THE NATIONAL CATECHETICAL DIRECTORY

OF THE PHILIPPINES 2007

(NCDP)

Methodology and
Religious Instruction
Major sources in Religious Instruction

• Bible
• Church Teachings
• Tradition
• Human Experience
NCDP CONTENT

What is the context where catechesis in the Church

in the Philippines is situated?

Chapter 1
Overview context of the Philippine
Catechesis: social, economic, political,
cultural and religious dimension

What is catechesis?
Form of the ministry of the Word to make
men’s faith become living, conscious and
active, through the light of instruction.
NCDP CONTENT
Chapter 2
Catechesis: its nature, goals and sources

Supreme rule of Faith:

expressed in the Church’s doctrine,
moral teaching, liturgy and prayer.

Why Catechesis?
Chapter 3
Foundations of Catechesis:
Revelation, Faith and the Church.
NCDP CONTENT

What to communicate in catechesis?

Chapter 4
Basic Content of the Church’s Catechesis

• Catholic Doctrine (Creed)

• Catholic Morality
(Commandments, Beatitudes)
• Catholic Prayer and Worship
(Sacraments)
NCDP CONTENT

Chapter 4
Facilitates better understanding and
use of the CFC in catechetical practices
NCDP CONTENT

How to catechize effectively?

Chapter 5
Takes up the complex topic
of catechetical methodology
Chapter 6
Covers catechetical
organization, personnel and
resources.
How is the NCDP related to the CFC?
Historical background of the CFC

•The CFC was conceptualized and

planned long before the clebration of
PCP II and the promulgation of the
CCC.

•It draws its origin from the NCDP

1984: “Maturing in Christian Faith”
 How is the NCDP related to the CFC?

NCDP guidelines for RENEWED CATECHESIS:

1.Its Filipino context

2.The nature and goals of
Catholic catechesis
3.Its foundation and basic
content, and
4.The methodology, channels
and means of catechizing.
 How is the NCDP related to the CFC?

The CATECHISM FOR FILIPINO CATHOLICS (CFC):

1. Shows how to put into practice the NCDP

directives, and
2.Serves as basic source book for Filipino
catechesis
ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF THE CFC:
The CFC brings the “Good News” of
Christ our Lord to the Filipino of
today.

• Up-to-date
• Systematic, and
• Typically “Filipino”
Three Basic Principles of the NCDP
stressed by the CFC:

INTEGRATION

INCULTURATION

COMMUNITY
FORMATION
 The CFC’s 5-fold CHAPTER PATERN
Highlights and fosters
the NCDP’s 3 Basic Principles

Introductory Text
and Opening Context
Integration EXPOSITION

Questions and
Answers
The CFC Chapter Pattern brings out the NCDP Principle:

INTEGRATION
•by linking its specific topic with the Filipino CONTEXT,
• in an EXPOSITION grounded in an integration use of
sources
• Widening the scope in the INTEGRATION’s section on
Doctrine, Morals, and Worship,and
• Pulled together in the summary of QUESTIONS and
ANSWERS
The CFC Chapter Pattern brings out the NCDP Principle:

INCULTURATION
• by stressing the Filipino dimension in the
OPENING and the CONTEXT,
• Exposing the strength and weaknesses of the
Filipino understanding and practice of the topic,
• Stressing concrete Filipino experience in the
INTEGRATION’s examples,
• With Questions and Answers formulated not for
rote memory but to incite thinking of what’s really
real
The CFC Chapter Pattern brings out the NCDP Principle:

COMMUNITY-FORMATION
• by relating to the lights and shadows of our concrete Filipino
Christian Communities in the OPENING and the CONTEXT;
• directing the EXPOSITION to specific Filipino insights and
difficulties relative to the topic;

• stressing the im portance of the communal, social dimension

in the INTEGRATION’s linkages;

• directing the Questions and Answers to the Filipino Christian

Communitiy’s actual Faith difficulties.
 The Basic Problem

How can Filipino Catholics

be brought to a personal
appreciation and
understanding of the truths
of the Faith? (NCDP 238)
NCDP’s Challenge:
TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT
TO CLOSE THE GAP
BETWEEN CHRISTIAN
DOCTRINE AND THE
ORDINARY DAILY LIFE-
EXPERIENCE OF FILIPINO
CATHOLICS (NCDP 240)
 This “bridging the gap” can only be
accomplished by a cooperative
pastoral effort including bishops,
priests, religious and especially
lay catechists (NCDP 241) … as
well as Catholic educational
institutions.

"The Catholic school constitutes a Christian community.

Every dimension of the school has some influence on the total
Christian formation of the students.” (Fr. Joseph Roche, S.J.)
 “I am the Way, the Truth and
the Life.” (John 14:6)

The Church Pastoral Ministry

Kingly Priestly
Prophetic
(Service) (Worship)
(Word)

Way Truth Life

MORALS DOCTRINE WORSHIP

The Catholic Faith

CHRIST-CENTERED
Morals
• found in the Commandments, Beatitudes and
Gospel values and attitudes

• ethical imperatives that we need to follow

(commitment)
• exemplified in witnessing and loving service
to our neighbor

•living out our basic beliefs and convictions

Doctrine
•Summarized in the Creeds,
consisting of the saving,
liberating truths of our Faith

•not abstract truths, but those

which need comprehension
that leads to basic conviction
or paniniwala
Worship
• the Church’s public worship or liturgy;
Faith as pagtitiwala

• living encounters with the Risen Jesus

who renews our convictions,
strengthens our commitment and
nourishes our spiritual life

•evocative prayer dimension celebrated

in personal and communal prayers in
the Sacraments and liturgy
 “I am the Way, the Truth and
the Life.” (John 14:6)

FAITH

MORALS DOCTRINE WORSHIP

Profession Knowledge Celebration
of Faith in of the Word of Faith in
one’s daily of God the
moral Sacraments
living & Prayer
The Catholic Faith

CHRIST-CENTERED
 Paralyses in the Faith

Ideological Activism
Paralyses in the Faith

Pious activism
Paralyses in the Faith

Pious dogmatism
 Paralyses in the Faith

Activism
 Paralyses in the Faith

Ritualism
 Paralyses in the Faith

Dogmatism
 Paralyses in the Catholic Faith

Pious Activism When one or two

dimensions pervade
over the other to the
extent of neglecting
the other
dimension/s, the
Catholic Faith is
paralyzed.
Pious
Ideological Dogmatism
Activism

(NCDP, page 90 footnote)

 “I am the Way, the Truth
and the Life.” (John 14:6)

FAITH

MORALS DOCTRINE WORSHIP

Profession Knowledge Celebration
of Faith in of the Word of Faith in
one’s daily of God the
moral Sacraments
living & Prayer
DOCTRINE
ELEMENTS FOR THE LESSON DEVELOPMENT
(NCDP 2007 MODEL)

1) Where are we? (CONTEXT)

• INCULTURATED CATECHESIS
• The concrete Filipino life experiences
• Students are led to recognize the values they
uphold and asses the relationship they have
with God and others in their environment:
at home, in school and in the bigger
community.
ELEMENTS FOR THE LESSON DEVELOPMENT
(NCDP 2007 MODEL)

2) Taking the Right Path (EXPOSITION)

•Discusses the message of our Catholic
faith as revealed in the SCRIPTURES and
CHURCH TEACHING.
•The heart of each path for it helps the
students discover the truth that is
grounded in God, the Father, the Source
of all Truth; that was fully manifested in
His Son Jesus Christ, the Truth, who
came to set us free and sent His Spirit of
Truth that proceeds from the Father
(CFC, 1221)
ELEMENTS FOR THE LESSON DEVELOPMENT
(NCDP 2007 MODEL)

3) Let Us Move On (INTEGRATION)

•Represents the interplay of the three dimensions of
our faith.
•Offers one explicit example of interrelating the
doctrinal, moral and worship dimensions of the
topic
•Bridges the seeming gap between faith and life.
•Students are motivated to make free moral
decisions in thought, word, and deed, MATURING IN
JESUS, the norm of our moral life.
ELEMENTS FOR THE LESSON DEVELOPMENT
(NCDP 2007 MODEL)

4) Truths to Remember (SUMMARY)

• Fundamentals in the path are reiterated for

emphasis
• Pulls together and gives the essential
content of the topic presented, forming a
helpful synopsis, as well as guide, toward an
accurate understanding of the fuller
expositions.
ELEMENTS FOR THE LESSON DEVELOPMENT
(NCDP 2007 MODEL)

5) Keep Walking (CHALLENGE)

•To assess their understanding of the

Christian Message and the way they live
it out.
•Provides different activities to facilitate
reflection reflection/ evaluation or offer
another avenue for integration.
•Motivates the students to commit
themselves to keep walking in thought,
word and deed with Jesus.
ELEMENTS FOR THE LESSON DEVELOPMENT
(NCDP 2007 MODEL)

6) They Who Walked in the Truth (SERVANT LEADERS)

•Gives students someone who has lived the

Christian Values presented in the lesson, a role
model for Catholic Christians for exemplifying
the teachings of Christ in his/her life.
•appreciation of the life of the servant-leader
hopefully inspires the students to become
faithful Christian disciples at home, in school,
and in society.
ELEMENTS FOR THE LESSON DEVELOPMENT
(NCDP 2007 MODEL)

7) Moment of Truth (ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY)

•Pulls together, recaps, solidifies the most vital

Christian Messages in the different paths of
each lesson
•Faithful to the directives of the NCDP 2007
“Every adequate catechetical methodology
must be grounded explicitly on three bases –
SCRIPTURE, TRADITION and HUMAN
EXPERIENCE.”
Scripture and Tradition
•The basic source from which catechesis draws its message is
the living word of God

“Catechesis will always draw its content from the living source
of the Word of God transmitted in tradition and the Scriptures,
for Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scriptures

•An effective use of sources is an essential dimension for a

successful catechesis.

•There must be an integrated use of the Sacred Scripture (SS)

and the Church Teaching (Ch.T.) in an inculturated manner.

•The series use the methodology proposed by NCDP

2007 (“integrated, inculturated, community-
forming” methodology)
INTEGRATED
• In methodology, what is of prime importance is an
integrated catechesis, one that can incorporate the
three dimensions of faith: doctrine, morals, worship.
• Integration of the three elements is a basic criterion
for evaluating the effectiveness of any catechesis.
• Faith is not simply “head-knowledge,” but saving
convictions which directly influence moral decision,
action, and prayer life.
• Morality is not just series of do’s and don’t’s, but
moral principles, virtues and decisional skills for
living a life of loving service which is grounded on
truths of faith and celebrated by prayer and
sacramental life.
INTEGRATED (cont..)

•Sacraments and liturgy are not “out-of-this-world

ritualism”, but the living worship of the Christian
community based on the fundamental convictions of
Christian Faith and inspiring the Christian
commitment to a loving service.
•The integration of these three aspects of faith is an
effective means toward creating a fruitful and
meaningful catechesis.
•Knowledge of the Word of God (doctrine)
•The profession of faith in daily life (morals;
•Celebration of faith in the sacraments (worship)
INCULTURATED

“A solid, catechesis, while

being true to the gospel must
always reflect the indigenous
culture and communicate the
Christian message in a
manner that is intelligible to
the catechized.”
COMMUNITY-FORMING

•Faith grows to maturity only in the supportive climate

provided by the home, school and community.

•The community plays an important role in nurturing and

bringing into maturity the faith of the individual, for Christian
faith does not grow in isolation.

•It is always a “shared faith life” of a Christian community.

•We are social beings who are born, grow up and mature in
continuous relation to others.
 SAMPLE GROUND PLAN
Path 17: Jesus Is Tempted of Popularity, Teacher’s Manual, pp. 47-49

CHRISTIAN MESSAGES SOURCE AND MEANS OBJECTIVES

Doctrine: “Temptation Sacred Scripture: The lesson is ordered

is enticement to evil, Matthew 4:1-11 “If You to lead the students to:
seduction to sin and are the Son of God, Doctrine: understand
death.” CFC,2191 throw yourself down…” the meaning of
Morals: “The tug and Church Teaching: temptation and the
lure of one’s passion CFC 2192 “Temptation consequences of giving
tempt every man.” is part of human life… in to it;
Worships: We seek the problem is willfully Morals: seek ways of
the Holy Spirit to help consenting to directing their passion
us resist temptation. temptations.” to what is good;
Means: “Popularity Worship: Pray to the
Poll” A creative class Holy Spirit for the
activity that will reveal strength needed to
the students’ desire to resist temptation
be popular.
 SAMPLE GROUND PLAN

HUMAN EXPERIENCE

BEFORE DURING AFTER

Most of the A “Popularity Poll” They will understand the

students desire will bring out the meaning of temptation and
popularity. They students desires and acquire the clarified
experience many passions. Discussion knowledge that God does
temptations to of the second not tempt them but it is
achieve their temptation faced by their passion’s that drives
desire to be Jesus will clarify the them to fall into
popular. Many meaning of temptation. Hopefully their
regard cheating temptation and how desire for popularity will
as an ordinary temptation comes be directed to do what is
high school into their daily lives necessary for second year
experience not as like cheating, lying, students. They will be
a sin anymore. impurity, etc. clarified on the concept of
cheating as a sin.
SPEACIAL FEATURES:

• SERVANT-LEADER
: Mother Marie Josseaume
• VALUES
: Courage, Commitment
• TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION
: Political Education
SAMPLE OF LESSON DEVELOPMENT (using NCDP 2007 format)

Opening Prayer

Begin with the “Our Father”

A. Where are We

1. Ask the students to answer the activity, “Popularity Poll” on page 67.
2. Ask them to share their answers to the big group.
3. Read the linking paragraph to lead the students to see how Jesus
Himself experienced being tempted with popularity.

B. Taking the Right Path

Sacred Scripture: Matthew 4: 5-7

1. Read Matthew 4:5-7
2. Highlight the following points:
• Jesus was tempted to misuse the power of God, to show off, to
display the power that the Father had given Him. It was a temptation
to gain popularity through an easy, momentarily dazzling way, by
using the power of God, and, in such a self-centered way, bring
salvation to all.
SAMPLE OF LESSON DEVELOPMENT (using NCDP 2007 format)

• This would be a total contrast to the mission the Father had

entrusted to Jesus, being the Messiah. He refused to misuse His
power to save us from sin by some magical act.
• Jesus’ real trust in God shown in His obedience to His Father’s
Holy will.
Church Teaching: Catechism for Filipino Catholics 2192
1. CFC 2192
2. Highlight the following points:
• When we pray “Do not lead us to the test” we ask the Holy Spirit’s
gift of discernment. We discern the difference between the
temptation to see only the good of what is presented and the evil of
the whole reality; between being tempted and consenting to the
temptation.
• Differentiate discernment and decision-making by using the
definitions in the Vocabulary Box on page 69.
• Our desires and passions tempt us. When we allow ourselves to be
lured by passion and fail to discern the true reality of what is being
proposed we fall into temptation: we sin.
• Temptations are part of our being human. Jesus’ own experience of
temptation proves that there is no moral fault in any temptation. It is
our consent that makes us succumb to the temptation.
SAMPLE OF LESSON DEVELOPMENT (using NCDP 2007 format)

C. Let us Move On

1. Clearly present the summary sentences under each dimension.

2. Proceed immmediately to the summary to strengthen the integration.

D. Truths to Remember

1. Read the summary paragraph.

2. Recall how the temptation of popularity happened to Jesus by the
reading of Matthew 4:5-7.
3. Hioglight this thought: Satan tried to get Jesus to sin, but failed. Satan
tempt us, but we can overcome Satan with the grace of God.

E. Assignment

• Read the account of the life and works of Cristina Bugayong on pages
73-74. What did you learn from her life.
SAMPLE OF LESSON DEVELOPMENT (using NCDP 2007 format)

F. Closing Prayer

End the session by singing the “Our Father”.

AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATION: The making of the SPC a Religious

Education Series seminar-Workshop

Important Note:
For PRE-SCHOOL and GRADE SCHOOL participants, choose a lesson from
the SPC Religious Education Series and be ready to give demonstration
lesson on the lesson you have chosen.
For HIGH SCHOOL and COLLEGE participants, each one is expected to
prepare a detailed Lesson Plan using the Ground Plan and Exposition
from the High School A SPC Religious Education Series. Make your own
Opening Prayer, Context, Activities, Integration, Challenge, Assessment
Activity (One formal and One creative), choose your own Servant-
Leader. Use the template of your own school. Be ready to give a
demonstration lesson at the end of the day.
Please submit whatever you finished for documentation purposes.

CARITAS CHRISTI URGET NOS!