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 4.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 10 - Participation in Social Life
  • Course 11 - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church


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 4 with 'Certificate of Completion'

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

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 10 - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 1 - The Human Person in Society

    • INTRODUCTION - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 1 - The Human Person in Society

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 1 - The Human Person in Society

    • OPENING PRAYER - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 1 - The Human Person in Society

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 1 - The Human Person in Society

    • VIDEO - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 1 - The Human Person in Society

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS -Participation in Social Life - Lesson 1 - The Human Person in Society

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 1 - The Human Person in Society

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 1 - The Human Person in Society

    • QUIZ - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 1 - The Human Person in Society

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 1 - The Human Person in Society

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 03

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 10 - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 2 - The Need for Legitimate Authority

    • INTRODUCTION - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 2 - The Need for Legitimate Authority

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 2 - The Need for Legitimate Authority

    • OPENING PRAYER - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 2 - The Need for Legitimate Authority

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 2 - The Need for Legitimate Authority

    • VIDEO - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 2 - The Need for Legitimate Authority

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 2 - The Need for Legitimate Authority

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 2 - The Need for Legitimate Authority

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 2 - The Need for Legitimate Authority

    • QUIZ - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 2 - The Need for Legitimate Authority

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 2 - The Need for Legitimate Authority

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 04

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 10 - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 3 - The Common Good and Participation in It

    • INTRODUCTION - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 3 - The Common Good and Participation in It

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 3 - The Common Good and Participation in It

    • OPENING PRAYER - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 3 - The Common Good and Participation in It

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 3 - The Common Good and Participation in It

    • VIDEO - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 3 - The Common Good and Participation in It

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 3 - The Common Good and Participation in It

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 3 - The Common Good and Participation in It

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 3 - The Common Good and Participation in It

    • QUIZ - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 3 - The Common Good and Participation in It

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Participation in Social Life - Lesson 3 - The Common Good and Participation in It

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 05

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 11 - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church - Lesson 1 - What is Catholic Social Teaching?

    • INTRODUC TION - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church - Lesson 1 - What is Catholic Social Teaching?

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church - Lesson 1 - What is Catholic Social Teaching?

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church - Lesson 1 - What is Catholic Social Teaching?

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church - Lesson 1 - What is Catholic Social Teaching?

    • VIDEO - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church - Lesson 1 - What is Catholic Social Teaching?

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church - Lesson 1 - What is Catholic Social Teaching?

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church - Lesson 1 - What is Catholic Social Teaching?

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church - Lesson 1 - What is Catholic Social Teaching?

    • QUIZ - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church - Lesson 1 - What is Catholic Social Teaching?

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Social Justice Doctrine of the Church - Lesson 1 - What is Catholic Social Teaching?

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

For free. For everyone. Forever.

With God, you can learn anything

Reviews; See what others are saying about this course

Felisha Langley

3 star rating

“Life in Christ is a very informative course ”

“Life in Christ is a very informative course ”

→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