The Integration of Scripture and Tradition
Through the reading of Scripture in the context of the Catholic faith, we pass on our sacred story to others. It is important to incorporate stories from the modern world and from other religious traditions into faith formation sessions, but—facing limited time with children—catechists want first and foremost to transmit our sacred Catholic story to children. Finding God helps catechists do this.

Two Scripture passages are presented in every session, each carefully chosen to correspond to and support that session's central faith focus. The main Scripture reference uses a story or other passage from either the Old Testament or the New Testament to introduce the theme of the session. A second, shorter passage, Reading God's Word, supports the main theme and gives an accessible Scripture quote that can be memorized, if desired.

In this way, Scripture is not presented in isolation nor treated as a separate session component, which Church documents such as the General Directory for Catechesis caution against.* Scripture is integrated within the flow of the session and explored in relation to Church teaching. This harmonious integration reveals to children and catechists how our Catholic beliefs find their root in God's Word. Scripture stories and citations in Finding God: Our Response to God's Gifts thus enhance the child's appreciation and understanding of Scripture within the Catholic tradition and lead the child to a closer relationship with God.

Scripture Stories Dramatized on CD
Finding God: Our Response to God's Gifts also provides each catechist with five audio Scripture stories for use at his or her grade level. These audio Scripture stories—one for each Finding God unit in a grade—help bring the Bible to life. Dramatized and recorded onto CD, they feature the voice talents of professional actors and are augmented by engaging sound effects and music. By not dictating specific images for children, the audio format allows each child to use his or her imagination more effectively to internalize these sacred stories. The audio format also enables the catechist to help children "place themselves in the story"—a Scripture-reading technique that has enjoyed a long Catholic tradition and was a favorite of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

The five audio Scripture stories are presented on the Spoken Word CD, complimentary with each Catechist Guide.

Play a sample recorded Scripture story
   (make sure that your computer's sound preferences and speakers are turned on)

* General Directory for Catechesis, U.S.C.C.B., 30.