The Word Among US Understanding Salvation History

Prayer Come Holy Spirit Fill the hearts of your faithful and Enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and You shall renew the face of the earth.

God’s Revelation How do we know God? God reveals Himself to us: ◦ Nature ◦ Reason God also reveals Himself in ways beyond us: ◦ Scripture ◦ Tradition

How do we learn about God? Scripture Tells us where our faith came from Tradition Is how our faith is handed on Magisterium Tells us what our faith is Our Catholic Faith is based on:

Scripture is: God’s Written Revelation of Himself Through Time

God’s Revelation Begins In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Genesis 1:1.2

God’s Revelation Continues Creation The Church 70 AD

God’s Revelation Is Completed The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen! Revelation 22:21 Jesus is God’s ultimate revelation. Jesus is the way to salvation. God’s revelation for all generations

Tradition Is Jesus established his Church on Pentecost The body of Christ Jesus commissioned the Apostles to preach the Gospel to all people The Early Church

Magisterium Is Bishops, Patriarchs and Popes The teaching authority of the Church Canon of Scripture Guided by the Holy Spirit Preserving the truth of God’s revelation For all time

Our Catholic Faith Stands upon these three legs, each supports the other: Scripture Tradition Magisterium

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Scripture The Bible didn’t just fall from the sky! Three stages of development: ◦ Oral tradition ◦ Written tradition ◦ Canon – the coalition/codification of the writings ◦ Each inspired by God through the Holy Spirit

God’s Public Revelation is Complete Our personal understanding of God’s revelation is a work in progress. God reveals himself to us personally as we participate in: Scripture – Study Tradition – Worship and Prayer Magisterium – Our Faith in Action He calls us each by name

This year at T-squared Now through Christmas ◦ Explore Scripture ◦ Service Project After Christmas ◦ The Continuing Story of Church

Table Talk Storytelling

Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.