English
Discussion starters on 6 topics with a youth group
In place of a talk or video to launch a session of reflection, these sets of questions are a good way to stimulate teenagers to share their views and for an animator to guide them to truth having listened to them
JUST HOW CATHOLIC / CHRISTIAN ARE YOU ?!
1. It is possible to be a good Christian without belonging to any particular parish. Yes No ?
2. The faith taught in the Catholic Church is the most authentic of the Christian faiths. Yes No ?
- The Church is too authoritarian and not democratic enough. Yes No
- I am happy to have the Pope as a leader and guide. Yes No ?
5. I depend on the Church to help me interpret scripture correctly. Yes No ?
6. You don't have to be a Christian/Catholic to go to heaven but it is an advantage. Yes No ?
7. Being Catholic means that I am already "born again"! Yes No ?
8. I would be prepared to suffer and even die for my beliefs. Yes No ?
9. Our happiness in the afterlife will depend on the kind of life we will have
lived while on earth. Yes No ?
- We are able to further the salvation both of the living and the dead by acts
of penance and sacrifice, and by prayer. Yes No ?
- Even if I don't feel like it, l need to make the effort to attend Mass every Sunday. Yes No ?
- Children should be baptised soon after their birth. Yes No ?
- In the Eucharist what I receive is the actual body and blood of Christ. Yes No ?
- Catholics are fortunate to have the sacrament of reconciliation (confession). Yes No ?
- It is important to me that if possible I should receive the last rites
(anointing of the sick) shortly before I die. Yes No ?
- It is in accordance with God's law that the Catholic Church forbids divorce and remarriage. Yes No ?
- The Church is right in its teaching regarding artificial contraception. Yes No ?
- I cannot understand why or agree with the rule that priests and nuns can not marry. Yes No ?
- What makes Catholic Bishops and priests special ministers is that they can trace their ordination all the way back to the apostles. Yes No ?
- Devotion to Mary is of importance to my faith Yes No ?
21.The Church is not strict enough regarding smoking, drinking, dancing, gambling, dating…Yes No ?
22. Abortion is never justifiable and is definitely murder. Yes No ?
23. I believe that women should also have access to ordination as priests. Yes No ?
24. My catholic “culture” is more important to me than my national / ethnic culture. Yes No ?
25. The seven sacraments are key steps to my salvation. Yes No ?
Just How committed to the CHURCH are you?
Y N ? - The church is gradually being led to the perfect/complete truth.
Y N ? - The church like any organization exists for the good of its members.
Y N ? - The church is Christ still alive in the world today.
Y N ? - Every Christian shares responsibility for the guidance of the Church.
Y N ? - Being born into a catholic family makes one a Christian
Y N ? - Conversion must continue to take place everyday of one’s life.
Y N ? - A Christian must always follow his/her conscience.
Y N ? - Loving one another is not as important as worshipping God sincerely.
Y N ? - A Christian is one who cannot live for him/her-self only.
Y N ? - A very good moral life can take the place of a faith-filled life.
Y N ? - Faith can be measured by how much we act on God’s word.
Y N ? - We can get faith simply by studying a course in theology.
Y N ? - Reading the bible automatically increases one’s faith.
Y N ? - Faith is a gift of God which must be asked for in prayer.
Y N ? - Without receiving the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to be a full Christian.
Y N ? - It is by his/her own efforts that a Christian manages to love God and neighbour.
Y N ? - If we listen to the Holy Spirit, we will know what to really ask for in prayer.
Y N ? - Our attitude to suffering is a good indication of what kind of faith we have.
Y N ? - The pope knows all the answers.
Y N ? - The scriptures tell us nothing about the intercession of the saints.
Y N ? - It is no use praying for those who have died.
Y N ? - Anything in the church can eventually change.
Y N ? - Changes in church law endangers the faith of catholics/christians
Just How Committed are You to your Faith?
[If you agree, circle the YES; if you disagree, circle the NO; if you are unsure, circle the ?]
I have a deep relationship with Jesus and he plays an important role in my life. Yes No ?
- I attend mass every week even when I don't feel like it. Yes No ?
- I would be prepared to suffer and even die for my beliefs. Yes No ?
- I go to confession regularly. Yes No ?
- When people see me, I remind them of Jesus Christ. Yes No ?
- I am as keen to learn about my faith as even my best subject at school. Yes No ?
- If I found myself in Church on Sunday with only a $10.00 note in my pocket,
I would be ready to offer it at the collection time. Yes No ?
- I believe that God has a special purpose for me and I don't just ask myself-"What
do I want to do?" but also-"What does God want me to do with my life?" Yes No ?
- I would like to be a priest or sister or brother one day. Yes No ?
- I am a Catholic just because that is how I was brought up at home. Yes No ?
- I try to be a good example to my friends of what it means to be a Christian. Yes No ?
Just what do you know about the Bible?
Y N ? - The Bible is a record of humanity’s search for GOD.
Y N ? - The Bible is like a scientific textbook when it describes the origin of the world.
Y N ? - The Bible is primarily a factual history of the Jewish people.
Y N ? - The Bible contains detailed answers to all human questions.
Y N ? - The Bible needs to be interpreted literally.
Y N ? - The main thrust of the Bible is the description of what is right and what is wrong.
Y N ? - Every part of the Bible has the same level of importance as every other part.
Y N ? - One needs to read the Bible as a spectator rather than as a participant.
Y N ? - The Bible was dictated by God to various prophets and assembled over a few years.
Y N ? - All the writings in the Bible are a response to GOD's activity and concern for his people.
Y N ? - The Bible can prove the existence of GOD
Y N ? - A person's job in studying the Bible is to learn to ask the right question's.
Y N ? - The Bible is a record of history without interruption.
Y N ? - There is no other truth about GOD than what is disclosed in the Bible.
Y N ? - The Old Testament has no relevance for today.
Y N ? - The Bible is basically one story - that of GOD's search for communion with us.
Just How SEXY are you?
[Circle YES if you agree, NO if you disagree, the ? if you think it is either or neither!]
1. I'm embarrassed to talk about sex with my parents. Yes No ?
2. Good looks and sex appeal are more important to me than personality and values in my boy/girl friend. Yes No ?
3. Girls have different expectations of their boyfriends than boys have of their girlfriends. Yes No ?
- Guys have a far more casual attitude to sex than girls. Yes No ?
- Masturbation is wrong and it is unhealthy. Yes No ?
- You don't have to be in love to have sex with someone just as long as it is safe. Yes No ?
- It is important for me that until our wedding day my fiancé(e) and I should be virgins. Yes No ?
- AIDS is God's way and nature's way of warning us that the laws of morality must be obeyed. Yes No ?
- A life without sex is a life without love and is very dull. Yes No ?
- Priests, brothers and nuns have hang-ups about sex. Yes No ?
Just how good a leader are you?
Y N ? - I acknowledge my mistakes and I assume responsibility for their consequences
Y N ? - I can adapt to sudden program changes
Y N ? - I can take criticism
Y N ? - I can defend my values
Y N ? - I can identify the needs of others in the team
Y N ? - I am able to communicate clearly
Y N ? - I do not have favourites
Y N ? - I encourage shy members to participate
Y N ? - I enjoy spending time among the youth
Y N ? - I contact the parents of the members of the group
Y N ? - I have a good sense of humour
Y N ? - I make an effort to make new members feel welcome
Y N ? - I understand each one of my team members
Y N ? - I am prepared to sacrifice my agenda for that of the team
Y N ? - I do not expect any member to do anything which I’m not prepared to do myself
Y N ? - I am open to advice
Y N ? - I consult team members and involve them in decision making
Y N ? - I make allowances for differences in team members
Y N ? - I am self-disciplined and I can inspire discipline to the team
Y N ? - I lead by example
Y N ? - I can solve / resolve conflicts which arise between team members
Y N ? - I am punctual and keep appointments
Y N ? - I am able to maintain proper records of happenings
Y N ? - I am trustworthy and reliable
