Ways God Communicates Himself

• Revelation means making something known or seen, revealing a truth, or revealing God.

Ways God Communicates Himself

• God communicates himself through covenants.
• God also communicates himself through creation.
• Further, God communicates himself through the prophets.
• God reveals himself through Scripture, Jesus, and world events.

Trinitarian God

• A trinitarian God is one God in three persons.
• These persons are inseparable but distinguishable.
• The three parts of the Trinity are the Father (Creator), Son, and Holy Spirit.
• The Trinity cannot be compared to an egg because the egg has three parts (shell, white, yolk), but each part can be separated.
• The Trinity also cannot be compared to water because water has three forms but can't exist in all three simultaneously.
• The Trinity can be compared to a musical chord where the notes can be distinguished but are played as one unified chord making one unified sound.
• Another comparison for the trinity is a 3D hand entering a 2D world, where those in the 2D world will perceive 3 separate objects, but they are connected in the 3D reality.
• Perichoresis is when the persons of the Trinity are intertwined, rotating, or dancing around themselves.
• A covenant is an agreement between two or more groups, specifically between God and his people, and it must be reciprocal.
• Jesus is the New Covenant as he fulfilled the Old Testament covenant/prophecies, and God gives the blessings from the Old Covenant to everyone through him. He opens the relationship with God for everyone and is the bridge between God and humans.

Jesus as the New Covenant

• God originally established himself as caring for justice and fairness.
• Jesus revealed that God is also merciful and loving.

Names of Jesus

• Jesus means "God Saves".
• Christ means "Anointed One" or "Blessed One".
• Son of God signifies Jesus’ unique relationship with God.
• Lord represents divine sovereignty.
• Messiah means "anointed" in Hebrew and is the prophesized savior.
• Saviour is the one who will save us from sin.
• God’s Grace is the active presence of God’s love in our lives, seen as an undeserved favor.
• A creed is a statement or summary of faith.
• The two creeds are the Apostles Creed (original) and the Nicene Creed (reaffirmed during the 3rd century AD; longer and expands on the original).

The Church

• The Church is one because it is unified in its message about God, Jesus, love, and forgiveness.
• The Church is holy because Jesus’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension embody the Love of God.
• The Church is catholic because it is open to everyone.
• The Church is apostolic because it is built on the foundation of the apostles and their mission to spread the word of God and evangelize the world.

Dogmas Around Mary

• Mary is the Mother of God (Jesus).
• The Immaculate Conception refers to her being born free from original sin and destined to be saved.
• She was perpetually a virgin.
• She was assumed bodily into heaven at the moment of death.
• Catholics pray to Mary to intercede for them and bring their prayers close to God; she is the greatest of all saints, and prayers of worship are not directed to her.

The Holy Spirit

• The Holy Spirit is compared to the wind, as you can feel its presence but not see it.
• Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter and is considered the birthday of the Church.
• At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles, allowing them to speak every language and perform miracles, instilling them with great faith and courage.
• Metanoia means change of heart, change of mindset, or repentance.

Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

• Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom, Courage, Reverence, Wonder, Right Judgement.
• Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Kindness, Modesty, Patience, Peace, Chastity, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Self-Control, Charity, Joy, Generosity.

Principles of Humanity

• All humans are sacred.
• Our world and lives are continually evolving and changing.
• Maturity comes through working with others.
• Humans need to be encouraged to make choices.
• Humans seek truth in meaning.

Traits of Being Human

• Humans are moral beings and have morals.
• Humans are created in the likeness and image of God, having the capacity to know and understand love.
• Humans have the ability to sin.
• Humans are called to happiness and holiness.
• Humans are rational and free.
• Humans have passions and feelings.
• Humans are blessed with a conscience.