MEETING AND KNOWING GOD!

“By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches.” “…you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.” Psalm 104:12-13

HOW CAN WE KNOW GOD? God makes known the mystery of his

divine plan and our salvation through nature and Divine Revelation.

God’s self-communication is made known through creation, through…The world around us; God’s presence is in creation.

We come to know God through…

The human person, in our relationships with others.

Through our friendships…

We experience God’s love through our…

Family members

We experience God’s presence through our ancestors in faith. The various ways people throughout

history have come to know God, especially the Israelites as recounted (told) in the Old Testament. Like Abraham and Moses.

We come to know God through the understanding of the Church.

Throughout history, bishops and popes, priests and religious, theologians and teachers have reflected on who God is and how we come to know God like Pope Benedict XVI and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

God helps us comprehend (understand) truths through…

Sacred Scripture, the inspired word of God.

Scripture tells the story of God’s relationship with his People, starting with the Israelites (the Jewish people), and through the early stages of the Church.

God helps us understand truths through …

Sacred (Apostolic) Tradition. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit the Church, rooted in the message of the Gospels, forms teachings that help the people of God understand God’s divine plan.

The greatest gift of God is Jesus Christ who…

And through Jesus, we are introduced to the central and most important mystery of our faith: God is Trinity– Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Our response to God is called

F A I T H…BELIEVING in God and what God has made known through

words and deeds.

The three theological virtues are: faith, hope and charity (love)

FAITH BEGINS WITH GOD’S OFFER TO KNOW HIM AND FOLLOW HIS WAYS!

FAITH IS OUR RESPONSE OR “YES” TO FOLLOW IN HIS WAYS OF LOVE AND

TRUTH.

“Come Unto Me” Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes, Yes Lord…

Faith…we can move the mountains, we can do all things through Christ our strength…”

Discipleship means believing and living a life based upon our belief.

•What does faith lead to? •What kind of choices do we make? •Do we continually examine our lives and choices so they reflect God’s ways?

What risk did Abraham take when he said yes to God?Read Genesis 22:1-19 “The Command to Sacrifice Isaac.

In what ways do young people take risks to share and respond to their faith today?

Teens and Faith? You and your faith?

What risks did Mary accept by saying “yes” to God?

Read “The Birth of Jesus Foretold, Luke 1:26-38.