1. The Trinity: The Central Mystery of Our Faith
Christology - Theology 1-B
Notes – February 8, 2017
Document # TX001185

2. Christology = The Study of Jesus Christ.
Notes –
Christology = The Study of Jesus Christ.
To understand Jesus Christ, we need to understand the Trinity.

3. Jesus is part of 2 Families:
Notes
Jesus is part of 2 Families:
His Heavenly Family - The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit. Jesus is The Son in this Family.
His Earthly Family - Jesus, Mary, Joseph.

4. The Heavenly Family of Jesus is His Family from All Eternity.
Notes
The Heavenly Family of Jesus is His Family from All Eternity.
Open your Bible to Luke 2: 41-52

5. • What’s going on in this picture?
(Notes: Ask the students to reflect on Rublev’s Trinity Icon. Encourage discussion by asking the students some or all of the following questions:
• What do you see?
• What’s going on in this picture?
• What do you see that makes you say that?
• How would you feel if you were in this work of art?
• What is the symbolism?
Make a final comment that the icon is full of symbolism to draw the viewer deeper into the mystery of the Trinity.
This discussion is possibly an opportunity for YawnBuster Point of View.
For more information on Rublev’s Trinity Icon, go to
Image in public domain

6. Introduction to the Trinity – Notes
What is monotheism?
the belief in and worship of only one God
began with the Covenant between God and Abraham
grew through Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants
Image in public domain

7. Introduction to the Trinity - Notes
We share our belief in this one God—and our commitment to monotheism—with Judaism and Islam.
Image in public domain

8. Introduction to the Trinity - Notes
Catholic Christians pray “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This may lead some to think that Catholics worship three gods, not one.
Catholics have always affirmed the truth that God is one.
“I believe in one God” (Nicene Creed).
(Notes: Ask the students the following questions:
• Where do you hear the Nicene Creed?
• How often is it recited?
• Why is it recited at every Sunday Mass?
Point out that the Creed summarizes the importance of the Trinitarian mystery of faith.)

9. The Trinity - Notes What is the Trinity?
comes from the Latin trinus, meaning “threefold”
refers to the central mystery of the Christian faith
mystery—God exists as a communion of three distinct and interrelated Divine Persons:

10. Notes
Trinity Diagram

11. The Trinity - Notes
The Holy Trinity is a unique and defining trait of Christian faith.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Trinity is the Church’s “most fundamental and essential teaching” (234) and the central mystery of our faith, which only God can fully reveal to us.
 (Note: Invite the students to explore this concept of mystery. Solicit answers about what a mystery is.)

12. The Trinity - Notes What is a mystery?
A mystery is something that is beyond human understanding.
In theological terms, a mystery is a specific doctrine (doctrine = teaching) revealed by God that is beyond full human understanding.

13. What do the mysteries of our faith require? Trust and faith
The Trinity - Notes
What do the mysteries of our faith require?
Trust and faith
Trust: confidence in someone or something
Faith: belief in and loyalty to God
(Notes: You may want to explore these two concepts, trust and faith, through a brief discussion. Ask the students to explore these questions through class discussion or in their journals:
• How is trust developed?
• In whom or in what do you have trust?
• In whom or in what do you not have trust? Why?)

14. The Trinity - Notes
Many images and analogies throughout our Church’s history have tried to bring clarity to this mystery of faith.
Background -
According to legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. How does the shamrock represent the Trinity?
© 2009 Saint Mary’s Press/Illustration by Vicki Shuck

15. The Trinity - Notes
Many images and analogies throughout our Church’s history have tried to bring clarity to this mystery of faith.
Background - Artists throughout time have attempted to explain the mystery of the Trinity. How does this painting by the artist El Greco explain the Trinity?
© image in public domain

16. The Trinity - Notes
Many images and analogies throughout our Church’s history have tried to bring clarity to this mystery of faith.
Background - How can you explain the Trinity with three intersecting circles?

17. The Trinity - Notes
The concept of the Holy Trinity is also expressed in the Scriptures:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you” (2 Corinthians 13:13).

18. The Trinity - Notes
The doctrine of the Trinity is part of Sacred Tradition. The doctrine was clarified and taught by several of the early Church councils.
First Council of Nicaea (AD 325)—adopted the original Nicene Creed to explain that Jesus is truly God
First Council of Constantinople (AD 381)—revised the Nicene Creed to assert the Holy Spirit’s divinity and place in the Trinity. This Creed is the one we know today.
Council of Ephesus (AD 431)—reaffirmed the Nicene Creed’s teaching that Jesus Christ is both human and divine in one nature
Council of Chalcedon (AD 451)—reasserted the full divinity and full humanity of Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity

19. The doctrine of the Trinity
distinguishes Christianity from other monotheistic religions
unifies mainstream Christians

20. The Trinity - Notes
With every prayer we pray and every sacrament we celebrate, we act in the name of this Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

21. (Notes: Encourage the students to reconsider this image of the Trinity from the beginning of the presentation. How has their understanding of the mystery of the Trinity grown through this presentation? Invite them to reflect on this question in their journals, or conduct a class discussion. Sharing their reflections may be a nice way for them to exit the class, or it may serve as an opportunity for a closing prayer.)
Image in public domain

24. Teen Timeline Lesson #7 - Notes
Jesus and the Gospels: The Messianic Fulfillment

25. Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, help us to be like you in all ways. Help us to see your love for sinners, beginning with ourselves, Lord. Give us your love for the outcast, the forgotten, the unpopular, and the needy. Lord, show us what it truly means to love, to give of ourselves, and to sacrifice for the good of others. Mother Mary, pray with us, and always lead us back to your Son, Jesus. Holy Spirit, open our minds and our hearts to all you want to share with us through your Living Word. Amen.

26. Time Period Covered – Messianic Fulfillment
Notes
Time Period Covered – Messianic Fulfillment
Where We Are On the Journey – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Opening Question – How well do I know Jesus?
Verse to Remember – Luke 9: 23

27. Notes The angel visits Joseph three times in his sleep
The first miracle that Jesus performs is changing water into wine at the wedding of Cana; his Mother is the one who asks him to perform the miracle by bringing the situation and request to the Lord
During a year of Jubilee, Jesus cancels debts and sets the captives free
In Matthew Chapter 16 Jesus gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom
A tabernacle by definition is a dwelling place / a “tent”

28. Answer the following questions in your notes
1. What do you think would have been more difficult, being Mary or being Joseph? Explain in one sentence.
2. What things are your friends and classmates most in need of Christ’s healing for in their lives? Give two examples.
3. Why do you think Jesus would entrust his Church to the leadership of sinful men such as Peter? One sentence.
4. Why did Jesus give us the Holy Eucharist? One sentence.

29. Answer the following in your notes
How well do you know Jesus?
This is not a question based upon facts but upon faith.
It’s not about saving information in your head but about having your soul saved by Jesus, the Head of the Body.
Answer the following questions in your notes –
1. What color are Jesus’ eyes when you look into them?
2. Is there any gray in His beard?
3. What does His voice sound like?
4. What do His hands look like?
5. Describe His smile.
6. What is He wearing when you pray to Him?

30. Write the following terms in your notes
1. Mary
2. Joseph
3. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
4. Jubilee
5. Peter
6. The Last Supper
7. One Holy Catholic Church
8. The Eucharist
9. Jesus
10. The Holy Spirit
11. The Passion
12. Messianic Fulfillment

31. Match one of the following Definitions with one of the Terms
A. Portrait of Discipleship
B. When Jesus instituted the Eucharist
C. Angel comes to him three times when he is asleep in the Scriptures
D. The Advocate
E. Authors of the Gospels
F. Where Jesus fulfills the promise made in Genesis
G. The sign of God’s Covenant, the New Covenant
H. Portrait of Sacrifice
I. A year when all the debts are forgiven and all the slaves are set free
J. The Covenant with God and the World
K. “You are the Christ, the son of the living God”
L. The Eleventh Time Period in the Bible