6 replies to this topic

[allis-challmers]

I am teaching the creed to 8th graders. I am down to "and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come."
How would you explain this in an understandable way ?

[LaPetiteSoeur]

Perhaps the Catholic Youth Handbook might have a good way; I used that to teach my students. Unfortunately, my copy is in another state at the moment, but someone here might have a copy and can look it up for you.

[the171]

Forget it... all resources gone.

Edited by the171, 30 April 2012 - 09:47 PM.

[Papist]

I taught 8th grade CCD for several years. I used this in the past. I can't recall where I got it, but it is in my 8th grade class notes.

Belief in resurrection of the dead has been an important element of the Christian faith from its beginnings. Jesus was the first to be raised. The belief is rooted in the Old Testament, Maccabees “... the king of the world will raise us up to live again forever” (2 Maccabees 7:9)

The “world to come” for the just is heaven. It is our inheritance which we will share with Jesus, our brother. Like any inheritance, we cannot earn it, it’s a free gift. However, just as with an offspring that proves that he is unworthy of an inheritance, it can be denied.

Here a game to help learn the Nicene Creed.

Materials

• Large sheets of construction paper (12" x 18", six sheets per group, all the same color)
• Markers of different colors
• Simple rewards (optional)
• Copies of the Nicene Creed for everyone:

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Directions:

• Prepare for this activity by cutting the large pieces of art paper into long strips, approximately 18" x 4".
• Explain to the children that this activity will help them to learn the Nicene Creed.
• Divide the children into groups or allow them to choose a partner. Give each group 18 strips of paper (all the same color).
• Hand out copies of the Nicene Creed.
• Ask them to print (with dark markers) two lines or one full sentence of the Creed on each piece of art paper.
• When all of the groups have finished writing out the Creed, ask each group to arrange their strips of paper in the correct order to say the Creed.
• Check their work by having all of the groups read the Creed together. Have the groups make any corrections that are needed.
• Then ask each group to mix up the order of their set of papers and to exchange their sheets with another group.
• When you say "Go!", each group should assemble the lines of the Creed that they have in the correct order as quickly as possible. The first group to do so correctly could receive a simple reward.
• When one group has successfully completed their task, give a few minutes for the remaining groups to arrange their lines of the Creed in the correct order.
• Then ask one member of each group (or pair) to move to another group. Exchange the sets of Creed lines with a different group and repeat the process above.

Hints: Different groups can have different colors, but each group should have only one color of paper.

Edited by Papist, 01 May 2012 - 05:06 AM.

[CatherineM]

First make sure you are clear that this resurrection of the dead doesn't mean zombies.

[Groo the Wanderer]

it doesn;t? there goes my theme for next year.,..

[Chrysophylax]

From the Youcat:


(152)
Why do we believe in the resurrection of the dead?
We believe in the resurrection of the dead because Christ rose from the dead, lives forever, and causes us to share in this eternal life.
When someone dies, his body is buried or cremated. Nevertheless, we believe that there is a life after death for that person. In his Resurrection, Jesus showed that he is Lord over death; his word is trustworthy: "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." (Jn 11:25)


(153) Why do we believe in the resurrection of the "body" ?
In Jesus Christ, God himself took on "flesh" (--> Incarnation) in order to redeem mankind. The biblical word "flesh" characterizes man in his weakness and mortality. Nevertheless, God does not regard human flesh as something inferior. God does not redeem man's spirit only; he redeems him entirely, body and soul.
God created us with a body (flesh) and a soul. At the end of the world he does not drop the "flesh" like an old toy. On the "Last Day" he will remake all creation and raise us up in the flesh-- this means that we will be transformed but still experience ourselves in our element. For Jesus, too, being in the flesh was not just a phase. When the risen Lord showed himself, the disciples saw the wounds on his body.


Does this help at all? Or is it not enough information? I find that the Youcat is a really great and understandable resource for questions of faith especially for those of us who find the full blown Catechism hard to understand sometimes. It was specifically designed for the youth, after all. Anyway, hope that helps!


Edited because I forgot to put where that bible verse came from!

Edited by Chrysophylax, 01 May 2012 - 10:07 PM.