Christ Our Life PARISH EDITION Catechist’s Guide ® God Guides Us GRADE 4 SAMPLE
www.christourlife.com 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 VTL 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Imprimatur In accordance with c. 827, permission to publish is granted on October 17, 2022, by Most Reverend Robert G. Casey, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Permission to publish is an official declaration of ecclesiastical authority that the material is free from doctrinal and moral error. No legal responsibility is assumed by the grant of this permission. In Conformity The Subcommittee on the Catechism, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has found the doctrinal content of this manual, copyright 2024, to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Acknowledgments Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition, copyright © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The English translation of The Order of Penance © 2019 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal. Copyright © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation Inc. (ICEL). All rights reserved. Excerpt from the Directory for Catechesis. Copyright ©2020 Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City State. All rights reserved. The prayers Sign of the Cross/Signum Crucis, Glory Be to the Father/ Gloria Patri, Lord’s Prayer/Pater Noster, Hail Mary/Ave Maria, Act of Hope, Act of Faith, Act of Love, and the Hail, Holy Queen come from the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. English translation copyright © 2006, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. All rights reserved. Exclusive licensee in the United States is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The prayers Grace Before Meals, Grace After Meals, Prayer to the Holy Spirit, Prayer to St. Michael, and Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel come from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. Copyright © 2006, U.S. Conference Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. The Prayer for Vocations is copyright © Loyola Press. “God’s Grandeur” by Gerard Manley Hopkins is in the public domain. Loyola Press has made every effort to locate the copyright holders for the cited works used in this publication and to make full acknowledgment for their use. In the case of any omissions, the publisher will be pleased to make suitable acknowledgments in future editions. Cover and interior design: Loyola Press Cover illustration: Chiara Fedele 978-0-8294-5297-6 Copyright © 2024 Loyola Press All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Manufactured in China Art Credits i Chiara Fedele. iv (t) Vivian Imbruglia/Iconographer; (b) kookookoo/ iStock/Getty Images. vi ajt/iStock/Getty Images. OV-3 (t) Davyd Volkov/iStock/Getty Images; (b) FatCamera/iStock/Getty Images; SDI Productions/E+/Getty Images. OV-8 monkeybusinessimages/ iStock/Getty Images. OV-10 (t) AzLa/Shutterstock.com; (b) jhuting/iStock/Getty Images. OV-12 JGI/Jamie Grill/Tetra images/ Getty Images. OV-14 Capelle.r/Moment/Getty Images. OV-15 (t) Johner Images/Johner RF/Getty Images; (b) Warling Studios. OV-16 Nongkran_ch/iStock/Getty Images. OV-18 mxtama/iStock/ Getty Images. OV-21 colematt/iStock/Getty Images. OV-23 Cultura Creative RF/Alamy Stock Photo. OV-30 Anna Khomenko/iStock/ Getty Images. OV-33 and2DesignInc/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images. OV-36 (left to right, top to bottom) Loyola Press; bubaone/ DigitalVision/Getty Images; Loyola Press; Shams Suleymanova/ iStock/Getty Images; bortonia/DigitalVision/Getty Images; appleuzr/DigitalVision/Getty Images; bortonia/DigitalVision/ Getty Images; TotemArt/Shutterstock.com; Nadiinko/iStock/Getty Images. OV-37 elenabsl/Shutterstock.com. OV-39 Warling Studios. OV-40 adriaticfoto/Shutterstock.com. OV-41 FatCamera/E+/Getty Images. OV-42 Warling Studios. OV-43 (t) Phil Martin Photography; (b) Loyola Press. OV-44 Ariel Skelley/DigitalVision/Getty Images. OV-45 amtitus/DigitalVision/Getty Images. Continued on page T375. SAMPLE
v Contents Digital Resources Easily access the robust digital resources included with Christ Our Life by visiting digitallibrary.loyolapress.com. Contact your administrator for your login credentials. We Come to Know God T1 Chapter 1 God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son. . . . . . . . T2 Chapter 2 God Speaks to Us in Scripture. . .T12 Chapter 3 God Speaks to Us Through the Church. . . . . . . . . .T22 Chapter 4 God Offers Us Eternal Life. . . . T32 UNIT 1 God Strengthens Us to Be Holy T41 Chapter 5 We Are Called to Follow Jesus. . .T42 Chapter 6 Jesus Invites Us to Receive God’s Mercy. . . . . . . . . T52 Chapter 7 We Worship God. . . . . . . .T62 Chapter 8 God Gave Us Laws for Living. . . T72 Chapter 9 We Honor Mary . . . . . . . .T82 We Love God T93 Chapter 10 We Show Our Love for God. . . T94 Chapter 11 We Love All That Is Holy. . . . T104 Chapter 12 We Keep the Lord’s Day Holy. . .T114 Chapter 13 We Grow in Holiness. . . . . . T124 We Love God’s People T135 Chapter 14 We Honor and Obey . . . . . .T136 Chapter 15 We Respect the Gift of Life. . . T148 Chapter 16 We Are Faithful to Ourselves and Others. . . . . . . . . T158 Chapter 17 We Respect What God Has GivenUs. . . . . . . . . .T168 Chapter 18 We Respect the Gifts of the Earth. . . . . . . . . .T178 Chapter 19 We Speak the Truth with Love. . T188 Chapter 20 We Live God’s Laws . . . . . .T198 UNIT 2 UNIT 3 UNIT 4 Program Overview . . . . . . . OV-1 Welcome OV-1 Program Overview OV-2 Spiral Curriculum OV-23 Scope and Sequence OV-24 Media at a Glance OV-30 The Catechist’s Handbook . . . OV-31 The Vocation of a Catechist OV-31 The Role of the Catechist OV-32 Knowledge and Skills of a Catechist OV-34 Inclusion: Diverse Learners OV-39 Multicultural Awareness OV-44 Profile of a Fourth Grader OV-45 SAMPLE
vi What Catholics Should Know T315 Prayer and How We Pray T317 Prayers We Pray T319 The Rosary T323 Stations of the Cross T326 The Seven Sacraments T327 The Order of Mass T329 Living Our Faith T331 The Ten Commandments T331 Making Good Choices T332 Showing Our Love for the World T336 The Bible and You T338 Student Book Cover Prayers T339 Saints and Feast Days T341 September T342 October T344 November T346 December T347 January T348 February T349 March T350 April T352 May T353 June T354 July T355 August T356 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . T357 Index..............T367 Scripture Index . . . . . . . . . . T373 Jesus Leads Us to Happiness T207 Chapter 21 God’s People Put Their Trust in Him. . . . . . . . T208 Chapter 22 God’s People Act with Compassion and Humility . . . .T220 Chapter 23 God’s People Long to Be Clean of Heart and Holy. . . . T230 Chapter 24 God’s People Bring Mercy and Peace to Others. . . . . .T240 Chapter 25 God’s People Are Blessed. . . .T250 Special Seasons and Lessons T261 The Year in Our Church T263 1 Feast of All Saints T264 2 Advent T269 3 Christmas T275 4 Lent T280 5 Holy Week T287 6 Easter T293 7 Pentecost T298 8 The Holy Guardian Angels T303 9 Reconciliation Service T307 10 Queen of Heaven T311 UNIT 5 SAMPLE
UNIT 1 Media in This Unit When preparing to teach the unit, determine how you will use the media. Media that enhances each chapter can be accessed by scanning the QR codes found on the student pages. All media resources are available to you through the LP Digital Library (digitallibrary.loyolapress.com). Contact your administrator for your login credentials. We Come to Know God Goals • Children will identify ways God is revealed in creation, in Sacred Scripture, in the Church, and most perfectly in his Son, Jesus. • Children will explain the role church leaders and all church members have in spreading the Gospel through prayer, work, and witness. 1 God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son To help us believe in him and thus attain eternal life, God reveals himself to us in natural and supernatural ways. In this chapter children learn that God is revealed in creation, in his words and deeds, and most perfectly in his Son. Not only does God speak through Jesus, but Jesus is God, speaking and acting. Children learn that the Apostles came to know Jesus and, through him, the Father. They are introduced to the gift of faith and Jesus’ ways of strengthening that faith. They are led to appreciate the greatness of God and goodness of his creation and to respond to God’s call to faith with a sincere desire to learn more about him. 2 God Speaks to Us in Scripture The Bible, or Sacred Scripture, is the written Word of God. In this chapter children learn more about Scripture and discover that God’s love is the Bible’s most important message. They are encouraged to grow in love and respect for the Word of God when it is proclaimed or read. 3 God Speaks to Us Through the Church God continues to speak to us through others, in particular those who form the community of the Church. In this chapter children learn more about the structure and work of the Church, particularly the position of its leaders. They discover that the authority Jesus gave to the Apostles is passed on to successive bishops and popes of the Church. Children are encouraged to show their appreciation and love for church leaders by praying for them. They are also taught to use their own talents to help spread the Good News through prayer, work, and Christian witness. 4 God Offers Us Eternal Life God calls us to believe and trust in him in order to enjoy eternal life with him in heaven. In this chapter children are led to reflect on the great treasure that awaits them if they respond to God’s call and live in his friendship. They review the key concepts of this unit and celebrate their faith. T1 SAMPLE
CHAPTER 1 Faith Focus God reveals himself in many ways but most especially through his Son, Jesus. Listening For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. John 3:16 Reflecting So that we may believe and attain eternal life, God reveals himself to us in two basic ways: natural and supernatural. In natural revelation, God makes himself known through the world of creation; in supernatural revelation, God communicates by divine speech, as he did through the prophets in the Old Testament and through his Son in the New Testament. As an artist’s personality is reflected in his or her work, so God reveals himself in his wondrous creation: Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. Romans 1:20 Reflecting on the Faith Experience Take a few moments to reflect prayerfully before preparing the lesson. Responding O God, fill the children whom I catechize with a strong desire to know you. Scripture for Further Reflection Matthew 11:27 Jesus is the fullness of God’s Revelation about himself. To know Jesus is to know God. John 1:16–18 God has given us himself by sending Jesus, his Incarnate Word. Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ, viewing creation with the eye of a poet and the heart of a mystic, exclaimed: The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; from “God’s Grandeur” In supernatural communication, God speaks through others. The prophets, for example, were seers chosen by God to bring his revelation to us. In the person of Christ, however, it is not merely God speaking through someone but God himself speaking to all of humanity. What response does the reality of God’s existence call forth from me? God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son T2 Unit 1 We Come to Know God SAMPLE
Preparing for the Faith Experience Church Documents Catechism of the Catholic Church. The themes in this chapter correspond to the following paragraphs: 65, 151–152, 293–294, 457–458. Directory for Catechesis #14. God’s divine plan is first of all a plan of loving goodness. God first loves us and calls us to respond. Our response to him becomes a sign of love for others. Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation #3 and 4. Everything God has created provides evidence of his nature. Jesus’ words and works, but especially his Death and Resurrection, are the best revelation of God’s love for us and his plan for us to have eternal life with him. Media in This Chapter Determine in advance if you will have children experience the media during class or at home. This media can be accessed by scanning the QR code with a web-enabled smartphone or tablet. Families in Mission Send home the Families in Mission pages after teaching the chapter so that families can further explore the teaching, grow in faith, and be inspired to go forth as missionary disciples. Enriching the Faith Experience Use the activities at the end of the chapter to enrich a lesson or to replace an activity with one that better meets the needs of your class. Scripture in This Chapter John 17:20–21 Jesus’ prayer for unity and faith without seeing I John 3:1 God’s love makes it possible to be called his children. Psalm 104:1–2 Praise of God the Creator for his greatness John 3:16 God so loved the world, he gave his only Son. John 14:8–11 Jesus’ response to Philip’s question about the Father John 20:24–29 Jesus’ appearance to the Apostle Thomas Mark 16:15 Jesus calls the Apostles to witness for him. Catholic Social Teaching The Poor and Vulnerable Before You Begin 1. Determine whether the media will be experienced during class or at home. 2. Download from the LP Digital Library Reproducible 1a, Pre-Test God Guides Us and Reproducible 1b, Chapter 1 Quiz. 3. By leading children through an appreciation of the things they can enjoy because of their natural human life, this lesson helps them understand the greatness of the eternal life that God offers them. They learn that Jesus won this life for them through his Death and Resurrection and that God gives a share in eternal life to those who believe in his Son. 4. Our good God reveals himself to us so that we can come to know and love him. In this lesson children learn that God helps us know him through his words and deeds. They consider the works of creation and realize that from them they can learn something about God. Children hear that God reveals himself perfectly in his Son, Jesus. 5. To believe is to trust another and accept what he or she tells us because we are sure of his or her love and knowledge. Christian faith believes in God and trusts in his goodness, love, and knowledge. It accepts all that God teaches through his Son, Jesus, and his Church. Christian faith is a gift received from God in Baptism. 6. You may wish to administer Reproducible 1a as a pre-test. Use the test to assess children’s familiarity with faith concepts being covered this year. You then can use the results to plan your lessons for the year. Save the tests. At the end of the year, give the test again as a post-test. Lead children to see how much they have learned. Name Score REPRODUCIBLE Christ Our Life® All Rights Reserved Christ Our Life® Reproducibles w3157 www.christourlife.com GRADE 4 Chapter 1 Page 1 of 3 Write on the line the letter of the term that best matches the description. D 1. A way that God reveals himself without words pp. 4, 8 G 2. Our faith grows when we celebrate them p. 7 F 3. Why we believe without seeing p. 6 C 4. e written Word of God p. 11 I 5. ose who teach and govern the Church p. 19 B 6. A prayer that Jesus taught us p. 39 J 7. e gi from God that helps us choose what is good and avoid sin p. 48 A 8. e priest’s words of forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation p. 50 H 9. God’s laws that show us how to love God and others p. 65 E 10. Ways Jesus taught us to have true happiness and live in God’s kingdom pp. 175, 180 Write T on the line if the sentence is true or F if it is false. F 11. e Fourth Commandment is only about obeying parents, not leaders and others in authoirty. p. 119 T 12. God the Father reveals himself most perfectly through Jesus. p. 5 T 13. Everyone in the Church is called to spread the Good News. p. 19 T 14. e Church is always guided by the Holy Spirit. p. 19 F 15. Our highest form of worship is the Lord’s Prayer. p. 53 T 16. e Trinity is the mystery of one God in ree Persons. p. 3 T 17. e First Commandment tells us to love God above all else. p. 82 T 18. We honor God when we honor the saints and all things holy. p. 84 F 19. Catholics no longer have to celebrate the Eucharist on holy days. pp. 98, 102 T 20. One way we obey God is to obey our parents. p. 117 Pre-test/Post-test A. absolution B. Lord’s Prayer C. Scripture D. creation E. Beatitudes F. faith G. sacraments H. commandments I. bishops J. conscience 1a God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son Chapter 1 T3 Inclusion Scan the QR code for Inclusion articles or access them from the LP Digital Library. SAMPLE
Get-Ready Guide Families IN MISSION Remind children to take home pages 9–10 to share what they are learning with their families. Steps Learning Outcomes Children will be able to Action Plan Materials Centering 5–10 minutes • introduce and describe themselves. • Welcome children and introduce yourself. • Have children introduce themselves. Sharing 30–45 minutes Pages 1–7 • name the Three Persons in the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. • describe how creation shows the presence of God. • identify Baptism as the moment they received a share in God’s life. • recognize that Jesus reveals God the Father to us. • identify faith as a gift from God. • describe ways we come to know about God today. • define the Words to Know. incarnation faith See the Glossary for definitions. PAGES 1–2 • Present books. • Discuss the pictures and how they connect to Unit title and Scripture verse. • OPTION Direct children to the multimedia. PAGE 3 • Read and discuss God Calls Us to Be His Friends. PAGE 4 • Read and discuss God Reveals Himself in Creation. • Complete the Share God’s Creation with Others activity. PAGE 5 • Read and discuss Jesus Reveals the Father’s Love. • Explain how people came to know Jesus. (T8) • OPTION Direct children to the multimedia. • OPTION Discuss Philip and Jesus’ conversation at the Last Supper PAGE 6 • Read and discuss Jesus Invites Us to Believe. • Discuss eternal life and the gift of faith. (T9) • Pray A Moment with Jesus. PAGE 7 • Complete Knowing Jesus in Our Homes and How We Come to Know Jesus Today activities. Bible bookmarked to John 17: 20–21 OPTION Device with internet access Student book for each child Drawing of a picture frame on the board with the title My Favorite Things OPTION Background music Acting 5–10 minutes Page 8 • summarize lesson concepts and relate them to their lives. • pray the Act of Faith. PAGE 8 • OPTION Administer the Pre-test. • Create Act of Faith poster. (T10) • Complete the review activities. (T10) • OPTION Administer the Chapter 1 Quiz. • OPTION Direct children to the multimedia. construction paper OPTION Reproducible 1a OPTION Reproducible 1b, Quiz T4 Unit 1 We Come to Know God SAMPLE
UNIT 1 See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. 1 John 3:1 We Come to Know God 1 Centering 1. Greet children as they enter and introduce yourself. • Stand close to the entrance into your class space. Warmly welcome each child and ask his or her name. • Call the group to attention and share some personal faith-related facts. 2. Have children introduce themselves to one another. Sharing 1. Conduct a ceremony during which you distribute the student books to children. • Show children the student books and read the title. Read aloud the Scripture passage on page 1. Invite children to read aloud with you a second time. • Emphasize to children that we are children of God, and God has given us many gifts, but the greatest is to be his children. • As you give each child his or her book, say a prayer such as “[Name], may you and Jesus become better friends this year.” The child may respond, “Amen.” 2. Have children look through the books and comment on them. Remind them to treat the books with reverence. 3. Invite children to open their books to page 1. Read aloud the unit title, We Come to Know God. • Have children look at the scenes shown on the page. • How can we see the presence of God in each scene? (The images show God’s presence in others, the Church, and in creation.) • Explain that in this unit we will learn the ways God reveals himself to us and how we respond. 4. Direct children to the Scripture passage at the bottom of the page. Explain that these words are from the Bible. • Read aloud the Scripture passage on page 1. Invite children to read aloud with you a second time. • Emphasize to children that we are children of God, and God has given us many gifts, but the greatest is to be his children. 5. OPTION Direct children to the QR code at the bottom of page 1. Explain that you will be inviting them to access media behind the code whether it be in class via computer or tablet or at home via smartphone, computer, or tablet. A Letter Home At the beginning of the unit, have children tear out page 2 and bring it home or send the entire Student Book home. Ask children to read this letter with their parents and use the QR code found on the page to experience and discuss the media before your next class meeting. A Letter Home LOOKING AHEAD Scan the QR code with a web-enabled device to view a video on the life and charism of Saint Catherine of Siena together as a family. You will learn more about this 13th-century saint in the Families in Mission pages for Chapter 4. Dear Parents and Family, Welcome! You have an exciting role ahead. Your interest, participation, and discussion will expand your fourth grader’s understanding of these lessons and convey their importance. In Unit 1, children will explore the many ways God reaches out to us. They first learn how God reveals himself in creation and Scripture. His greatest revelation is his Son, Jesus. Children will learn to see God’s hand in creation and to respond to his call with a real desire to learn more about him. You can help them identify God’s handiwork in the world around them. Next, children learn a key message of the Bible—God loves us and wants us to know and love him. A better understanding of Scripture will help them develop a devotion to the Word of God. In Chapter 3, children see that God continues to reach out to us through the Church. They will understand that the authority that Jesus gave to the Apostles is the same authority handed down to the pope and bishops today. Children are encouraged to show their appreciation for church leaders as well as to use their own talents to help spread the Good News of Jesus’ saving sacrifice through prayer and their own example at home, at school, and in the community. In Chapter 4, children consider the purpose for which we are all created: eternal life with God. They will learn more about the joy of heaven and Jesus’ promise that all those who live and die in God’s friendship will have everlasting joy and union with God. At the conclusion of each chapter of this unit, children revisit essential chapter content, complete a Your Turn activity, and undertake an interactive chapter review. Children will bring home the Families in Mission pages so that you can further explore the chapter content, grow in your faith, and be inspired to go forth as a family of missionary disciples. The last chapter of each unit is a unit review. There you will find a QR code to scan to play the Stump the Shepherd unit review game. 2 Unit 1 Christ Our Life® God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son Chapter 1 T5 SAMPLE
CHAPTER 1 God Calls Us to Be His Friends “Ethan, over here,” Mateo called excitedly as Ethan walked into the classroom the day after vacation. “Wait till you hear what I did this summer!” Ethan couldn’t wait to hear what his friend had to tell him, and he had some things to tell Mateo too. In a similar way, God calls to us so he can tell us about wonderful things. He calls to us through Scripture and his creation, the Church and our families. God loves us so much that he chose to tell us about himself. He reveals things we could never know otherwise. God reveals himself as one God in three divine Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We call this the Trinity. God the Father wants us to come to know him better so that we can participate in his divine life. You will come to know the Three Persons of the Trinity in many ways, but especially through Jesus. Jesus calls us to live in his friendship. We are made to be with God. It is in him that we find the everlasting happiness for which he created us. God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son 3 God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son Chapter 1 6. Invite a volunteer to read aloud the first two paragraphs of God Call Us to Be His Friends on page 3. • What might Mateo have wanted to tell Ethan? (where he had gone; what he had seen) Why was Mateo eager to tell his friend about these things? (because he wanted to share his excitement) • Ask children to name other things that they like to tell their friends. • Explain that God calls us to be his friends. God wants to share wonderful things with us. He calls to us through Scripture, creation, the Church, our families, and most of all in his Son, Jesus. 7. Call on a volunteer to read the fourth paragraph. • Ask children if they can think of any words that begin with the prefix tri-. (tricycle, triangle, triplet) • What does the prefix tri- mean? (“three”) • Draw children’s attention to the word Trinity in their books. Explain that just as tri- means “three” in the words mentioned, it means the same thing in the word Trinity. • Trinity refers to the Three Persons in one God. Who are these Three Persons? (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) • What prayers do we pray that address all Three Persons? (the Sign of the Cross, the Glory Be to the Father) 8. Read aloud the last paragraph on page 3. • What does Jesus call us to? (to be his friends) • We are made to be with God. Why? (we find everlasting happiness with him) 9. Have the class look at the picture of Jesus and children on page 3 and discuss. • Imagine that Jesus and the children are talking about the things we talked about today. • What might Jesus be telling the children about himself so they could know him better? • What might the children be telling Jesus about themselves so they could get closer to him? 10. Invite children to share something they know about Jesus. (He is God’s Son; he loves us; he died on the Cross to save us; he taught and healed people while on earth; he had friends and followers; he gave us the Church and sacraments.) 11. Ask a volunteer to draw some of his or her favorite things inside the large frame on the board. • What do you learn about [Name] from the drawings? • Point out that the things people like tell us something about them. T6 Unit 1 We Come to Know God SAMPLE
God Reveals Himself in Creation Share God’s Creation with Others In the tablet, write a text describing a place you like to visit outdoors. What does your description of this place tell you about God? We have not seen God. How can we know him? We can know him by the many ways he reveals himself to us. All the things God has created tell us something about him. They tell us that God is great and good and loving! God created everything for us to use and to take care of. How good God is! Bless the L , my soul! L , my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and splendor, robed in light as with a cloak. You spread out the heavens like a tent; Psalm 104:1-2 4 Unit 1 We Come to Know God 12. Have children silently read God Reveals Himself in Creation on page 4. • Divide the class into two groups. • Ask the first group to reverently pray together the first stanza of Psalm 104 and the other group the second stanza. 13. Instruct children to complete the activity Share God’s Creation with Others on page 4. • Ask children to pretend they are messaging one of their friends. • Have children explain what their description says about God. (“Trees are big like God’s power.”; “The grass is colorful and fresh like God’s love.”; “The sounds make me feel happy, as if hearing God’s voice.”) • Invite volunteers to share their descriptions and what they tell them about God. • How can we come to know God when we have not seen him? (through what God has created) • Why did God create everything? (to make known his goodness and glory; for us to use and enjoy) • People can help us know God. Think of a parent and a child. What does a parent, grandparent, or anyone else who cares for a child tell us about God? (God is loving.) • Look at the picture of the caterpillar on page 4. What does the caterpillar make you think of God’s creation? (God’s creation can be delicate.) You know that a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. What does that tell you of God’s creation? (God’s creation can be beautiful; it can change before our eyes; it has life.) 14. Have children circle three words on page 4 that tell what God’s creation reveals about him. (great, good, and loving) God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son Chapter 1 T7 SAMPLE
Jesus Reveals the Father’s Love Jesus is God. He reveals how much God the Father loves us. Jesus’ words and deeds tell us how great and good God is. He shows us his Father’s wisdom, forgiveness, and love for the poor. He wants us to show loving concern and care for those who are poor too. Word to Know Incarnation The Son of God becoming man in order to save us The Bible records how God has made himself known since the time of creation. He has revealed himself through the words he has spoken and in the loving deeds he has done for his people. God the Father reveals himself perfectly through his Son, Jesus. Over two thousand years ago, the Son of God became incarnate of the Virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. In assuming a human nature, Jesus did not lose his divine nature. Jesus is both true God and true man. This great mystery of the Son of God becoming man is called the Incarnation. Why did God become man? The Bible tells us: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. John 3:16 Jesus wanted his Apostles to understand his unique relationship to God the Father. At the Last Supper, Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us!” Jesus answered, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus continued by telling Philip, “The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.” Finally, Jesus urges Philip, “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.” (John 14:8–11) 5 God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son Chapter 1 15. Have volunteers read aloud the first two paragraphs of Jesus Reveals the Father’s Love on page 5. • How does God reveal himself perfectly? (through Jesus) • What are some things Jesus reveals about God our Father? (things we might not learn in any other way; how good and great God is; God’s kindness, forgiveness, and love for people who are poor) • What are some of the things you have come to know about God? (God is the Creator of heaven and earth; God is love; God is good because he sent his Son to save us; God forgives us.) • In the first paragraph, underline three ways that God reveals himself to us. (in the words, in the deeds, through Jesus) Now circle how God is revealed perfectly. (through his Son, Jesus) Word to Know Invite a volunteer to read aloud the definition of Incarnation from the Word to Know feature on page 5. Children can further explore the meaning of the word in the Glossary. • Why did God become man? (so that we might have eternal life) • We already have this life that will last forever. We receive it in Baptism. This life is a share in God’s own life. We can’t see now what it will be like one day. It is in us in much the same way as a tiny seed is in the ground. [On the board draw a seed in the ground.] Can you see what this seed is going to become someday? (no) It doesn’t look like anything wonderful yet. What might it become? (a beautiful flower, a tree) • [Draw a tree next to the seed.] Does the tree look like the seed from which it began? (no) Yet the same life that was in the seed is in the tree. The seed developed into what it had the power to become—a tree. • Our sharing in God’s life is something like this. We have • God’s life now, but not in the full way we will in heaven. 16. Explain how people in Jesus’ time came to know him. • The Apostles and other people who lived in the time of Jesus came to know God our Father through Jesus. They met Jesus. They saw what he did and heard him speak. The Apostles lived with Jesus day after day for three years. They heard Jesus speak about his Father’s love and care. • Jesus once told a story about the prodigal son who ran away from home but who was lovingly forgiven by his father when he returned. In this story, Jesus was telling us how much God our Father loves us. Another time Jesus spoke about how our heavenly Father takes care of the birds and the flowers. What was Jesus telling us? (how God takes care of us) • People saw Jesus cure sick people, raise others from the dead, and bring sinners back to God. What other wonderful things did Jesus do? • One great thing that Jesus did tells us more than all the rest about how much God loves us. Do you know what it was? (Jesus died for us.) Jesus’ Death reveals God’s saving love in a very special way. What do we have because Jesus died and rose? (eternal life) T8 Unit 1 We Come to Know God SAMPLE
Jesus Invites Us to Believe Our faith becomes stronger when we celebrate the sacraments, when we listen to God’s Word and study the Church’s teachings, and when we follow God’s will. Word to Know faith The Theological Virtue that makes it possible for us to believe in God and all he has made known A Moment with Jesus Think about the place you described earlier in the chapter. Invite Jesus to join you in that special place. Thank him for his awesome gifts of creation. Ask him to help you deepen your faith. Tell him how much you love him and enjoy knowing how much he loves you. We read in the Gospel of John that on the first Easter evening, when Jesus came to the Apostles, Thomas was not with them. Thomas did not believe the Apostles when they told him that Jesus was risen from the dead. Thomas said, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later Jesus came to the Apostles again, and Thomas was with them. Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” John 20:29 We believe without seeing because we have faith. Faith is a precious gift from God that makes it possible for us to believe in him and all he has revealed in words and deeds. We need the Holy Spirit to help us believe. Because we are made in God’s image, we are free to believe. Our faith is both a gift and a choice. When we were baptized, God gave us the gift of faith and a share in his own life. We must have faith to be saved and to enjoy eternal life with God. Through his Church, Jesus helps our faith to deepen. Unit 1 We Come to Know God 6 17. OPTION Have children scan the QR code on page 5 using a handheld, web-enabled device to experience the media. 18. Have a volunteer read aloud the third paragraph on page 5. 19. OPTION Discuss the conversation Jesus and Philip had during the Last Supper. • Who was it that Philip wanted to see? (the Father) • How did Jesus show that he was disappointed with Philip? (“Have I been with you for so long a time, and you still do not know me?”) • What didn’t Philip understand? (that to see Jesus was to see God our Father) • What did Jesus say about the words he speaks? (“I do not speak on my own.”) Whose words did Jesus speak? (God the Father’s) • What did Jesus say about his works? (“The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.”) He and the Father are one. 20. Ask a volunteer read aloud the last paragraph on page 5. Note that all of us are called to reveal the love of God the Father by showing care and concern for those who are in need. The Poor and Vulnerable 21. Have children read silently the first four paragraph in Jesus Invites Us to Believe on page 6. • Why wouldn’t Thomas believe the other Apostles when they told him that Jesus was risen? (He didn’t see Jesus himself.) • Why do you think that Jesus invited Thomas to put his hand into Jesus’ side? (He wanted Thomas to believe.) • What was Thomas’s prayer when he saw Jesus and believed? (“My Lord and my God!”) • What did he tell Jesus through this prayer? (He believed Jesus is God.) • Whom did Jesus call blessed? (those who believe in him and the Father without seeing) • Underline this statement in your books. Jesus wants us to believe in him without seeing him. He wants us to have faith in him because he loves us. Word to Know Invite a volunteer to read aloud the definition of faith from the Word to Know feature. Children can further explore the meaning of the word in the Glossary. 22. Read aloud paragraphs five and six on page 6. 23. Discuss ways to grow in faith. • How have you grown in faith, in believing in God, since you were baptized? • Our faith becomes stronger when we celebrate the sacraments. Which sacraments can we celebrate often? (Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, Eucharist) • We grow in faith when we listen to Jesus and do what he wants. What does Jesus want us to do? (to love God with our whole hearts, to love one another as he has loved us) 24. Have children silently read the last paragraph on page 6 as a summary of ways to grow in faith. A Moment with Jesus 25. Lead children in prayer by reflecting on A Moment with Jesus on page 6. • Invite children to sit quietly and close their eyes. God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son Chapter 1 T9 SAMPLE
REVIEW CHAPTER 1 Words to Know Incarnation pp. 5, 261 faith pp. 6, 260 Fill in the puzzle with the missing words. 1. Faith leads us to eternal l . 2. In Baptism we s God’s life. 3. Faith is the ability to b in God. 4. Faith is a g from God. 5. The H Spirit helps us to have faith. We Remember How does God reveal himself? God reveals himself through creation, Scripture, and perfectly through his Son, Jesus. How can we help God’s gift of faith to grow? We can help our faith to grow by praying, celebrating the sacraments, listening to God’s Word, studying the Church’s teachings, following God’s will, and keeping his commandments. We Respond Act of Faith O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen. L I F E S H A R E B E L I E V E G I F T H O L Y 1 2 3 4 5 Your Turn God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son 8 Chapter 1 Chapter Review Think of what you do at home with your family that helps you come to know Jesus, such as reading the Bible, praying, or helping someone. In the house, draw yourself and your family doing that activity. How We Come to Know Jesus Today Draw lines to the words that complete the sentences. We are with Jesus when we receive the • We learn about Jesus’ acts when we read • We grow in our knowledge of Jesus by following the leaders of our • We can see traits of Jesus in other • • Scripture. • people. • sacraments. • Church. Knowing Jesus in Our Homes 7 God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son Chapter 1 4. OPTION Distribute and administer Reproducible 1b, Chapter 1 Quiz. Use this opportunity to assess children’s understanding of the main concepts in the chapter. 5. OPTION Have children undertake the interactive chapter review by scanning the QR code on page 8 and send the results to you. Families IN MISSION Remind children to take home pages 9–10 to share what they are learning with their families. CHECKPOINT Were the learning outcomes achieved? Name Score REPRODUCIBLE Christ Our Life® All Rights Reserved Christ Our Life® Reproducibles w3157 www.christourlife.com GRADE 4 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Quiz Write the answer on the line that best completes each sentence. Use the words in the word bank. WORD BANK Incarnation created Jesus faith life Persons loves Baptism 1. God reveals himself in the things he has created . pp. 4, 8 2. e Trinity is the one God in three Divine Persons . p. 3 3. God tells us about himself because he love s us. p. 3 4. We received the gi of faith and a share in God’s life at Baptism . p. 6 5. God is revealed to us most perfectly through his Son, Jesus . p. 5 6. e mystery of the Son of God becoming man is the Incarnation . p. 5 7. e Son of God came so that we could be saved and have eternal life . p. 5 8. A gi that helps us believe in God is faith . p. 6 Write your answer to each question on the lines. 9. What is one way we can know Jesus? p. 7 Possible answers: Scripture, people, sacraments, Church 10. What is one way we can grow in faith? pp. 6, 8 Possible answers: pray, celebrate the sacraments, listen to God’s Word, study the teachings of the Catholic Church, do what God tells us 1b Families IN MISSION A Catholic to Know Invite one family member to read aloud about Saint Joan of Arc. Then discuss how her example can guide our lives. Joan of Arc lived in France during a time of war when the country had no leader to inspire justice. Joan believed Saint Michael and other saints visited her with messages from God telling her to lead the French army. While Joan seemed an unlikely person for the job, she had great faith. She led the French army to victory over the English army in 1429 but was captured and told to deny hearing the voices she believed were sent by God. Joan did not deny the truth. Like Joan of Arc, we are called to show our faith by example even when it is difficult. Witness and Share These sentences describe what Catholics believe. Invite one family member to read aloud the My Way to Faith statements. Ask yourself, “How do I live my Catholic beliefs?” My Way to Faith • I pray and tell Jesus that I want to know him better. • I know God created the world for everyone to use, care for, share justly with others, and enjoy. • I share God’s love when I help those in need. • I participate in the sacraments and my faith is deepened. • I show my belief in the Trinity when I pray the Sign of the Cross. Share Your Faith Think of one way you followed Jesus’ example this week. Write about it on the lines. Take turns sharing your experiences with family members. Discuss how you’ve been inspired by Jesus’ life. Pray that your example inspires others. Saint Joan of Arc 10 Grade 4 Christ Our Life® Families IN MISSION Do these pages at home as a family. CHAPTER 1 Know and Proclaim Read and discuss the introduction and the chart below. We share God’s loving care with all those we come to know. We Know Our Faith We Proclaim Our Faith God is good and loves us. He created everything in the world and wants us to use and take care of it. As Catholics, we show God gratitude for all the wonderful things he has given us. We show gratitude by praying simple prayers of thanks and by treating the gifts God gives us with reverence. God reveals himself perfectly through his Son, Jesus. The Incarnation reveals the Trinity: God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We come to know God the Father better when we follow Jesus’ example. We share God’s love and compassion when we serve those who are poor and others in need. We receive the gift of faith when we are baptized. Jesus gave us his Church and the sacraments to deepen our faith. Catholics gather at Mass to celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist. When we receive Christ’s Body and Blood, we grow closer to him and our faith is nourished. Test Your Catholic Knowledge Fill in the circle that best completes the sentence. Then discuss the correct answer. The Son of God became man to save us. In assuming a human nature, Jesus did not lose his divine nature. This mystery is called the ❍ Resurrection. ❍ Last Supper. ❍ Incarnation. ❍ Ascension. As Catholics, we gather to hear the Word of the Lord and celebrate the sacraments. The Holy Spirit sets our hearts on fire and sends us forth as disciples to live our faith. “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 Continued on next page. Scan the QR code for the answer to the question and to access other Christ Our Life resources for families. 9 Christ Our Life® Grade 4 Acting 1. OPTION Distribute and administer Reproducible 1a, Pre-test God Guides Us. Analyze the tests to assess children’s familiarity with the faith concepts to be covered this year. 2. Direct children to the Act of Faith on the back inside back cover of their books. • Tell them to copy the prayer on colored construction paper and decorate it with symbols of our faith. • Suggest that they put the prayer in their bedrooms as a reminder to pray the Act of Faith frequently. 3. Direct children to the Review activities on page 8. • Lead children through the We Remember, We Respond, and Words to Know sections. • Allow time for children to complete the Your Turn activity. Name Score REPRODUCIBLE Christ Our Life® All Rights Reserved Christ Our Life® Reproducibles w3157 www.christourlife.com GRADE 4 Chapter 1 Page 1 of 3 Write on the line the letter of the term that best matches the description. D 1. A way that God reveals himself without words pp. 4, 8 G 2. Our faith grows when we celebrate them p. 7 F 3. Why we believe without seeing p. 6 C 4. e written Word of God p. 11 I 5. ose who teach and govern the Church p. 19 B 6. A prayer that Jesus taught us p. 39 J 7. e gi from God that helps us choose what is good and avoid sin p. 48 A 8. e priest’s words of forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation p. 50 H 9. God’s laws that show us how to love God and others p. 65 E 10. Ways Jesus taught us to have true happiness and live in God’s kingdom pp. 175, 180 Write T on the line if the sentence is true or F if it is false. F 11. e Fourth Commandment is only about obeying parents, not leaders and others in authoirty. p. 119 T 12. God the Father reveals himself most perfectly through Jesus. p. 5 T 13. Everyone in the Church is called to spread the Good News. p. 19 T 14. e Church is always guided by the Holy Spirit. p. 19 F 15. Our highest form of worship is the Lord’s Prayer. p. 53 T 16. e Trinity is the mystery of one God in ree Persons. p. 3 T 17. e First Commandment tells us to love God above all else. p. 82 T 18. We honor God when we honor the saints and all things holy. p. 84 F 19. Catholics no longer have to celebrate the Eucharist on holy days. pp. 98, 102 T 20. One way we obey God is to obey our parents. p. 117 Pre-test/Post-test A. absolution B. Lord’s Prayer C. Scripture D. creation E. Beatitudes F. faith G. sacraments H. commandments I. bishops J. conscience 1a • Read the reflection slowly and reverently, giving children time with Jesus. • At the end of the prayer, allow a few moments for children to rest in the love of Jesus. Have them slowly open their eyes and then move to the next activity. 26. Direct children to the Knowing Jesus in Our Homes activity at the top of page 7. • In the outline of the house, direct children to draw a picture of themselves and their family members doing something together that helps them know or follow Jesus. • Suggest that partners show their drawings to each other and explain what is happening. 27. Have children complete the activity How We Come to Know Jesus Today at the bottom of page 7. T10 Unit 1 We Come to Know God SAMPLE
Use the following activities to enrich a lesson or to replace an activity with one that better meets the needs of your class. For activities related to the liturgical season, see Special Seasons and Lessons, which begin on page T261. 1. Explore or revisit the multimedia for this chapter in more depth. 2. Plan and arrange a prayer corner in your room. Decide with children where it should be and what would help make it a special place for prayer (table, Bible, candle, flowers). Encourage children to make a prayer space at home. 3. Plan an art gallery named God’s Gifts in Creation. Let each child draw or paint a picture of a favorite part of creation. Hang the pictures on a piece of yarn stretched across the room. Give each child a chance to explain what his or her picture says about God. 4. Have children pair up with a partner. Making life-size outlines of themselves, they should take turns tracing each other on a large piece of paper, such as paper that comes on a large roll. Each child should decorate his or her own body tracing. Then encourage them to write two or three sentences about something God has done for them that makes them happy. They may title their work “I Am Happy” and share their ideas with the class. 5. Take children for a nature walk and pick a comfortable area to take a break. Let each child choose a quiet spot of his or her own. Allow 10 minutes for children to tune in to the sights and sounds around them. Afterward, form a circle and let children present spontaneous acts of praise to God for the things they saw in creation. 6. Plan a Good News Bulletin Board on which children can post articles or pictures of good things happening in creation. 7. Allow children to make a mobile of people and things through which God reveals himself. 8. Pass out cards with names on them of different things that can be found in creation. Let children take turns pantomiming the items on the cards while the others try to guess what each child is pretending to be. 9. We reveal God’s love by showing concern for one another. Have children make get-well cards for children in a community hospital or collect books and games to donate to them. The Poor and Vulnerable Chapter 1 Enriching the Faith Experience God Reveals Himself to Us Through His Son Chapter 1 T11 SAMPLE
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