Family Meeting 4: Making Moral Decisions Week 2

Sheltering Grace coming to talk about 11^th and 12^th grade service project

Quick Review:

STOP Method of Making Moral Decisions:

            Search out the facts
            Think about alternatives and consequences
            Others – consult them and consider how your actions will affect them
            Pray to the Lord for guidance

3 Parts of a Moral Decision: how to assess a moral decision/action

            Moral Object – the what of our actions, is it promoting the true good and the purposes of God
            Intention – why
            Circumstance – can change the severity of a good or bad action

Activity: Moral Decision Making (switch partners): Scenarios here

With a partner, discuss the topics then discuss as a whole. The group can vote if the decision is moral/immoral. Discuss alternatives and consequences more…

S          T          O         P

Why doesn't the end justify the means? What is being done is morally wrong. You are justifying yourself by deeming it ok to do something that we know is wrong to achieve something I want. You want something no matter the cost. Not trusting God/considering God not capable to achieve the same result without crossing moral boundaries. We're also assuming that we understand all of the repercussions of immoral acts.

Look at one example of an immoral act and make lists in small groups of all possible repercussions.

a.     Changing grades for a star player

b.     Hastening death

c.      Not paying taxes (single mom)

d.     Population control

e.     Text messages

f.       Not paying taxes (successful business)

g.      Pre-marital sex

h.     Death penalty

i.       Lots of random moral dilemmas (if time allows, pick one or two that stick out to discuss)

j.       Do you want a 5 year younger version of yourself making decisions for you today? (Not meaning we should regret our past decisions but looking at all that we've learned and God has shown us in just a short period of time especially when spent trying to grow our relationship with God)

Closing Prayer:

Each person offers a petition, just like the Prayers of the Faithful during Mass. The prayers are to help the community know what is happening in our lives and the intentions of the Church.

Additional Resources:
Ch. 2 Textbook Powerpoint
Ch. 2 Textbook Links
Ch. 2 Textbook Handouts

Family Meeting 3: Making Moral Decisions

Word of the Week – Liturgy of the Word – spend some time going into the details and history behind the Liturgy of the Word portion of mass:

Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist (Liturgy means the work or prayer of the people), our participation, Mass as a communal celebration of the Body of Christ

Three Readings, Psalm, Homily, Creed and Prayers of the Faithful

All readings relate and point to their fulfillment in the gospel

Storytelling aspect of ancient teaching, the stories of God’s people and how God communicates with His people

History rooted in Jewish service and Saturday + Sunday worship and meaning behind these parts

How do you make a moral decision? (ex. Didn’t have time to do your homework)

STOP Method of Making Moral Decisions:

            Search out the facts

            Think about alternatives and consequences

            Others – consult them and consider how your actions will affect them

            Pray to the Lord for guidance

3 Parts of a Moral Decision: When thinking about a moral decision or action – how should you assess it

Moral Object – the what of our actions, is it promoting the true good and the purposes of God

Intention – why, bad intention can ruin something good (ex. Pharisees seeking self-glorification), God knows the intentions of our heart, but the end does not justifying the means (ex. corrupt politicians)

Circumstance – who, where, when, and how, can change the severity of a good or bad action

Activity: Assessing the moral object, intention, and if the action is moral or immoral (Found on page 3 here). Groups of 2 – use document from previous class/textbook, at the end consider how a change of circumstance could alter severity
 

Decision and purpose of education (why care about/pay attention in school?)

Why do you go to school and why should you try? What is the underlying purpose of education? It is preparation for work and helps us be knowledgeable contributing members of society. Work is not bad. It was around before The Fall. Find what we enjoy and how best we can serve others so we can contribute in that way.

The Church’s commitment to education and healthcare (Rediscover Catholicism quotes)

Thinking about Others: in our decisions

Do you want a 5 year younger version of yourself making decisions for you today? (Not meaning we should regret our past decisions but looking at all that we've learned and God has shown us in just a short period of time especially when spent trying to grow our relationship with God)

Time commitments especially to the church: think about the commitments that others have made that have contributed to your time in Christeen, you have that same opportunity, they also made a choice that sharing their faith and supporting this Church community (the Body of Christ) in religious education and other efforts is very important

How we can put this in action…ideas

Prayer in decision making (more on this next week with specific prayers that we like and importance of praying especially when in need of guidance)

Prayer for Syria


Additional Resources:
Ch. 2 Textbook Powerpoint
Ch. 2 Textbook Links
Ch. 2 Textbook Handouts