In the highly Christological USCCB Framework sequence, Course II: Who Is Jesus Christ, provides the core opportunity for teens to know and understand how God fully reveals himself in his Son, the Second Person of the Trinity. Certainly, as with the other Framework courses, no apology is made for expecting the students to master some basic information including a deeper understanding about Revelation, the Trinity, the Incarnation, Marian dogmas, and discipleship. However, this course asks students to reflect on the meaning of what they are learning and to judge the relevance of Jesus to their personal lives. The course asks teens to provide an answer to the question, “Who do people say that I am?” Moreover, it returns to the corollary: “Who do you say that I am?” The webinar will offer a basic survey of Course II along with some enrichment exercises that can be offered in a variety of places throughout the course. Mike is executive editor of adolescent catechesis at Ave Maria Press and has authored and edited several books in the area of Catholic religious education. He has been a theology teacher, parish director of religious education, and a youth minister. For more than twenty years, Mike has been a coordinator and catechist helping teens prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in religious education from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. This Webinar is brought to you exclusively by Ave Maria Press in partnership with the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership and the National Association for Lay Ministry. Visit avemariapress.com/webinars for a complete listing of Webinars.

1. .

2. II. Who Is Jesus Christ?
The purpose of this course is to introduce
students to the mystery of Jesus Christ, the living
Word of God, the Second Person
of the Blessed Trinity. In this course students will
understand that Jesus Christ is the ultimate
Revelation to us from God.
In learning about who he is, the students will
also learn who he calls them to be.

3. Core Curriculum
I. The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture
II. Who Is Jesus Christ?
III. The Mission of Jesus Christ (The Paschal Mystery)
IV. Jesus Christ’s Mission Continues in the Church
V. Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ
VI. Life in Jesus Christ

4. I. The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture
• Creation (Unity of Adam and Eve, Original Sin, Protoevangelium)
• Covenant (Noah, Abraham)
• Community (Moses, Forming of a People)
• Continuity (Leadership, Worship)
• Conflict (Idolatry, Exile)
• Calling (Prophets)
• Confirmation (Infancy Narratives, the Incarnation)

5. III. The Mission of Jesus Christ (The Paschal Mystery)
• God’s promises of the Old Testament
to Abraham and his descendants are
fulfilled in Jesus.
• Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is the
source of our Salvation.
• The Paschal Mystery is the
centerpiece of the Gospel and also of
human history.

7. In a very Christological curriculum . . .
. . .Course II may be the centerpiece.
1. Revelation and Faith
2. The Mystery of Jesus Christ
3. Christ’s Revelation about God
4. What Jesus Teaches about Ourselves

8. Catechesis Centered on Christ
• Proclaims the name, teaching, promises, and mystery
of Jesus Christ
• Helps to develop Christ’s personal relationship with
each of his disciples
• Promotes conversion to Jesus Christ (especially through
the Sacraments)
• Teaches in a way that can be understood by all cultures
• Understands that the message of the teaching comes
from God
−NDC, p. 76

9. 1. Revelation and Faith
• Review Divine Revelation as “God’s self-
communication”
• Review how God was revealed in the Old
Covenant (Noah, Abraham, Moses, David)
• Review the mode of God’s Revelation in
Scripture and Tradition
• Introduce Jesus as the New Covenant, the
“fullness of God’s Revelation” continually
revealed in the Church

11. FAITH: OUR RESPONSE TO REVELATION

12. Faith Is A Response
1. This person said, “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he
possibly be the Messiah?” (Jn 4:29)
2. This man said, “Who are you, sir?” After Jesus revealed himself to the man, he
found out that he was blinded. (Acts 9:5–9)
3. They traveled with Jesus for seven miles without knowing who he was, but came to
realize who he was when they had dinner with him. (Lk 24:13–31)
4. He said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Mt 16:16)
5. This man thought Jesus was the Son of God because Jesus told him, “I saw you
under the fig tree.” (Jn 1:48–50)
6. They recognized Jesus as a king when they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and
myrrh. (Mt 2:1–11)

13. Faith Is A Response (continued)
7. Some thought this man was the Messiah but he said, “One mightier than I is
coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.” (Lk 3:16)
8. This person said, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are those
who have not seen and have believed.” (Jn 20:28–29)
9. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him; in a loud voice he
shouted, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I beg you,
do not torment me!” (Lk 8:28–30)
10. Jesus refused to perform miracles for this person. In talking with him, Jesus quoted
some passages from the Old Testament including, “You shall not put the Lord, your
God, to the test” (Mt 4:1–11)
11. You. (What would you say to Jesus?) Write what you would say in your journal or
as a short essay.

14. How Do You Respond to Jesus?

15. 2. The Mystery of Jesus Christ
• Define Incarnation.
• Trace the historical life of Jesus of Nazareth.
• Examine mysteries of Christ’s life (e.g.,
Baptism, miracles, ministry) and his unique
style of teaching (parables, Kingdom of God
sayings)
• Understand Jesus Christ as fully God and fully
man.

16. Infancy Narrative Comparison
Read Matthew 1:18--2:23 and Luke 2:1-39.
Mark an “M” for those found in Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel
Mark an “L” for those found in Luke. • Was written by a Jewish-Christian engaged in converting
Some items are in both. other Greek-speaking Jews to Christianity
• Was written to counteract tensions between Jewish and
Gentile Christians
Mary __ Joseph __ • Quotes heavily from the Old Testament to show Jesus as
the Messiah foretold
shepherds __ massacre of infants __
• Tried to teach Jewish people about the origins of their
Bethlehem __ inn __ faith.
Nazareth __ Herod __ Luke’s Gospel
• Was written to a Gentile audience who lived well
magi __ angels __ outside the region of Palestine
• Attempts to show that God intended from the beginning
turtledoves __ Simeon __ of time to save all creation, including Gentiles
• Includes many references to poor, women, and other of
Quirinius __ manger __ society’s outcasts who came to follow Jesus
Egypt __ star __ • Has a journey theme, with the Holy Spirit directing
Jesus’ mission to proclaim the Good News to all people
swaddling clothes __ Temple __ and with the journey often being directed to Jerusalem
and the Temple.
gold, frankincense, myrrh__
Anna __

17. Infancy Narrative Investigation
Hypothesis More Information
Read Mt 1:1-17 and Lk 3:37-38. Matthew: genealogy through
Why does Matthew’s genealogy Joseph; at beginning to show it as
trace to Abraham and Luke’s trace extension of Judaism. Luke:
to Adam? inclusion of all people; placed prior
to Jesus’ ministry as Moses’
genealogy is in Ex 6:14-17
Read Mt 2:13-23. How are these The flight to Egypt allows Jesus to
events similar to events in Moses’ relive the Exodus experience of
life? Israel.
Read Lk 2:15-20. What is The announcement to and the visit
significant about shepherds being by the shepherds is consistent with
the first to offer glory and praise to Luke’s theme that the poor and
Jesus? lowly are singled out for God’s
blessings.
Read Mt 2:12. What would a The courage of the magi not
Jewish person considering returning to King Herod was similar
conversion to Christianity find to the courage many young Jewish
significant about the magi not Christians shown in abandoning
returning to King Herod? their traditional faith for Jesus.
Read Lk 2:22-32. How might verse A major objective of Luke’s Gospel

18. Fully God and Fully Man
1. Review the Heresies Against Jesus
Gnostic Docetism: denied the Incarnation (Christ appeared as a ghost)
Arianism: the Son of God came “from another substance than that of the
Father”
Nestoriansm: false belief that Jesus was two persons—one human, one
divine (rather than one divine Person with two natures)
Monophystism: Jesus had only “one nature”
2. Focus on the Creedal Statements about Jesus
Jesus is eternally begotten of the Father
Jesus is God from God, Light from Light (One in being with the Father
Through Jesus all things were made

19. 3. Christ’s Revelation about God
• Review the nature of God, now fully revealed
by Christ
• Introduce Jesus’ unique relationship with the
Father (Abba)
• Trace Jesus’ revelation of God as Holy Trinity,
Three Divine Persons in One God*
• Explain the unique role of Mary as Mother of
God and Mother of the Church*

20. Attributes of God (from the Psalms)
Jesus confirmed several attributes 1. Psalm 1:39-1-2, 8-10
of God that were revealed in the 2. Psalm 139:7
Old Testament. Match these 3. Psalm136:1-2
attributes to the Psalm passages
below. 4. Psalm 90:2
A. ETERNAL 5. Psalm 50:1
B. UNIQUE 6. Psalm 99:5
C. INFINITE AND OMNIPOTENT 7. Psalm 104:24-25, 28-30
D. OMNIPRESENT 8. Psalm 86: 8-10
E. CONTAINING ALL THINGS 9. Psalm 84:3
F. IMMUTABLE
G. PURE SPIRIT Answers: 1-D; 2-G; 3-F; 4-A; 5-C;
H. ALIVE 6-I; 7-E; 8-B; 8-H
I. HOLY

21. More Ways to Understand the Holy Trinity

22. 4. What Jesus Teaches about Ourselves
• Reassess the meaning of human life based on
God creating man and woman in his own
image
• Understand how Christ’s offer of Redemption
involves repentance, conversion, and grace
• Unpack the meaning of discipleship
• Recall the importance of prayer, with a focus
on the Lord’s Prayer

23. The People of God

24. Who Do You Say that I Am?

25. The Blind
Bartimaeus
Mk 10:46-52
Blind Man of
Bethsaida
Mk 8:22-26

26. "For eight years of my life -- first at St. Thomas Aquinas High School
(in Overland Park, Kan.) and then at Notre Dame -- service and charity
and volunteering your time to those who are less fortunate was part of
the plan. And as much as I enjoyed it, it was required. What I found was once it
stopped being mandatory, I felt empty without doing it.”
Brian Smith, Notre Dame 2010

27. Jesus Christ: His Mission and Ministry
Course 2
1. God’s Revelation and Our Response
2. Who Is Jesus Christ
3. Tracing the Historical Life of Jesus
4. Jesus’ Christ’s Revelation about God
5. Jesus Helps Us to Understand the Trinity, Mary, and the Holy
Spirit
6. Jesus’ Life Reveals His Mission
7. The Church Knows Jesus by Many Names
8. What Jesus Tells Us about Ourselves
9. Friends and Disciples of Jesus
10.Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

28. Recent Articles from the Engaging
Faith Blog:
Picture Meditation
Prophets Lesson Plan
Thoughts on Bring Facebook into the
Classroom
SMART Board Tutorial Video: Teaching
Vocabulary
Catholic Connections with Steve Jobs

29. New: Suggested YouTube Videos
All Resources

30. An Overview of the
USCCB Curriculum Framework

31. Lessons and Links!
Contact me for links and printed copies of the
lessons in this presentation
Mike Amodei
mamodei@nd.edu