The Human Condition

1. The Human Condition S4 Unit

2. Core Learning •  I have considered the Catholic vision of what it means to be human. • I have explored and can understand that, through its teaching on Creation, the Christian faith reveals the mystery of God in answering the ultimate questions: Who am I/are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going? What is our origin? What is our end? Where does everything that exists come from and where is it going? (CCC 282) • I have explored the creation of man and I can explain the ways in which man occupies a unique place in Creation: (cf CCC 355) He is made in the image of God. In his own nature he unites the spiritual and material worlds. Man is created male and female. God established Man in his friendship. • I understand that the human person, being made in the image and likeness of God,: is relational (S5) is rational (S4) is creative (S4) has free-will. (S6) • I have explored what it means for humanity to be rational and creative and I can describe how these gifts can be utilised to bring me closer to God and to others. • I have read and reflected upon the account of the Fall in Genesis 3 and I can explain what this figurative language is intended to describe. • I have had the opportunity to re-examine the Biblical stories of Creation and to consider different viewpoints as to the meaning of these - i.e. literal interpretation, as narratives which reveal truths about the nature of God. • I can explain why an understanding of our communal identity is essential to an understanding of the doctrines of original sin and salvation through Christ.  • I am beginning to understand the meaning of key Christian theological terms: Redemption, Atonement, Salvation

3. Key Words • Redemption • Atonement • Salvation

4. Lesson 1 Does Life Have a Meaning? Lesson Objectives: • To consider the question ‘What is the meaning of my life?’ • To explore the difference between spiritual and material goals in life

5. Activity 1 • Watch the video before deciding what one question you would like to see answered? Is there anything you think which should remain a mystery?

6. Someone once said, ‘You’re born, you live, you die.’ Is this true? Are we just like animals or robots passing through life?

7. Activity 2 • List 5 goals in your life that are most important to you at the moment • How do you think these will change over your life?

8. Activity 3 • The Meaning of Human Life from Differing Perspectives • Your teacher will give you a hand out outlining three different perspectives on the meaning of life • Discuss in your group and write down the main point from each perspective

9. Reflection • From the list made earlier identify three most important goal in your life

10. Prayer Dear God, help us to love you, and each other, more and more. Help us to have spiritual goals in life and not be people addicted to money and material possessions. Help us to be happy and at peace with ourselves, bless the relationships we have with each other, and make us all more aware of your great love for us. Amen

11. Lesson 2 What does it mean tobe human? Lesson Objectives: • Consider the Catholic vision of what it means to be human

12. Intro We are all members of the human race, living in human bodies and experiencing the world as human beings. However, this common ‘humanity’ can be understood and interpreted in many ways. Understanding of what it means to be human can differ according to race, religion, culture, context, situation and time. Before we look at Christian answers to the question of the human condition it may be helpful to consider our own ideas of what it means to be human.

13. Newspaper search Try to gather newspaper articles which give some idea of what it is to be a human beingand make a collage under the heading “Being Human” Discuss • Do the human beings in these stories have anything in common with you? If so what? • What do these stories tell us about human beings?

14. Life boat In your groups imagine that you are the captain of a lifeboat which can carry a maximum of four passengers. You are called to an emergency situation. Unfortunately, when you arrive at the sinking vessel, you become aware that there are seven people waiting to be rescued. • Read the profiles of the people and decide which four people you will rescue. • Write a response for each of the characters

15. Answer the following questions a) What is the basis for deciding that some people should go into the lifeboat and others not? b) Do human beings have a responsibility to care for others, particularly the vulnerable? If so, why? If not, why not? c) And what does this say about the meaning of human life?

16. Voice from the Church The Church says that we, as people, are willed by God; we are made in God’s image. Our dignity doesn’t come from the work we do but from the people we are. • Adapted from CentesimusAnnus, The Hundredth Year, John Paul II, 1991, #11 Dignity = thequality of being worthy of honour or respect Questions What does the Church mean by “Our dignity doesn’t come from the work we do but from the people we are”? Is it ever alright for people to be treated as if they are not as good as others? Why? Why not?

17. Prayer

18. Lesson 3 What are we Here for? Lesson Objectives: • I have explored and can understand that, through its teaching on Creation, the Christian faith reveals the mystery of God in answering the ultimate questions:

19. There's much more meaning in life once you know your purpose.

20. Watch the clip • Is it possible to be like this when we are older? • What happens to us as we get older?

21. Diamond 9What are the most important things which make us happy? • Your teacher will give you a list of activities. In your group decide which order you should place the corresponding number on your diamond 9 card

22. Diamond 9 Answers 4 3 5 7 12 14 6 9 17 Do you agree?

23. Prayer

24. Lesson 4 Learning Objectives • To explored the creation of man • To explain the ways in which man occupies a unique place in Creation

25. Through it’s teaching on creation, the Christian faith reveals answers to the ultimate questions in life

26. Creation Stories Lets Recap what you remember about the Creation stories in Genesis Write down as many points as you can about the creation stories.

27. The differences in chapter 1 and chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 1 Chapter 2 & 3

28. Read Genesis 1-3 • Can you find the passage that corresponds to anything you have written down?

29. Differences Complementarity: 1: humanity is made in the image and likeness of God, 2-3: man and woman struggle to live out that calling 1: humanity is the pinnacle of creation on the sixth day, 2-3: humanity is the most loved of creation being made first 1: humanity is to take care of all of creation, 2-3: man and woman are punished for abusing their care for creation they both show the love God has for his creation they both show the goodness of creation (and humanity) • Genesis 1 vs. Genesis 2-3 • Humans created last vs. first • Animals created before humans vs. Animals created after humans • Impersonal vs. personal • Focus on Creation vs. Focus on creation of man

30. Assessment: draw a Venn Diagram. Without consulting your notes, compare and contrast the two creation accounts. Your teacher will give you feedback Genesis 1 Genesis 2 & 3 Similarities in the two accounts

31. Lesson 5 God Made Man… • I understand that the human person, being made in the image and likeness of God,: is relational (S5) is rational (S4) is creative (S4) has free-will. (S6)

32. Draw a picture of your family. Mindmap around it, all the ways you are similar to your parents or siblings

33. Word Up Genesis 1:27 “God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.” • What is this verse from Genesis telling us? • What value do you think God gives to each of us? • What does this say about our own lives and our own dignity? • How does this call us to live?

35. As Catholics we believe that being made in the image of God makes us… • relational • rational • creative • has free-will

36. Activity I am made in God’s image. Like Royalty. I am a sign of God to others. My job is to mirror God to the world. • What does it mean to be rational and creative? Rational= having the ability to reason or think about things clearly Creative= having or showing an ability to make new things or think of new ideas Either • Write a poem about being made in the image of God. • Make a mask which shows all the ways in which humans are made in the image of God

37. Prayer • I am made in God’s image. • Like Royalty. • I am a sign of God to others. • My job is to mirror God to the world.

38. Lesson 6 The Fall • Lesson Objective • To re-examine Genesis 3 • To understand and explain key theological truths

39. The Fall • Watch the video. • Tell your partner what you think Adam and Eve did wrong

40. What “theological truths” could this story be teaching us? • The story explains that there is a place called Eden which has been lost in time • The story describes how Adam and Eve were the first people who sinned and lost paradise with God • The story explains that the devil is really an animal who can talk • The story explains that there is a force of evil that tries to separate us from loving and following God. Write out 2 theological truths that the story teaches us

41. Adam and Eve disobeyed Draw the diagram. add 4 ways how their Sin made things go wrong for Adam and Eve Question Do you think it is true that humans find it too easy to be bad? Is it a struggle to be good?

42. Would Adam and Eve agree with this quote?Would you?

43. Homework • “The Creation stories in Genesis are not useful to know.” Discuss. • They ARE NOT useful: • Describe 2 things about Genesis 1 or Genesis 2 that cannot be scientifically true • Explain why this means the stories are not useful to know • They ARE useful: • Explain 2 messages that either Gen 1 or Gen 2 teaches us about God/ us. Include the quotes you are discussing. • Conclusion: • Explain your overall view. Are the stories useful to know or not? Give a reason for your opinion.

44. Lesson 7 Original Sin • Lesson Objectives • To define Original Sin • To describe the consequences of Original Sin • To reflect on how Original Sin affects us

45. Starter • Copy the passage bellow filling in the blanks with the correct word from the box The story of the Fall _______ how Adam and Eve were the first people who sinned and lost ________ with God. We are all the spiritual _______ of Adam and Eve. We too are _________ of God’s paradise, with a bad _______ against God. This bad attitude is called having ________ SIN . • What sort of things would having Original Sin make people do, in general? Attitude Cast out Paradise Original Children Describes

46. Have you ever? Have you tried rowing a boat with one oar? What happens ? Have you tried pushing a dodgy supermarket trolley where one wheel doesn’t turn properly? What happens ?

47. Recap • After The Fall Adam and Eve • Hid from God • Blamed each other • Felt ashamed of themselves • Found nature was not on their side • Have to work hard now in life Questions Give an example of having a bad relationship with others, God, and creation Which of the effects of Original Sin do you think is the worst? Why?

48. Write down the statements you feel are important to Know • S All life forms are made out of carbon atoms. • T God loves us, and made the world with us in mind. • S The sun emits radiation which travels to the earth as light and heat. • T We are tempted to do evil, because we are all born with a bad attitude to God, called Original Sin. • S We are mammals, like many others species on earth, and quite similar genetically to some of them. • S Creatures evolved slowly over time, to become more sophisticated. • T God loves everything that He has made, and wants to enjoy it as well and look after it. • S We can use and control many things on earth through science. • T Man is special – made in the image of God – and man and woman were made for each other.

49. “I believe..” My Theological truths Write down your own theological truths • Who is God? What is He like? • What does God want us to do in our life? • What is the point of our life? • What does God want us to care about? • What sort of people does God want us to be?

50. Lesson 8 Atonement and Salvation Lesson Objectives To understand the concepts of Atonement and Salvation To understand that only through Jesus can we achieve this