Semester Description

Sessions plans for those evangelizing and catechizing youth, grades 9-12.

The First Things semester establishes God’s existence and how we know about God.

Institute Director Eric Westby, PhD

Dr. Eric J. Westby is the Director of the Institute of Catholic Theology in Phoenix, Arizona. He is also the Director of Parish Catechesis at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, coordinating Christian initiation for adults, teens and children. He teaches theology for Franciscan University of Steubenville, specializing in the areas of foundational doctrine, evangelization and catechetics. Through his studies at the Maryvale Institute of Birmingham, England, he received his doctorate from Liverpool Hope University, with his thesis entitled "Equipping the Catechist of Catechists: A Critical Discussion of Seminary Formation in Light of Priestly Ministry in Catechesis." He holds a Masters of Arts degree in Theology and Christian Ministry from Franciscan University in Steubenville, from where he was the first student to complete the graduate specialization in catechetics. He holds a Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies from the Center for Ministry Development, and has been involved in full-time catechesis since 1988. He is a regular presenter at the summer St. John Bosco Catechetical Conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has published articles in the Catholic University of America's International 'Journal of Evangelization and Catechetics'; in Franciscan University's 'Catechetical Review'; and in Emmaus Academic's In Speaking the Truth in Love: The Catechism and the New Evangelization. He has developed OCIA and youth ministry curricula, available through the Institute of Catholic Theology. Most importantly, he is husband to Nikki, is the father of five beautiful girls, has one son-in-law, and has one grandchild.

Session Plans to Download

Available in the Course Dashboard after Registration

    1. Accessing the Sessions

    2. About This Semester

    3. Meeting Essentials

    4. Administration Tips

    5. Discussion Board

    1. About Unit 1

    2. Unit 1 - God's Existence - pdf Version

    3. Unit 1 - God's Existence - Word Version

    1. About Unit 2

    2. Unit 2 - The Meaning of Life - pdf Version

    3. Unit 2 - The Meaning of Life - Word Version

    1. About Unit 3

    2. Unit 3 - Divine Revelation - pdf Version

    3. Unit 3 - Divine Revelation - Word Version

    1. About Unit 4

    2. Unit 4 - Attributes of God - pdf Version

    3. Unit 4 - Attributes of God - Word Version

    1. About Unit 5

    2. Unit 5 - Faith - pdf Version

    3. Unit 5 - Faith - Word Version

About this course

  • Free
  • 23 lessons
  • 0 hours of video content