welcome to family faith formation! happy new year! january lesson - caring for the world: the...
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Epiphany = Three Kings or Three Wisemen or Magi They followed the Star of Bethlehem They came from the East. They were strangers, not from the area They were rich. They brought gifts for the “newborn baby king.”TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to Family Faith Formation!January Lesson - Caring for the
World:
The Beatitudes and Praying in Color
Feast of the Epiphany Today! Aka: Three Kings Day
Epiphany = Three Kings or Three Wisemen or Magi
They followed the Star of Bethlehem
They came from the East. They were strangers, not from the area
They were rich.
Gold: So Beautiful
All Gifts were very expensive.
Only kings could afford to buy them.
Many People Still Celebrate Epiphany, Like Christmas!
Give and receive gifts
Opening Prayer: Our Father
hallowed be thy name.
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Home Study - Lessons
Check-In
Questions
New Year Projects
EXPANSION OF VISION: FROM CENTERING ON ME TO CONSIDERATION OF MY NEIGHBOR
FOCUSING OUTWARD: THE POSSIBILITY OF CHANGING THE WORLD BY CHANGING ME
Lambs: The Beatitudes
The “Bee-Attitudes”
Or How to Be Happy, According to Jesus
Objective: To help the students and their parents learn more about Jesus’ teachings on the Beatitudes, or how to be happy in this life.
The metaphor of happy bees buzzing around the garden!
Based on Matthew 5:1-12
Eight Sayings of Jesus: How He Wants Us To Be Happy:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is
the kingdom of God.”
Be happy when you are poor in spirit, because then you will find that your riches are in the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Be happy when you feel you have lost what is most dear to you, because it is then that you will feel the love of the One who is the most dear to you.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.”
Be happy with what you have, because then you will find that your heavenly Father provides everything that you need.
“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, * for they will be satisfied.”
Be happy when you are hungry for the things of God, because then you will find that only God can satisfy.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Be happy when you are caring for others, because it is in caring for others that you will find a heavenly Father who cares for you.
“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”
Be happy when your heart is right with God, because it is then that you will see that God is at work in the world around you.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Be happy when you help others to get along peacefully with one another, because it is then that you will know the peace that comes from being a part of the family of God.
“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Be happy when others treat you badly because you follow me, because your reward will be great in heaven.
“Bee Happy Cups”
Doves and Saints: Praying in Color
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” Romans 8:2
Objective: To teach the children an
imaginative and intuitive way
to pray for others
Talking to God
So that we can communicate and feel close to God;
to show God that we have faith, hope and love;
because we believe that prayer is powerful – that God hears our prayers and answers them;
sometimes God doesn’t answer the prayers the way that we want but that doesn’t mean that God doesn’t hear us. Sometimes God prefers to say “no.” God knows what is best for us and says no to help us.
There are Many Ways to Pray —All are Good!
memorized prayers like the Our Father and Hail Mary; mass, bedtime prayers, grace; made-up prayers
Sometimes it is hard to think of ways
to pray; but we can use our
imaginations and our talents to pray
in many different ways
Saints will look up the passages in their bibles
Praying in Color: Using Creativity and Imagination to Pray for Others
That means that as we pray for someone, we create a picture of our prayer by using markers to surround who we are praying for with beautiful colors
Begins with quiet reflection
Name the person(s)
Steps in the Process engage the mind, body, spirit: heart, hands, imagination, senses, feelings, soul
End Result: A Visual Picture of your Prayer
Example of the End Result: A Picture of Your Prayer
Ask the Children to Share what they Learned, Who they prayed for
Surprising and touching answers!
Next Month: CIRCLE OF GRACE – Safe Environment Presentation
We are obliged, by the diocese, to offer this information; if you do NOT want to participate, you must give us the “Opt Out” form
Be Sociable---Share!
The Beatitudes and Praying in Color
Feast of the Epiphany Today! Aka: Three Kings Day
Epiphany = Three Kings or Three Wisemen or Magi
They followed the Star of Bethlehem
They came from the East. They were strangers, not from the area
They were rich.
Gold: So Beautiful
All Gifts were very expensive.
Only kings could afford to buy them.
Many People Still Celebrate Epiphany, Like Christmas!
Give and receive gifts
Opening Prayer: Our Father
hallowed be thy name.
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Home Study - Lessons
Check-In
Questions
New Year Projects
EXPANSION OF VISION: FROM CENTERING ON ME TO CONSIDERATION OF MY NEIGHBOR
FOCUSING OUTWARD: THE POSSIBILITY OF CHANGING THE WORLD BY CHANGING ME
Lambs: The Beatitudes
The “Bee-Attitudes”
Or How to Be Happy, According to Jesus
Objective: To help the students and their parents learn more about Jesus’ teachings on the Beatitudes, or how to be happy in this life.
The metaphor of happy bees buzzing around the garden!
Based on Matthew 5:1-12
Eight Sayings of Jesus: How He Wants Us To Be Happy:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is
the kingdom of God.”
Be happy when you are poor in spirit, because then you will find that your riches are in the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Be happy when you feel you have lost what is most dear to you, because it is then that you will feel the love of the One who is the most dear to you.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.”
Be happy with what you have, because then you will find that your heavenly Father provides everything that you need.
“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, * for they will be satisfied.”
Be happy when you are hungry for the things of God, because then you will find that only God can satisfy.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Be happy when you are caring for others, because it is in caring for others that you will find a heavenly Father who cares for you.
“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”
Be happy when your heart is right with God, because it is then that you will see that God is at work in the world around you.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Be happy when you help others to get along peacefully with one another, because it is then that you will know the peace that comes from being a part of the family of God.
“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Be happy when others treat you badly because you follow me, because your reward will be great in heaven.
“Bee Happy Cups”
Doves and Saints: Praying in Color
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” Romans 8:2
Objective: To teach the children an
imaginative and intuitive way
to pray for others
Talking to God
So that we can communicate and feel close to God;
to show God that we have faith, hope and love;
because we believe that prayer is powerful – that God hears our prayers and answers them;
sometimes God doesn’t answer the prayers the way that we want but that doesn’t mean that God doesn’t hear us. Sometimes God prefers to say “no.” God knows what is best for us and says no to help us.
There are Many Ways to Pray —All are Good!
memorized prayers like the Our Father and Hail Mary; mass, bedtime prayers, grace; made-up prayers
Sometimes it is hard to think of ways
to pray; but we can use our
imaginations and our talents to pray
in many different ways
Saints will look up the passages in their bibles
Praying in Color: Using Creativity and Imagination to Pray for Others
That means that as we pray for someone, we create a picture of our prayer by using markers to surround who we are praying for with beautiful colors
Begins with quiet reflection
Name the person(s)
Steps in the Process engage the mind, body, spirit: heart, hands, imagination, senses, feelings, soul
End Result: A Visual Picture of your Prayer
Example of the End Result: A Picture of Your Prayer
Ask the Children to Share what they Learned, Who they prayed for
Surprising and touching answers!
Next Month: CIRCLE OF GRACE – Safe Environment Presentation
We are obliged, by the diocese, to offer this information; if you do NOT want to participate, you must give us the “Opt Out” form
Be Sociable---Share!