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 7.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 15 - The First 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 7 with 'Certificate of Completion'

    • How to get your 'Certificate of Completion'

  • 02

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 15 - The First Commandment - Lesson 1 - “I Am the LORD Your God”

    • INTRODUCTION - The First Commandment - Lesson 1 - “I Am the LORD Your God”

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The First Commandment - Lesson 1 - “I Am the LORD Your God”

    • OPENING PRAYER - The First Commandment - Lesson 1 - “I Am the LORD Your God”

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The First Commandment - Lesson 1 - “I Am the LORD Your God”

    • VIDEO - The First Commandment - Lesson 1 - “I Am the LORD Your God”

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The First Commandment - Lesson 1 - “I Am the LORD Your God”

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The First Commandment - Lesson 1 - “I Am the LORD Your God”

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The First Commandment - Lesson 1 - “I Am the LORD Your God”

    • QUIZ - The First Commandment - Lesson 1 - “I Am the LORD Your God”

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The First Commandment - Lesson 1 - “I Am the LORD Your God”

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

  • 03

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 15 - The First Commandment - Lesson 2 - “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me”

    • INTRODUCTION - The First Commandment - Lesson 2 - “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me”

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The First Commandment - Lesson 2 - “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me”

    • OPENING PRAYER - The First Commandment - Lesson 2 - “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me”

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The First Commandment - Lesson 2 - “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me”

    • VIDEO - The First Commandment - Lesson 2 - “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me”

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The First Commandment - Lesson 2 - “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me”

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The First Commandment - Lesson 2 - “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me”

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The First Commandment - Lesson 2 - “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me”

    • QUIZ - The First Commandment - Lesson 2 - “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me”

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The First Commandment - Lesson 2 - “You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me”

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

  • 04

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 15 - The First Commandment - Lesson 3 - Christian Veneration of Sacred Images

    • INTRODUCTION - The First Commandment - Lesson 3 - Christian Veneration of Sacred Images

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The First Commandment - Lesson 3 - Christian Veneration of Sacred Images

    • OPENING PRAYER - The First Commandment - Lesson 3 - Christian Veneration of Sacred Images

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The First Commandment - Lesson 3 - Christian Veneration of Sacred Images

    • VIDEO - The First Commandment - Lesson 3 - Christian Veneration of Sacred Images

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The First Commandment - Lesson 3 - Christian Veneration of Sacred Images

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The First Commandment - Lesson 3 - Christian Veneration of Sacred Images

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The First Commandment - Lesson 3 - Christian Veneration of Sacred Images

    • QUIZ - The First Commandment - Lesson 3 - Christian Veneration of Sacred Images

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The First Commandment - Lesson 3 - Christian Veneration of Sacred Images

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

  • 05

    RCIA - Life in Christ - Course 15 - The First Commandment - Lesson 4 - The Right to Religious Freedom

    • INTRODUCTION - The First Commandment - Lesson 4 - The Right to Religious Freedom

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The First Commandment - Lesson 4 - The Right to Religious Freedom

    • OPENING PRAYER - The First Commandment - Lesson 4 - The Right to Religious Freedom

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The First Commandment - Lesson 4 - The Right to Religious Freedom

    • VIDEO - The First Commandment - Lesson 4 - The Right to Religious Freedom

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The First Commandment - Lesson 4 - The Right to Religious Freedom

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The First Commandment - Lesson 4 - The Right to Religious Freedom

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The First Commandment - Lesson 4 - The Right to Religious Freedom

    • QUIZ - The First Commandment - Lesson 4 - The Right to Religious Freedom

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The First Commandment - Lesson 4 - The Right to Religious Freedom

    • 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