KNOWING GOD

THROUGHCREATION

ACTIVITY

picked up something that

The teacher asks the students to come to class having
stone, a dry leaf, a rose, a
has some message for them.... It could be anything-a
has chosen.
twig and so on.. shares areflection over the object she/he
the
God made this beautiful world in which we live. We can come to know about
existence of God by using the reasoning powers of our mind. We find order
and
design in the whole universe. These are the sure signs that 'creation' has a creator.
Let us take a look at an ordinary wrist watch and its complexity. It did not come
intoexistence by itself but was arranged in proper order by its maker to keep perfect
time. Consider the many wondrous things in the universe which are a billion times
more complex than the wrist watch-from an insect to the solar system. These things
could not have happenedwithout anyone commanding and directing their creation.
We can also learn something about God by studying creation. By observing the great
power of the ocean, sea waves, tides and the splash of colour in flora and fauna and
the aroma of flowers. All these let us know that God is beautiful too. All of God's
creation reflects His greatness, beauty and power.

Learning about ourselves through reason God gave the material creation to man
Let us look at our bodies; we see that forthe good of the human race. He intended
human beings are different from animals. manto use his reason and freedomto care
for the material world around him.
Human beings are intelligent and free. With
our mind we understand and with our free Human reason and the gift of faith
willwe choose our actions. This shows that
With our human mind alone, however
we have a spiritual part that animals lack.
Hurman beings have spiritual and rational wonderful it may be, we cannot know much
Souls which the animals do not have. more about .God. God has revealed to us

Our rational nature makes us like God

about Himself.Revelation isa gift from God.
In order for us to accept revelation as true,
Himself; that is why the Bible says that God gives us the gift of faith. Catholic Faith
human beings are made in the image and
is the body of truths that we believe as
likeness of God (Genesis 1:27).
revealed by God.
FAITH: Source of Life-The Life of Grace
5
 c. That we are free and intelligent
d. All the above.
DIVINE REVELATION 2
4. Revelation includes:

a. The Bible
through the Church
(b The truths passed on
Clesus Christ and his teaching
d All the above. ACTIVITY

5. What is a gift from God: Students are asked to write down about some of the best books they have
read and thelr authors. A brief discussion about it follows.
a Faith
b. Revelation Tradition (passed on by the apostles)
History of Divine Revelation
C. Creation contain the truth revealed to us by God. The
d. All the above. God did not reveal Himself to one person Lord's teaching preached by the Apostles
at one point of time, but He made Himself is summed up in a profession of faith that
questions in complete sentences: known to people little by little. The first
B. Answer the following we call the Apostles' Creed. The Creed is a
people to know Him were Adam and Eve. statement of our basic beliefs as Christians.
1. Can we know God by reason alone? Later He formed a chosen people called the
the Triune God of Christianity? In it are found the main mysteries of our
2. From reason alone can we know God as Israelites who later became the Jews, the Faith. Amystery is a truth that is above our
3. How are we greater than animals? special keepers of His revelation. power to understand fully, but which we
4. What does our soul enable us to do? God then chose Abraham and made believe because God has revealed it us.
5. How does revelation perfect our knowledge of God? him the founder and father of his chosen Holy Bible
6. How does God reveal himself to us? people. These people eventually wrote
down the revelation they received. The The Holy Bible is one of the greatest gifts
collection of these writings is known as the given to us by the Holy Spirit. It is also called
Old Testament. the Sacred Scriptures. It is inspired by God.
It is a collection of 73 books and is divided
After two thousand years God made the into two sections -- Old Testament and New
greatest revelation through His Son, Jesus Testament.
Christ. Our Lord taught with authority about
God and corrected some wrong ideas people Old Testament
had about Him. Jesus chose twelve Apostles The Old Testament is the first section of the
as the official teachers of his revelation Bible put together by the Jewish people. It
(Gospel)to make sure that his teachings are consists of the first 46 books of the Bible.
properly understood and passed on to the The three basic categories of the Old
others. After his resurrection the Apostles Testament writings are Historical books,
taught the Gospel to others by preaching Wisdom books and Prophetic books.
as well as by writing (the New Testament).
Traditions and Scriptures are necessary to Historical books contain both religious
learn the whole truth that God has revealed. and Historical traditions of Jews and include
the Pentateuch-the first 5 books known
The Sacred Scriptures (Bible) and Sacred also as the "Torah" or Law of Moses.
ATTH: Source of Life-1he Life ofGra FATTH: Source of Life-The Life of Grace
 New Testament (is
Wisdom books - A collection of prayers,
in
New and the
the light of the Old. understo,
often written in
wise sayings, and advice New Testament lles,
hidden
poeticform,
"The In the Q11. What Is Revelatlon?
and the Old
Prophetic books-contain the
messages Old Testament
unveiled in the New"
(CCC 129) Testament i Revelatlon is God's communication to man in words and deeds, and most
of
God's chosen spokespersons, fully in the Person of esus Christ. Revelation is found in Sacred Scripture and
Prophets, including the book of Authorship and inspiration of the Blble Sacred Tradition (CCC 53, 65).
the
Lamentations and Baruch.
The Primary author Scripture is God
of Q12. What is Sacred Scripture?
call it the Word of th Sacred Scripture, also called the Bible,is the Word of God written by human
The New Testament Holy Spirit. So we God
God chose human authors and authors under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (CCC 81).
The New Testament contains
the life and
them to write, Since Insplre
God is the Q13. What is Sacred Tradition?
important part (moved)
teachings of Jesus,the most Primary author, Scripture
is free
also has different kinds from al Sacred Tradition the entire Word of God entrusted by Jesus Christ to the
of the Scriptures. It error. This
freedom from error Is calles
Apostles, who in turnpassed it orn to their successors (CCC 81).
ofwritings: inerrancy.
Q14. Who safeguards and Interprets revelatlon?
The Gospels-are the four accounts Protector and teacher of
salvation, The Magisterium, or the teaching Church, safeguards and interprets revelation.
of Christ's life and message of Divine Revelation The Pope and the bishops in union with him make up the Magisterium (CCC
the evangelists, Matthew,
written by 85,95).
Mark. Luke and John. Since God revealed Himself through variou, Q15. When did God's public revelatlon of Himself end?
of people and in various forms it makee
The Acts of the Apostles-History to appoint someone to be the one true God's public revelation of Himself ended with the New Covenant offered in
the early Church primarily covering the protector and teacher of these Jesus Christ. There will be no further public revelation before the Second
m1nistry of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. truths Coming of Our Lord (CCC 66).
Jesus chose the 'Apostles' to be t
The Letters of Saint Paul-Teachings of protectors and teachers of the truth Q16. How is God the author of Sacred Scripture?
the
Christ applied to particular needs of The successors of the Apostles today a God, as the author of Sacred Scripture, inspired the writers by the work of the
early Church. Holy Spirit to write all that he wanted written and no more (CCC 105-06).
the Pope and the Catholic Bishops of th
Letters to Christian Communities world. Their teaching authority is calle Q17. What is the Old Testament?
written by various apostles. Magisterium. It is for them to judge wha The Old Testament is a collection of Sacred Books intended to prepare God's
true Christian teaching is. They are guide people for the coming of Jesus Christ (CCC122).
The Book of Revelation-Universal by the Holy Spirit to protect and to teact Q18. What is the New Testament?
teaching to encourage the persecuted matters concerning faith and morals withou
Christians to believe, reminding them that The New Testament is a collection of sacred books that records the life and
error. This special gift is called infallibility:it teachings of Jesus Christ, the Church's beginnings, and the teachings of the
Jesus is victorious over all his enemies.
union with Jesus' authority they proclain Apostles (CCC 124, 126, 129).
The Old Testament prepares us for the the Good News of Salvation.
Q19. Is Sacred Scripture free from error?
Yes, Sacred Scripture is free from error inteaching us about God and what is
necessary for our salvation (CCC107).
New Testament Old Testament
Q20. What is infallibility?
Tradition Gospels Holy Bible Infallibility, a gift of the Holy Spirit, protects the Church from teaching errors
WORDS TO LEARN Inspiration Creed Divine Revelation in matters of faith and morals (CCC 890-91).
Infallibility Magisterium

10 FAITH: Source of Life-The Lile of Gras FAITH: Source of Life-The Life of Grace 11
 Q21. What is the
Apostles' Creed?
Creed is the summary and
profession of faith
Jesus Christ
in the
and
chiet
CREATION 3
The Apostles'
revealed by God
through handed
mysteries and other truths
down by the Apostles (CCC 187, 194).

Q22. What is a mystery? which is revealed by God

beyond human reason,
A mystery is atruth that is ACTIVITY
(CCC 237). profess in the Apostles' Creed?
mysteries of faith that we The teacher conducts a quiz on new inventlons and inventors.
Q23. What are the chief Apostles' Creed aro
chief mysteries of faith that we profess in the of l
The and Resurrection
Incarnation, Passion, Death,
Blessed Trinity and the Genesis I:1
Christ (CCC189-90). "in the beginning when God crcated the heavens and the carth."
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the carth had no form
ACTIVITIES
and was void; darkness covered the deep, while the spirit of God hovered over the
walers. God said, let there be light", and there was light. Genesis I:3

A. Books of the Bible To create means to make something out of nothing. Whole creation came to exist
TestamentHistorical books in yellow just at the command of God. The book of Genesis tells us that God had only to say,
Write down the names of the books of Old "Let there be light and there was light." Genesis 1:3
green and Prophetic books in blue.
Pentateuch in orange, Wisdom in
and

in Purple, Acts of th. The story of creation was originally part of creation. He gave man authority over the
Write down the names of books of the New Testament-Gospels the oral tradition of the Jewish people. They beasts and plants of the earth.
Apostles in red, other books in the colour of your choice.
passed this story from one generation to The second chapter of Genesis gives us
sentences: another to teach and remind people that: another account of creation. Then the Lord
B. Answer the following questions in complete 1. There is only one God and He is the God said "It is not good that the man should
1. Who were the first keepers of Revelation? Creator of all that exists. be alone; Iwill make a helper fit for him...
2. What is God's greatest Revelation? 2. God created the world in an orderly way (Genesis 2:18). The parents of the human
3. What did Jesus do? How does he preserve and fulfils revelation? and as a way of sharing His love with race were called Adam and Eve. Adam
4. Who inspired the Bible?
people. means "man" and "Eve" means 'Mother of
3. Everything created by God is good. the living'.
5. How do we know that there are no errors in the Bible with rogard to the teachings
on salvation? The creation of humankind The human person
6. Who is the Protector and Teacher of God's Salvation? The Book of Genesis also tells us about God breathed the breath of life after He
7. What is the teaching authority of the Church called? the creation of the first man and the first made the human body and man became a
8. What special gift does the teaching office possess? woman, the parents of the entire human living being. The human being is made of
race:
both aphysical body and a spiritual soul.
God said "Let us make man in our image Body is made of matter (touched, seen)
and likeness..." (Genesis 1:26). God's plan soul is spiritual. We will live forever since
for man was greater than the rest of his we have souls that are immortal.

12 TAITH Source of Life-The Lie of Grace 13

FATTH: Source of Lile- The Lite ot Gre
 These Angels
became |by thelr own te
evil
intellect andhas
The soul will.,spiritual
thetwo By the power the
powers:of the choice. We call these disobedien1 splri, would descend from them. He promised
Eve and the entire human race that a Redeemer who would reconcile us to
or demons. They lry lo
Intellect, we are able to think,
reason and fallen angels
from God.
turnal God and restore to our souls the life of
creation away Sanctifying Grace.
know right from wrong. It gives us the lovedand obeyed Soul Immortal Sanctifying Grace
The spirits that wORDS TO LEARN
by SainGoyd
ability to love and hate. angels, led Original Sin Redeemer
are faithful or good
Both body and soul are important to Michael the Archangel. God has assigned
human beings. Otherwise God would not a good angel for each of us-our Guardian Q24. Why is God called "Creator of heaven and earth"?
have created them. Even though the soul Angel, to help us on our way to Heaven. God is called "Creator of heaven and earth" because he made Heaven and
Is immortal, without the body we would earth out of nothing (CCC 2799, 296).
not be true and complete human beings. The fall of man q}5. Is the world entirely the work of God?
God made all human beings persons. In and.
equal. Like the angels, God tested Adam Yes, the world is entirely the work of God (CCC 296, 299).
that sense all men are created to givethem a chance to love and | serve Him
That does not mean everyone is equally q26. Did God create only the material things that are in the world?
means that freely. He gave them a beautiful garden
good, intelligent or strong. It live in. He commanded them not to eat t No, God not only created the material things that are in the world, but He also
human beings have the same basic dignity created the spiritual things, such as the angels and the soul of each human
fruits of the tree of knowledge. The devil being (CCC327-28, 355).
and right from God and that we should
came to the garden and tempted them
respect the dignity and rights of others. eat the fruit of precisely that tree and t Q27. What are the pure spirits?
God gave man specialgifts thus disobey God. They believed the b The pure spirits are intelligent beings who do not have bodies (CCC 328-30,
and ate the forbidden fruit and thus sinned 391-93).
God bestowed on human beings special
gifts. He kept them free from suffering, against God. And instantly they were filea Q28, What are the angels?
sickness and death. But above all He gave with shame and hid from God. The angels are pure spirits, invisible servants of God, and some are our
them a share in His own Divine Life with the guardians (CCC 329, 336).
God banished them from the Garden of
gift of sanctifying grace. This grace allowed Eden and made them subject to suffering Q29. Do we have duties towards the angels?
them to know and love God in a special way sickness and death. They lost the sanctifyine We have the duty of reverence and respect towards the angels (CCC 335).
and to live with Him forever. All that was grace which had made them special friend: Q30. What are the demons?
required of the man and the woman was of God, and heirs to the happiness of The demons are fallen angels who rebelled against God in pride and were
that they love and serve Him alltheir lives. heaven. Therefore, now they could pass on cast into hell because of their rejection of God. They tempt man to do evil
Creation of the angels to their descendants only the human nature (CCC 391-94, 414).
weakened by sin. We call this sin Origina q31. What is man?
God also created pure spirits whom we call Sin and is passed from Adam to the rest Man is a created reasoning being composed of body and soul (CCC 355).
angels. They are intelligent persons but do of the human race. With the exception of
not have physical bodies. They are spiritual
Q32.What is the soul?
Jesus and Mary, all human beings have
beings created to worship and serve God. The soul is the spiritual part of man, by which he lives, understands,
been conceived with the stain of original sin and is free. The soul makes man able to know, love and serve God (CCC
God put the angels to a test to give them and its effects on their soul.
363).
a chance to love Him freely and obey His God's promise of a Redeemer q33. What is the body?
commands. Some of them led by Lucifer, The body is the material part of man (CCC 364).
rebelled against Him and went to hell. Even though they had sinned agains
Him, God continued to love Adam ano
14 FATTH: Source of Life---Ihe Life of GrackATTH: Source oi Late Thhe Lile of Grace 15
 humankind by his
Q34. Does man's souldie
with his body? forever beca ause it Q45. What is the sin called to whlch Adam subjected the rest of
body; it lives Is a
die with his fault?
No, man's soul does not Original
spiritual reality(CCC 364). The sin towhich Adam subjected all hurnankind by his fault is called
care of our soul? Sin (CCC 400).
Q3s. Why must we take is immortal (CCC 366-
our soul because it
the greatest care of
We must take Q46. In what does Original Sin consist?
67). Original Sin consists in the loss of original holiness and justice, which
Does man have free will? would have been passed on to us but was lost by Adam for all humankind
Q36. something or bot.
has free will because he can choose to do (CCC 400).
Yes, man another (CCC 1731).
something, or to do one thing
rather than Q47.bld God abandon man after his sin?
Q37. Who were the first human beings? No, God did not abandon man after his sin. Because God loved man,
(CCC 37
first parents were Adam and Eve he promised to send a Saviour who would redeem nan, restore the
The first human beings and our
sinful as we are now? life of grace to his soul, and make it possible for him to go to heaven
Q38. Was man created weak and (CCC 410).
No, man was not created weak and sinful as we are now, but in a state at
original holiness and justice (CCC 374).
Q39. What destinydid God ordain for man? ACTIVITIES
union with God
The destiny that God ordained for man was happiness in following questions in complete sentences:
forever. Because this destiny is entirely above and beyond the capacity of A. Answer the
human nature, man also received from God a supernatural power called 1. What are angels?
Grace (CCC27, 1998).
2. Why did God test the angels?
Q40. What gift did God give man in order to help him achieve his destiny?
3. How did God test Adam and Eve? Did they pass the test?
God gave man the supernatural gift of grace in order to help him achieve hit
destiny (CCC2021). 4.What is sanctifying grace? Why did they lose this grace?
Q41. In addition to grace, what else did God give to man? 5. Who suffers from originalsin?
In addition to grace, God gave man the gift offreedom from all the weaknesses 6. What did God promise Adam and Eve?
and sufferings of life, including death, provided that he did not sin (CCC 376).
Q42. Why does man not have these gifts from God today? B. Write a newspaper article about the creation of man and his special
Man does not have these gifts from God today because Adam, who was the
privileges.
father of humankind, sinned (CCC 399, 402).
Q43. What was Adam's sin?
Adam's sin was a grave sin of pride and disobedience (CCC 397-98).
Q44. What damage did the sin of Adam cause?
The sin of Adam lost grace and every other supernatural gift for human person.
Adam and all human persons were made subject to sin, to the demons, to
death, to ignorance, to evil inclinations and every other sort of suffering, and
finally to exclusion from heaven (CCC 403, 405).

16 FAITH: Source ofLife-Thc Litc of Gr FATTIl: Source of Lite The Life o Grace 17
 TEACHER'S CaDu
GOD'SPLAN
4 OF SALVATION
for their community": the Israelites. Jacob the chosen people was facing a famine.
had twelve sons who became the fathers of So the sons of Jacob travelled to Egypt
the twelve tribes that made up the chosen in search of food. Joseph recognized
people. Thus Jacob became the third Patriarch his brothers. Instead of taking revenge,
of God's people. Joseph embraced his brothers. He
The story of Joseph invited his family to Egypt and gave them
ACTIVITY afertile land and loved them with all his
Every student draws in their book thelr family tree traclng thelr greal Jacob loved his son Joseph dearly: the other heart.
brothers grew Jealous of him and planned
In this Joseph again prefigures Jesus.
grandparents and sharing it with the other students. to get rld of him. Once while they were
Joseph forgave those who had wronged
watching thelr sheep In the ields they
salvation day afler day." him. This reminds us of Christ who forgives
"Sing to the lond, all the carth, proclaim his sold Joseph to the slave traders who were
IChronicles 16:23 on their way to Egypt, for twenty pieces of all our sins and gives us every grace and
sllver. They told Jacob that Joseph was killed blessing
life.
we need to live a good Christian
by wild beasts.
Salvation history ready to leave their famlly and set out for This Incident reminds us of Jesus who For four hundred years the lsraelites
the Promised Land.
was sold by one of his Apostles for 30 iVed in Egypt. As long as Joseph was alive
Salvation history is the story of all the
pieces of sllver. Joseph also prefigured they were treated with respect. But later on
Isaac continues the covenant
events in human history by which God Jesus because he was to become a kind of a tney were treated as slaves and forced to do
prepared the world for the coming of Jesus
God blessed Abraham witha son named Savlour in ERypt for his brothers. This is how manual
Christ, our Redeemer and the events by Isaac. He was greatly loved by his parent
labour from sunise to sunset. They
were used as "beasts of burden" to build
it happened.
which Jesus accomplished this plan for the God wanted to test Abraham's faith and pyramids in Egypt. The chosen people of
redempton of the human race. commanded him to SacrICe nis only Joseph was bought by the Egyptian God felt abandoned, it was a diffcult time
King Pharaoh. He was trusted and became in their history. God sent a very special man
God began by choosing a people for son as an act of Worsnip (enesis 22:2), the Second-in-Command because of his to His people.
Himself and revealed His plan of salvation to Abraham toOk his sonISddc up a mountain intelligence, In the meantime the land of
the chosen people. From among this sacred and prepared to sacrifice him. Just then an
community, He would choose the woman angelof the Lord appeared and stopped Covenant Patriarch Prefigurement
who would be the mother of the Redeemer Abraham and told him that it was a test. WORDS TO LEARN
Promised Land Israel
of the whole world. God rewarded Abraham and promised
to continue his covenant through lsaac.
God calls Abraham
Isaac became the second Patriarch or Q48. What is salvation history?
God chose a man named Abram who lived leader of God's chosen people. Salvation history is the story of God's saving plan, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, to
in Mesopotamia almost four thousand
years ag0. He made a covenant with him The covenant continues with Jacoh reunite man with him and share his glory forever (CCC 430-31).
and promised to make him the father of Isaac married a woman named Rebecca and Q49. From whom would be born the Redeemer of the world?
many descendants who would become a had twin boys, Esau and Jacob. God chose The Redeemer of the world would be born from among God's chosen people,
great nation. Jacobto continue his covenant, the Promise of awoman named Mary, who was of the house of David (CCC 488).
To remind Abram of his new mission God he made to Abraham (Genesis 28:13-15). Q50Why is Abraham our father in faith?
changed his name to Abraham (father of God named Jacob Israel, which means Abraham is our father in faith because he believed God's promise to make him
many people). Abraham and his wife were "The man who strives with God." This new the father of a holy people from whom our Saviour was born (CCC 59-60).
very old yet they trusted in God and were name was used by God's chosen people
18 FAITH: Source of Life-The lLife of Grac FAITH: Source of Life-The Life of Grace 19
 g51. What is a covenant?
Acovenant is a promise or an oath that binds two people (or groups of
people)
togethe. God's covenant with the lsraelites bound them to his laws so th
Ahey could know and serve him faithfully (CCC 62).
Qsy. Who were the Israelltes?
The Israelites were God's chosen people of the Old Testament. They Wers
the first to hear the Word of God. God prepared them for the comingof the
Saviour, who would redeem the whole world (CCC 64).

ACTIVITIES

A. Write a short essay about God's providence in bringing Jacob's family i

Egypt.

B. Answer the following questions in complete sentences:

1.Where was Abraham from? When did Abraham live?
2.What is a covenant?
3What did God promise Abraham?
4. Do we still honour Abraham? Why?
5. What happened in the land of Moriah? Did Abraham pass the test?
6What does Jacob's new name mean?

20 FAITH: Source of LifeThe Lifeof