SPIRIT of TRUTH
An Engaging Religious Education Series
Bring the fullness of the Faith alive in the hearts of your students — and catechists!
As a religious education director, you know better than anyone that the opposite of love is indifference. For so many families, the conventional textbook experience is underwhelming. You see the results: disengaged students, apathetic parents, and frustrated catechists.
Spirit of Truth was created to help you change that dynamic.
Our new K-8 religious education program takes your students on an immersive and memorable journey through the Catholic Faith. Our engaging session plans and activities will give your catechists the confidence they need to create an engaging environment that they and their students actually look forward to each week.
Questions? Email us or call (800) 888-9344
What makes Spirit of Truth unique?
Resources Included with Spirit of Truth
What students learn by grade level
Kindergarten: Jesus and the Holy Family (Parish Edition) 2nd Edition
Students are introduced to the loving goodness of Jesus Christ, they meet the members of the Holy Family, and they learn who the saints are and what they teach us.
- They begin to explore why virtue is good and sin is bad, and the importance of developing good habits.
- Students learn that they can speak to God in prayer.
Grade 1: God is Love (Parish Edition) 2nd Edition
Students begin to develop an awareness of God as our Father in Heaven, the creator of Heaven and earth, who is all good, who created them in His image and likeness, and who loves them unconditionally.
- Introduction to the basic parts of the Mass.
- The reality of sin is further explored in connection with the Sacrament of Confession.
- Continuing to learn from the lives of saints, they also explore the basics of prayer as a conversation with God.
Grade 2: Our Life in Jesus (Parish Edition) 2nd Edition
This year focuses on how much children are loved by Jesus Christ, and how his death and Resurrection has opened the way to heaven.
- Students continue to learn about the parts of the Mass, the lives and lessons of the saints, and more ways to pray.
- Special focus is placed on the Sacraments of Confession and Eucharist this year.
Grade 3: The Kingdom of God and the Church (Parish Edition)
Students learn what the Catholic Church is, who the Holy Spirit is and how He guides Her, and what it means that Jesus continues His mission through Her.
- Along with the basics of the Trinity and all seven Sacraments, they build on what they have learned about prayer, and explore what it means to live as children of God.
- They also focus on Jesus' Parables of the Kingdom, and Mary, the Mother of the Church.
- Includes a supplement on Confirmation for restored order dioceses.
Grade 4: Jesus Teaches Us How to Live (Parish Edition)
Most of this year focuses on the moral life, our loving response to God's great gift to us, and students explore more deeply what it means to be created in the image and likeness of God.
- Students explore conscience formation, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Golden Rule, and the Great Commandment.
- The reality of sin and the necessity of virture are emphasized.
Grade 5: The Sacraments (Parish Edition)
This year provides an in-depth exploration of God's grace in the Sacraments, with a focus on what a Sacrament is and why Jesus instituted them.
- Students explore what it means that God is the source of all life, learn more about Holy Mass and Holy Days of Obligation, and read and discuss longer biographies of the saints, especially young saints.
Grade 6: Sacred Scripture (Parish Edition)
Students spend this year immersed in God's Word in the Sacred Scriptures, and explore how the Bible communicates God's plan of salvation to us.
- Includes basics of reading the Bible, Magisterial authority, praying with Scripture, how the Bible is different from other books, and the four senses of Scripture.
- Finally, students experience a comprehensive exploration of the Holy Bible from Genesis to Revelation, all through the lens of the Incarnation.
Grade 7: Living as a Disciple of Christ (Parish Edition)
- This year includes four units in which middle school students explore the topics of:
- Jesus and the Gospel message: unifying themes in Scripture and an in-depth examination of the four Gospels;
- Personal growth: the origin, dignity, and destiny of the human person;
- Each of the Seven Sacraments;
- Prayer: its elements, qualities, and challenges, ways of praying, and Mary and the saints as models of prayer.
Grade 8: The Communion of the Faithful (Parish Edition)
- This year includes five units for middle school students to build on their understanding of:
- Personal growth: our vocation to love and our responsibilities to God and each other;
- Morality: conscience formation through prayer and God's gift of an objective moral standard;
- The Citizen and Government: the natural rights of all persons and the purpose of government;
- God's Plan for Marriage and the Family: our identity as male and female, purposes and abuses of sexuality, and resisting temptation to avoid sin and grow in virtue.
Speak the Faith: A Public Speaking Course on Faith, Science and Reason
This compelling 15-week course is designed to help students come to know and confidently defend the Catholic Faith. Focused on common objections to Christianity that are prevalent today, your student will soon be able to demonstrate scientific proof that God exists, show evidence that Jesus rose from the dead and performed miracles, and explain why He allows suffering, among many other topics. Perfect as a religion class, a public speaking elective, or a confirmation prep program, this course provides speech templates and videos, and instructions for three public speaking workshops to help your students succeed in speaking convincingly about our Faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who writes your textbooks?
All Sophia Institute for Teachers materials are written by veteran Catholic school teachers with advanced degrees. They are then tested in classrooms as well as reviewed by leading academics before publication.
Do I need anything else to use Spirit of Truth?
In grades K-5, as long as you have a catechist guide for your use and student workbooks for each student, you are ready to go. We recommend each student have his or her own copy of the Bible to use grades 6-8.
Do you offer online resources or support?
Yes!
Once you adopt the Spirit of Truth religion textbook for your parish, you will be assigned a Sophia Institute master teacher for the life of the program who will provide you and your catechists with a free, live training webinar, as well as be available via email to answer questions or provide other advice. Additional webinars that help provide background knowledge on the Faith and teaching strategies may be purchased.
We also provide your catechists with free session plans on the Sunday Gospels each week, and session plans that help students apply Catholic principles to current events are provided each month.
How can I review Spirit of Truth to decide if it’s right for my parish?
You may view sample units on this page. Please email us to request review copies.
We encourage you to schedule a live tour to see how Spirit of Truth can help your classroom come alive.
My catechists don’t have strong theology or teachings backgrounds. Do they need a lot of knowledge or teaching experience to use Spirit of Truth?
No!
The beauty of Spirit of Truth is its lesson plan format. Its comprehensive but modular design ensures that it can be used successfully by experienced and knowledgeable catechists as well as by those with little to no theology or teaching background.
Because all the readings, handouts, activities, and assessments are ready to go, your students will receive a complete understanding of the Faith even if their catechist is learning along with them.
Catechists frequently report how well Spirit of Truth has increased their personal understanding of the faith and bolstered their own spiritual life.
Do you offer volume discounts?
To help you manage the expense of textbooks, we offer you 40% off if you order 10 copies or more of the student workbook.
Can you send me a sample set?
Parishes considering Spirit of Truth may request two free sample sets of a printed teacher's guide and student workbook. Additionally, you will be given access to an online folder where you can review all grades in PDF form. If you would like additional hard copy samples, these may be purchased at regular price, and may be returned within 90 days for a full refund if you decide against adoption. Email us here to request sample sets.
Questions? Email us or call (800) 888-9344