In this course on The Catechism of The Catholic Church, students will explore fascinating, relevant, and life-transforming doctrines of the divine faith of the Church—all with the expert help and guidance of Catholic educators and theologians at Catholic Online School.

In this series of lessons, we begin with Part One of the Catechism—The Profession of Faith: Section One: “I Believe” – “We Believe”

Objective: In this course, students will discover how and why man has an in-build capacity for God and what that means in their life. Explore how we can come to know God and how we can speak about him to others.

Learn God himself always takes the first step by coming to meet us, how he reveals himself, including the nature and scope of that revelation. Find out what Sacred Tradition is, why it’s essential, and why it’s inseparably linked to Sacred Scripture. And with this course, you’ll discover why Christ is the heart and unique Word of the written Word of God.

These are just a few of the interesting topics students will learn. As a student, you’ll build your faith literacy and gain knowledge about the Lord Jesus Christ and the belief of the Church he founded. It’s all about entering into the life and mystery of God.

Join us and others. Together, we’ll set sail on the wondrous journey of faith.

You’re joining our global classroom. Thousands of students from all over the world, each with their own unique story, learn at their own pace on Catholic Online School every single day.

Free Resources and tools for students, parents, and teachers. We’re working hard to ensure that Catholic Online School empowers teachers of all kinds to better understand what their children or students are up to and how best to help them. 

For free. For everyone. Forever.

With God, you can learn anything

Course curriculum

  • 01

    PART 1 - SECTION 1 - CHAPTER 1 - MAN'S CAPACITY FOR GOD

    • Introduction

  • 02

    Man’s Capacity for God - Lesson 1 - God's Loving Plan for Man

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man’s Capacity for God - Lesson 1 - God's Loving Plan for Man - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man’s Capacity for God - Lesson 1 - God's Loving Plan for Man Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/6/21)

    • Man’s Capacity for God - Lesson 1 - God's Loving Plan for Man - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 03

    Man’s Capacity for God - Lesson 2 - The Desire for God

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man’s Capacity for God - Lesson 2 - The Desire for God - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man’s Capacity for God - Lesson 2 - The Desire for God Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (4/7/21)

    • Man’s Capacity for God - Lesson 2 - The Desire for God - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 04

    Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 3 - Ways of Coming To Know God

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 3 - Ways of Coming To Know God - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 3 - Ways of Coming To Know God Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/8/21)

    • Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 3 - Ways of Coming To Know God - Quiz

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 05

    Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 4 - The Knowledge of God According to The Church

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 4 - The Knowledge of God According to The Church - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 4 - The Knowledge of God According to The Church Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/9/21)

    • Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 4 - The Knowledge of God According to The Church - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 06

    Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 5 - How Can We Speak About God

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 5 - How Can We Speak About God - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 5 - How Can We Speak About God Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/13/21)

    • Man's Capacity for God - Lesson 5 - How Can We Speak About God - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 07

    PART 1 - SECTION 1 - CHAPTER 2 - GOD COMES TO MEET MAN - ARTICLE 1 - THE REVELATION OF GOD

    • Introduction

  • 08

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 1 - God Reveals His Plan of Loving Goodness

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 1 - God Reveals His Plan of Loving Goodness - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 1 - God Reveals His Plan of Loving Goodness Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/14/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 1 - God Reveals His Plan of Loving Goodness - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 09

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 2 - The Stages of Revelation

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 2 - The Stages of Revelation - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 2 - The Stages of Revelation Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/15/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 2 - The Stages of Revelation - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 10

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 3 - Jesus Christ-Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 3 - Jesus Christ-Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 3 - Jesus Christ-Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/16/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 1 - The Revelation of God - Lesson 3 - Jesus Christ-Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 11

    PART 1 - SECTION 1 - CHAPTER 2 - GOD COMES TO MEET MAN - ARTICLE 2 - THE TRANSMISSION OF DIVINE REVELATION

    • Introduction

  • 12

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 1 - The Apostolic Tradition

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 1 - The Apostolic Tradition - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 1 - The Apostolic Tradition Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/20/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 1 - The Apostolic Tradition - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 13

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 2 - The Relationship Between Tradition and Scripture

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 2 - The Relationship Between Tradition and Scripture - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 2 - The Relationship Between Tradition and Scripture Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/21/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 2 - The Relationship Between Tradition and Scripture - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 14

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 3 - The Interpretation of The Heritage of Faith Part I: The Magisterium

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 3 - The Interpretation of The Heritage of Faith Part I: The Magisterium - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 3 - The Interpretation of The Heritage of Faith Part I: The Magisterium Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/22/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 3 - The Interpretation of The Heritage of Faith Part I: The Magisterium - QUIZ

  • 15

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 4 - The Interpretation of The Heritage of Faith Part II: The Sensus Fidei

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 4 - The Interpretation of The Heritage of Faith Part II: The Sensus Fidei - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 2 - The Transmission of Divine Revelation - Lesson 4 - The Interpretation of The Heritage of Faith Part II: The Sensus Fidei - QUIZ

    • Lesson 4 Video - The Sensus Fidei Part I

    • Lesson 4 Video - The Sensus Fidei Part II

  • 16

    PART 1 - SECTION 1 - CHAPTER 2 - GOD COMES TO MEET MAN - ARTICLE 3 - SACRED SCRIPTURE

    • Introduction

  • 17

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 1 - Christ: The Unique Word of Sacred Scripture

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 1 - Christ: The Unique Word of Sacred Scripture - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 1 - Christ: The Unique Word of Sacred Scripture - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/27/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 1 - Christ: The Unique Word of Sacred Scripture - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 18

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 2 - The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 2 - The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 2 - The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/28/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 2 - The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

  • 19

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 3 - The Holy Spirit: Interpreter of Scripture

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 3 - The Holy Spirit: Interpreter of Scripture - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 3 - The Holy Spirit: Interpreter of Scripture - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/29/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 3 - The Holy Spirit: Interpreter of Scripture - QUIZ

  • 20

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 4 - The Senses of Scripture

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 4 - The Senses of Scripture - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 4 - The Senses of Scripture Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (4/30/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 4 - The Senses of Scripture - QUIZ

  • 21

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 5 - The Canon of Scripture

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 5 - The Canon of Scripture - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 5 - The Canon of Scripture - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (5/4/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 5 - The Canon of Scripture - QUIZ

  • 22

    God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 6 - Sacred Scripture In The Life of The Church

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 6 - Sacred Scripture In The Life of The Church - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 6 - Sacred Scripture In The Life of The Church - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (5/5/21)

    • God Comes to Meet Man - Article 3 - Sacred Scripture - Lesson 6 - Sacred Scripture In The Life of The Church - QUIZ

  • 23

    PART 1 - SECTION 1 - CHAPTER 3 - MAN'S RESPONSE TO GOD - ARTICLE 1 - I BELIEVE

    • Introduction

  • 24

    Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 1 - The Obedience of Faith

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 1 - The Obedience of Faith - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 1 - The Obedience of Faith - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (5/6/21)

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 1 - The Obedience of Faith - QUIZ

  • 25

    Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 2 - I Know Whom I Have Believed

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 2 - I Know Whom I Have Believed - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 2 - I Know Whom I Have Believed - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (5/7/21)

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 2 - I Know Whom I Have Believed - QUIZ

  • 26

    Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 3 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part I - Faith Is Grace and a Human Act

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 3 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part I - Faith Is Grace and a Human Act - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 3 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part I - Faith Is Grace and a Human Act - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (5/11/21)

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 3 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part I - Faith Is Grace and a Human Act - QUIZ

  • 27

    Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 4 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part II - Faith and Understanding

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 4 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part II - Faith and Understanding - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 4 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part II - Faith and Understanding - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (5/12/21)

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 4 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part II - Faith and Understanding - QUIZ

  • 28

    Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 5 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part III - The Freedom, Necessity, and Perseverance in Faith

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 5 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part III - The Freedom, Necessity, and Perseverance in Faith - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 5 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part III - The Freedom, Necessity, and Perseverance in Faith - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (5/13/21)

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 5 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part III - The Freedom, Necessity, and Perseverance in Faith - QUIZ

  • 29

    Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 6 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part IV - Faith - The Beginning of Eternal Life

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 6 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part IV - Faith - The Beginning of Eternal Life - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 6 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part IV - Faith - The Beginning of Eternal Life - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (5/14/21)

    • Man’s Response To God - Article I - I Believe - Lesson 6 - The Characteristics of Faith: Part IV - Faith - The Beginning of Eternal Life - QUIZ

  • 30

    PART 1 - SECTION 1 - CHAPTER 3 - MAN'S RESPONSE TO GOD - ARTICLE 2 - WE BELIEVE

    • Introduction

  • 31

    Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 1 - Lord, Look Upon the Faith of Your Church

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 1 - Lord, Look Upon the Faith of Your Church - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 1 - Lord, Look Upon the Faith of Your Church - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels

    • Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 1 - Lord, Look Upon the Faith of Your Church - QUIZ

  • 32

    Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 2 - The Language of Faith

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 2 - The Language of Faith - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 2 - The Language of Faith - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (5/19/21)

    • Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 2 - The Language of Faith - QUIZ

  • 33

    Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 3 - Only One Faith

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 3 - Only One Faith - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 3 - Only One Faith - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (5/20/21)

    • Man’s Response To God - Article 2 - We Believe - Lesson 3 - Only One Faith - QUIZ

    • Opening Prayer

What others have been saying about this course:

Francisca Etta

5 star rating

“This course teaches us about God's unconditional love for man whom he created in love. And for us to share our life with Jesus Christ our Saviour through the Holy Spirit”

“This course teaches us about God's unconditional love for man whom he created in love. And for us to share our life with Jesus Christ our Saviour through the Holy Spirit”

Read Less

maria alice freitas

5 star rating

“Estou gostando muito da forma de estudo, leituras , e os questionários para fixação. sou grata, pois é muito bom está sempre em segura da doutrina de minha fé e assim poder expressá-la com mais concretude. obrigada. ”

“Estou gostando muito da forma de estudo, leituras , e os questionários para fixação. sou grata, pois é muito bom está sempre em segura da doutrina de minha fé e assim poder expressá-la com mais concretude. obrigada. ”

Read Less

Charles Richardson

5 star rating

“Intriguing and enlightening. Excellent teaching and content.”

“Intriguing and enlightening. Excellent teaching and content.”

Read Less

Crystal Lynne dawn Day chief

5 star rating

“Great course, lots of information.”

“Great course, lots of information.”

Read Less

Mary Gaisil

5 star rating

“Wonderful course about the faith and the believe and the the profession of Faith.”

“Wonderful course about the faith and the believe and the the profession of Faith.”

Read Less

Sally Ann Spry

5 star rating

“Excellent course”

“Excellent course”

Read Less

Cassandra Harris

5 star rating

“Amazing course and so informative. Loved it.”

“Amazing course and so informative. Loved it.”

Read Less

Francisco Orida Jr.

5 star rating

“I learned more than I ever thought I could.”

“I learned more than I ever thought I could.”

Read Less

MaryAnn Martin

5 star rating

“ Very informative, excellent and inspiring. ”

“ Very informative, excellent and inspiring. ”

Read Less

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Deacon Frederick Bartels is a member of the Catholic clergy who serves the Church in the diocese of Pueblo, CO. He received an MA in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic Distance University, where he is currently employed as an adjunct professor of theology. He is founder and editor of Joy In Truth (joyintruth.com), an online magazine dedicated to the New Evangelization. As a Catholic educator, public speaker and evangelist, Deacon Bartels strives to infuse culture with the saving principles of the gospel. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Shelly, and the youngest two of their six children. Professor Bartels is Chairman of the Theology Department.

Deacon Frederick Bartels

Professor of Theology, Department Chair