God reveals Himself to us. God created everything, visible and invisible. God is eternal. Creation is an expression of God’s goodness. Human beings are made in God’s image and likeness. We can know and love our Creator. We are made to be children of God.
The Trinity is the central mystery of our faith. There is one God. There are three divine Persons in one God – this is the Holy Trinity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all divine Persons, of the one divine nature.
The Bible is the written Word of God. The human authors of the Bible received the gift of Inspiration from the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament recounts the story of creation and God's relationship with the people of Israel. The New Testament begins with the Gospels and tells of the early Catholic Church.
Chapter 4 Preview: • God placed Adam and Eve in Paradise, where they lived in friendship with God and harmony with creation. • Tempted by the devil, Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command. • Sin brought death into the world and separated people from God. • God promised to send a Savior.
Chapter 5 Preview: • God made covenants with people in the Old Testament and gradually revealed Himself. • God chose the Israelites to know Him and prepare to receive the Savior. • God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. • Jesus came to save all people and established a new and everlasting covenant.
Chapter 6 Preview: • At the Annunciation, the Archangel Gabriel told Mary that God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son. • Mary said yes to God's plan for her. • At the Annunciation, God the Son took on a human nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary. • Jesus is both God and man. • Jesus was born in Bethlehem on the first Christmas.
Chapter 7 Preview: • Jesus became fully human while remaining God. • Jesus taught people about God. • Jesus performed miracles that demonstrated Who He is. • Jesus' first public miracle was at the wedding feast at Cana, at His mother's request. • Jesus told parables to the people. • Jesus chose twelve of His disciples to be apostles.
Chapter 8 Preview: • Jesus was sentenced to die by crucifixion. • Jesus chose to offer His life as a sacrifice for sin. • Jesus paid the price of sin and opened Heaven to us. • Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. • One day we will rise from the dead.
Chapter 9 Preview: • Forty days after His Resurrection, Jesus ascended to Heaven. • Jesus told the apostles to make disciples of the whole world. • Jesus will come again. • On Pentecost, the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit. • The Holy Spirit came to the Church at Pentecost and will remain with the Church forever. • The Holy Spirit can guide us and help us be holy.
Chapter 10 Preview: • Jesus founded the Catholic Church. • The Church is the family of God. • The apostles were the first leaders of the Catholic Church, whose office had been passed on to the bishops. • The Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. • The Catholic Church can trace itself back to the apostles.
