Religion Grade 7

Grade Seven
Within our seventh grade religion curriculum, students will:

STANDARD 1 - SACRED SCRIPTURE
Read and understand Sacred Scripture as God's Word speaking to them.

Scripture.7.1. Explain the meaning of the term "salvation history."
Scripture.7.2. Identify that there are 46 Books of the Hebrew Scriptures (The Old Testament) and 27 Books of the New Testament.
Scripture.7.3. Write their own proverb, psalm, parable, epistle, or historical account of God acting in their life.
Scripture.7.4. Discuss how selected Sunday readings apply to their life.
Scripture.7.5. Identify the following people and explain their role in salvation history: Mary, Joseph, Jesus, John the Baptist, Herod the Great, the 12 Apostles, Judas, Peter, Paul, and Stephen.
Scripture.7.6. Describe the following New Testament events and explain their significance in salvation history: Birth of Jesus, Jesus' Baptism, Jesus calling His apostles to help Him spread the Good News, Jesus' miracles, Jesus' Passion-Death-Resurrection, the institution of the Sacraments, Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, the institution of the Church.

STANDARD 2 - DOCTRINE
Know and understand the basic teachings of the Church and how they apply to their lives.

Doctrine.7.1. Examine the Nicene Creed and explain each article of faith that this creed professes.
Doctrine.7.2. Define and discuss the term redemption as used by the Catholic Church.
Doctrine.7.3. Define and discuss the term grace as used by the Catholic Church.
Doctrine.7.4. Describe or dramatize how the "grace" received through the Sacraments strengthens us to grow in holiness and to live life with greater peace, love, and compassion.
Doctrine.7.5. Explain the role of the Apostles before and after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Doctrine.7.6. ExpIain the steps involved in developing an "informed moral conscience."
Doctrine.7.7. Identify that the unique origin of the Roman Catholic Church is rooted in Jesus' commissioning of Peter to be the head of the Apostles and unifier of the Church.
Doctrine.7.8. Identify some of the key differences between the Roman Catholic Church and various Protestant denominations.

STANDARD 3 - SACRAMENTS
Know and appreciate the centrality of the Eucharist and importance of the Sacraments in the life of Catholics.

Sacrament.7.1. Explain that the Sacrament of Reconciliation celebrates God's healing and forgiveness of our sins.
Sacrament.7.2. Discuss the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick as an opportunity to bring Jesus' healing comfort and strength to those who are seriously ill, elderly, or in danger of death.
Sacrament.7.3. Identify and discuss Marriage and Holy Orders as the sacraments of commitment in which the Church celebrates two special ways that people serve others by sharing their gifts.
Sacrament.7.4. Explain that the word ordain means to "set aside" in order to serve the Church in a certain way, as a deacon, priest, or bishop.

STANDARD 4 - COMMUNITY
Understand and appreciate the role of the faith community - the Catholic Church - into which they have been baptized and through which they grow in faith to mature discipleship and will know what it means to have membership in the local, universal Catholic Church.

Community.7.1. Describe the mission of Catholic laity in the world.
Community.7.2. Discuss the historical contributions of various religious orders in the United States as well as their present day efforts to carry out their mission.
Community.7.3. Evaluate issues of homelessness, hunger, poverty, and illiteracy found in their community in light of Church teachings.
Community.7.4. Identify and explain "The Precepts of the Catholic Church" (CCC 2041-2043).
Community.7.5. Identify various Protestant faith traditions and examine their origin (Lutheran, Episcopalian, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian).

STANDARD 5 - SERVICE
Engage in service to and exercise responsible stewardship for the various communities to which they belong: family, school, parish, civic, national, global.

Service.7.1. Discuss Jesus' call for them to serve others in light of the Beatitudes.
Service.7.2. Participate in group service projects that address global issues.
Service.7.3. Discuss the services they provide in their families and/or classrooms.
Service.7.4. Identify the difficulties and challenges in today's culture of putting their faith into action (service).
Service.7.5. Discuss how their own unique talents can be used in serving others.
Service.7.6. Research and discuss the role of service in the Sacraments of Matrimony and Holy Orders.

STANDARD 6 - PRAYER
Experience and appreciate a variety of prayer forms in addition to the prayer of the Sacraments.

Prayer.7.1. Explain the meaning of the seven petitions in the Lord's Prayer.
Prayer.7.2. Prepare and assume different roles in a communal prayer and/or liturgy.
Prayer.7.3. Plan and implement a daily program of personal prayer during Advent and Lent.
Prayer.7.4. Discuss how trust in God is the basis for prayers of petition.

STANDARD 7 - SPIRITUALITY
Know how to develop a personal relationship with God.

Spirituality.7.1. Practice silent reflection on selected religious themes and record their thoughts in writing. (Examples of religious themes are God's Love, the Crucifixion, God's Gift of Creation)
Spirituality.7.2. Identify the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Spirituality.7.4. Discuss contemporary literature that has a spiritual message.
Spirituality.7.5. Discuss contemporary music that has a spiritual message.