Finding God Grades K-8 Program Overview

1 Contact your Educational Consultant at 1 (800) 256-0589 to learn more. Our Response to God’s Gifts SCHOOL AND PARISH EDITIONS – GRADES K–8 ®

2 Visit www.findinggod.com for more information. Our Response to God’s Gifts ® School and Parish Edit ions – Grades K–8 The perfect place to start a life of intentional discipleship is with Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts.® Rooted in Scripture, Catholic doctrine, and Ignatian spirituality, Finding God is a core faith formation program for Kindergarten through Grade 8 that helps foster a lived relationship with God through Jesus. This program is built for today’s learners, offering a new model for catechesis that embraces technology and responds to the ongoing invitation to enter into a deeper relationship with God. Program Features and Benefits ▶ NEW for Grades 1–8 Multimedia Content: Dynamically engages children, parents, catechists, and teachers through animations, narrated movies, interactive activities, and audio. ▶ NEW for Schools: STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) small- group activity in every unit. ▶ Abundant Scripture: Included in every session opener, Scripture is also highlighted in the NEWWith My Family pages and is the focus of the NEW Scripture posters and reproducible blackline masters. ▶ Special sections on the foundations of the Catholic faith: Glossary of terms, lessons on major feasts and seasons in the liturgical year, and Prayers and Practices of Our Faith. ▶ Multisensory Learning: Exploring Faith Through Art prints, spoken word and music, and video suggestions serve a variety of learning styles. ▶ Additional Family Resources: Practical resources such as family e-newsletters, an at-home edition, and prayer books to support the faith at home. Finding God is in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

3 Contact your Educational Consultant at 1 (800) 256-0589 to learn more. Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pages 2–5 Kindergarten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pages 6–7 New! Grades 1–6 . . . . . . . . . . . .Pages 8–13 New! Grades 7–8 . . . . . . . . . . . .Pages 14–33 Additional Resources . . . . . . .Pages 34–41 TABLE OF CONTENTS Spiral Curriculum Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts is based on a spiral curriculum that integrates the fundamental themes of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as Scripture and Catholic social teachings. As children are introduced to and revisit concepts and vocabulary from one year to the next, their knowledge and experience both broaden and deepen as they grow in faith as committed disciples of Jesus. GRADE 2: I Am the True Vine—Eucharist & Reconciliation GRADE 3: Fishers of Men—Church & Holy Spirit GRADE 4: Blessed Are the Poor—Beatitudes & The Ten Commandments GRADE 5: The Bread of Life—Sacraments & Worship GRADE 6: I Am Who I Am—The Old Testament GRADE 7: This Is My Beloved Son—Jesus Christ GRADE 8: You Are the Chosen People—Church History Jesus God The Church/Creed Sacraments Morality Prayer Catholic Social Teaching Scripture GRADE 1: God Found Everything Good—God & Creator KINDERGARTEN: God Calls Us—Foundations of Faith

4 Visit www.findinggod.com for more information. OVERVIEW Scripture and Prayer Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts includes rich Catholic Tradition, Scripture, and prayer. Throughout the program, children engage with Scripture and prayerfully consider the essential connections between God’s Word and their own lives. Finding God helps children integrate traditional prayer into daily life. ▶ Reading God’sWord feature identifies Scripture passages that serve as the foundation for each session. Reflection and Prayer help children form a rich prayer life, which is essential for authentic discipleship. ▶ Dramatized Scripture Stories biblically animate the Scripture, placing the child in the Bible scene. ▶ Guided reflections lead to prayerful encounters with Jesus. New for Grades 1–6 Scripture Posters: An additional poster dedicated to Sacred Scripture for each grade. Scripture Blackline Masters: Sacred Scripture-focused reproducible blackline masters provide additional opportunities to further engage with God’s Word. With My Family Page: These take-home pages invite families to live their faith by reading God’s Word together, discussing Scripture, and praying as a family. Bible Verse Diagram: An easy-to-use guide on how to read Scripture is located on the back cover of every Student Book. ISBN: 978-0-8294-4742-2 GRADE 3 Seed on Rich Soil —Luke 8:11–15 Image: © meunierd/Shutterstock.com. “This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of trial. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.” i_4742_G3_Poster6.indd ~ pg 6 ~ LoyolaPress. 6/28/19 2:21 PM © All rights reserved. Finding god reproducible blackline master Name Date SACRED SCRIPTURE 3 Satenik_Guzhanina/ iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images SESSION 1 Genesis 1:1–8 God created the world from nothing. Gene sis 1:1–8 tells what God created on Day 1 and Day 2. Directions: Finish each sentence with the correct wor ds from the word box. Then color the pictures . water day night sky Day 1: God said, “Let there be light.” God created day or night and night or day . Day 2: God said, “Let there be a dome.” God created the sky or water and the water or sky . www.findinggod.com Grade 1 • Unit 1 • Session 1 © All rights reserved. Finding god reproducible blackline master Name Date SCRIPTURE PRAYER SERVICE 9 SESSION 2 John 3:16–17 Reader: A reading from John 3:16–17. (The Reader reads aloud the passage.) The Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Leader: God the Father loves us and wants us to b e close to him. God in heaven, we thank you for yo ur everlasting love. All: Praise to you, God our Father. Leader: God the Father sent his Son, Jesus, to sav e us. God in heaven, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus. All: Praise to you, God our Father. Leader: Through Jesus, we have eternal life. Dear God our Father, we hope to one day live with yo u forever in heaven. All: Praise to you, God our Father. Dear God our Father, help me show my love for you. Help me to . Reflecting on the Scripture Passage www.findinggod.com Grade 1 • Unit 1 • Session 2 AT HOME With My Family Scripture Together God the Father creates us to be in relationship with him and to reflect his glory. He gives us this beautiful world. God’s gifts in creation show how much he loves us. As a family, read Genesis 1:27–30. When you have finished, discuss the Scripture using the following questions to guide you: • What gifts in creation does God give to us? • What is the meaning of this phrase: “God makes us in his image?” • How can you take better care of others and all of God’s gifts? Ready for the Sacraments Talk about the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. ACTIVITY: Creation Walk Take a family walk at a park or a nature preserve. Enjoy God’s creation and give thanks for your time together. Pray together: Dear God, bless our family. Help us care for one another and everything you create. Amen. Family Prayer 12 UNIT 1 • God, Our Creator and Father The Examen is a prayer tool that helps you find God in all things. It also helps you bring your entire life before God in prayer. STEPS: 1. Pray the Sign of the Cross. 2. Ask God to show you your day as God saw it. 3. Gratitude: What are you thankful for today? 4. Presence: Where did you feel God’s presence today? Where did you experience the Fruits of the Holy Spirit today? Where did you experience an increase in faith, hope, and love? 5. Where did you struggle to name God’s presence today? Where did you feel a decrease of faith, of hope, and of love? What are you sorry for today? Do you need to ask for forgiveness? THIS BOOK BELONGS TO who is precious in God’s eyes. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. Luke 9:16 Reading the Bible E : – E X O D U S 8 1 The L then spoke to Moses: Speak to Aaron: Stretch out your hand with your staff over the streams, the canals, and the ponds, and make frogs overrun the land of Egypt. 2 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. 3 But the magicians did the same by their magic arts and made frogs overrun the land of Egypt. BOOK CHAPTER VERSES The Daily Examen “Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition remain the foundation for the Church’s ministry of the word. It continues to play an essential and indispensable role in catechesis. Sacred Scripture inspires, directs, and nourishes the Church’s catechetical mission.” National Directory for Catechesis, USCCB

5 Contact your Educational Consultant at 1 (800) 256-0589 to learn more. OVERVIEW Dynamic Engagement Through Multimedia Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts invites everyone to fully recognize the presence of God through the use of multimedia. Learning requires engagement and participation. Learning is multimodal, meaning that we learn by listening, discussing, reading, watching, writing, and doing. This type of individualized learning is achieved through digital technology, allowing children to access information in a way that best matches each child’s unique learning style. Children Children learn through reading, watching, listening, discussing, writing, and doing. Finding God is designed to increase children’s engagement with their faith. Exploration of rich and meaningful multimedia content increases children’s interest, curiosity, and motivation. Families Families can easily access the multimedia content with their children at home by scanning the QR codes found in the Children’s Book. In addition, parentcentered content supports parents in their role as their child’s most influential catechist. Teachers and Catechists Teachers and catechists don’t have to search the internet for ways to bring the lessons to life. Instead, they can scan the QR codes in the Catechist Guide or use the multimedia index to enrich, extend, reinforce, review, or supplement the unit and lesson content. Use the options provided in a way that best suits the children and families served by your program. DYNAMIC N E GAGEMENT NEW for Grades 1–8 to learn more about Grades 7-8! CLICK HERE to preview multimedia from Grades 1-6! CLICK HERE

6 Visit www.findinggod.com for more information. FINDING GOD • KINDERGARTEN Finding God Kindergarten Available in both English and bilingual Spanish-English editions, Finding God Kindergarten is catechetically rich, Christ-focused, and warm and inviting. The program provides young children with beautiful images, thoughtful prayer, and engaging activities so they can easily learn, experience, and express their faith. With developmentally appropriate content and active-learning experiences on every page, each lesson in the Children’s Book and the Catechist Guide follows easy-touse instructional steps: Engage, Explore, Reflect, and Respond. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. PROGRAM COMPONENTS Children’s Book: Always Christ-centered, the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith is shared in ways most appropriate for young learners. Every page is interactive! Catechist Guide: Each guide includes complete catechetical background, clear plans, step-by-step support, and additional activities. One Jesus the Teacher Plush Figure is included with each Catechist Guide. Jesus the Teacher, a Plush Figure: This soft and inviting plush figure is featured in every session as part of instruction, prayer, and listening activities. Exploring Faith Through Art: 25 age-appropriate works of art are featured on an easel, allowing children to explore their faith through the beauty of well-known and beloved fine art. Scripture Stories, Songs, Reflective Music, and Guided Reflections: Dramatized recordings of Scripture stories bring the Bible to life. The songs and reflective tracks reflect the simultaneous diversity and unity of the Catholic Church. Guided reflections mentor children to live a life of prayer. LOOKING FOR A PRE-K PROGRAM? Visit www.GodMadeEverything.com TRACK 1 - Song of Love 4:00 TRACK 2 - Song of Love TRACK 3 - God Is So Good 1:11 TRACK 4 - God Is So Good (Instrumental) TRACK 5 - Our Father 1:02 TRACK 6 - Our Father (Instrumental) TRACK 7 - This Is the Day 1:20 TRACK 8 - This Is the Day (Instrumental) TRACK 9 - Come, O Holy Spirit / TRACK 11 - Come All You People (Instrumental) TRACK 13 - Guide My Feet 1:43 Encontrando a

7 Contact your Educational Consultant at 1 (800) 256-0589 to learn more. Key Principles of Early Childhood Education How Principles Are Addressed in Finding God Kindergarten Early experiences have profound effects on learning. Unlike most “me”-centered programs for young children, we’ve built a Christ-centered program. Every page and activity in the program leads to discussion and activity related to God and the Catholic faith. Young children learn in a variety of ways. This program provides instruction for a variety of learning styles: songs, rhymes, chants, finger plays, drawing, dancing, crafting, creating artworks, role-play, games, quiet-time prayer, and reflection. Through careful guidance and practice, young children can develop self-regulatory capacities that are necessary for “quiet” or sustained learning experiences. In order to hear the Word of God, pray, and understand abstract faith concepts, children need to learn self-control, listening skills, and calming techniques. When appropriate, program instruction is geared toward developing self-regulatory skills in young children. Children learn at varying rates. Lessons are presented for children who are at early, intermediate, and advanced stages of development. This program is appropriate for children at the kindergarten level, transitional kindergarten/late pre-k classes, or a combination. “Play” and activity promote language, cognitive development, and social and emotional development. Young children learn through movement. With this program, children get up and move, and therefore LOVE to learn! Learning advances when children are challenged. Finding God Kindergarten presents challenging concepts in a simple and clear way. Children’s experiences shape their motivation. Scripture and Tradition are presented through inviting text, engaging activities, and bright, beautiful art that motivates children to learn and to grow closer to God. Young children develop more freely when they have secure relationships with classmates and adults. The warm, inviting tone of the program will resonate with children. Activities are designed to create a caring community—helping children know that their parish family is one on which they can rely now and throughout their whole lives. FINDING GOD • KINDERGARTEN When Faith and Early Childhood Education Meet Finding God Kindergarten blends the key principles of early childhood education with Ignatian-inspired, scripturally based catechetical material, instruction, and approaches to provide the very best Catholic curriculum for God’s youngest disciples.

8 Visit www.findinggod.com for more information. Finding God Grades 1–6 The new edition of Finding God for Grades 1–6 reinforces the program’s robust Catholic faith content through the use of dynamic multimedia content. Children engage with videos, audio, and interactive experiences to respond to the ongoing invitation to enter into a deeper relationship with God and the Catholic Church. Scripture abounds in this new edition. Every session begins with Scripture, and new posters and blackline masters devoted to Bible passages are integrated in every lesson. Student Book Unit Saint Video: This new feature offers a model of Christian discipleship that offers insight on the session and illuminates the life and work of the saint. Unit Opener Activity: This new feature includes Scripture and an activity that introduces the unit theme. UNIT OPENER Let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son. 1 John 4:7–10 God Is Love Above all, Saint Augustine believed that God is love. This essential truth guides our understanding of God and his plan for us. Because God is love, he creates us and saves us. Because God is love, he reveals himself to us and guides us. Because God is love, we are made for love too. We are made to love God and one another. ACTIVITY: Resting in God Saint Augustine said that our hearts are restless until they rest in God. In the space below, write or draw what “resting in God” means to you. Reading God’s Word L 4 UNIT 1 • God, Our Creator and Father 001-042_FG20_SE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 4 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/22/19 4:56 PM PDF Sig off: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ UNIT 1 God, Our Creator and Father 2 001-042_FG20_SE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 2 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/22/19 4:56 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ Be Inspired NORTH AFRICA You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Saint Augustine Saint Augustine Saint Augustine was born in Africa and spent his youth getting into trouble with his friends. In his book Confessions Augustine wrote that as a young boy, he and some of his friends stole pears from a tree. They did not even intend to eat this fruit. They stole simply to do something that was not allowed. Eventually, Augustine became a teacher, but he was not happy with his life. Then he met Ambrose, the bishop of Milan, who led him to study the Bible. While reading the Bible, Augustine realized that he wanted to be close to Jesus Christ. As he later prayed, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” At the age of 32, Augustine was baptized a Christian. The people of the town of Hippo, North Africa, wanted him as their leader. He was ordained as a priest there, becoming bishop of Hippo a few years later. As bishop, he preached, helped his people, and wrote about God and religion. Augustine’s writings helped Catholics of his time—and of every century since then—understand how much God loves them, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Until his death in A.D. 430, Augustine encouraged his people to have courage and hope in God. His feast day is August 28. 3 001-042_FG20_SE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 3 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/22/19 4:56 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ NEW FINDING GOD • GRADES 1–6

9 Contact your Educational Consultant at 1 (800) 256-0589 to learn more. FINDING GOD • GRADES 1–6 Engage: In this first step, children engage by prayerfully considering Scripture and connecting it to the session theme and their own lives. Explore: The Explore step helps children deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith by reading, discussing, and experiencing session content. Multimedia Content: An audio recording of a Scripture passage invites children to open their Bibles, while an interactive activity is offered to enhance the learning process. SESSION 1 God Creates Us GOD’S WORD The creation in Genesis God, help me see you in all things and see that all your creation is good. Help me grow in my love for you and the world. In the account of creation, God does not use a magic wand to make the universe. He uses words to call things into being, and he uses words to name them. He says, “Let there be light,” and then he names it “day.” He says, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters,” and then he names it “sky.” He goes on to make and name the sea, the stars, the animals, and human beings. It is through his spoken Word that God creates this beautiful universe and everything in it, which he also repeatedly calls “good.” Later, God the Father sent his Son, Jesus, as our Savior because he so loved us and the world he created. The special message of God’s love comes to us through Jesus. Read and listen to Genesis 1:24–31. Prayer 5 001-042_FG20_SE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 5 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/22/19 4:56 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ EXPLORE Creation Is the Work of the Trinity There is only one God, yet he reveals himself as Three distinct Persons: God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is known as the Trinity. Everything that exists is the work of the Trinity. The Mystery of the Trinity— God revealing himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is the central mystery of our faith. Though inseparable, each Person of the Trinity has a special mission: • The Father created the world. He made us and everything in the universe. • God’s Son, Jesus, became man in order to save us. • The Holy Spirit gives us grace to believe. The Spirit helps us understand that God is our loving Father and Creator, and that Jesus is the Son of God and our brother. Prayers Honoring the Trinity One way we show our belief in the Trinity is by praying the Sign of the Cross, which gives praise to the Three Persons of the Trinity. Another way is to pray the Glory Be to the Father. A prayer of praise to the Trinity is called a doxology. At Mass, the Eucharistic Prayer ends with a doxology of praise and adoration of the Trinity. At Mass, our sung expression of praise to the Trinity is the Gloria. With it we proclaim our belief in the Three Persons of the Trinity. The Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 19th-century colored woodcut Link to Liturgy SESSION 1 • God Creates Us 7 001-042_FG20_SE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 7 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/22/19 4:56 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ EXPLORE God Created the World The Bible tells the story of how God reveals himself to us beginning with the creation of the earth from what was disorder and chaos. This story of creation is in the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The beginning of Genesis tells how, out of love and without any help, God freely created the universe and all things in it to reveal and share his glory. We, too, experience the wonder and beauty of God’s creation when we take time to truly look at the world. By thinking about the world and its beauty and order, we can come to recognize God’s loving presence and his plan for us to be happy and to praise him. We can come to know God in two ways—from outside and from inside. We can see God’s work in the visible world around us, and we can also look inside ourselves and realize that we are incomplete without God and that we are part of God’s plan. In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth . . . the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters. Genesis 1:1–2 Reading God’s Word 6 UNIT 1 • God, Our Creator and Father 001-042_FG20_SE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 6 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/22/19 4:56 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ EXPLORE Creation Is the Work of th Trinity There is only one God, yet he reveals himself as Three distinct Persons: God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is known as the Trinity. Everything that exists is the work of the Trinity. The Mystery of the Trinity— God revealing himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is the central mystery of our faith. Though inseparable, each Person of the T inity has a special mission: • The Father created the wor d. He made us and everything in the universe. • God’s Son, Jesus, became man in order to save us. • The Holy Spirit gives us grace to believe. The Spirit helps us understand that God is our loving Father and Creator, and that Jesus is the Son of God and our brother. Prayers Honoring the Trinity One way we show our belief in the Trinity is by praying the Sign of the Cross, which gives praise to the Three Persons of the Trinity. Another way is to pray the Glory Be to the Father. A prayer of praise to the Trinity is called a doxology. At Mass, the Eucharistic Prayer ends with a doxology of praise and adoration of the Trinity. At Mass, our sung expression of praise to the Trinity is the Gloria. With it we proclaim our belief in the Three Persons of the Trinity. The Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 19th-century colored woodcut Link to Liturgy SESSION 1 • God Creates Us 7 001-042_FG20_SE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 7 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/22/19 4:56 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ Link to Liturgy Connects what students are learning in class to the liturgy experienced at mass.

10 Visit www.findinggod.com for more information. Featured Content Parent Resource: Text resource for parents gives them an opportunity to learn more about faith concepts. Reflect: In this third step, children are guided to consider the session content through various forms of prayer. Respond: In the Respond step, the new takehome page encourages families to live their faith together by reading Scripture, praying, discussing faith, and doing an activity. RESPOND Living My Faith Thank you, God, for creating me and caring for me. Thank you for giving me all the people who care for me. Let me show my love for you by caring for all people and things in the world. Faith Summary God created the world and continues to love and care for it and for us. There are Three Persons in God, but there is only one God. This mystery is called the Trinity. Each Person in the Trinity has a mission. The Father is the Creator. The Son continues the Father’s work in the world. The Holy Spirit helps us know the Father and the Son. Words I Learned doxology Eucharistic Prayer Ways of Being Like Jesus Jesus continues the work of God the Father. Show respect for the things in creation by recycling your trash at home and around your neighborhood. ACTIVITY: In the Beginning In Genesis 1, Scripture tells us that God created the universe and everything in it. And God continues to create today. Seeing God’s goodness in everything around us is a way of praising God. Complete each sentence about God’s creation with a word from the word bank. Two words in the word bank will not be used. 1. Genesis is the first book of the Bible. 2. In Genesis we read that God created the universe and saw that it was good . 3. We can see God’s work around us and inside us. 4. A prayer in praise of the Trinity is called a doxology . 5. The Three Persons of God— Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are known as the Trinity . 6. It is the mission of God the Father to create . 7. The Sign of the Cross and the Glory Be to the Father are examples of prayers that honor the Trinity. honor save good doxology third inside Trinity first create around Prayer SESSION 1 • God Creates Us 11 001-042_FG20_SE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 11 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/22/19 4:56 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ AT HOME With My Family Scripture Together Pray together: Creator God, bless our family. Help us respect and care for one another and for all the things in creation. Amen. God creates everything that is. Thinking about this can fill us with wonder. We love God more deeply because of his amazing creation. We love creation more deeply because it comes from God. We love one another more deeply because we know we are created in God’s image and belong to him. One way to express this wonder and love is through praise. As a family, read Psalm 95:1–5. When you have finished, discuss the Scripture. Consider the following questions to help guide discussion: • What parts of creation are said to belong to God? • How do you know that God loves you and the rest of his creation? • How can y u praise and thank God for his wonderful works? Faith on the Go Ask one another: Which aspect of God’s creation fills you with the most wonder? Why? ACTIVITY: Praise in Action Do something as a family to show your love and respect for God’s cr ati n. Plant flowers, remove weeds, or pick up trash. Use your work to praise God. Family Prayer 12 UNIT 1 • God, Our Creator and Father 001-012_4628_se_g5u1s1.indd ~ pg 12 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/28/19 10:33 AM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ REFLECT Reflecting on Creation Think about God and about the beauty and wonders of God’s creation. The beauty and order of creation tell us that God is good and beautiful like the world he creates. ACTIVITY: God’s Beautiful World We experience God’s creation primarily through our five senses. Complete the sentence starters below to tell what you especially like experiencing in God’s creation. All that God creates is good, including animals, which are to be treated with kindness. I see… I taste… I smell… I hear… I touch… Did You Know? 10 UNIT 1 • God, Our Creator and Father 001-042_FG20_SE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 10 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/22/19 4:56 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ REFLECT Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God Invites Us to Reflect In faith, we believe what we are taught about God by the Church. In prayer, we spend time with God in our minds and hearts. Imagine yourself in your favorite place. What does it look like? What do you hear? Imagine Jesus coming to meet you. Greet him and show him around. Tell him why this place is so special to you. Next, tell Jesus what’s on your mind. He listens, then says something to you. How do you respond? Enjoy each other’s company for a while. Finally, thank the Father for his work of creation. Thank Jesus, his Son, for continuing the Father’s work. Thank the Holy Spirit for guiding you as you care for the Father’s creation, then pray the prayer below. Prayer SESSION 1 • God Creates Us 9 001-042_FG20_SE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 9 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/22/19 4:56 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ GOD’S WORD and READING GOD’S WORD Identifies Holy Scripture passages integral to the session content Be Inspired Features an inspiring quote to spark children’s interest in the unit theme Prayer Signals prayer opportunities that include prayers of thanksgiving, praise, intercession, and petition Link to Liturgy Makes an explicit connection between the faith content and the liturgy experienced at Mass Sacred Site Describes significant holy sites and their relevance to Catholic faith, Tradition, culture, and history Did You Know? A fact that enhances children’s understanding of Catholic identity Meet a Saint or Holy Person Provides information about a saint whose holy works illuminate the session content Ready for the Sacraments Connects preparation for the first celebration of the Sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation and the Eucharist in Grade 2 sessions These icons indicate featured content in the Student Book. FINDING GOD • GRADES 1–6 SAMPLE

11 Contact your Educational Consultant at 1 (800) 256-0589 to learn more. FINDING GOD • GRADES 1–6 Grades 1–6 Catechist/Teacher Guide Flexible, complete, and easy to use, the Catechist Guide helps drive meaningful and engaging sessions and supports catechists and teachers of every experience level. Planning: An easy-to-follow planner, adaptable for both schools and parishes, helps with lesson planning and pacing. 1-Hour Session Planner In Session 2 you have the option to use a recorded guided reflection titled “Making Good Choices.” If you choose this option, prepare by listening to the reflection in advance. If instead you choose to lead the reflection yourself, follow the script on pages T-324–T-325. Consider playing instrumental music in the background as you read to enhance the sense of prayerfulness. As an alternative approach, use the prayer on the children’s page. Materials REQUIRED ▶▶ Bible ▶▶ Device with internet access ▶▶ Newspapers and magazines ▶▶ Art Print 2: Saint Peter Claver (easel) ▶▶ Guided Reflection: “Making Good Choices” ▶▶ Reflective music ▶▶ Writing supplies OPTIONAL ▶▶ Device with QR code reader and internet access ▶▶ Scripture BLM 2 ▶▶ Activity BLM 2 ▶▶ Poster board, art supplies ▶▶ Scripture Prayer Service BLM 2 ▶▶ Scissors, construction paper, poster board, art supplies, glue ▶▶ Assessment: Session 2 www.findinggod.com Session Theme: From the beginning, we have been promised a Savior to free us fromOriginal Sin. Before This Session ▶▶ Bookmark your Bible to Romans 5:12, 1 Corinthians 15:21, and James 1:12–15. Place the open Bible in your prayer space. ▶▶ Read the Guide for this session, choose any additional multimedia content or If Time Allows activities that you might have time to complete, and gather the listed materials. STEPS 1 HOUR ENGAGE God Saves Us PAGE 13 EXPLORE The Human Condition PAGE 14 The Nature of Sin PAGE 14 Sin and the Promise of Salvation PAGE 15 Art Print 2: Saint Peter Claver ART PRINT AND PRINT BACK Saint Peter Claver, the “Saint of Slaves” PAGE 16 REFLECT Prayer: Making Good Choices PAGE 17 Social Justice PAGE 18 RESPOND Living My Faith PAGE 19 AT HOME Scripture reading, discussion, and activity for families PAGE 20 SeSSion 2 God Saves Us ▶▶ James 1:12–15 ▶▶ Romans 5:12 ▶▶ 1 Corinthians 15:21 Scripture in Session 2 Prayer in Session 2 13b www.findinggod.com CATeCHiST PRePARATion b_FG20_TE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 2 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/30/19 3:01 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ IGNATIAN PEDAGOGY Pedagogical Foundations “Divine pedagogy” refers to the method God uses to gradually reveal himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Divine pedagogy is reflected in the structure of each Finding God session, which enables you to guide children through the following steps: ENGAGE, EXPLORE, REFLECT, and RESPOND. These steps, as described below, are further inspired by an approach to teaching derived from the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius—an approach known as “Ignatian pedagogy.” Together, this Divine pedagogy, enhanced by the wisdom of St. Ignatius, will enable you to imitate God’s way of teaching. God Intervenes in Human Experience The process begins with God intervening in human history and gradually revealing himself, ultimately through his Son, Jesus. As a catechist, you can begin sessions by helping learners recognize the ways God intervenes in their lives, engaging their everyday lived experiences and gradually showing how the Gospel transforms our lives. In the Finding God program, this is done during the ENGAGE Step of the session. God Gradually Reveals Truths From within our human experience, God reveals a new way of being human. As a catechist, it is your responsibility to faithfully present what God has revealed and to help those you teach apply it to their lives. In the Finding God program, this is done during the EXPLORE Step of the session. God Forms a Relationship with His People Ultimately, God reveals not just information but his very self in the Person of Jesus Christ, and he invites us to enter into relationship with him. As a catechist, you can invite those you teach to encounter Jesus Christ and to deepen their relationship with him through meaningful experiences of reflective prayer. In the Finding God program, this is done during the REFLECT Step of the session. God Calls Us to Mission Finally, our encounters with Jesus lead to transformation: to changed lives. Jesus sent his disciples on mission. As a catechist, you are called to invite those you teach to participate in the mission of Jesus Christ. In the Finding God program, this is done during the RESPOND Step of the session. “Ignatian pedagogy” is an approach to teaching that seeks to form the whole person (cura personalis). This pedagogical approach is derived from the Spiritual Exercises written by Saint Ignatius more than 500 years ago as a way for people to recognize God in the sacraments, in their communities of faith, and in their experiences of God’s creation so that they can live fully as people for others. EC-8 www.findinggod.com THE EFFECTIVE CATECHIST EC1-EC14_FG2020_TE_FM_EC.indd ~ pg 8 ~ LoyolaPress. 6/11/19 4:21 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ 5-Day Classroom Session Planner Anchor BLMs? NOTE: See page 13b for Prayer in Session 2, materials lists, and how to teach this session in one hour. SeSSion 2 God Saves Us Session Theme: From the beginning, we have been promised a Savior to free us fromOriginal Sin. DAY 1: Engage 60 minutes OPEN ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2 God Saves Us PAGE 13 TIME: 5 minutes Scripture BLM 2 TIME: 35 minutes Small-Group Project OPTIONAL: SEE PAGE S-13B. Heroism Bumper Stickers Materials: bumper stickers, sentence strips, writing supplies, art supplies Show children examples of bumper stickers. Explain that a bumper sticker presents a message in a few words or phrases. Using sentence strips, have children make bumper stickers that use images or slogans to encourage people to do positive things in their community. Display children’s bumper stickers in the room. TIME: 20 minutes DAY 2: Explore 60 minutes OPEN ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2 The Human Condition PAGE 14 The Nature of Sin PAGE 14 Sin and the Promise of Salvation PAGE 15 TIME: 15 minutes Activity BLM 2 TIME: 15 minutes Good-News Collage Materials: newspapers, magazines, news stories printed fromwebsites, poster board, art supplies Have children sort through newspapers, magazines, and news stories to find articles about people helping one another through hardship and suffering. Invite children to make a collage using the articles they find. Allow time for them to share their finished projects and tell about one of the stories they found. TIME: 30 minutes DAY 3: Explore 60 minutes OPEN ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2 Art Print 2: Saint Peter Claver Saint Peter Claver, the “Saint of Slaves” PAGE 16 TIME: 20 minutes Art Studio: Heroism PRINT BACK TIME: 20 minutes Movement: Prime Time PRINT BACK TIME: 20 minutes © All rights reserved. FINdING GOd REPROdUcIbLE bLacKLINE MaSTER Name Date SACReD SCRiPTURe 7 SeSSion 2 James 1:12–15 In James 1:12–15, we learn that we face a choice when we are tempted: to persevere in resisting temptation or to give in to sin. Directions: Locate James 1:12–15 in the Bible and read it silently. James teaches us that temptation begins with our desire (1:14), but our choice in responding to that temptation can lead us down two very different paths. Write words in the circles to show the steps in each path. Sin Death Perseverance Crown of Life Desire (Temptation) www.findinggod.com Grade 5 • Unit 1 • Session 2 © All rights reserved. FINdING GOd REPROdUcIbLE bLacKLINE MaSTER ACTiViTY Name Date 8 SeSSion 2 Share the Good News The human experience is contradictory in nature. Although there is much sin in the world, there is also heroism, selflessness, and kindness. We have a tendency to sin, but we are also capable of loving and caring for others. Directions: Write a news story about someone you know who has done a good deed or performed an act of kindness. Add a headline and include a drawing to go with your story. Answers will vary. By: www.findinggod.com Grade 5 • Unit 1 • Session 2 S-13A www.findinggod.com CATeCHiST PRePARATion: Just for Schools b_FG20_TE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 1 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/30/19 3:01 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY RELIGION ENGINEERING ART MATH Groups research the environmental or public-health challenges that their chosen organization seeks to address as part of its mission. Each group uses internet search engines to locate information about both general social-justice issues and specific organizations that address those issues. Each group’s poster explains how the organization fulfills Jesus’ commands to serve God and other people. If they need ideas, direct them to the works of mercy listed on page 273 of their books. Each group’s poster should include a section about the specific methods the organization uses to meet the challenges of the communities they serve. Each group should design a new logo for their organization that reflects the organization’s work and values. The new logo should appear somewhere on the poster. Each group’s poster should include numerical statistics about their organization, such as budgetary information or the number of people helped. Small-Gr up Project of the Week: Social-Action Poster DAY 4: Reflect 60 minutes OPEN ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2 Making Good Choices PAGE 17 Social Justice PAGE 18 TIME: 15 minutes Scripture Prayer Service BLM 2 TIME: 15 minutes My Heart Home Materials: art supplies Ask children to close their eyes and imagine the journey to their Heart Home as they pictured it during the recorded guided reflection. Ask: What path did you take? What did you see along the way? What did you see at the end? Have each child draw a picture of himself or herself with Jesus in this Heart Home. Invite children to share their drawings with the class and describe the journey and the place where they finally ended up. Say: Remember, when you want to talk with Jesus, you can always take this journey. He’s always there to welcome you. TIME: 30 minutes DAY 5: Respond 60 minutes OPEN ACTIVITY 1 ACTIVITY 2 Living My Faith PAGE 19 TIME: 10 minutes Interactive Sessio Review OPTIONAL TIME: 10 minutes Presentation or Wrap-Up BLM Materials: completed project or Just for Sch ls Session Wrap-Up If children completed the small-group project of the week, have each group present its social-action poster. If children did not do the project, have them complete the Just for Schools Session Wrap-Up. Discuss the activity after children complete it. TIME: 40 minutes AT HOME Scripture reading, discussion, and activity for families PAGE 20 If you wish to have children complete this small-group project, allow time on days 1 to 5 for children to work. Materials: computers with internet access, art supplies, STREAM rubric BLM Have small groups use the internet to res arch local or internatio al aid organizations. Have children make an informational poster about the organization. Posters should include a summary of the organization’s mission, information about the founder, and information about environmental or public-health problems that the organization addresses. Ask groups to share a list of ways that others can support this organization. © All rights reserved. FINdING GOd REPROdUcIbLE bLacKLINE MaSTER WRAP-UP Name Date 10 Illustrious/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images We will change the world by being kind to others. SeSSion 2 Let’s Do Something: Taking Social Action Here are some real-life young people who took action to solve a problem. Let’s All Play Together One fifth-grader noticed that some of her classmates were making fun of some students because they were of a different culture. She spoke up and told her classmates to stop bothering them. She then went further and befriended the students who were being picked on. As a result of her actions and determination, all the students in her school began playing together. Talking Turkey One Thanksgiving, Danny Nally and his sister Betsy learned that the local food bank was short of turkeys. So Danny and Betsy went around the neighborhood and collected 36 turkeys for those who were poor. Since then, they have started an organization called Turkeys 4 America. In recent years they have collected more than 6,000 turkeys to give at Thanksgiving to people who are poor. Reaching Out to the World Kori Smith, a teenager from Michigan, and her friend Natalie Alhonte established a group called Teens for Humanity. They travel to countries around the world to deliver food, clothing, and toys to underprivileged children. Change the World Poster Work with a partner to brainstorm a list of ways you can make a positive change in the world. Choose one of the ideas from your list and together make a poster promoting your cause. At the top of your poster, complete the following sentence: We will change the world by . www.findinggod.com Grade 5 • Unit 1 • Session 2 © All rights reserved. FINdING GOd REPROdUcIbLE bLacKLINE MaSTER STREAM Rubric Group Members: 26 Grade 5, Unit 1 Small-Group Project of the Week: Social-Action Poster Scoring Rubric STREAM Criteria 1 Minimal evidence of mastery 2 Evidence of development toward mastery 3 Strong evidence of mastery Science Researched the environmental or public-health challenges that the chosen organization seeks to address as part of its mission. Technology Used internet search engines to locate information about both social-justice issues and the organizations that address those issues. Religion Explained how the chosen organization’s work fulfills Jesus’ commands to serve God and other people. Engineering Identified specific methods used by the chosen organization to meet the challenges faced by the communities it serves. Art Designed a new logo for the chosen organization that reflects the work and values of that organization. The new logo was featured on the poster. Mathematics Included numerical statistics about the chosen organization. www.findinggod.com Grade 5 • Unit 1 © All rights reserved. FINdING GOd REPROdUcIbLE bLacKLINE MaSTER SCRiPTURe PRAYeR SeRViCe Name Date 9 alexkava/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images SeSSion 2 James 1:12–15 Reader: A reading from the Letter of James. (The reader reads aloud the passage.) The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Leader: Father, we pray that your love will give us the strength to resist temptation. All: Lord, hear our prayer. Leader: Father, we pray that by accepting your grace, we will have the possibility of eternal life. All: Lord, hear our prayer. Leader: Father, we ask for your forgiveness when we are tempted by our desires. All: Lord, hear our prayer. Leader: Let us pray the Lord’s Prayer together. All: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, 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. www.findinggod.com Grade 5 • Unit 1 • Session 2 UNIT 1 • Session 2 S-13B CATeCHiST PRePARATion: Just for Schools b_FG20_TE_G5U1.indb ~ pg 2 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/30/19 3:01 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ Catechist Support: A newly expanded Effective Catechist section includes presentation tips, strategies for utilizing technology and media, pedagogical foundations, tips for maintaining discipline, and more! IGNATIAN PEDAGOGY P dagogical Foundations “Divine pedagogy” refers to the method God uses to gradually reveal himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Divine pedagogy is reflected in the structure of each Finding God session, which enables you to guide children through the following steps: ENGAGE, EXPLORE, REFLECT, and RESPOND. These steps, as described below, are further inspired by an approach to teaching derived from the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius—an approach known as “Ignatian pedagogy.” Together, this Divine pedagogy, enhanced by the wisdom of St. Ignatius, will enable you to imitate God’s way of teaching. God Interven s in Human Experience The process begins with God intervening in human history and gradually revealing himself, ultimately through his Son, Jesus. As a catechist, you can begin sessions by helping learners recognize the ways God intervenes in their lives, engaging their everyday lived experiences and gradually showing how the Gospel transforms our lives. In the Finding God program, this is done during the ENGAGE Step of the session. God Gradually Reveals Truths From within our human experience, God reveals a new way of being human. As a catechist, it is your responsibility to faithfully present what God has revealed and to help those you teach apply it to their lives. In the Finding God program, this is done during the EXPLORE Step of the session. God Forms a Relationship with His People Ultimately, God reveals not just information but his very self in the Person of Jesus Christ, and he invites us to enter into relationship with him. As a catechist, you can invite those you teach to encounter Jesus Christ and to deepen their relations ip with him through meaningful experiences of reflective prayer. In the Finding God program, this is done during the REFLECT Step of the session. God Calls Us to Mission Finally, our encounters with Jesus lead to transformation: to changed lives. Jesus sent his disciples on mission. As a catechist, you are called to invite those you teach to participate in the mission of Jesus Christ. In the Finding God program, this is done during the RESPOND Step of the session. “Ignatian pedagogy” is an approach to teaching that seeks to form the whole person (cura personalis). This pedagogical approach is derived from the Spiritual Exercises written by Saint Ignatius more than 500 years ago as a way for people to recognize God in the sacraments, in their communities of faith, and in their experiences of God’s creation so that they can live fully as people for others. EC-8 www.findinggod.com THE EFFECTIVE CATECHIST EC1-EC14_FG2020_TE_FM_EC.indd ~ pg 8 ~ LoyolaPress. 6/11/19 4:21 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ New STREAM project for schools, ne in every unit! Parish Planner School Planner

12 Visit www.findinggod.com for more information. Art Studio: Inspired by Nature Provide children with art paper and paints. Ask them to consider which of God’s gifts in nature inspires them to feel God’s presence and have them paint a picture of it. Using the Art Print For additional activities and prayer opportunities, see the Art Print back. IF TIME ALLOWS Begin Display the Art Print easel open to Art Print 1. Briefly discuss the artwork using information from About the Artist and Art•i•facts. Say: We are near God when we are among his creatures, like flowers, animals, streams, and one another. Connect Read aloud the introduction and discuss the question. Invite a volunteer to read aloud God Creates the World. Say: All the amazing things in the world exist because of God. Have volunteers read aloud God Continues to Care for the World. Say: Think about all the beautiful things in our world. Ask: What would happen if we didn’t protect God’s creations? (animals die, pollution) Say: God gave us a responsibility to protect his creation. Ask: How can we care for our world? (recycling, conservation) ACTIVITY Ask children to complete Taking the Pledge. Have volunteers share their responses. God’s Creation Link to Liturgy Read aloud this feature. Remind children that the Eucharistic Prayer is the liturgical expression of praise and thanksgiving for all that God has done in creation. Close Invite children to reflect on the artwork and to silently thank God for the gifts of creation. 1 2 3 Art Print 1 shows a woman preparing lilies to be used as an offering to God. What are some ways you can show God you are thankful for his creations? God Creates the World God made the world because he was inspired to do so. Creation came from God’s love, and it continues to be a manifestation of God’s love. God cares for the world and everything in it equally. The lowly inchworm is as much a creation of God as the massive whale. We are living as God wants us to when we respect every one of his creations. God Continues to Care for the World God put his love and care into his creation. When each of the planet’s small but important aspects was rendered, God looked upon it and was pleased by it. Although God holds us and all his creatures in his safekeeping, he counts on us to be his custodians on earth. That means caring daily for one another and for all creatures, great and small. We have the responsibility to love and care for the world that God so lovingly created. By caring for God’s creations, we show God that we, in turn, care for him. ACTIVITY: Taking the Pledge Make a list of some of your favorite aspects of God’s creation. I will show God that I love and care for these things by . The Preface, which recalls God’s work in creation, begins the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass. Link to Liturgy ART PRINT 1 8 UNIT 1 • God, Our Creator and Father 8 www.findinggod.com ART PRINT 001-012_TE_G5U1S1.indd ~ pg 8 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/30/19 3:18 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ Art Stud IF TIME A Begin Display the Art Print easel open to Art Print 1. Briefly discuss the artwork using information from About the Artist and Art•i•facts. Say: We are near God when we are among his creatures, like flowers, animals, streams, and one another. Connect Read aloud the introduction and discuss the question. Invite a volunteer to read aloud God Creates the World. Say: All the amazing things in the world exist because of God. Have volunteers read aloud God Continues to Care for the World. Say: Think about all the beautiful things in our world. Ask: What would happen if we didn’t protect God’s creations? (animals die, pollution) Say: God gave us a responsibility to protect his creation. Ask: How can we care for our world? (recycling, conservation) ACTIVITY Ask children to complete Taking the Pledge. Have volunteers share their responses. God’s Creation Link to Liturgy Read aloud this feature. Remind children that the Eucharistic Prayer 1 2 Art Pr offerin thank God Crea God made the wo from God’s love, God cares for the inchworm is as m We are living as G one of his creatio God Continu God put his love each of the planet rendered, God lo Although God ho on us to be his cu another and for a to love and care fo God’s creations, w ACTIVITY: Tak Make a list of some I will show God that The Preface, Eucharistic P Link to L ART PRINT 1 8 UNIT 1 • God, Ou ART PRINT Engage: Every session begins with Holy Scripture that is tied to the session theme and Catholic teaching, inviting children to connect with God’s Word. Explore: This step helps children deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith. The richness of Church doctrine is conveyed through clear instructional text and engaging visuals. UNDERSTANDING SCRIPTURE Genesis 1 is the opening chapter of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament. Genesis was compiled in the 5th or 6th century b.c. for a Jewish audience living in exile, and it tells a story this audience needed to hear: God created the world out of love, is faithful to his people, and will bless and deliver those who are faithful to him. For Christians, this story of creation, blessing, and delivery is fulfilled in the person of Jesus. John, therefore, begins his Gospel with an echo of Genesis: “In the beginning was the Word, / and the Word was with God” [1:1]. OUTCOMES ▶▶ Tell the story of how God created the world with beauty and order. ▶▶ Describe ways God cares for creation and ways we can care for the world. ▶▶ Explain the mystery of the Trinity. ▶▶ Define doxology and Eucharistic Prayer. Open Your Heart Invite children to quiet themselves and prepare to hear sacred Scripture. Proclaim God’s Word Take the Bible from the Prayer Center. Read Genesis 1:24–31. Then say: The Word of the Lord. Invite children to respond Thanks be to God. The Word Alive Show children a mirror and explain that the only way we can see our own face is to see a reflection of it. Say: We cannot see the presence of God but, in his creation, we see a reflection of it. Invite a volunteer to read aloud the paragraphs. Have children brainstorm aspects of creation that reflect each of the following characteristics of God: beauty, power, majesty, creativity, and care. (Answers will vary.) Prayer Say: God speaks to us through creation. Let’s ask him to help us remember this. Pray aloud the prayer, and conclude by praying Amen. 1 2 3 Scripture BLM: Genesis 1:24–31 Have children complete Scripture BLM 1 to gain a better understanding of the passage. IF TIME ALLOWS SESSION 1 God Creates Us GOD’S WORD The creation in Genesis God, help me see you in all things and see that all your creation is good. Help me grow in my love for you and the world. In the account of creation, God does not use a magic wand to make the universe. He uses words to call things into being, and he uses words to name them. He says, “Let there be light,” and then he names it “day.” He says, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters,” and then he names it “sky.” He goes on to make and name the sea, the stars, the animals, and human beings. It is through his spoken Word that God creates this beautiful universe and everything in it, which he also repeatedly calls “good.” Later, God the Father sent his Son, Jesus, as our Savior because he so loved us and the world he created. The special message of God’s love comes to us through Jesus. Read and listen to Genesis 1:24–31. Prayer 5 If appropriate and feasible, have children scan the code on page 5. Visit www.findinggod.com/Bible to access a Catholic Bible. ENGAGE SESSION 1 UNIT 1 • Session 1 5 001-012_TE_G5U1S1.indd ~ pg 5 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/30/19 3:18 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ The Flower Seller Begin Explain that a mission can be a job or goal. Ask: Who are some people who have a mission? (Possible answers: priests, scientists, police officers) Connect Invite volunteers to read aloud Creation Is the Work of the Trinity. Then invite volunteers to describe in their own words the role of each Person in the Trinity. Explain that creation is the work of the Trinity: the Father is the Creator, the Son continues the Father’s work in the world, and the Holy Spirit helps us know the Father and the Son. Have volunteers read aloud Prayers Honoring the Trinity. Invite the group to find the Sign of the Cross and the Glory Be to the Father on pages 246–247 of their books. Explain that both prayers express our belief in the Trinity. Say: The Sign of the Cross reminds us of our Baptism, when our foreheads and all our senses were marked by the cross to show that we belong to Christ. Point out that we use the Sign of the Cross to begin and end most prayers and at several points during the Mass. Link to Liturgy Read aloud this feature. Review the Gloria with children. Close Use the following page and the Art Print easel to teach Art Print 1: The Flower Seller. 1 2 3 Service: Caring for the Parish Grounds In advance, work with your catechetical leader to set up a cleanup day. Collect garden tools, garbage bags, gloves, and recycling containers. Walk with children around the parish grounds and list jobs that need to be done. Together, make a work schedule and begin to complete the tasks. God’s Creation IF TIME ALLOWS Saint Augustine described the Trinity in the context of relationship, combining the identity of the Trinity as “one” with the distinction of Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He also explained the whole of Christian life as a communion with each of the divine Persons. IDEAS TO SHARE: Saint Augustine and the Trinity EXPLORE Creation Is the Work of the Trinity There is only one God, yet he reveals himself as Three distinct Persons: God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is known as the Trinity. Everything that exists is the work of the Trinity. The Mystery of the Trinity— God revealing himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is the central mystery of our faith. Though inseparable, each Person of the Trinity has a special mission: • The Father created the world. He made us and everything in the universe. • God’s Son, Jesus, became man in order to save us. • The Holy Spirit gives us grace to believe. The Spirit helps us understand that God is our loving Father and Creator, and that Jesus is the Son of God and our brother. Prayers Honoring the Trinity One way we show our belief in the Trinity is by praying the Sign of the Cross, which gives praise to the Three Persons of the Trinity. Another way is to pray the Glory Be to the Father. A prayer of praise to the Trinity is called a doxology. At Mass, the Eucharistic Prayer ends with a doxology of praise and adoration of the Trinity. At Mass, our sung expression of praise to the Trinity is the Gloria. With it we proclaim our belief in the Three Persons of the Trinity. The Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 19th-century colored woodcut Link to Liturgy SESSION 1 • God Creates Us 7 UNIT 1 • Session 1 7 EXPLORE 001-012_TE_G5U1S1.indd ~ pg 7 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/30/19 3:18 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ Begin Ask children to imagine the world without their favorite things. Say: Imagine a world that was only a mass of darkness, wind, and water. This is how the Bible describes the world as God started the work of creation. Invite children to close their eyes and think about this idea for a few moments. Connect Invite a volunteer to read aloud the first two paragraphs. Show children the Book of Genesis in the Bible and remind them that this is the first book in the Bible. Invite a volunteer to read aloud the final two paragraphs. Ask: What are some examples of things that God created at this time? (light, sky, land, life) Read aloud the remaining paragraph. Discuss God’s unlimited love for us and the value he places on his creation. Remind children that God has a plan for the world and everyone in it. Close Direct children’s attention to the feature at the bottom of page 6. Reading God’s Word Say: The word Genesis means “beginning” in Greek, and the word abyss means “a vast, bottomless ocean.” Read aloud the Scripture verse. Say: Through faith, we can look at the order and beauty in the world and understand that God creates it all. 1 2 3 Activity BLM: God’s Creation Have children complete Activity BLM 1 to make a bookmark that reminds them of God’s love for his creation. ACCESS a classroom activity about creation. IF TIME ALLOWS EXPLORE God Created the World The Bible tells the story of how God reveals himself to us beginning with the creation of the earth from what was disorder and chaos. This story of creation is in the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The beginning of Genesis tells how, out of love and without any help, God freely created the universe and all things in it to reveal and share his glory. We, too, experience the wonder and beauty of God’s creation when we take time to truly look at the world. By thinking about the world and its beauty and order, we can come to recognize God’s loving presence and his plan for us to be happy and to praise him. We can come to know God in two ways—from outsid and from inside. We can see God’s work in the visible world around us, and we ca also look inside ourselves and realize that we are incomplete without God and that we are part of God’s plan. In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth . . . the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters. Genesis 1:1–2 Reading God’s Word 6 UNIT 1 • God, Our Creator and Father If appropriate and feasible, have children scan the code on page 6. 6 www.findinggod.com EXPLORE 001-012_TE_G5U1S1.indd ~ pg 6 ~ LoyolaPress. 5/30/19 3:18 PM PDF Signoff: Production _______ Design _______ Editorial _______ The Exploring Faith Through Art easel and catechist instructions, now located at point of use, enliven and enrich your program. Scripting and potential answers are included on every page! Sacred Scripture-focused blackline masters provide opportunities to engage with God’s Word. FINDING GOD • GRADES 1–6 SAMPLE

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