Culture is in many ways dismissive of sin. When topics in the realm of sin are explored, sin is often explained away through erroneous understandings of it. It’s important to understand sin is a deliberate choice people make that is contrary to the true good. Sin is not a mistake; it’s an intentional act of wrongdoing. In fact, if you sincerely make a mistake, it’s not a sin at all.

Sin is always marked by distrust in God’s love, his plan of goodness, and his providential rule and governance over all things. It is rooted in a deliberate attempt to assert oneself over others and above God, replacing God with the creature. It is is the rule of man to the exclusion of God. Sin is, at its core, a rebellion against the Creator who brought man into being and sustains his life from moment to moment.

In living a moral life in Christ, we need to understand what sin is and, with the help of God’s grace, avoid it. The first precept of the moral law is to avoid evil and do the good.

Objective: In this course, students will learn about sin and its different types, how we can come to understand sin, and how we can ask for forgiveness from sin.

The choices we make of a moral nature affect ourselves and others. They can play out in thousands of people’s lives in vast, unpredictable ways. And they play out in eternity because we can choose good or we can choose evil.

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Course curriculum

  • 01

    The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Understanding and Misunderstanding Sin

    • The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 1 - Understanding and Misunderstanding Sin - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 1 - Understanding and Misunderstanding Sin - VIDEO

    • The Reality of Sin - Lesson 1 - Understanding and Misunderstanding Sin - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (11/17/20)

    • Lesson 1 - Understanding and Misunderstanding Sin - QUIZ
  • 02

    The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - Looking at How Sin Damages Oneself and Others

    • The Reality of Sin - Lesson 2 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 2 - Looking at How Sin Damages Oneself and Others - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 2 - Looking at How Sin Damages Oneself and Others - VIDEO

    • Lesson 2 - Looking at How Sin Damages Oneself and Others - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (11/18/20)

    • Lesson 2 - Looking at How Sin Damages Oneself and Others - QUIZ
  • 03

    The Reality of Sin - Lesson 3 - What is Venial Sin?

    • The Reality of Sin - Lesson 3 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 3 - What is Venial Sin? - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 3 - What is Venial Sin? - VIDEO

    • Lesson 3 - What is Venial Sin? - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (11/19/20)

    • Lesson 3 - What is Venial Sin? - QUIZ
  • 04

    The Reality of Sin - Lesson 4 - The Effects of Venial Sin

    • The Reality of Sin - Lesson 4 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 4 - The Effects of Venial Sin - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 4 - The Effects of Venial Sin - VIDEO

    • Lesson 4 - The Effects of Venial Sin - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (11/20/20)

    • Lesson 4 - The Effects of Venial Sin - QUIZ
  • 05

    The Reality of Sin - Lesson 5 - What is Mortal Sin?

    • The Reality of Sin - Lesson 5 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 5 - What is Mortal Sin? - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 5 - What is Mortal Sin? - VIDEO

    • Lesson 5 - What is Mortal Sin? - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (11/24/20)

    • Lesson 5 - What is Mortal Sin? - QUIZ
  • 06

    The Reality of Sin - Lesson 6 - The Effects of Mortal Sin

    • The Reality of Sin - Lesson 6 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 6 - The Effects of Mortal Sin - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 6 - The Effects of Mortal Sin - VIDEO

    • Lesson 6 - The Effects of Mortal Sin - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (11/25/20)

    • Lesson 6 - The Effects of Mortal Sin - QUIZ
  • 07

    The Reality of Sin - Lesson 7 - The Meaning of Repentance

    • The Reality of Sin - Lesson 7 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 7 - The Meaning of Repentance - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 7 - The Meaning of Repentance - VIDEO

    • Lesson 7 - The Meaning of Repentance - QUIZ
  • 08

    The Reality of Sin - Lesson 8 - The Sacrament of Confession and God’s Mercy

    • The Reality of Sin - Lesson 8 - Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

    • Lesson 8 - The Sacrament of Confession and God’s Mercy - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Lesson 8 - The Sacrament of Confession and God’s Mercy - VIDEO

    • Lesson 8 - The Sacrament of Confession and God’s Mercy - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (12/01/20)

    • Lesson 8 - The Sacrament of Confession and God’s Mercy - QUIZ

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