In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4)

We are made in and through and with Christ—the life and light of men. As St. Leo the Great said in the 5th century in speaking of the sacrament of Baptism, which makes us Christians and members of Christ’s body, “Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of the Kingdom of God.”

The truth is, we desperately need Christ our Lord whose life and love rescues us from the power of darkness; therefore, it’s essential that we live our life in him.

But what does it mean to live one’s life in Christ? How is it possible? And why is it essential to do so?

In this section of the program, titled “Life in Christ,” we explore and answer those questions and more.

In this series of lessons, you’ll learn about the third pillar of the faith as it’s presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Here are some of the topics covered:

  • The dignity of the human person, the gift of freedom, and the call to Beatitude
  • The reality of sin, the three sources of morality, and the human conscience
  • The cardinal and theological virtues
  • The social justice doctrine of the Church
  • The moral law, grace, and justification
  • The Church as mother and teacher
  • An in-depth exploration of the Church’s teaching on the ten commandments


From all of us at Catholic Online School: May Christ bless you on your journey of faith.


“Life in Christ" is broken up into different chapters. 

In this course, students will work through Chapter 13.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 23 - The Ninth Commandment
  • Course 24 - The Tenth Commandment


Earning a certificate of completion in this online course is not a substitute for completing a parish-based RCIA program. The Sacraments of Initiation can only be conferred by a bishop or priest. This certificate means you have successfully completed a course of study that is intended to supplement your parish RCIA program.


Course curriculum

  • 01

    Introduction to RCIA - For Adults - Life in Christ - Chapter # with 'Certificate of Completion'

    • How to get your 'Certificate of Completion'
  • 02

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 23 - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart

    • INTRODUCTION - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart

    • VIDEO - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart

    • QUIZ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Blessed are the Pure in Heart

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 03

    RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 2 - The Battle for Purity

    • INTRODUCTION - RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 2 - The Battle for Purity

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 2 - The Battle for Purity

    • OPENING PRAYER - RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 2 - The Battle for Purity

    • SCRIPTURE READING - RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 2 - The Battle for Purity

    • VIDEO - RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 2 - The Battle for Purity

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 2 - The Battle for Purity

    • CLOSING PRAYER - RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 2 - The Battle for Purity

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 2 - The Battle for Purity

    • QUIZ - RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 2 - The Battle for Purity

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 2 - The Battle for Purity

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 04

    RCIA - Life in Christ - RCIA - Life in Christ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 3 - Purifying the Social Climate

    • INTRODUCTION - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 3 - Purifying the Social Climate

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 3 - Purifying the Social Climate

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 3 - Purifying the Social Climate

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 3 - Purifying the Social Climate

    • VIDEO - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 3 - Purifying the Social Climate

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 3 - Purifying the Social Climate

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 3 - Purifying the Social Climate

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 3 - Purifying the Social Climate

    • QUIZ - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 3 - Purifying the Social Climate

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Ninth Commandment - Lesson 3 - Purifying the Social Climate

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 05

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 24 - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Covetous Desires

    • INTRODUCTION - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Covetous Desires

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Covetous Desires

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Covetous Desires

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Covetous Desires

    • VIDEO - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Covetous Desires

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Covetous Desires

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Covetous Desires

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Covetous Desires

    • QUIZ - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Covetous Desires

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 1 - Covetous Desires

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 06

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 24 - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 2 - Poverty of Spirit

    • INTRODUCTION - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 2 - Poverty of Spirit

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 2 - Poverty of Spirit

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 2 - Poverty of Spirit

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 2 - Poverty of Spirit

    • VIDEO - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 2 - Poverty of Spirit

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 2 - Poverty of Spirit

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 2 - Poverty of Spirit

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 2 - Poverty of Spirit

    • QUIZ - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 2 - Poverty of Spirit

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Tenth Commandment - Lesson 2 - Poverty of Spirit

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

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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