Theme 1: What is love?
Outcomes
Students will
- examine and evaluate their understanding of love
- analyze Scripture pas- sages where Christ models love
- explore the Christian dimensions of love within the context of popular notions of love
- analyze ways they love others because they love themselves
- articulate what it means to be loved and to love unconditionally
- listen prayerfully to the call to be loving
Key Concepts
- We are called to love as Jesus loved.(Since we have been loved, we also must love – 1 John 4.10- 12.)
- Love that is rooted in Christ will never fail, even when it seems to be the most foolish, unreasonable or diffi- cult choice.
- Love is not just an emotion. Love is willed. Mature love is a call to action which fosters the good of others.
- Giving and receiving love is the most important dimension of our lives, bringing out the best in both the lover and the beloved.
- To truly love others, we must love our- selves.
Theme 2: What is the loving thing to do?
Outcomes
Students will
- reviewandapplythe decision-making model (see, judge, act, evaluate)
- demonstrate an understanding of the role of the magisteri- um, Scripture and tra- dition in moral deci- sion making
- identify times when it may be difficult to do what is loving
- define conscience and name its role in moral decision making
- explain the relation- ship between Christian moral deci- sion making and love
Key Concepts
- Christian moral deci- sion making is based on love.
- People are bound by their conscience in determining the loving thing to do.
- The magisterium, Scripture and tradition guide Catholics in moral decision making.
- Doing the loving thing may mean doing what is difficult or unpopular.
Theme 3: Why wait?
Outcomes
Students will
- explain how our sexuality can help us to love
- identify acceptable Christian expressions of love
- explain why having sex is not the loving thing to do outside of marriage
- define chastity and understand why it is a Christian virtue
- analyze sexual issues in relation to the virtue of chastity
Key Concepts
- “All Christ’s faithful are called to lead a chaste life in keeping with their particular states of life” (CCC #2348).
- “Chastity includes an apprenticeship in self- mastery which is a training in human freedom” (CCC #2339).
- God created us as sexual beings. Our sexuality draws us out of our- selves to relate with others.
- Genital sexual expression becomes personal and truly human when it is integrated into the relationship of one per- son to another, in the complete and lifelong mutual gift of a man and a woman. (see CCC #2337)
- Sexual feelings are neither good nor bad in themselves; they sim- ply are.
- There are many chaste ways of expressing our love for others.
- The sixth commandment protects the sacred bonds of committed love.
Theme 4: How does love go wrong?
Outcomes
Students will
- use 1 Corinthians 13.4-8a for identifying the signs of manipulative, coercive and abusive behaviour in relationships
- value the basic dignity of every person within relationships
- understand and demonstrate skills of appropriate assertive behaviour
- use Scripture for developing Christian attitudes towards loving others
Key Concepts
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5.9).
- In Scripture we find direction and inspiration for healthy, lov- ing relationships. (e.g., 1 Corinthians 13.4-8a, Romans 13.10)
- People in healthy relationships recognize the equal dignity and basic rights of all involved.
- Love goes wrong when it becomes self- centred.
- Not all relationships are healthy. Manipulation, coercion and abuse are signs of unhealthy relationships.
- Assertiveness skills are necessary for developing and maintaining healthy relationships.