The Hierarchy and Governance in the Early Church
Explore how the early Christians navigated challenges, the role of the Apostles in Church governance, the concept of hierarchy, and the significance of the Pope in matters of faith and morals. The divine and human characteristics of the Church come to light as decisions are made guided by the Holy Spirit.
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Presentation Transcript
DIVINE HUMAN The Church is human because Jesus took on human flesh and we are members of His Body. We are redeemed but not perfect. The Church is divine because she was founded by Jesus, who is God. The Church is guided by the Holy Spirit, who is God.
Like today, it was difficult getting people of the early Church to work together perfectly: There were arguments that the Jewish and Greek widows were not being treated equally. There were arguments that the Greek Christians had to follow the old Jewish customs that the Jewish Christians still followed. Because of persecution, Christians could no longer meet in the Jewish temple so they needed to decide where to meet in secret for prayer and worship. Who do you think the early Christians looked to in order to make these decisions?
Apostles were given the power to govern the Church by Jesus Peter and the apostles could make decisions about running the everyday Church Guided by the ______________________ Also made laws to help Christians live the Christian life more easily (not follow all the Jewish customs) Holy Spirit
Hierarchy means levels of responsibility and service in leadership. It does not mean levels of importance! (every level is important) Let s think of a common example in school Who is absolutely essential in order for there to be a school? Who is directly in charge of the students and serves them? Who is in charge of the teachers and serves them? Who is in charge of the principal and serves as the overall leader? superintendent principal teachers students
The Pope Peter s _______________ Governs the ______________________ ________________because of his _________ as Pope His teaching is only infallible (can t be wrong) in matters of faith and morals The Holy Spirit prevents him from teaching error! Ministers _________ sacraments (Arch)Bishops Apostles _____________________ Governs a _______________or _____________________ Infallible when they teach in union with the _______ Ministers ________ sacraments all successor whole Church office Infallible all successors Diocese Archdiocese Pope
Priests ________________helper Governs a _____________ Authority to __________and __________in union with his ______________ Ministers ______ sacraments except Holy Orders Deacons* Priests __________ Assists in a ____________ Authority to __________and __________in union with his ______________ Able to proclaim the Gospel, Baptism, Matrimony, Funerals, Distribute Holy Communion, Benediction *Transitional or ______________ Permanent Bishop s parish preach teach bishop all helper parish preach teach bishop
Precept = rule of moral conduct Obligation = serious duty to carry out as a member Assist = participate as fully as possible Fast = two small meals that do not equal a third larger meal; not eat between meals Abstain = not eat meat Easter Season = Easter Vigil through Pentecost Sunday (50 days)
Assist at Mass on all Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Fast and abstain on the days appointed. Confess sins at least once a year if serious sin is involved. Receive Holy Communion during the Easter Season. Contribute to the support of the Church. Observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage. (Support the missionary activity of the Church.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Why does the Church have so many rules? Why can t I just love God the way I want? Imagine if you were a husband or wife and you decided you would: Never let your spouse know where you were Stay away from home for long periods of time without telling your family Never help to support the family (money, time, cleaning) Spent time with friends but never with family Would go out to eat with others but never with family
PurpleFast and abstain on days appointed (purple is the color of Lent) Pink Confess sins once a year if serious sin involved (pink is color of joy: joy of having your sins forgiven) Yellow Observe marriage laws of the Church (yellow remind us of gold rings) Sky blue Support the missionary activity of the Church (blue for the globe) White Receive Communion during the Easter Season (white is color of the Host) Red Assist at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (Jesus shed His Blood for us and shares this in the Sacrifice of the Mass) Green Contribute to the support of the Church (green stands for life, money and gifts)
The teaching and priesthood from the time of the apostles is called ______________________. Does every Christian church have the whole truth Jesus taught? ___________ Who guided the early Church leaders? Who guides the Church leaders today? __________________ The Church is built on the foundation of the ___________ and is called ________________________. The Catholic Church has the correct and _______________ confession of Faith. On what 2 things is the pope infallible? ________& _______ The Church is both _________ and __________. divine apostolic succession No Holy Spirit apostles apostolic complete faith morals human
Read John 21:15-17, 19b (second sentence) Close your eyes and imagine you are Peter and Jesus asks three times, Do you love Me? How does it make you feel that Jesus keeps asking? Is there something that you are loving more than Jesus? Ask Jesus to help you to put Him first in your life. Listen to Jesus say, Follow Me. Let your mind and heart be still to listen to what more Jesus wants to say to you or show you. Journal about your prayer experience.
