Embedded Files
The Story
The Story
Have you ever tried to play a brand-new board game with your friends, but nobody could agree on the rules?
Have you ever tried to play a brand-new board game with your friends, but nobody could agree on the rules?
Even if you have the official rulebook right in front of you, two people can read the exact same sentence and see two completely different rules. One person says, "The rulebook means this!" while another says, "No, it means that!" Pretty soon, everyone is arguing, and the game falls apart.
Even if you have the official rulebook right in front of you, two people can read the exact same sentence and see two completely different rules. One person says, "The rulebook means this!" while another says, "No, it means that!" Pretty soon, everyone is arguing, and the game falls apart.
Jesus knew that if He only left us a book, people would read it in different ways and start thousands of different churches. So, to keep all of His followers united in the Truth, Jesus built a Three-Legged Stool to hold everything up safely:
Jesus knew that if He only left us a book, people would read it in different ways and start thousands of different churches. So, to keep all of His followers united in the Truth, Jesus built a Three-Legged Stool to hold everything up safely:
┌───────────────────────────────┐
┌───────────────────────────────┐
│ DIVINE TRUTH │
│ DIVINE TRUTH │
└──────────────┬────────────────┘
└──────────────┬────────────────┘
│
│
┌───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┐
┌───────────────────────┼───────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
▼ ▼ ▼
1. SACRED SCRIPTURE 2. SACRED TRADITION 3. THE MAGISTERIUM
1. SACRED SCRIPTURE 2. SACRED TRADITION 3. THE MAGISTERIUM
(The Written Word) (The Lived Practice) (The Living Helpers)
(The Written Word) (The Lived Practice) (The Living Helpers)
Sacred Scripture (The Bible): This is the written Word of God. It is holy, true, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. It’s like our master map!
Sacred Scripture (The Bible): This is the written Word of God. It is holy, true, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. It’s like our master map!
Sacred Tradition (The Lived Practice): Before the Bible was ever printed or put into one book, Jesus taught the Apostles out loud. They showed the early Christians how to pray, how to go to Mass, and how to live. This lived-out practice was passed down from teacher to student across thousands of years.
Sacred Tradition (The Lived Practice): Before the Bible was ever printed or put into one book, Jesus taught the Apostles out loud. They showed the early Christians how to pray, how to go to Mass, and how to live. This lived-out practice was passed down from teacher to student across thousands of years.
The Magisterium (The Living Helpers): Jesus gave special authority to Saint Peter and the Apostles—and today, the Pope and the bishops carry on that same role. They are like a wise teacher in a classroom who helps us read the map correctly so we never get lost.
The Magisterium (The Living Helpers): Jesus gave special authority to Saint Peter and the Apostles—and today, the Pope and the bishops carry on that same role. They are like a wise teacher in a classroom who helps us read the map correctly so we never get lost.
If you take away even one leg of the stool, the seat collapses. But when all three work together, God's Truth stays strong, safe, and clear for everyone!
If you take away even one leg of the stool, the seat collapses. But when all three work together, God's Truth stays strong, safe, and clear for everyone!
💬 Talk About It
💬 Talk About It
Why do you think it is hard for people to agree on what a book means if there isn't a teacher there to explain it?
Why do you think it is hard for people to agree on what a book means if there isn't a teacher there to explain it?
How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus left us real helpers (the Pope and bishops) to keep us safe in the Truth?
How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus left us real helpers (the Pope and bishops) to keep us safe in the Truth?
📜 Memory Verse
📜 Memory Verse
"The church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." — 1 Timothy 3:15
"The church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." — 1 Timothy 3:15
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse