Living the Faith We Profess
Problem Based Learning
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PBL
The aim of religious catechesis is the spiritual development of a Christian lifestyle. The specifics of this will vary considerably according to individual need. The aim of this PBL is spiritual formation—to help the student learn the life-long habit of living in intimate union with Jesus Christ, constantly seeking his friendship. This assignment specifically involves learning through research and application. The end goal is to create a life plan aimed at learning to employ the morals and teachings of the Catholic Church. Through self-examination and conversion, we hope to become in a living way the Paschal Mystery of Christ to others; and develop a spirit of humble service of others, especially the poor, with a love that is both strong and tender, in imitation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, so as to become a person of charity living in obedience, humility and self-denial.
OBJECTIVES
Students will
- Examine the central doctrines of the Catholic faith
- Conduct research
- Analyze data
- Produce a project
PROJECT BASED LEARNING
It should be understood at the very beginning that students shall be the authors of this presentation. This implies that the teacher will allow them to make free choices concerning the design of the presentation and its contents within the limits of the DRIVING QUESTION and CONTENT STANDARDS listed below. Some ideas on the form of the presentation are listed below...
(what other ideas can your group come up with?)
- Write a Research Paper
- Create a Website
- Make an Oral Presentation (Using Powerpoint)
- Collect Interviews (w/experts)
- Create a Video Documentary
- Produce a News Broadcast
- Present a Panel of Experts
OBJECTIVES
Students will
- Examine the central doctrines of the Catholic faith
- Conduct research
- Analyze data
- Produce a project
PROJECT BASED LEARNING
It should be understood at the very beginning that students shall be the authors of this presentation. This implies that the teacher will allow them to make free choices concerning the design of the presentation and its contents within the limits of the DRIVING QUESTION and CONTENT STANDARDS listed below. Some ideas on the form of the presentation are listed below...
(what other ideas can your group come up with?)
- Write a Research Paper
- Create a Website
- Make an Oral Presentation (Using Powerpoint)
- Collect Interviews (w/experts)
- Create a Video Documentary
- Produce a News Broadcast
- Present a Panel of Experts
DRIVING QUESTION
How is it that the lives of so many professed Christians are utterly inconsistent with the faith they profess?
CONTENT STANDARDS
Students should
- Use class time to collaborate effectively with others on this project
- Compose coherent and focused presentation that conveys a well-defined life with realistic objectives
- Deliver polished formal presentations that combine traditional rhetorical strategies.
- Analyze the relationship catechesis and the Christian way of life.
CONTENT STANDARDS
Students should
- Use class time to collaborate effectively with others on this project
- Compose coherent and focused presentation that conveys a well-defined life with realistic objectives
- Deliver polished formal presentations that combine traditional rhetorical strategies.
- Analyze the relationship catechesis and the Christian way of life.
SECTION I: WHAT IS
THIS FAITH WE PROFESS?
B.
Golden
Rule
C.
Catechism of the
Catholic Church (read the first 3 paragraphs of the Prologue)
D.
Beatitudes
I.
Precepts
of the Catholic Church
DIRECTIONS: Read each article using the links above.
Summarize each article in your own words; examining how it relates to your
faith life. Your summaries should be consolidated into paragraph form.
SECTION II: RESEARCH
1. What percentage of the US population say they are Christians?
2. What percentage of the population pray regularly?
3. What percentage attend Church on Sundays and feast days?
4. How would you summarize Americans relationship with God? Do they follow the first 3 commandments?
5. Find three examples of the typical parent-child relationship in 21st century America
6. What is the murder rate in the US?
7. What is the robbery rate in the US?
8. What percentage of US citizens are honest all the time?
9. What is the divorce rate in the US? What is the rate of pre-marital sex?
10. What effect has materialism had on our relationship with God
Directions: Copy and paste the questions into a Word Document. Find at least three independent sources for each question. Record your answers and cite your sources in proper bibliographic format.
SECTION III: CREATE A PLAN FOR LIFE PLAN TAKING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR "LIVING THE FAITH YOU PROFESS."
1. What aspects of the Christian life should your life plan include?
2. How does my life reflect the mission I received in Baptism? Am I concerned for the good and prosperity of the human community in which I live, or do I spend my life caring only for myself? Do I share to the best of my ability in the work of promoting justice, morality, harmony, and love in human relationships?
3. Do I share in the apostolic and charitable works of the Church and in the life of my parish? Have I helped to meet the needs of the Church and of the world and prayed for them: for unity in the Church, for the spread of the Gospel among the nations, for peace and justice, etc.?
4. Have I kept my senses and my whole body pure and chaste as a temple of the Holy Spirit consecrated for resurrection and glory, and as a sign of God's faithful love for men and women, a sign that is seen most perfectly in the sacrament of matrimony? Have I dishonored my body? Have I gone against my conscience out of fear of hypocrisy or to avoid ridicule?
5. What use have I made of time, of health and strength, of the gifts God has given me to be used like the talents in the Gospel? Do I use them to become the person God wants me to become? Or have I been lazy and too much given to my own will?
6. How will you present this life plan to the class?
7. Be practical, plan things that you can really accomplish.