1. What is the one key idea of this chapter. Pay attention to the title of the chapter! Called To Make a Difference: In this chapter, we learn that all of us are being called to make a difference in our world. In Jesus' time there was a mold in society and risks for being part of early Christianity. Jesus was shaped by his experiences, his political leaders, other religions of the time and the lands he traveled to. The Roman government unified the land politically and the Greek culture connected it culturally, both of which affected early Christianity and helped it grow. Even today we are shaped by our world but we are called by Jesus to break from the mold of society and make a difference and even to help someone out and make even the smallest positive impact on their life.

2. Write about two major ideas you want to remember. Write a short paragraph on each clearly stating the idea and then telling why you want to remember it. The first main idea I want to take from this chapter is that the other religions of that time were much different than Christianity and that Christianity had to break through a barrier of differences. Many of the religions were called cults in which a group would gather and celebrate rituals, virtues or other events which helped them understand their particular cult and how it helps them live their lives. Many people worshipped several gods and participated in different religions. Christianity broke on to the scene though as a much different religion. Christianity was one of the first religions to emphasize that there was only one God, a belief known as monotheism, and that they could only celebrate one religion. Christianity was a religion in early times that changed many views on life and religious structure.

The second main idea I want to take from this chapter is that there were so many groups of Jewish people. Before reading this chapter I did not know that the Jews had five groups, the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Scribes and Zealots. The Pharisees were intelligent and very religious and their goal in early times was to keep the people faithful to the law. The Sadducees practiced increase worship at the Temple and strictly followed the Torah. They believed that there was no life after death as it was not written about in the Torah. The Essenes withdrew from the world to live simple lives, follow the law of Moses and await the coming of God. The Scribes were writers who interpreted the law and the Zealots were fanatics who fought to regain their homeland. These groups of Jewish people are important to understand the Hebrew Sciptures, the Jewish religion and that time period and I am glad that I now know a lot more about them.

3.One image that captures the chapter for you.

4. One significent question you have from this chapter. It can be intellectual or personal.

What values of society dim the brilliance of the message of Jesus and which values brighten it?

5.Do one of the "Living the Gospel" questions at the end of the chapter. Write out the question, reflect upon it and write out your answer.

Living the Gospel Number 2:In writing, describe in detail one social injustice. Include in your essay something you can do to right this injustice- then do it- or contact someone in authority who would have the influence to change this injustice.

Just as there was a mold of society in Jesus' time, so there is one now. One social injustice I find very common in our society is stereotypes, usually involving race and heritage. I think the mold of society encourages this value as more and more racial themes and stereotypes are being displayed on the T.V. Many of my friends who, even though they are good people, will make a joke about a Chinese person or an African American person and their background. Usually these jokes are light and are just used to joke around with other friends that are of a different heritage, yet I still do not see them as being right. While I read this question I thought about what I could do to stop the racial sterotypes and I think I came up with something thats works. In conversations I try to steer it in the direction opposite from such comments. If someone makes a racial joke I do not laugh. With these two steps I have and will avoid racial stereotyping in the future and try to keep myself and my friends out of this social injustice.