ARK - Assessment of Religious Knowledge Living Discipleship Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the Gospel of Matthew, what core command of living discipleship does Jesus give his apostles immediately before his Ascension, an instruction often called the 'Great Commission'?
- "Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven."
- "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit." (Correct answer)
- "Love one another as I have loved you."
- "Take up your cross daily and follow me."
Correct answer: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit."
The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20, is Jesus's final command to his apostles to spread his teachings and baptize new believers in all nations. This is the foundational mandate for Christian evangelization and a central duty of discipleship.
Question 2: A parishioner actively works to resolve conflicts within their community, seeking peaceful solutions and fostering understanding between opposing groups. According to the Sermon on the Mount, this person's actions most directly embody which Beatitude?
- "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
- "Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted."
- "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Correct answer)
- "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied."
Correct answer: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
The Beatitudes describe the qualities and actions of those living in God's kingdom. A 'peacemaker' is one who actively works to bring about reconciliation, justice, and harmony, which directly aligns with the scenario described.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a Spiritual Work of Mercy?
- Visiting the sick
- Sheltering the homeless
- Admonishing the sinner (Correct answer)
- Burying the dead
Correct answer: Admonishing the sinner
The Church distinguishes between Corporal Works of Mercy (caring for bodily needs) and Spiritual Works of Mercy (caring for spiritual needs). Admonishing the sinner, which means charitably correcting someone's wrongdoing, is a Spiritual Work of Mercy. The other options are all Corporal Works of Mercy.
Question 4: A family decides to create a detailed budget. They prayerfully allocate a portion of their income to their parish, another portion to a charity helping the poor, and then plan how to use the rest responsibly for their family's needs. This practice is a clear example of which principle of discipleship?
- Stewardship (Correct answer)
- Vocation
- Fortitude
- Evangelization
Correct answer: Stewardship
Stewardship is the responsible management of the gifts God has given, including financial resources ('treasure'). The family is intentionally and prayerfully managing their money in a way that honors God and serves others, which is the essence of stewardship.
Question 5: In the context of Christian discipleship, what is the primary meaning of the term 'vocation'?
- The obligation to attend church services every Sunday.
- A person's chosen career or profession.
- A temporary mission trip or service project.
- The specific plan for holiness and service to which God calls each individual. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The specific plan for holiness and service to which God calls each individual.
While 'vocation' can be used in a secular sense to mean a job, in Catholic theology it refers to the specific, life-long call from God to a particular state in life (such as marriage, priesthood, consecrated life, or the single life) through which one is meant to achieve holiness and serve God.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'witness' as a key component of living discipleship?
- Winning every theological debate to prove the correctness of one's faith.
- Sharing the Gospel message primarily through one's actions, moral character, and daily life. (Correct answer)
- Restricting one's social interactions to only include other Christians.
- Attending a court trial to provide testimony.
Correct answer: Sharing the Gospel message primarily through one's actions, moral character, and daily life.
In Christian discipleship, 'witness' refers to demonstrating the truth and love of the Gospel through the way one lives. While it can include speaking about one's faith, its foundation is living a life of integrity, love, and service that reflects Christ's teachings and draws others to Him.
ARK - Assessment of Religious Knowledge Living Discipleship Questions and Answers 1
In the Gospel of Matthew, what core command of living discipleship does Jesus give his apostles immediately before his Ascension, an instruction often called the 'Great Commission'?