Exploring Catholic Social Teaching

LESSON PLAN
Formative Assessment
A. Have a student stand and read aloud Daniel 2:20-21:
Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
for wisdom and power are his.
He causes the changes of the times and seasons,
establishes kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who understand.
B. Have students write a journal response to this verse, incorporating ideas from class discussion,
on their own paper.
DAY TWO
Warm-Up
A. Distribute and have students independently read Part I of Handout A: Law, Justice, and the
Human Person. Then have them answer the four questions at the end of that section.
B. When completed, review and discuss the answers together, clarifying any questions students
have.
Activity and Formative Assessment
A. Project and have a student stand and read aloud from Psalms 9:8-9:
The LORD rules forever,
has set up his throne for judgment.
It is he who judges the world with justice,
who judges the peoples with fairness.
B. Talk briefly about how the world today uses the words “justice” and “fairness” in vague ways, but
the words do have actual meanings. To treat someone fairly or justly means to give him what
he is due. For example, God is due adoration and worship; our parents are due honor; all the
members of our human family are due respect. The poor and the vulnerable, especially babies
in the womb and the elderly, are due special care and charity. If you owe someone $50, he is
“due” that money. If someone breaks a law, he is due a punishment. Justice takes many forms.
C. Emphasize that God is perfectly just, and we can see signs of His justice in His law, especially
the Ten Commandments. Have students complete Part II of Handout A: Law, Justice, and the
Human Person.
EXPLORING CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING, lesson 10
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