, events, and times.  The text begins with basic introductory information, moves on to the Gospels, considers the community that first witnessed to the Gospel, and presents Paul—the messenger who spread the Gospel.  Major themes in the pastoral letters and general letters are addressed.  The text concludes with the words of the last apostolic witness to the Gospel—John--in his Book of Revelation.  Students work with the actual biblical text rather than simply read about passages under consideration, and they see connections between truths of the New Testament and their own lives. 

 The text consists of six parts: Introduction to Bible Use, The Gospels, The Early Church, The Epistles of Paul, General Letters, and Revelation and the Last Things.  Teachers will find extensive use of Scripture, contemporary Catholic scriptural scholarship, and the teachings of Vatican II.  Each lesson includes reading, writing, questioning, critical thinking, and prayer.  Typically, lessons include cooperative learning.  This resource includes references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and is to be used in conjunction with the Student Exercise Book by the same title.

Teachers guide student discussions and encourage students to reflect on experiences. In addition, teachers lead students in examining Bibles for special features, summarize theological issues surrounding Jesus’ passion and death, and review concepts such as eschatology and parousia.