2. Chapter Facts
A patriarch is a father, or founder, of a clan,
a group of related families.
Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah were
important women in God’s family and are
called matriarchs.
The patriarchs are our ancestors in faith.
Canaan was an area in west of Palestine that
included most of present day Israel.
3. Chapter Facts
Faith is a gift from God that enables us to believe in
him and accept all that he has revealed.
God chose Abraham to be the father of his people.
Isaac was the son of Abraham and inherited his
fathers position as patriarch.
When God renewed his covenant with Jacob his
name was changed to Israel.
God’s plan for protection of all creation is providence
4. Chapter Facts
God’s people became known as the Israelites.
Canaan was made up of small independent city-
states.
Our ancestors in faith are a good example of
reliance on God during our own journey through life.
Jacob prospered in Haran. The biblical writer is telling
us that God’s people were blessed.
Joseph was sold to the chief steward of the pharaoh,
the king of Egypt.
5. Chapter Facts
Abraham- He is our most important Old Testament
model of faith. He trusted completely in God’s will
when asked to do something difficult.
Isaac- He had twin sons, which caused a problem of
who would inherit his fathers position.
Jacob- His story is one of conflict because of his twin
brother. He inherited his birthright through
determination. He never gave up.
Joseph- In his story, providence was symbolized by
the fulfillment of dreams which indicated God’s plan.
6. Curriculum Facts
In the Book of Genesis we learn about the call of
Abraham by God to leave his country, his relatives
and his father’s house. Abram was obedient to God’s
call and God called him Abraham meaning the father
of a multitude of nations.
God’s tested Abrahams loyalty by asking him to bring
his son Isaac to be a burnt offering.
He took his son to the God, and was prepared to
offer him to the lord.
An angel appeared to Abraham and told him because
he followed God’s directions, he will be rewarded with
more children.
7. Curriculum Facts
God gave Moses the 10 commandments and Moses
gave these laws to his people. These
commandments are the cornerstone of the Old
Covenant. The New Covenant in Jesus Christ that
their full meaning will be revealed.
The mission of Christ and the Holy Spirit is brought to
completion in the Church, which is the Body of Christ;
the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, continues
Christ’s saving work, especially through the
Sacraments.
Through Baptism, our lives in Christ are a
participation in the death and Resurrection of Christ;
this should be reflected in the way each Christian
lives his or her life.
8. Curriculum Facts
Those who live in faithful lives die in God’s
grace and friendship and are born into the
Kingdom of Heaven and see God, as he is,
face to face.
The church affirms the existence of Hell, to
which those who die in the state of mortal sin
descend; the chief punishment of Hell is
being separated from God forever.
In Purgatory, one is purified and made holy
for life with God in Heaven.
