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REED 141 HANDOUTS

(Prelim)

LESSON 1: DIVINE REVELATION

When God Meets us: God’s “Kagandahang Loob”

I. CONTEXTUALIZATION : EXPERIENCE-GRIP -Reflection/Sharing: Why do you feel the need to have more

friends, barkada, ka-tropa?= Points to be emphasized:a.) By nature we are social beings.b.) We want to recognize a person and be recognized.c.) Same is true with God. God through His “Kagandahang-Loob” took the initiative to reveal Himself and establish a personal relationship with us that is: DIVINE REVELATION .

II. CONCEPTUALIZATION: GRAPPLING WITH THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE = A. Etymology:

=Comes from the latin verb “revelare” which means “ to unveil , ” “to disclose”

= B. As such, “revelare” answers four (4) questions that help us understand what Divine Revelation is all about:a.) HOW? (it is being done)b.) WHO? (is doing it)c.) WHAT? (is being revealed)d.) WHY (it is being revealed)

= C. From these questions we can generally describe Divine Revelation as: the (a) gradual process by which

(b) God reaches out to us to (c) reveal Himself and His Will as (d) to offer His friendship for the fullness of our lives.= D. This description/definition implies that:

1. God can be known only through :a. a gradual process of encounters and relationships (thus we

focus on the three major ways God reveals himself: Bible (written revelation), Creation (natural revelation), and Jesus (personal revelation)

b. especially through his words and deeds.2. God communicates / reveals Himself

a. to be known and be recognized; and b. to know and to recognize.

3. God communicates/ revealsa. Himself and His will as the norm of our conduct b. for the fullness of our lives.

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III. CONSCIENTIZATION: CHALLENGES FOR TRANSFORMATION1. Recognize God’s “Kagandahang-loob” in our lives.2. Respond to God’s “ Kagandahang Loob” by becoming open and

submissive to His will.3. Challenge to know God, love and serve Him and be united with Him.4. Imitate / conform to God’s offer of His fullness of life and friendship.

IV. CONCRETIZATION: PLAN OF ACTION-Ask students to share his or her experience/s of God’s “Kagandahang Loob.”- Ask them to cite a program of action showing their gratitude to God’s “Kagandahang Loob.”

LESSON 2Revelation (Written) through the BIBLE

I. CONTEXTUALIZATION

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE BIBLE

TEST YOUR BIBLE SKILLS

Can you find the names of 25 books of the Bible in this paragraph? This is a most remarkable puzzle. Someone found it in the seat pocket on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping himself occupied for hours. One man from Illinois worked on this while fishing in his John boat. Roy Clark studied it while playing his banjo. Ellain Victs mentioned it in her column once. One woman judges the job to be so involving. She brews a cup of tea to help calm her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot… that’s a fact. Some people will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. The truth is, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes as minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have. Those able to find all of them will hear a great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation may help. Books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. And punctuation or spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete. Remember, there are 25 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph. Goodluck and have fun.

2. CONCEPTUALIZATION

1. What is the etymological meaning of the word BIBLE?

From Greek “ta biblia”: the Bible is a collection of different books

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o Also called “SCRIPTURE” to highlight that the Bible is God’s Scripted/written revelation (as compared to Sacred Tradition)

2. The Two Major Divisions of the Bible Old Testament and the New Testament

=Testament – means a covenant, an agreement, a promise

The Old Testament contains God’s covenant with the Chosen People (Israel). It is a promise of salvation. The New Testament contains the fulfillment of this promise in Jesus Christ (for all). It is a covenant made by God through Jesus for humanity.

3. The Divisions of the Books in the Bible

46 books comprise the Old TestamentPentateuch HistoricalWisdomProphetic

27 books comprise the New TestamentGospelsActs of the ApostlesPauline letters

Other EpistlesRevelation.

4. The Chronology of the Old Testament (by Matt Slick)

The following chronological list is adapted from The Chronological Bible.  Its purpose is to help you develop an overall understanding of the order of the major people and events of the Bible.  The dates are disputed here and there; but overall, they can give you a reference in time and order.

The Pre-existent ChristCreationSatan cast out of heavenSix days of creationGarden of EdenFall of Adam and EveExpulsion from EdenCain kills AbelNoah is bornThe Flood

John 1Gen. 1:1 Isaiah 14:12-17Gen. 1:3-26Gen. 2:8-17Gen. 3:1-7Gen. 3:21-24Gen. 4Gen. 5:28-29Gen. 7:10-24

From the Creationto the Flood

The Tower of Babel Gen. 11 The Flood

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Abram (Abraham) is bornJobAbram becomes AbrahamBirth of Isaac, then Jacob, then Joseph

Gen. 11:27Job 1Genesis 17 Genesis 21-30

to the Patriarchs

The 10 plagues against EgyptThe Hebrews are freed then pursuedCrossing the Red SeaReceiving the 10 CommandmentsIsrael wanders in the desert for 40 years

Exodus 7 - 11Exodus 12Exodus 13 - 15Exodus 20 Numbers 14

The Exodus to Entering Canaan1462 - 1422 B.C.

The conquest and division of CanaanIsrael becomes a world powerSamson is bornSaul becomes first King

Joshua 6 - 121200 - 750 B. C.Judges 131 Samuel 9

Canaan to the Reign of King Saul 1422 - 1065 B. C.

David and GoliathDavid becomes KingDavid with BathshebaAbsalom's rebellionDavid prepares temple materials

1 Samuel 172 Samuel 52 Samuel 112 Samuel 15-181 Chronicles 22

The Reign ofKing David1025 - 985 B. C.

Solomon becomes KingSolomon asks God for wisdomThe building of the TempleSolomon's downfall

1 Kings 11 Kings 31 Kings 6 1 Kings 11

The Reign ofKing Solomon985 - 945 B. C.

The nation of Israel divided into two: Israel to the north and Judah to the south.  This period was full of kings, who ruled each realm.  Many of the kings were evil.  Other gods were worshiped occasionally.  During this time Elijah has his ministry.  Hosea preached.  Jonah dealt with Nineveh.  Rome was founded.  The temple was restored.

The Divided Kingdom(Israel and Judah)From Solomon to the Fall of Israel945 - 586 B. C.

Both Israel and Judah fall to foreign powers.  Micah prophesies.  Isaiah is martyred.  Jeremiah is born.  Daniel is born.  Zephaniah prophesies.  Ezekiel is born.  Jeremiah preaches.

The Fall of Israel to the Fall of Judah721 - 586 B. C.

Ezekiel prophesies as Jerusalem fallsNebuchadnezzar's imageDaniel's vision of the four beastsDaniel's vision of the 70 weeksFall of Babylon to Persians

Ezekiel 33Daniel 3Daniel 7Daniel 9 Isaiah 13, Jer. 25

Israel is taken into Captivity586 - 516 B.C.

Dedication of the TempleDeliverance of the JewsEzra prepares to return to JerusalemBuilding of the wall of

Ezra 6Esther 8Ezra 7Nehemiah 2Malachi

The Restorationfrom Captivity516 -400 B. C.

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JerusalemMalachi's PropheciesGreece is the world power from

Rome is the world power fromGod does not speak for about 400 years

331 - 168 B. C.168 B. C. - 476 A.D.

Time Between the Testaments400 B. C. - 5. A.D.

The Summary of the Old Testament Story can be classified into Three-Periods of Fourteen Generations. That’s why the Old Testament Story is divided into 3 Periods:

2000 BC – 1200 BC From the Time of the Patriarchs to the Age of the Judges1200 BC - 600 BC From the Period of the Kings to the Fall of Jerusalem 600 BC - 0 BC From the Period of Exile to Roman Rule

The whole periods manifest the descendants of Jesus, (14 generations=number 14 in Greek is perfect) where He came from the perfect clans of the Priest, Prophets and Kings (the three-fold mission of Christ).

5. The 3 Stages Formation of the Gospels and the Formation of the New Testament

Gospels were formed according to three major stages:

1.) 0 BC-30 AD=Event / Life and Mission of Jesus(Lived Experience of the people of God) – the people personally experienced God’s graciousness and love as well as His salvific action in their lives.

2.) 30 AD-60 AD=Oral Preaching of the Early Christian Community–

such first hand experiences of the early people of with God had been passed on to the next generations through oral tradition.

In 51 AD Paul start his Preaching and wrote his LETTERS

3.) 60 AD-70 AD=Writing/Editing of the Gospels – refers to the actual writing of the Word of God, in order that the next generations of people may know the story of the first people of God who experienced His salvific action. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

70 AD-90 AD=Acts of the Apostles were written -Luke was the author

90 AD-100 AD= Epistles were written

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=Revelation was written by John

6. How the BIBLE came and put into writing?

It is written by men

There are different human authors of the different books of the bible written over a period of time.

These authors recorded how they saw and experienced God’s dealings with them, personally, and the people, as a community, how they responded to, remembered and interpreted those experiences.

The bible, therefore, arose as the expression and record of the author’s experience of God and how they interpreted those experiences

Scriptures are, then, never to be separated from the people and the author’s life and history (Tradition) which formed/influenced the context of their writings

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit

Inspiration by the Holy Spirit means a special charism/gift of the Bible authors to be able to see God’s workings in their personal and the people’s experiences and write them according to what God wants to be written.

Biblical inspiration touches both the proclaimers/authors of the books of the Bible and the hearers of God’s words.

The Old testament Books and its Divisions

PentateuchHistoricalWisdomProphetic

The 39 books of the Old Testament were written over a period of approximately 1,000 years, beginning with Moses (around 1450 B.C.) until the time when the Jewish people returned to Judah from exile (538-400 B.C.) during the Persian Empire.

i.) The Pentateuch

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=Written more than 3,000 years ago =The word penta-FIVE and teokos-BOOKS means "five vessels," "five containers," or "five books.=Moses –author=These five books form the theological foundation of the Bible.

GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomy

ii.) The Historical Books

=These 12 books record the events of Israel's history, beginning with the book of Joshua and the nation's entry into the Promised Land until the time of its return from exile some 1,000 years later.

=we relive incredible stories and meet fascinating leaders, prophets, heroes and villains.

JoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEsther

iii.) Wisdom Books =written from the time of Abraham through the end of the Old Testament

JobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of Songs

iv.) The Prophetic Books

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=address the "classical" period of prophecy—during the later years of the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel, throughout the time of exile, and into the years of Israel's return from exile.

=written from the days of Elijah (874-853 B.C.) until the time of Malachi (400 B.C.).

=consisting Major and Minor Prophets

Major Prophets IsaiahJeremiahEzekielDaniel

Minor Prophet Hosea Micah ZephaniahJoel Jonah HaggaiAmos Nahum Zechariah Obadiah Habakkuk Malachi

The New Testament

=the fulfillment and culmination of the Old Testament.

=tells the story of Christ's coming to earth as a man, his life and ministry, his mission, message, and miracles, his death, burial, and resurrection, and the promise of his return.

The Books and its Divisions

GospelsActs of the ApostlesPauline LettersEpistlesRevelation

i.) The Gospels=means good spell ===the gospels)

“the GOODNEWS of SALVATION.

=recount the story of Jesus Christ

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= were written between A.D. 55-65 the except John's Gospel, which was written around A.D. 85-90.

Matthew Mark Luke John

ii.) The Book of Acts of the Apostles

=written by Luke, provides a detailed, eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. =considered a New Testament history book about the early church.

iii.) Pauline Letters= Paul wrote the first 13 of these letters, each addressing a specific situation or problem.

Romans1 Corinthians I Thessalonians2 Corinthians 2 ThessaloniansGalatians 1 TimothyEphesians 2 TimothyPhilippians TitusColossians Philemon

Hebrews***

iv.) Epistles

=“epesteme”- means 8 short letters

HebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John,

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2 John3 JohnJude

v.) The Book of Revelation

="The Revelation of Jesus Christ" or "The Revelation to John.

=author is John, the son of Zebedee, who also wrote the Gospel of John. around A.D. 90-100. Contains: =symbolism and culmination of end times prophecies.. =The hope-filled message of salvation in Jesus Christ=the promise of blessing for his followers=God's ultimate victory and supreme power are the prevailing themes of the book.

7. The Seven Deutero-Canonical Books

=7 Deutero-Canonical Books are included in the Catholic Bible.

=These books were written before the New Testament times using, not the Hebrew language but the Greek language.

Tobit JudithWisdom Sirach Baruch1 Maccabees 2 Maccabees

8. Marks of the Catholic Bible

1. Deutero-Canonical =inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT 2. Nihil Obstat =nothing obstructs 3. Imprimatur=this may be printed

Note: PROTESTANTS OMITTED THE 7 DEUTERO-CANONICAL BOOKS THEY CALLED THEM APOCRYPHAL

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The word Apoocryphal comes from Ancient Greek ἀπόκρυφα (apocryphal)=meaning, “those that were hidden”.

9. MAIN PURPOSES OF THE BIBLETO INFORMTO TRANSFORM

SIGNIFICANCE:

1. SHARE: stories of human experiences of (sin, suffering, holiness, faith, etc…)

2. HELP: understand God and His works 3. GUIDE: how to live and act 4. TEACH: about religion (James 1:27)5. DESCRIBE: human history as salvation history

III. Conscientization God is faithful to His promises; He fulfills His promises. Jesus Christ is God’s promise of salvation. God’s salvation is for all. This story of salvation takes place in the context of human history, over a period of time as recorded and may be read in the Holy Bible.

Recognize that the Holy Bible is the Written expression of the author’s experience of God in their lives.

See how the Holy Spirit moves and continues to work in me through my daily experiences in life.

Ask for inspiration by the Holy Spirit as chrism/discerning quality which helps us to realize and be aware of God’s movements in ones life.

Attempt to write down ones own experiences of God’s movements in ones life.

IV. Concretization

Students should read one story each from the Old Testament and New Testament.

EvaluationThe students’ summary and short backgrounder on the stories they

have read.

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ACTIVITY IN REED 141(Prelim)

NAME DATECSE/YR/SEC

Mt. 5:21-22 Mt. 6:1-2 Mt. 5:23-24 Mt. 6:14-15 Mt. 5:27-28 Mt. 6:19-20 Mt. 5:38-30 Mt. 7:1-3 Mt. 5.:43-44 Mt. 7:21-23

Text: Mt. 5:21-22____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1.) The passage INFORMS me that…1.1)_________________________1.2)_________________________

2.) The passage TRANSFORM/CHALLENGES me to …2.1)_________________________2.2)_________________________

Lesson 3:REVELATION THROUGH CREATION

I. CONTEXTUALIZATION

A. Do you know of a (Philippine) story that explains the origin of the world/humanity?

• God as a clay molder or baker: God as the creator

B. What are some of the causes of the calamities (flush flood, land slide) that have struck some parts of the country?

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Abuse and misuse of the things of our world

II. CONCEPTUALIZATION

A. READ: Wisdom 13:1-9• A.1 Questions for Reflections

1. What kind of people the passage describes? 2. How does the passage describe God? 3. What does the passage say about creation

A.2 The passage informs me about:

1. people who are ignorant of God and are nature worshippers 2. God as the original artisan/creator of the greatness and beauty of the universe 3.creation as a natural and universal sign/revelation of God (happening at all times, at all places, for all peoples)

A.3 Conscientization:

The passage transforms/challenges me to…

1. gain more knowledge about God and firmly believe in God’s existence2. acknowledge and consider the things of this world (and the world itself) as creatures revealing God as the creator: Source, Foundation and Goal of creation

B. READ: Genesis 1:1-31

B.1 Questions for reflections:

1. How did God create the whole world?

2. What responsibilities God gave to Adam and Eve (humanity)?

= DOMINION over the fish, birds, all living things= be FERTILE, MULTIPLY and FILL the earth= take FOOD in plants, trees, fruits, animals, birds, crawling creatures, etc…

3. What was God’s evaluation about all the things he had created?= very GOOD

B.2 Christian Message

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The passage informs me about: 1. my responsibilities to God’s creation as its responsible steward 2. God’s love for humanity: he gave the world’s “goods or resources” for the sustenance of human existence3. God’s invitation for me to become his instrument to bring up and defend human life4. creation’s basic goodness

B.3 Conscientization:

The passage transforms/challenges me to…1. safeguard and care for God’s creation2. uphold and promote equal/fair opportunity of all in enjoying the “goods/wealth” of the earth3. uphold and promote the right to life4. use the world’s natural resources for the benefit of the majority

C. Read: Gen. 1:26-27

C.1 Questions for reflections:

1. How did God create the human being differently from other creatures?= in His image/likeness

2. What unique identity God had given to the first human beings?= male and female

C.2 The passage informs me about …

1. human beings created uniquely in the Creator’s divine image/likeness;2. the human being’s gender which is either male or female3. the human identity as God’s image as the fundamental ground of human dignity and basic equality of all men and women;

C.3 Conscientization:

1. Imitate/conform to God’s identity as Love/Kagandahang-loob;2. recognize God’s indelible imprint or image in each person;3. treat everyone with respect and honor (a brother or a sister)4. promote and protect everyone’s human dignity and equality;

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IV. CONCRETIZATION= What should I do now?

LESSON 3: GOD’S WILL AND HUMAN FREEDOM – THE DISOBEDIENT

I. CONTEXTUALIZATION:

A. Would you consider everything in the world “good” the way God saw it in the beginning?

= Not totally: we are living in a “troubled world”B. If God is the Creator, is he also the cause of the “troubles” in the

world? = NO. It is human sinfulness.

II. CONCEPTUALIZATION: Grappling with the Christian Message

A. READ: Genesis 2:15-16 A.1. Questions for reflection 1. Where did God put man after God had created him? = Garden of Eden/Paradise: the place of TOTAL WELL-BEING 2. What did God give to the man? = eat anything, except the forbidden fruit: RESPONSIBLE

(LIMITED) FREEDOM

B. READ: Genesis 3:1-19 B.1. Questions for reflection 3. Who had influenced Adam-Eve to eat the forbidden fruit? = SERPENT: convinced them that God is lying 4. How did the serpent convince them to eat the forbidden fruit? = TEMPTATION: to become like God, know what is good and bad 5. Where were they when God searched for them? = HIDING: afraid because they were NAKED (symbol of shame/guilt before God) 6. What did they do when God asked them if they had eaten the

forbidden fruit? = BLAMING: pointing the guilt to someone else 7. What did God do to them because of their disobedience? = EXPELLED out of paradise (symbol of separation from God as

a result of sin) 8. What God had said to the serpent and the woman? = ENMITY: woman’s child crushing the head of the serpent’s

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offspring

C. Christian Message: the passage informs me about: 1. the original situation God intended for us is “total well-being”

(kaginhawahan) 2. freedom as God’s gift to me: not a license to do anything I

want but a responsibility to do what is good by following God’s will

3. the prohibition symbolizes God’s will as the ‘standard of morality”

4. temptation as an invitation to go against God (SIN) 5. pride as the root of sin: the inner drive to become the

master/god of one’s life 6. real/authentic guilt as shame before God than before others 7. blaming over sincere acceptance of one’s shortcomings is a

common attitude to sin 8. separation from God is the ultimate consequence of sin 9. God’s promise of salvation through a savior/redeemer

III. CONSCIENTIZATION: Challenge-Grip* The Christian message transforms/challenges me to … 1. promote people’s well-being in all situation 2. follow and conform to God’s will in every decision-making 3. attentive to temptations that come in appealing package 4. check every decision not to be based on selfish interests

(PRIDE) 5. accept humbly one’s mistakes/shortcomings 6. accept Jesus as the promised savior

IV. CONCRETIZATION: Program of Action* What should I do now?

LESSON 4 GOD’S INTERVENTION IN HISTORY-FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM

I. CONTEXTUALIZATION: Experience-Grip

* What is your natural reaction whenever you see people who are in great need and in miserable condition?

= AWA: but oftentimes at the emotional level only, lacking in ACTION (GAWA)

= MALASAKIT: “awa” translated/expressed into concrete action of loving concern

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II. CONCEPTUALIZATION: Grappling with the Christian Message

A. READ: Exodus 3: 1-19A.1. Questions for reflection 1. What was the unusual INCIDENT Moses

encountered in the mountain? = Burning Bush: God calling him from within 2. What was the MESSAGE of God to Moses? = God have SEEN the MISERY of his people in

Egypt = God have HEARD their CRY = God is CONCERNED about their SUFFERING = God has COME to RESCUE them = God will bring them OUT of the land of

SLAVERY to a land of PROSPERITY 3. What was the TASK that God gave to

Moses? = Go to Egypt and lead the Hebrews (means

slaves) to freedom

B. READ: Leviticus 18:1-5B.1 Questions for reflection

4. What God had commanded the Israelites to OBSERVE?

= A. Not to follow the ways/customs of the Egyptians where they came and the ways/customs of the Canaanites where they are going

= B. Carryout God’s decrees and statutes (GOD’S WILL)

5. What was the promised REWARD to those who follow God’s will?

= find LIFE!

C. Christian Message: the passages inform me about…

1. God is INVOLVED in our personal and societal lives

2. God is a WITNESS and is CONCERNED with our sufferings

3. God LISTENS and ANSWERS our prayers

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4. Oppressors can not escape God’s JUSTICE 5. In his own time, God will come to our rescue when

we are in “trouble” 6. God is a LIBERATOR, in SOLIDARITY with the

oppressed 7. God will CHOOSE persons to a special task to

achieve his plans for us 8. Our LOYALTY/ALLEGIANCE must be to God before anyone else 9. Only in God we can find LIFE; with out him, we

have death

III. CONSCIENTIZATION: Challenge-Grip

The Christian message challenges/transforms me to be …

1. attentive to God’s presence in my life: both in good times and bad times

2. trust in God’s providence and be humble to call him in times of need

3. a willing instrument to fight/end any form of oppression and slavery

4. in solidarity with the suffering people, the oppressed, least privilege

5. faithful to God before anyone else to have the fullness of life

IV. CONCRETIZATON: Program of Action* What should I do now?

Lesson 5GOD’S CALL TO HOLINESS – JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS

I. CONTEXTUALIZATION: EXPERIENCE GRIP A. Recall a SITUATION in your life that you were HURT by someone’s wrong doings. What made you FEEL that way?

= BETRAYED, ABUSED, etc… B. What do you want to HAPPEN to the person who had hurt you?= be SORRY; change for the BETTER; not to do again what had been done, etc…

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II. CONCEPTUALIZATION:

A. READ: HOSEA 4:1-3* Questions for reflection:1. What are the CRIMES of Israel against God?a) no fidelity b) no mercy c) no knowledge of Godd) lying e) murder f) stealing g) adulteryh) lawlessness and bloodshed

2. What is the EFFECT of these crimes?= mourning / languishing: SUFFERING* CHRISTIAN MESSAGE:= SINFULLNESS CAUSES SUFFERING

B. READ: AMOS 5: 21-24* Questions for reflection1. What the Israelites were doing that God HATED/REJECTED?= a. feast; b. solemnities; c. offerings; d. songs/melodies= RITUAL-WORSHIP that is EMPTY of its real content2. What kind of WORSHIP-OFFERING is it that is ACCEPTABLE to

God?= JUSTICE that surges like water, and RIGHTEOUSNESS that

unfailingly flows like a stream* CHRISTIAN MESSAGE:a) Worship is directly connected with our DAILY LIVINGb) Worship of God will be EMPTY/WORTHLESS without LIVING

JUSTLY and RIGHTEOUSLYc) Our life must be lived as a LIVING OFFERING/SACRIFICE to

Godd) HOLINESS is LIVING LIFE MORALLY UPRIGHT

C. READ: JOEL 2:13-14* Questions for reflection:1. What God is reminding us as to WHO He is?= a. gracious and merciful;

b. slow to anger; c. rich in kindness; d. relenting in punishment

* CHRISTIAN MESSAGE:= God is a FORGIVING God, because He is LOVE

2. What God is CHALLENGING us sinners to consider?a) RETURN to Him with WHOLE heart: with fasting, mourning,

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weepingb) REND our HEARTS, not our garments

* CHRISTIAN MESSAGE:a) God is calling us to be RECONCILED with Himb) We can return/reconcile ourselves to God only if we have a

CONCRITE HEART: sorrowful over our unfaithfulness/sinfulness

III. CONSCIENTIZATION: the Christian Message CHALLENGES/TRANSFORMS me to …

1. Confront my sinfulness without excuses and blaming 2. Consider the suffering I brought to people I have done wrong by being truly sorry and ready to make reparation 3. Respond positively to God’s call to holiness by living morally upright (justly and righteously) as my daily offering/worship to God

IV. CONCRETIZATION

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