Chapter 1We Respond to God’s Love

I. We Reflect the Goodness of God

• Deus Caritas Esto God is Love

• Genesis 1:26-27• We reflect God’s love and eternal

goodness.o Human Dignity

• We can chose right over wrong• Natural Law

o Human reasono Conscience

I. We Reflect the Goodness of God

• We reflect God’s love and eternal goodness.o We should respond to this love and goodness

• Loveo Agape: unconditional loveo Eros: romantic loveo Caritas: charitable love

I. We Reflect the Goodness of God

• Free Will• Free will led to original sin.• Salvation allows us to be human.

II. God Forgives Our Sins

• Original Sin leaves us vulnerable.• Sin is any thought, word, deed, or omission

against God’s law.• Baptism removes O.S. and offers us the hope for

eternal life with God! (Woot! Woot!)

• Baptism also provides for us the gift of graceo Grace fixes the damage of O.S.

II. God Forgives Our Sins

• Mortal sin: greatly damages our relationship with God

• Venial sin: weakens our relationship with God• The Sacrament of Reconciliation and a truly

contrite heart will help help sin.

III. We Live Holy Lives• Holiness

o A participation in God’s goodness and a response to God’s love by the way that we live

• Through grace God calls us to share in His holiness.o It unites us to the Trinity

• The Trinity

III. We Live Holy Lives• The Trinity

o YOUcat• #35-39

o Matthew 28:19 “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit…”

o God the Father's role is to create things. Things originate with Him and flow from Him. God the Father is equal with the Son and the Holy Spirit, but things start with Him. The Father sent both the Son (John 3:16-17) and Holy Spirit (John 14:26) into the world.

o God the Son's role is to pay for our sins with his blood, which he did on the cross (Romans 5:9). The Son also acts as a lawyer for us before God, acting as a "mediator" between us and God (1 Timothy 2:5), and speaking "to the Father in our defense" (1 John 2:1).

o God the Holy Spirit has many roles. The Spirit helps us pray (Romans 8:26-27). He gives us new life (John 3:3-6). He is our Comforter, and he helps us understand God's word (John 14:26). He lifts up Christ (John 15:26). He helps us to live holy lives (Romans 15:16). He gives us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). He helps us share our faith (Acts 1:8). And he lives inside us (Romans 8:11).

IV. We Give Witness to Jesus• The first disciples were apprentices.

o A pupil who learns a specific skill or trade under the guidance of a teacher

• Jesus’ disciples helped bring forth the Kingdom of God.

How can we give witness to God?

ACTIVITY PROMPT• On the back tell me:

o What did Jesus do for all humankind and how?o Describe the Trinity and tell me what each Person of the Trinity does for

us.

• On the front create an advertisement for recruiting disciples for Jesus.o Tell me why I should sign upo Tell me how I can benefit from becoming a disciple.