THE LEARNING GUIDE SERIES

Sto. Niño Academy of Bamban, Inc.

Rizal Ave., San Nicolas, Bamban, Tarlac

Learning Guide No. 3 Lesson Title: The Human Person Is Free and
Subject: Christian Living Education Responsible
Grade Level: 9
Coverage: Week two

Name: _________________________________________ Section: ____________________________

“The thing is freedom; the gift whereby you most resemble your Maker and are yourselves a part of eternal
reality”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

1. Prayer
Almighty God, creator of all things visible and invisible,
source of all goodness and love.
Light the darkness of our understanding,
Give us a keen memory to grasp things correctly,
Guide us from start to finish and
Protect us from evil.
Amen

2. Objectives
a. Content
 Commit to use human freedom in a responsible and conscientious was in loving
service to one another in different ways according to one’s God-given gifts.
b. Performance
 Deepen one’s understanding on authentic human freedom and explain the
essential aspects of freedom of children of God.
c. Formation
 Devote oneself to prayers and reading the Scripture through the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance to use freedom responsibly.

3. Meaning-making / Method
When we were younger, our life was typified by many things that we could not do,
sometimes because of the limitations that our small bodies imposed. As we grew, our awareness
that there are more things we can freely do also developed. We can freely go to our friend’s
place across the street because we already know how to cross it; we are better in our skills; we
are more confident in meeting new friends; and our friendships are more meaningful. More
choices available to us as we grow and mature; however, we notice that we are expected to act
more responsibly. This could mean helping out in household chores, tutoring our younger
siblings, submitting quality requirements in school on time, and not wasting time in games and
social media. On the other hand, we feel that these acts- also some people, certain situations and
ways of thinking- hold us back from “doing what we want,” thus, we feel that we are not free.
But we have to check this thought.

4. Most Essential Learning Competencies

  To be able to appreciate oneself as a human person with freedom and
responsibility for oneself, for others and for God. And to use one’s own God-
given freedom and responsibility wisely and for the greater good.
5. Activities / To-do list
Lesson 3: The Human Person is Free and Responsible
(Read Luke 19:1-10)
The story of Zacchaeus shows a journey of a person who used human freedom in selfish ways
towards selfless ways. Zacchaeus’ change of heart was all because of Jesus Christ Himself. To
analyze the story, focus on two main characters, Jesus Christ and Zacchaeus. The latter is
wealthy man, perhaps unethical in some of his business practices, yet freely detaches himself of
his goods, taking advantage of the opportunity the rich man had lost in the story from Lesson 1
(Mark 10:17-22).

The story of Zacchaeus and his encounter with Jesus shows many aspects about human
freedom. As a person created by God, Zacchaeus used his freedom in a good and bad way. He
abused his freedom for his personal interest to be wealthier than he is. He was not free of his
own vice and sin before he encountered Jesus. Upon meeting Jesus, he freed himself from the
slavery of sin of being a tax collector with unethical business through Jesus’ favor upon him. He
freed himself from the sin of love for money to become a man that is pleasing before God and
men. He did not run from his responsibilities after realizing the injustice he made to his fellow
men. He made up for all his sins. This time, he used freedom responsibly. His conversion was
his response to Jesus warm acceptance of him despite his sinfulness. Jesus did not compel him to
do what is right; rather, he did what was necessary out of deep gratitude for Jesus’ acceptance
and offer of friendship. Zacchaeus was once lost but Jesus’ love saved him.

Understanding Deeper Human Freedom

When God created men and women, He gave them intellect and free will. This free will or
freedom must be understood well in order to avoid any abuses of its use and to use it to the
fullest to be true to our identity as the highest creation of God, created in His own divine image
and likeness. Significant points must be noted about human freedom.

Authentic Freedom is not “the right to say or do anything,” but to “do the good” (CFC 694).
Human freedom cannot be simply reduced to “doing what I want”. We are most free when we
do well.
Authentic freedom is not my own individual private possession, but a shared freedom with
others in the community. It is found in truth, not in prejudice, deceit, or ignorance (CFC 694). A
give-and-take kind of relationship is demanded of shared freedom. For example, all has the
freedom to express one’s opinion, but all must consider that such opinion must be based on
truth or existing facts and must be expressed with objectivity and respect to others. A simpler
example would be everyone has the freedom to speak but we cannot speak all at the same time,
even if we insist that we have such freedom. If we do, we just create disorder.
 Human freedom has two aspects, the freedom from and freedom for. Human persons must be
free from interior and exterior obstacles that hinder us from becoming the person that we are
according to the image and likeness of God. Interior obstacles include ignorance, our disordered
passions, fears, personality defects, bad habits, prejudices, and psychological disturbances.
Exterior obstacles include violence or any threat of violence. But the greatest single obstacle to
authentic freedom is sin (CFC 696).

Human freedom has two levels, the freedom of choice and the fundamental freedom (CFC 697).
A human person can direct his or her moral acts according to personal decisions. It is up to us to
do good or evil. This is called freedom of choice. If we do well, and we do it consistently, we
gradually become free-loving persons. When we always choose to tell the truth, we become
truthful or honest persons. When we constantly choose to tell a lie, we become liars or
dishonest persons. Our choices of doing good regularly become the person that we are meant to
be. This is called the fundamental freedom.

Growing in freedom is both a task and a process (CFC 697). As a task, we need to overcome the
obstacles that hinder us from being truly free. We must resist all that may enslave us in any
way. By doing so, we gradually grow and mature towards fundamental freedom (process).

Understanding and growing in authentic freedom is a life-long process and a task that is only
possible through the grace and power of the Holy Spirit within us. In every temptation we face
in our struggle for authentic freedom, we need the Holy Spirit to guide us and enlighten us in
our ways. By constant prayers and cooperation with the grace of the Holy Spirit, we can imitate
Jesus and His ways for a life of the children of God, a life to the fullest.

Every day, God calls us to live with the freedom of the children of God, imitating Jesus. God
continuously calls us but He does not compel us. Being authentically free, responsible, and
loving are acts of one’s own free will, not coerced or forced. May we constantly obey the
promptings of Holy Spirit who dwells in us “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”
(2 Corinthians 3:17).

Activity #1
1. Your choices help you become the person that you are. As young Christians, we are called to
grow more like the person of Jesus Christ. List 10 significant choices that you plan to make in
order to grow and become more Christ-like. Write one sentence each.
a. ________________________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________________________________
d. ________________________________________________________________________________
e. ________________________________________________________________________________
f. ________________________________________________________________________________
g. ________________________________________________________________________________
h. ________________________________________________________________________________
i. ________________________________________________________________________________
j. ________________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the difference between freedom from and freedom for?
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______
Reflection: Authentic freedom is becoming more like Christ. Cite one concrete event in your life when
your faith in Jesus influenced and inspired your choice or decision. Describe the significant effects of your
decision to your personal life and to others around you. Write in 5 to 10 sentences.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
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6. Suggested Resources
Adora Hapita-De Sousa, Sr. Arlene F. Lobitana, SSps, Afire with Gratitude: We Live
a life of Love. 2018

7. Parent / Adult Support

Kindly write YES or NO before the statement.
_______ Did you access the Genyo E-learning system to see the activities done or to be done by
your child/children?
_______ Did you participate in any performance task that may include your presence?
_______Did you track the progress of the lessons through the Supplementary Manuscript given?
_______ Are the supplementary manuscripts helpful to you?
_______Did you listen or watch an online (synchronous/asynchronous) class attended by your
child?
What are your comments or suggestions?
Please specify___________________________________
Did you experience any difficulty within the whole duration of the online class?
Please specify___________________________________

If you provided any other assistance/ support to your child unstated above, kindly specify.
_________________________________________________________________________

Prepared by: Noted by:

________________________ __________________________
LUIGI CHRISTIAN R. BRACAMONTE RONALD D. DAVID
Subject Teacher OIC – Office of the Principal