Chapter 28: The Catholic Church in Scripture UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES.

Chapter 28: The Catholic Church in ScriptureUNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES

ANTICIPATORY SET  Read the Catechism, no. 552 (p. 501). Then free write about Christ’s decision to give Simon the name Peter (rock).  Briefly share results.

1. The Hierarchy of the Church (pp. 488–492)

BASIC QUESTIONS Is the Church’s hierarchical structure evident in the New Testament? Where are Church councils present in Scripture? Is the sacramental economy seen in Scripture?

KEY IDEAS The New Testament reveals Christ gave his Church a hierarchical structure with St. Peter as her Head; the Apostles ordained bishops, priests, and deacons to assist them and carry on their work. In the Acts of the Apostles, at the Council of Jerusalem the Apostles and other bishops met to decide whether Christians had to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law, with the final decision being pronounced by St. Peter; this is the prototype for Ecumenical Councils, in which the bishops of the Church meet to decide important doctrinal questions, ultimately based on the Pope’s confirmation. In the New Testament, each of the Seven Sacraments was instituted by Christ himself and entrusted to his Church; they are the ordinary means by which the saving effects of the Paschal Mystery are dispensed to Catholics.

1. The Hierarchy of the Church (pp. 488–492)

FOCUS QUESTIONS  When did Christ establish the organization of his Church? Christ chose the Twelve Apostles, entrusted his Church to them, and made St. Peter their Head.  How was the early Church hierarchy practiced? The Apostles ordained people to assist them and continue their mission. The New Testament speaks of bishops, priests, and deacons.  How do bishops correspond to the Apostles? Modern‑day bishops are successors of the Apostles. They are part of an unbroken chain going back to the Twelve.

1. The Hierarchy of the Church (pp. 488–492)

FOCUS QUESTIONS  Who made St. Peter the Head of the Apostles? Christ made St. Peter the Head after St. Peter had recognized Christ to be the Son of God (cf. Mt 16).  When did St. Peter begin to act as the leader of the Church? St. Peter began to lead the Church after Christ had ascended into Heaven. Extension: He took up this task even before Pentecost.  Citing evidence from the New Testament, did the earliest Christians view St. Peter as the Head of the Church? Yes; St. Peter decided the Apostles should find a replacement for Judas. He was the spokesman for the Church at Pentecost and before the Sanhedrin. He pronounced the decision against circumcision at the Council of Jerusalem. He founded the local church in Rome (Diocese of Rome). Extension: During Christ’s public ministry, there were discussions among the Apostles about who was first among them, but there were none after the Resurrection. There is no dissent recorded in the New Testament or early Church writings against St. Peter’s leadership.

1. The Hierarchy of the Church (pp. 488–492)

FOCUS QUESTIONS  What was the first local council church? The Acts of the Apostles records the Council of Jerusalem at which the Apostles debated the question of circumcision for Gentile converts.  What is the most recent Ecumenical Council of the whole Church? The Second Vatican Council was held in the 1960s.  What is the purpose of an Ecumenical Council? One is usually called when an important question of doctrine or discipline arises in many regions of the world. Response to this question from all the bishops of the world, united with the Pope, is rendered.

1. The Hierarchy of the Church (pp. 488–492)

FOCUS QUESTIONS  What is a Sacrament? It is an efficacious sign of God’s grace instituted by Jesus Christ and entrusted to the Church. Extension: A Sacrament is a sign that effects (brings about) what it signifies. For example, in the Sacrament of Baptism, the sign of pouring water or immersing effects the spiritual cleansing of the recipient’s soul from Original Sin and actual sins.  Who instituted the Seven Sacraments? They were instituted by Christ and can be found in the New Testament.

From where do the Sacraments derive their power? They are given power by Christ, and they are the work of the Holy Spirit. The saving effects of the Paschal Mystery are communicated through the Sacraments.

1. The Hierarchy of the Church (pp. 488–492)

GUIDED EXERCISE  A think / pair / share using the Catechism, nos. 1115–1116 (p. 492).  For each article, come up with a phrase stating its theme and bullet points representing the most important ideas.  GUIDED EXERCISE  A think / pair / share about sacramental economy using the Catechism, no. 1076 (p. 502).  Write a sentence about the Sacraments’ relationship to salvation.

1. The Hierarchy of the Church (pp. 488–492)

CLOSURE  Write a paragraph answering the following question:  How might the terms Pope, bishop, and Sacrament summarize the nature of the Church established by Christ?

1. The Hierarchy of the Church (pp. 488–492)

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT  Study Questions 1–11 (p. 500) Workbook Questions 1–8 Read “Baptism” through “Penance” (pp. 492–494)

1. The Hierarchy of the Church (pp. 488–492)

ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT  Have each student free write for five minutes about the most important teaching learned in this lesson. Briefly share results.

1. The Hierarchy of the Church (pp. 488–492)

ANTICIPATORY SET  A mini-lecture on the meaning of Sacrament.

2. Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, and Penance (pp. 492–

494)

BASIC QUESTION What are the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, the

Eucharist, and Penance?

KEY IDEAS Baptism is necessary for salvation. Confirmation completes Baptism. The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. Penance forgives sins committed after Baptism.

2. Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, and Penance (pp. 492–

494)

FOCUS QUESTIONS  When did Christ institute the Sacrament of Baptism? Before his Ascension, Christ commanded his Apostles, “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them” (Mt 28:19).  Who is the minister of the Sacrament of Baptism? A bishop, priest, or deacon is the ordinary minister; in danger of death, any person—even one not baptized—can baptize.  How is the timing of the administration of Confirmation different in the East and West? In the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church, Confirmation is administered by a priest or bishop immediately following Baptism. In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, it is usually deferred in the case of infant Baptism and administered by a bishop.  Where is the Sacrament of Confirmation demonstrated in the New Testament? In the Acts of the Apostles, the Apostles laid hands on newly baptized Christians who then received the Holy Spirit.

2. Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, and Penance (pp. 492–

494)

GUIDED EXERCISE  A think / pair / share to complete Question 9 in the Student Workbook about the relationship between the necessity of Baptism for salvation and those cases in which Baptism is impossible to administer.  GUIDED EXERCISE  A think / pair / share using the following question:  How is the Sacrament of Confirmation always linked to the bishop?

2. Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, and Penance (pp. 492–

494)

FOCUS QUESTIONS  When was the Sacrament of the Eucharist instituted? The Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper.  How can a person know the consecrated bread and wine have become the Body and Blood of Christ? Christ said, “My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed” (Jn 6:55). This teaching is found in many places throughout the New Testament.  What is transubstantiation? It describes the true substance of the bread and of the wine having become the true substance of Jesus Christ.

2. Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, and Penance (pp. 492–

494)

FOCUS QUESTIONS  When was the Sacrament of Penance instituted? The Sacrament of Penance was instituted on the evening of the Resurrection. Christ breathed on the Apostles and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn 20: 23). Christ gave the Apostles the power to bind and loose.  What is the difference between mortal and venial sin? A venial sin harms one’s relationship with God; a mortal sin breaks that relationship.  Who can forgive sins? A bishop or a priest (who has received the authority from his bishop), can pronounce the forgiveness of sins in Christ’s name.

2. Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, and Penance (pp. 492–

494)

CLOSURE  Write a paragraph explaining the New Testament evidence for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, and Penance.

2. Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, and Penance (pp. 492–

494)

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT  Study Questions 12–15 (p. 500) Practical Exercises 1–3 (p. 500) Workbook Questions 9–18 Read “Anointing of the Sick” through “Matrimony” (pp. 495–497)

2. Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, and Penance (pp. 492–

494)

ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT  Work with a partner to answer Practical Exercise 3 (p. 500) defending the doctrine of transubstantiation.

2. Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, and Penance (pp. 492–

494)

ANTICIPATORY SET  Read silently St. James the Apostle’s instructions for and description of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (cf. Jas 5:13–20). Then lead a class discussion using the following question:

What do you think is the best advice St. James gave in this passage?

3. The Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (pp. 495–

497)

BASIC QUESTION What are the Sacraments of the Anointing of the Sick,

Holy Orders, and Matrimony?

KEY IDEAS The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick forgives

sins and can heal those who are ill. The Sacrament of Holy Orders ordains a man to be a

deacon, priest, or bishop. The Sacrament of Matrimony raises natural marriage

to a means of grace for the mutual sanctification of the spouses and their children.

3. The Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (pp. 495–

497)

FOCUS QUESTIONS  In which two books of the New Testament is the Anointing of the Sick found? It appears in the Gospel of St. Mark and the Epistle of St. James.  What evidence from Scripture shows physical healing is not always an effect of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? St. Paul, who was famous for miraculous healings and once raised a man from the dead, was not healed when he prayed to be rid of the thorn that tormented him.  What is the relationship between the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and suffering? Through this Sacrament, a person’s suffering is united to the Passion of Christ. The Sacrament can help him or her face illness and even death with strength and grace.

3. The Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (pp. 495–

497)

FOCUS QUESTIONS

What are the three levels of ordained ministry in the Church, and what did these terms originally mean? Bishop comes from the Greek for overseer, priest from elder, and deacon from servant. Extension: Deacons serve their bishops by, among their many responsibilities, baptizing, presiding at weddings, and preaching. Priests serve their bishops by celebrating the Eucharist, forgiving sins, baptizing, anointing the sick, presiding at weddings, and preaching. Bishops exercise the fullness of the priesthood and can celebrate all of the Sacraments, including Holy Orders.

Where are each of these three levels seen in the New Testament? St. Stephen was one of the seven deacons, and he distributed alms to elderly widows. St. James advised the sick to call on the priests to receive the Anointing of the Sick. St. Paul described the bishop as caring for God’s Church (cf. 1 Tm).

What is the meaning of in persona Christi capitis? A minister acts in the Person of Christ the Head when he celebrates the Sacraments, especially in the Sacrifice of the Mass.

3. The Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (pp. 495–

497)

GUIDED EXERCISE  Invite a priest or deacon to discuss his experiences administering the Sacraments and to answer students’ questions.  

3. The Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (pp. 495–

497)

FOCUS QUESTIONS  How can a person know marriage is part of God’s creation? In the Book of Genesis, the Sacred Author revealed marriage is the reason a man leaves his father and mother to become one flesh with his wife.  How is Heaven described in the Book of Revelation? It is described as a wedding banquet.  How can a person know Christ is present in a sacramental marriage? Christ was present at the Wedding Feast at Cana where he assisted the couple directly by turning water into wine. Extension: St. Paul described marriage as an image of the relationship between Christ and his Church (cf. Eph 5).

3. The Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (pp. 495–

497)

FOCUS QUESTIONS  What did Christ teach about divorce? Marriage is a lifelong union. Divorce was not the intention of God when he created men and women, but Moses allowed it because of human weakness.  What is the purpose of the grace received in the Sacrament of Matrimony according to the Catechism, no. 1641? It is intended to perfect the couple’s love, strengthen their indissoluble union, help each other attain holiness, and welcome and educate children.  How is Christ present in Christian marriages? Christ dwells with the spouses, helping them in every aspect of their married lives.

3. The Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (pp. 495–

497)

GUIDED EXERCISE  Read about marriage as a sign of the relationship between Christ and his Church (cf. Eph 5:21—6:4). Then, discuss this “great mystery.”

3. The Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (pp. 495–

497)

CLOSURE  Write a paragraph about one of these Sacraments: the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, or Matrimony.

3. The Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (pp. 495–

497)

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT  Study Questions 16–20 (p. 500) Workbook Questions 19–24

3. The Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (pp. 495–

497)

ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT  A think / pair / share about the differences between natural marriage and sacramental marriage.

3. The Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (pp. 495–

497)

The End