Just Teach Sheet – Adult January Week 1 – 2026

Adult Track – Just Teach Sheet
January Week 1 (2026)
Theme: Baptism and New Life in Christ
Focus: Baptism, Identity, and Living from Belonging
Audience: Adults – practising, returning, or deepening faith

Weekly Goal
To recover a Catholic understanding of Baptism as the foundation of Christian identity, not merely a past event or family custom.
This week helps adults move from seeing Baptism as something that happened to them, to living consciously as people who belong to God.

What You’ll Need
This sheet
A Bible
Quiet time for reflection
Optional: holy water

Opening Prayer (Daily)
Heavenly Father,
You have claimed me as Your own in Baptism.
Help me remember who I am,
to live from that truth,
and to let Your grace shape every part of my life.
Amen.

Day 1 – Baptism Comes Before Behaviour

Teaching
Christian life does not begin with rules or moral effort.
It begins with God’s action.

At Jesus’ Baptism, the Father speaks before Jesus acts publicly.

Matthew 3:16–17
“This is My beloved Son.”

God names identity before mission.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1691

Mini homily reflection
We do not earn God’s love. We receive it.

Questions for reflection
Do I still live as if I must earn God’s approval?
What would change if I truly believed I am already claimed by God?

Practice
Today, consciously reject self-judgment and pray:
“I belong to God.”

Day 2 – What Baptism Actually Does

Teaching
Baptism is not only symbolic.
It effects a real change in the soul.

Through Baptism we are forgiven, reborn, and adopted.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1265
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1266

We become temples of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19

Mini homily reflection
Grace works even when it is unseen.

Questions for reflection
Do I treat Baptism as something finished or something ongoing?
How might my daily choices change if I took Baptism seriously?

Practice
If possible, bless yourself with holy water and recall your Baptism.

Day 3 – Baptism Unites Us to Christ

Teaching
Baptism joins us to Christ’s death and resurrection.

Romans 6:3–4

This union is real and permanent.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1267
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1272

Christian life is participation in Christ’s life, not self-improvement.

Mini homily reflection
We live with Christ, not alongside Him.

Questions for reflection
Where do I live as if Christ were distant?
What would it mean to live as someone united to Him?

Practice
Pray slowly:
“Jesus Christ, live Your life in me.”

Day 4 – Living as God’s Child

Teaching
Being God’s child changes how we live.
Moral life flows from identity.

Ephesians 5:1
“Be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

Grace precedes effort and sustains it.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1996

Mini homily reflection
Holiness grows from belonging, not pressure.

Questions for reflection
Which areas of my life reflect my identity as God’s child?
Which still resist it?

Practice
Choose one concrete action today that reflects God’s character.

Day 5 – Remembering and Renewing Baptism

Teaching
The Church regularly invites the faithful to remember their Baptism.
This renewal strengthens faith and corrects forgetfulness.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1270
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1272

Holy water recalls identity and mission.

Mini homily reflection
We forget who we are before we forget what to do.

Questions for reflection
Do I consciously live from my Baptism?
What habit would help me remember it more often?

Practice
End the day praying:
“Lord, help me live my Baptism.”

Weekend Summary

Key truths
Baptism establishes identity.
Grace comes before effort.
We belong to God.
Christian life flows from union with Christ.
Remembering Baptism renews faith.

Reflection prompts
Because I am baptised…
Living as God’s child means…

Apologetics for Adults

Is Baptism just symbolic?
No. It effects real forgiveness and new life.

What if I was baptised as a baby?
God’s action is not limited by age.

Why don’t I feel different?
Grace is real even when feelings are not.

Can Baptism be repeated?
No. It marks the soul permanently.

Catechism References

CCC 1213 – Baptism as foundation
CCC 1265–1267 – New life
CCC 1270–1272 – Baptismal character
CCC 1691 – Identity before morality

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
thank You for claiming me in Baptism.
Help me live from who I am in Christ,
not from fear or habit.
Renew in me the grace of my Baptism
and teach me to belong to You fully.
Amen.