You owe it to yourself to learn all about Christ’s life and teaching and what the Church believes. The goal is exposure to the entire content of the faith—not just a few things sprinkled willy-nilly. It ultimately boils down to truth, and truth matters!

The Catholic Online School RCIA program is carefully designed to provide you with a systematic, comprehensive education in the divine faith of the Church. The goal is to make you “of the truth” by exposing you to the voice of Christ.

In this third section of the program, we explore “Life in Christ”

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 2.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 4 - The Reality of Sin
  • Course 5 - The Passions and Emotions
  • Course 6 - The Three Sources of Morality
  • Course 7 - The Human Conscience


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 2 with 'Certificate of Completion'

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

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 4 - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Mortal and Venial Sin

    • INTRODUCTION - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Mortal and Venial Sin

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Mortal and Venial Sin

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Mortal and Venial Sin

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Mortal and Venial Sin

    • VIDEO - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Mortal and Venial Sin

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Mortal and Venial Sin

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Mortal and Venial Sin

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Mortal and Venial Sin

    • QUIZ - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Mortal and Venial Sin

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Mortal and Venial Sin

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 03

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 4 - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - The Proliferation of Sin, God's Mercy, and Liberation

    • INTRODUCTION - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - The Proliferation of Sin, God's Mercy, and Liberation

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - The Proliferation of Sin, God's Mercy, and Liberation

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - The Proliferation of Sin, God's Mercy, and Liberation

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - The Proliferation of Sin, God's Mercy, and Liberation

    • VIDEO - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - The Proliferation of Sin, God's Mercy, and Liberation

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - The Proliferation of Sin, God's Mercy, and Liberation

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - The Proliferation of Sin, God's Mercy, and Liberation

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - The Proliferation of Sin, God's Mercy, and Liberation

    • QUIZ - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - The Proliferation of Sin, God's Mercy, and Liberation

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - The Proliferation of Sin, God's Mercy, and Liberation

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 04

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 5 - The Passions and Emotions - Lesson 1 - Passions, Emotions, and Moral Perfection

    • INTRODUCTION - The Passions and Emotions - Lesson 1 - Passions, Emotions, and Moral Perfection

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Passions and Emotions - Lesson 1 - Passions, Emotions, and Moral Perfection

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Passions and Emotions - Lesson 1 - Passions, Emotions, and Moral Perfection

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Passions and Emotions - Lesson 1 - Passions, Emotions, and Moral Perfection

    • VIDEO - The Passions and Emotions - Lesson 1 - Passions, Emotions, and Moral Perfection

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Passions and Emotions - Lesson 1 - Passions, Emotions, and Moral Perfection

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Passions and Emotions - Lesson 1 - Passions, Emotions, and Moral Perfection

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Passions and Emotions - Lesson 1 - Passions, Emotions, and Moral Perfection

    • QUIZ - The Passions and Emotions - Lesson 1 - Passions, Emotions, and Moral Perfection

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Passions and Emotions - Lesson 1 - Passions, Emotions, and Moral Perfection

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 05

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 6 - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Object and Intention

    • INTRODUCTION - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Object and Intention

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Object and Intention

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Object and Intention

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Object and Intention

    • VIDEO - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Object and Intention

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Object and Intention

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Object and Intention

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Object and Intention

    • QUIZ - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Object and Intention

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 1 - Object and Intention

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 06

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 6 - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Circumstances

    • INTRODUCTION - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Circumstances

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Circumstances

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Circumstances

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Circumstances

    • VIDEO - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Circumstances

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Circumstances

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Circumstances

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Circumstances

    • QUIZ - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Circumstances

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 2 - Circumstances

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 07

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 6 - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Objective Judgment of Sin

    • INTRODUCTION - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Objective Judgment of Sin

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Objective Judgment of Sin

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Objective Judgment of Sin

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Objective Judgment of Sin

    • VIDEO - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Objective Judgment of Sin

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Objective Judgment of Sin

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Objective Judgment of Sin

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Objective Judgment of Sin

    • QUIZ - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Objective Judgment of Sin

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Three Sources of Morality - Lesson 3 - Objective Judgment of Sin

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 08

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 7 - The Human Conscience - Lesson 1 - The Moral Conscience and Its Judgement

    • INTRODUCTION - The Human Conscience - Lesson 1 - The Moral Conscience and Its Judgement

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Human Conscience - Lesson 1 - The Moral Conscience and Its Judgement

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Human Conscience - Lesson 1 - The Moral Conscience and Its Judgement

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Human Conscience - Lesson 1 - The Moral Conscience and Its Judgement

    • VIDEO - The Human Conscience - Lesson 1 - The Moral Conscience and Its Judgement

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Human Conscience - Lesson 1 - The Moral Conscience and Its Judgement

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Human Conscience - Lesson 1 - The Moral Conscience and Its Judgement

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Human Conscience - Lesson 1 - The Moral Conscience and Its Judgement

    • QUIZ - The Human Conscience - Lesson 1 - The Moral Conscience and Its Judgement

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Human Conscience - Lesson 1 - The Moral Conscience and Its Judgement

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 09

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 7 - The Human Conscience - Lesson 2 - The Formation of Conscience

    • INTRODUCTION - The Human Conscience - Lesson 2 - The Formation of Conscience

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Human Conscience - Lesson 2 - The Formation of Conscience

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Human Conscience - Lesson 2 - The Formation of Conscience

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Human Conscience - Lesson 2 - The Formation of Conscience

    • VIDEO - The Human Conscience - Lesson 2 - The Formation of Conscience

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Human Conscience - Lesson 2 - The Formation of Conscience

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Human Conscience - Lesson 2 - The Formation of Conscience

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Human Conscience - Lesson 2 - The Formation of Conscience

    • QUIZ - The Human Conscience - Lesson 2 - The Formation of Conscience

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Human Conscience - Lesson 2 - The Formation of Conscience

    • 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