Student Name: Tom Bulmer

11/17/16

Lesson Date:

Subject Area: Theology

Junior
Lesson Title: The Sacrament of Matrimony Annulments
90 minutes

Grade Level:
Duration:

Overview: In this lesson students will learn about the Sacrament of Matrimony
(marriage). Its matter, form and minister, and what makes a marriage valid
sacramentally.
Preview: Warm-up For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your
wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his
wife, except for unchastity, and marries another, commits adultery; Matthew 19:89a
Take 5 minutes and write out 2-3 sentences explaining what this verse says
about the Sacrament of Marriage.
Activity: Students will participate in a small group activity in which they will examine
hypothetical scenarios regarding the validity of marriage. Each group will receive a
different scenario. Their job is to act as a mini tribunal in which they will determine the
validity of the hypothetical marriage based on the evidence given.
Processing: The students will orally present their findings to the large group at the
end of the activity. At the end of the lesson five students will be randomly selected from
the class to recite the three requirements for a valid marriage.
Materials: Power Point presentation for lecture portion. Prompt sheet for discussion.
STARR Objective:
TEKS:
Objectives: Students will be able to identify the form, matter, minister, and recipient
of Marriage. Students will also identify the factors that must be present in a valid
sacramental marriage. Students will demonstrate this knowledge by orally presenting
their findings at the end of their group activity and by answering review questions at the
end of the lesson.
Key Vocabulary: Matrimony, Annulment, Disparity of Cult, Tribunal
Preview: Read the following verse and write out in 2 or more sentences about how it
relates to Matrimony (marriage) as a sacrament.
Suggested time: (5 minutes)
1. Matthew 19:8 - 9a He said to them, For your hardness of heart Moses allowed
you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you:
whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another, commits
adultery;
2. What does this passage have to do with the Sacrament of Marriage? Answer
This shows that Marriage is by nature indissoluble.
3. Lecture regarding the sacrament. 15 minutes

Activity:
Group research/discussion about the difference between Divorce and Annulments
according to the Catholic Church.
10 Minutes
Suggested time: 5-10 minutes for research, 5 minutes for discussion and debrief
ACTIVITY 2:
1. Place students in groups of 3 chosen by location.
2. Distribute materials needed for the activity. 1 hypothetical situation per group 6
prompts total.
a. Each scenario presents a different couple seeking an annulment.
3. Guide students in their discussion of the scenario.
4. Students will read the prompt and then discuss in their groups what would be
required for a declaration of nullity to be granted.
5. This activity will take 10-15 minutes to discuss in small groups with 15 minutes
devoted to presentation and debrief afterwards.
Processing:
Suggested time: 5 minutes
1. Ask the students what is the matter, form and minister of the Sacrament of
Marriage? What are annulments and how are they different from civil divorce?
What are some requirements for a marriage to be valid?
Appendix: Students will receive a copy of the Power Point presentation containing
blanks for key words.