This book is intended to serve as a resource for teens and adults in catechetical settings in Catholic high schools and parishes, during Confirmation preparation, and on retreats. The sessions provide a constructive approach to initiate dialogue on selected issues and deal with potentially destructive responses.
Each session follows a three-step process: dialogue on personal experience, reflection on Scripture and Church tradition, and suggestions for prayer. The dialogue identifies positive and negative behaviors and builds skills for dealing with the issues. Sessions foster motivation to respond to challenging situations in positive, healthy ways. The goal of the three-step process is to enable participants, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, to live as disciples of Jesus.
Issues presented are self-acceptance, values, image of God, family, stress, limits, addiction, violence, divorce, sexuality, death, and consumerism.
Participants use both concrete objects and metaphors as they consider God’s identity, journal on a meditation exercise, participate in thought-provoking discussions, engage in silent and verbalized prayer, and write a letter to God.
