Christ Our Life We Believe SCHOOL EDITION Teacher’s Guide ® GRADE 3 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. Order of Penance Copyright © 2023 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. Excerpts from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for the United States of America copyright © 1994 United States Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana. All rights reserved. Excerpts from the Directory for Catechesis. Copyright ©2020 Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City State. All rights reserved. The Act of Faith, Hope, and Love is from A Book of Prayers. Copyright © 1982 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL). 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 Contrition, Angelus, and Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina) 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, 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. 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. 978-0-8294-5288-4 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 Cover art: Chiara Fedele i Chiara Fedele. iv(t) Vivian Imbruglia/Iconographer; (b) kookookoo/ iStock/Getty Images. vi ajt/iStock/Getty Images. vii Anni Betts. viii(br) Svetlana Vorotniak/Shutterstock.com; (b) kirstypargeter/ 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 Klaus Vedfelt/Digital Vision/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 T483. 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. God Calls Us to Faith T1 Chapter 1 God Calls Us. . . . . . . . . .T2 Day One God Calls Us By Name T4 Day Two God Called Abram to Believe T8 Day Three God Called Ruth to Believe T11 Day Four God Calls Us T14 Day Five Extending the Chapter T17 Chapter 2 God Gives Us Gifts . . . . . . .T18 Day One God Gives Us Special Gifts T20 Day Two God’s Gifts Are To Be Used T23 Day Three Our Gifts Make Us Who We Are T26 Day Four Our Gifts Join Us to Christ’s Work T29 Day Five Extending the Chapter T31 UNIT 1 Chapter 3 We Are God’s Holy People. . . . T32 Day One God Calls Us to Be Holy T34 Day Two The Church Helps Us Respond to God T37 Day Three Saints Show Us How to Be Holy T40 Day Four We Answer God’s Call T43 Day Five Extending the Chapter T45 Chapter 4 God Called Mary. . . . . . . .T46 Day One Mary Helps Us Answer God’s Call T48 Day Two Mary Calls Us to Pray the Rosary T51 Day Three We Learn the Joyful Mysteries T54 Day Four We Honor Mary, Our Mother T56 Day Five Extending the Chapter T59 Chapter 5 Jesus Calls Us to Follow. . . . .T60 Day One Jesus Called Apostles and Disciples T62 Day Two Jesus Called Saul to Serve Him T64 Day Three Chapter and Unit Review T67 Day Four Unit 1 Test and Celebration T70 Day Five Extending the Chapter T71 God Is Great and Good T73 Chapter 6 We Believe in God . . . . . . .T74 Day One We Profess Our Faith in the Creed T76 Day Two God Is Good T80 Day Three God Kept His Promise T82 Day Four God Keeps Promises to Us T85 Day Five Extending the Chapter T90 Chapter 7 God Is Powerful and Loving. . . .T92 Day One God Saves Us with His Power T94 Day Two God Shows Love for Us T96 Day Three God Makes a Covenant of Love T98 Day Four We Thank God T101 Day Five Extending the Chapter T103 UNIT 2 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 Third Grader OV-45 SAMPLE
vi Chapter 13 Jesus Came to Give Life. . . . T182 Day One Jesus Cured the Man with Leprosy T184 Day Two Jesus Brought Life to the Widow’s Son T186 Day Three Jesus Brought Healing to Many T189 Day Four We Call People to Life by Our Love T191 Day Five Extending the Chapter T193 Chapter 14 God’s Kingdom Is a Kingdom of Love. . . . . . . T194 Day One Jesus Taught About the Kingdom T196 Day Two Chapter 14 Review T199 Day Three Unit 3 Review T201 Day Four We Celebrate T204 Day Five Extending the Chapter T206 Jesus Brings Us to the Kingdom of God T207 Chapter 15 Jesus Suffered and DiedforUs. . . . . . . . . T208 Day One Jesus Was Honored as King T210 Day Two Jesus Made a New Covenant T213 Day Three Jesus Faced His Agony T215 Day Four We Follow Jesus to His Crucifixion T219 Day Five Extending the Chapter T221 Chapter 16 Jesus Is Risen . . . . . . . .T222 Day One The Risen Jesus Brings Peace and Joy T224 Day Two Jesus Won Victory over Death T228 Day Three We Help Spread Jesus’ Peace T231 Day Four We Make Signs of Jesus’ Victory T233 Day Five Extending the Chapter T235 Chapter 17 Jesus Christ Is Lord and King. . .T236 Day One Jesus, Lord and King T238 Day Two Jesus Will Come Again T241 Day Three We Prepare to Meet Jesus T243 Day Four Jesus Shares His Glory with Us T245 Day Five Extending the Chapter T246 UNIT 4 Chapter 8 God Is Holy and Great. . . . . T104 Day One The Lord Our God Is Holy T106 Day Two The Lord Our God Is Great T110 Day Three We Believe in the Living God T114 Day Four We Give God First Place in Our Lives T116 Day Five Extending the Chapter T119 Chapter 9 God Is Just and Merciful. . . . T120 Day One God Our Father Is Just and Merciful T122 Day Two We Imitate God’s Justice and Mercy T126 Day Three Chapter and Unit Review T129 Day Four Unit 2 Test and Celebration T132 Day Five Extending the Chapter T134 God’s Plan Is a Plan of Love T135 Chapter 10 God Created People to Share His Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .T136 Day One God Shares His Life with Us T138 Day Two Adam and Eve and the Fall T141 Day Three Jesus, Our Redeemer T144 Day Four Choice, Grace, and Redemption T146 Day Five Extending the Chapter T149 Chapter 11 God Sent His Son, Jesus, to Live Among Us. . . . . . .T150 Day One God Prepared the World for Jesus T152 Day Two Jesus Is Presented in the Temple T156 Day Three Jesus Is Our Light T159 Day Four We Are a Light to the World T162 Day Five Extending the Chapter T165 Chapter 12 Jesus Revealed the Kingdom of God . . . . . . . T166 Day One Jesus Brought the Kingdom of God T168 Day Two Jesus Showed His Power over Satan T171 Day Three Jesus’ Miracles: Signs of the Kingdom T174 Day Four Jesus Taught About God’s Kingdom T176 Day Five Extending the Chapter T180 UNIT 3 SAMPLE
vii Chapter 21 The Holy Spirit Lives Within Us. .T292 Day One Jesus Is the Way to Eternal Life T294 Day Two The Spirit Leads Us to Do Good T297 Day Three The Spirit Helps Us Avoid Evil T300 Day Four We Reflect the Goodness of the Lord T303 Day Five Extending the Chapter T304 Chapter 22 God Blesses Contrite Hearts. . T306 Day One Jesus Forgave Peter T308 Day Two God’s Word of Forgiving Love T311 Day Three We Are Aware of God’s Presence T314 Day Four Contrition and Forgiveness T318 Day Five Extending the Chapter T319 Chapter 23 God Forgives Us. . . . . . . T320 Day One A Father Forgives His Lost Son T322 Day Two We Prepare for Reconciliation T325 Day Three Celebration of the Sacrament T327 Day Four Jesus Forgives Us T328 Day Five Extending the Chapter T331 Chapter 24 God’s Family Celebrates the Eucharist. . . . . . . . T332 Day One Jesus Gave Us the Eucharist T334 Day Two Jesus Speaks to Us at Mass T337 Day Three We Follow the Teachings of Jesus T341 Day Four The Parable of the Yeast and Review T342 Day Five Extending the Chapter T345 Chapter 25 The Eucharist Is a Gift. . . . . . . . T346 Day One Gifts Are Offered at Mass T348 Day Two Jesus Makes Us One in Him T351 Day Three Unit 5 Review and Test T355 Day Four Celebration T358 Day Five Extending the Chapter T359 Chapter 18 Jesus Gives the Spirit to the Church. . . . . . . . T248 Day One Jesus Sent the Spirit to His Church T250 Day Two The Holy Spirit Is with Us T254 Day Three The Holy Spirit Is with the Church T257 Day Four We Are Called to Live in the Spirit T259 Day Five Extending the Chapter T261 Chapter 19 We Belong to the Kingdom. . . T262 Day One Jesus Unites Us with All the Saints T264 Day Two Mary Is Queen of Heaven and Earth T267 Day Three Unit 4 Review and Test T271 Day Four Celebration T274 Day Five Extending the Chapter T276 Jesus Is with Us on Our Way T277 Chapter 20 God Shares the Wondrous LifeofGrace. . . . . . . . T278 Day One Jesus Brings Us a Share in God’s Life T280 Day Two We Receive God’s Life in Baptism T283 Day Three We Live the Life of Grace T286 Day Four We Celebrate the Signs of Baptism T289 Day Five Extending the Chapter T291 UNIT 5 SAMPLE
viii Saints and Feast Days T459 Calendar of Saints and Feast Days T459 September T460 October T461 November and December T462 January and February T463 March and April T464 May and June T465 July and August T466 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . T467 Index..............T475 Scripture Index . . . . . . . . . . T481 Special Seasons and Lessons T361 The Year in Our Church T363 1 All Saints and All Souls T364 2 Advent T369 3 Christmas T378 4 Lent T382 5 Holy Week T388 6 Easter T396 7 Pentecost T401 8 The Archangels T406 9 Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque T410 10 Thanksgiving T414 11 The Immaculate Conception T418 12 Spread the Good News T422 13 We Prepare a Class Mass T428 What Catholics Should Know T433 Prayer and How We Pray T435 Prayers We Pray as Catholics T437 The Rosary T441 Mysteries of the Rosary T443 Stations of the Cross T444 Celebrating Our Faith T445 Living Our Faith T449 Showing Our Love for the World T454 The Bible and You T456 Student Book Cover Prayers T457 SAMPLE
UNIT 1 God Calls Us to Faith Goals • Children will describe how they are called to be God’s holy people. • They will express ways that they desire to live like Jesus. 1 God Calls Us God calls each of us to take part in the plan of salvation. He promises to help and bless us if we respond with trust in him. In this chapter, children learn that Abraham and Ruth are models of fidelity to God’s call. They learn that faith means a willingness to do what God asks, knowing that God always brings us to a fuller, richer life. 2 God Gives Us Gifts Each person fulfills God’s plan in a different way. God gives us the gifts and talents we need to do this. In this chapter, children learn that God expects us to be responsible for our gifts. We should develop them to the best of our ability and use them to improve ourselves, help others, and praise and glorify God. Children meet David, who used his gifts this way. 3 We Are God’s Holy People God calls us to be a holy people and gives us his Son to be our way, our truth, and our life. In this chapter, children learn that Jesus shows us how to live a holy life and teaches us the way to the Father. Through his Church and the saints, God continues to guide us. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we are strengthened and brought closer to God as God’s holy people. 4 God Called Mary At the Annunciation, God asked Mary to be the mother of his Son, Jesus. By saying yes, she became the Mother of God, our spiritual Mother, and the Mother of the Church. In this chapter, children learn from Mary’s example to answer God’s call willingly and promptly. They receive an introduction to praying the Rosary and to the Joyful Mysteries. 5 Jesus Calls Us to Follow True disciples of Jesus listen to his Word and walk in his way. In this chapter, children hear how Jesus called the Apostles, the disciples, and Saul, who became the apostle Paul. Children learn that Jesus calls them too—to follow his way of love and share in his mission of leading all people to God. 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. See page T17 for STREAM activity. T1 SAMPLE
CHAPTER 1 God Calls Us Listening I have called you by name: you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 The Lord said to Abram: Go forth from your land, your relatives, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:1–2 Reflecting God is always calling each of us to himself. Every moment of our lives is an opportunity to respond to God’s gift of himself and to answer his call. God calls us in many different ways, even in the most ordinary situations. Each call is both an election and a promise. It is an election to specific work in his plan of salvation and a promise of his help and blessing if we have faith in him. However we receive it, each call contains a personal challenge directed to the deepest level of our sense of moral responsibility. God awaits our response, for although God is the Lord, the events of history depend upon people’s response to his call. Abraham and Ruth are models of fidelity to God’s call. Abraham responded with faith to God’s direct call; Ruth responded to his indirect call through the needs of her mother-inlaw, Naomi. Both Abraham and Ruth received the gift of faith. Both were blessed in many other ways—especially by progeny who were direct ancestors of Jesus. Faith Focus We are called to believe in God and do what God asks. Reflecting on the Faith Experience Take a few moments to reflect prayerfully before preparing the lesson. Responding Holy Spirit, strengthen the children’s faith and mine! Scripture for Further Reflection Genesis 12, 17, 21, 22 Abraham responded to God’s call to leave behind the security of his possessions and homeland to experience the wonder of God’s life-giving love. Leviticus 26:1–13 God promises to bless those who obey his Law. Like our ancestors in faith, we too are called to holiness, to sanctity. For I, the Lord, am your God. You shall make and keep yourselves holy, because I am holy. Leviticus 11:44 Through grace, we have been made God’s in Baptism and so share in God’s divine nature. We have been sanctified. However, we are called to live the new life we have received and to bring it to perfection in all that we do. To encourage us, God says: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you. For I, the Lord, am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior. Isaiah 43:1–3 How do my actions testify that I am a Christian living according to the Holy Spirit I received at Baptism? T2 Unit 1 God Calls Us to Faith SAMPLE
WE ARE FAMILY Day One God Calls Us by Name Day Two God Called Abram to Believe Day Three God Called Ruth to Believe Day Four God Calls Us Day Five Extending the Chapter The following pages present a plan for teaching this chapter in five days. Adapt the lessons and pacing to suit your program. Bulletin Board Below is a suggestion for a bulletinboard design for this chapter. Post photos of children’s families in the boxes. You might write each child’s name on a card to label the pictures. This will help children learn their classmates’ names. Preparing for the Faith Experience Scripture in This Chapter Isaiah 43:1 God Calls Us by Name Leviticus 26:12 Knowing God Genesis 13:14–15; 15:5; 17:5,15– 16 God’s Promises to Abraham Ruth 1:16 Ruth’s Response from Faith Psalm 56:10,12 A Song Expressing Faith Mark 16:15 Jesus’ Call to the Apostles Catholic Social Teaching Family and Community Solidarity Church Documents Catechism of the Catholic Church. The themes in this chapter correspond to the following paragraphs: 144–146, 2156–2159, 2653. Directory for Catechesis #81, 86, 173. All Christians are called to respond to the gift of God through prayer, participation in the liturgy, and a commitment to justice and peace. Directory for Catechesis #224. The Gospel is intended to speak to each of us as a unique, individual being. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church #39–#42. (Second Vatican Council) God calls everyone to holiness of life and gives each person all that he or she needs to answer that call with devotion. The Jewish People and Their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible #28. (Pontifical Biblical Commission) In choosing Abraham, God revealed his plan for blessing all the people on earth. 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. STREAM Each unit has a STREAM small-group activity aligned to the content of one chapter in that unit. Use these activities to help children develop interdisciplinary academic skills and see that their Catholic faith is at the heart of everything they do (page T17). 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. God Calls Us Chapter 1 T3 Inclusion Scan the QR code for Inclusion articles or access them from the LP Digital Library. SAMPLE
Centering 1. Welcome the children and introduce yourself. 2. Pose the following riddle to begin a discussion about how special our names are: • I have a riddle for you. Each one of us has something special. It is our very own; yet other people use it more than we do. What is it? (our name) • What would happen if we didn’t have names? • How do you feel about your name? • Our names are important to God too. Today you will receive a very special book that will help you understand why. Day One God Calls Us by Name Student pages 1–4 LEARNING OUTCOMES Children will be able to • name ways God calls and speaks to us. • explain why we use people’s names respectfully. • define Bible. Word to Know Bible See the Glossary for definition. Materials • Device with internet access, optional • Books, one for each child • Paper and pencils • Plain note cards, one for each child • Crayons or markers • Masking tape Before You Begin 1. Determine whether the media will be experienced during class or at home. 2. In our Catholic tradition, we use names in a special way. For example, when a child is baptized, the first thing the priest asks the parents is “What name do you give your child?” The name symbolizes the child’s initiation into the community of believers. 3. We all like to be called by our names. It makes us feel that we are unique and important. When you distribute the books, call each child by name. 4. Throughout the chapter, as an option for discussions and activities, consider strategies such as think-pair-share and turn-andtalk. You may also have children discuss in small groups. For activities, consider allowing pairs of children to work together. UNIT 1 I have called you by name: you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 God Calls Us to Faith 1 T4 Unit 1 God Calls Us to Faith SAMPLE
• These are symbols of our faith. We believe that Jesus died on the Cross, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven. • The stained-glass window represents the Church. We find stained-glass windows in our churches, where we gather to pray and celebrate our faith. • Our faith life begins with our Baptism, when we are received into Jesus’ Church. • Call on a volunteer to read aloud the Scripture from Isaiah. • Look at the line below the Scripture. Does anyone know what that means? (It is the citation. The Scripture verse is from the Book of Isaiah, chapter 43, verse 1.) • After children have had a chance to share what they know, hold up a Bible and open to Isaiah. • This is a passage from the Bible—from Scripture. The Bible is made up of parts, or books. This is from the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah was a prophet. Prophets passed along messages from God to his people. 2. 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 Dear Parents and Family, Welcome! This year and this program present a wonderful opportunity for you to embark with your child on a discovery of what Catholics believe. When you engage with your child’s studies at home, you make this learning relevant for your child and show how it is important in your own life. The third-grade book in the Christ Our Life series presents the main truths of Catholicism as expressed in the Apostles’ Creed. Children study God as he is revealed through Scripture in creation, in his interaction with his Chosen People, and in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. They see that they are called to be part of God’s holy people in the community of the Church. Children meet Abraham, Ruth, and King David—all models of faithfulness to God’s call. Their stories remind children that they, too, are called by God to be his holy people, having a part in Jesus’ mission of leading all people to God the Father. Children learn that Abraham and Ruth were holy people who said yes to God even when what he asked of them was challenging. As children learn how David used his talents and gifts from God, they are encouraged to develop their own gifts to help others as they praise and glorify God. Children meet more holy people in the form of Saint Francis and Saint Clare and come to understand what it means to be holy. Then children learn about Mary, the Mother of God. Mary’s heroic yes encourages them to respond willingly to God and to trust him, just as she courageously did. Finally, children experience Jesus’ call to the Twelve Apostles, to other disciples, and to Saul, who then became the apostle Paul. The stories of these ordinary people and their extraordinary responses to God’s call show children that they can proclaim Jesus’ message even in the small things they do each day. In this unit, then, children learn about God’s call to people throughout the ages. Each chapter ends with a Chapter Review that includes essential chapter content, a Your Turn activity, and an interactive quiz. At each chapter’s conclusion, children bring home Families in Mission pages. Using these, you can further explore the teaching, grow in your faith, and be inspired to go forth as a family of missionary disciples. Chapter 5 includes a Unit Review. with a QR code to scan to play the Stump the Shepherd unitreview game. LOOKING AHEAD Scan the QR code with a web-enabled device to view a video on the life and charism of Saint Julie Billiart together as a family. You will learn more about this eighteenth-century saint in the Families in Mission pages for Chapter 5. 2 Unit 1 Christ Our Life® 3. Distribute the books. • Call each child by name. The reverence with which you present the books will help children sense how they should handle them. • Tell children that the books will help them understand and respond to God’s call. Allow a few minutes for everyone to look through his or her book. 4. Introduce the theme for the year. • What is the title of your book? (Christ Our Life: We Believe) This book explains how God calls us by our names to follow him on the way to true happiness. Through this book, God will speak to you and help you know and love him more. • Why is your religion book a special book? How should you handle it? (Guide children to understand that they should handle their books with love, care, and reverence.) Sharing 1. Introduce names, faith, and belonging. • Have children turn to page 1. • Invite a child to read aloud the unit title, God Calls Us to Faith. • Invite volunteers to identify what is shown in the three pictures. (The pictures show Christ on the cross, a stained-glass window in a church, and a baby being baptized.) God Calls Us Chapter 1 T5 Day One SAMPLE
• What should we do so that we can hear God speaking to us? (We should pray, take time to be silent and listen, listen to the good things our parents and those who care for us tell us to do, and listen to the readings at Mass.) 5. Connect the use of names to the feeling of welcome and belonging. • Help children realize how important it is for us to use other people’s names with respect. • Calling someone by his or her name is a sign of welcome and belonging. 3. Explain what it means when God calls us by name. • Your name has a special meaning. First of all, it stands for you. Parents may choose their child’s name with great care. Do you know why your parents chose your name? What does your name mean? • Calling someone by his or her first name shows that you know the person as a friend. God calls people by name. How do you know? (In the Bible, God called Samuel, Moses, Mary, Joseph, Peter, and others by name.) • Read aloud again the passage from Isaiah on page 1. What is God telling us by saying, “I have called you by name”? (God knows us; we are his friends.) • God first called you when he called you into being. He knew your name before your parents gave it to you. There was a time when you did not exist. But God wanted you to be, so God made you a person. • What other time has God called you by name? (in Baptism) The priest or deacon said your name and then baptized you. God called you to be his friend. God called you to follow his Son, Jesus. To each of us, God said, “[Name], I have called you, and you are mine.” • Repeat these words, using children’s names. 4. Help children realize that God calls them by name whenever he speaks to them. • When might God call you by name again? (anytime; when I pray) • God loves us, and we belong to God. God calls us by our names whenever he speaks to us. How does God speak to us? (God speaks to us through the Bible; through people such as our parents, teachers, and priests; through things that happen to us; and in our hearts when we pray.) CHAPTER 1 God Calls Us by Name “Hi, Marty!” “Tina!” “Mario!” Excited voices rang out as friends greeted one another after vacation. Leah felt strange and alone. No one called her name. No one knew her. Then she heard “Leah!” and looked up. Miss Link called out, “Boys and girls, this is Leah Su. She’s in our class this year. Leah has come from Miami, Florida.” “Hi, Leah!” “Welcome, Leah!” children called from all parts of the room. Leah smiled as she looked around. Everyone called her by name. Now she belonged. God Calls Us Belonging Check each experience you have had. ❍ I have felt strange and alone. ❍ A classmate I hadn’t met before called me by my name. ❍ I felt that I belonged. Think about how you felt during these experiences. Write your feelings here. I have felt 3 God Calls Us Chapter 1 T6 Unit 1 God Calls Us to Faith Day One SAMPLE
• Use masking tape to attach the badges to children’s clothing or backpacks. Tell them to wear the badges all day as a reminder that God calls them by name. CHECKPOINT Were the learning outcomes achieved? Were children impressed with the importance of names? 2. Suggest that children call people by name to show their love. • Let children dramatize occasions when they can show love for others by using their names. • Examples might include when they greet, answer, or thank someone. 3. Have children make badges to show that God has created them with love. • Give each child a plain note card and crayons or colored markers. In the top half of the card, have them write their names. On the bottom half, have them write “Made by God with Love.” 6. Read the story God Calls Us by Name on page 3 and have children complete the activity Belonging. 7. Lead children to discover that they belong to an ever-widening circle of family. • Break children into small groups of three of four to read aloud together We Are Family on page 4. • Give children paper and pencils. As a group, have them draw a diagram or visual showing the families to which we belong. • When they have finished, invite groups to share their drawings. • Those of us who belong to the family of Jesus, the Church, have a special name. What are we called? (Catholics; Christians) • There is another gigantic family to which we all belong: the family of the human race. Everyone in the world is our brother or sister. God loves all families and all people. We all belong to God. Family and Community Solidarity Word to Know Invite a volunteer to read aloud the definition of Bible from the Word to Know feature. Children can further explore the meaning of the word in the Glossary. Acting 1. Lead children in prayer. • Think how wonderful it is to be known by God so well that God can call us by name. Let’s give God a chance to speak to us now by praying. • Think of the names of people you love. [Pause.] Remember that God knows each one of those names too. Thank God for sharing his love with you and your family. [Pause.] We Are Family You belong to your family at home. When you were baptized, you were also welcomed into another family: the Catholic Church. You belong to the big Christian family of all people who believe in Jesus. At your Baptism, someone who is a confirmed Catholic agreed to guide you throughout your life in following Jesus as a Catholic. A person called to do this for a child being baptized is a godparent. Your godmother and/or godfather are likely relatives or close family friends and have a special place in your family. You have two special names that show that you belong to the family of Jesus. Now you are called a Christian and a Catholic. You also belong to the great human family of people all over the world. All these families belong to God. A Message from God Write the letter that comes after the one given to find out what God says to us. “I will be your G o d , and you F n c will be my p e o p l e .” o d n o k d Leviticus 26:12 God Speaks to Us in the Bible God wants us to get to know him. He speaks to us in many ways. God speaks to us in our hearts and, in a special way, through the Bible. The Bible is filled with stories about how God calls his people and how they respond to God in faith. Word to Know Bible The collection of books containing the truths of God’s Revelation to us 4 Unit 1 God Calls Us to Faith God Calls Us Chapter 1 T7 Day One SAMPLE
Sharing 1. Introduce the Bible to children. • Reverently show children a Bible. • You all know this book. What is it? Why do we call it the Holy Bible? (It is God’s Word.) What do we find in the Bible? (stories, letters, poems, songs) • Through the words of the Bible, God tells us about himself, ourselves, and the world in which we live. So we say that the Bible is God’s Word. When we listen to the words of the Bible, we hear God speaking to us. 2. Have children read God Speaks to Us in the Bible and complete the activity A Message from God on page 4. • Call on volunteers to answer each of the questions that follow. • What do you think Mrs. Green said when she heard the news? • Their son, Jim, had just joined a baseball team and had friends on the team. He would miss it, but he loved his family. What do you think Jim said? • Their daughter, Maureen, loved camping and hiking. A group she belonged to was planning a trip to the state park later in the year. Because of the move, she would not be able to go, but she also loved her family. What do you think she said? 3. Let children discuss their experiences of moving. • Have you ever moved? How did you feel? • What made it easier? • A man named Abram is famous for his response when God called him to move. Centering 1. Recall the last lesson. • Write family on the board. Ask: • What families do you belong to? • Today you will hear the story of the first family of believers. But first listen to a story about a modern family. 2. Tell the following story and let children dramatize it as indicated. • One evening, Mr. Green came home with some big news. He had just gotten an exciting new job, doing work that he had always dreamed of doing. The even bigger news was that his new job meant the whole family would have to move to another country—in three months! • Mrs. Green was so happy for her husband, herself, and their family, and although leaving her own job and the place that had been home for so long would be hard, the thought of living in a different country was exciting. Before You Begin 1. Determine whether the media will be experienced during class or at home. 2. Faith is a special gift that God bestows on us in Baptism. Through faith, we are able to transcend our own ideas of what is good for us and trust confidently in God’s promise to bring us ever closer to him and each other. In this lesson, children hear how God called Abram to forsake home and country. Abram responded in faith; God changed his name to Abraham and made him the father of many nations. Materials • Device with internet access, optional • Bible • Proper names written on the board or on flash cards: Genesis, Abram, Sarai, Canaan, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac LEARNING OUTCOMES Children will be able to • tell the story of Abraham. • compare our journey of faith with that of Abraham. • describe the importance and power of faith in God. Day Two God Called Abram to Believe Student pages 4–5 T8 Unit 1 God Calls Us to Faith SAMPLE
• What special promises did God then make to Abram? (Abram would have a son. The children of his family would be as countless as the stars in the sky.) • Often when choosing people to do something special, God gives them special names. What names did God give Abram and his wife? (Abraham and Sarah) [Point to the names.] Abraham means “father of many people” and Sarah means “princess.” • God sent Abraham and Sarah a son. What was his name? (Isaac, which means “laughter”) How do you think Abraham and Sarah felt about their son? • Because Abraham believed in God, we say he had a strong faith in God. God kept his promises, and Abraham became the father of all those who believe in God. • How did Abram know where to go? (God led him.) • How do you think Abram felt? (sad, worried, excited) • How was Abram’s journey harder than moving is for us today? (He had to take everything with him; he had to travel by animal and on foot.) The Story of Abraham, Part 2 In Canaan, God spoke to Abram again. He said, “Look about you, and from where you are, gaze to the north and south, east and west; all the land that you see I will give to you and your descendants forever.” Abram believed God, even though he did not know how he could have descendants. He and his wife were old and had no children. Then one day, God called Abram and told him that he and his wife would have a son. The children of their family who came after them would be as countless as the stars. Abram would have a new name: Abraham. God gave Sarai a new name too: Sarah. He kept this promise and gave Abraham and Sarah a son. They called him Isaac. They were full of joy. (From Genesis 13) • When Abram arrived in Canaan, what did God promise him? (The land around him would be his and his descendants’ forever.) • Abram couldn’t understand how he could be the father of many people. Why not? (He and Sarai were old, and they had no children.) 3. Read aloud and discuss the story of Abraham below. • Explain to children that they will now listen to the story of God’s call to Abraham. • Point to the names on the board or on flash cards as they are mentioned. The Story of Abraham, Part 1 The Book of Genesis—the first book of the Bible—tells us how a long time ago, God called a man named Abram to do something special, and God promised him blessings in return. Abram lived many years before Jesus. Abram did not know a great deal about God, but he knew enough to believe. He knew that God would take care of him, and God did. God told Abram to leave his home, his country, and his relatives and go to the land God would show him. God promised to make him the father of many nations. God’s call was hard for Abram because he did not know the land or how to get there. But Abram believed that God would show the way. He left the land of Haran with Sarai his wife and with his nephew, servants, and all he owned. During the long journey, they had to cross a wide river and a desert. God brought Abram and his family to a land called Canaan. (From Genesis 12) • What difficult thing did God want Abram to do? (leave his home and country; go to a strange land) • What did God promise Abram? (God promised that Abram would be the father of many nations.) God Calls Us Chapter 1 T9 Day Two SAMPLE
2. If feasible, have children scan the QR code on page 5 using a handheld, web-enabled device to experience the media. CHECKPOINT Were the learning outcomes achieved? Do children understand what God means when he says that he calls us by name? Acting 1. Lead children to reflect on the picture at the top of page 5. • Let’s imagine that we are Abraham in this picture. What do you see in the picture? (Abraham is praying with the numberless stars in the sky around him.) • Imagine yourself giving praise to God with the sky above you full of stars. • We are also children of Abraham. Let’s tell God, “I believe that you love us and take care of us.” [Pause for silent prayer.] 4. Have children read God Called Abram to Believe on page 5. 5. Help children compare our journey of faith with that of Abraham by having them read God Gives the Gift of Faith on page 5. • God’s message to us is very much like his message to Abraham. God tells us that if we believe in and obey him, we will belong to his people and family. Like Abraham, we are on a journey to a new land. What is it? (heaven) When did God call us to begin our journey to heaven? (at Baptism) • We meet some hardships, just as Abraham did. What helped Abraham when he met hardships? (faith) Faith in God helps us too. We also have many people around us who have faith and support us. What do we call this group of faith-filled people? (the Church) At Baptism, we received the special gift of faith that enables us to believe. • God has told us more about himself than God told Abraham. What do you know about God? (God made us, and we belong to him. God loves us and calls us to live with him forever in heaven.) 6. Discuss our faith in God’s care. • God takes care of us just as he watched over Abraham, Sarah, and their family. What good things have happened to you? We thank God for all these things. • God takes care of us even through the sad things that happen to us. We ask God to help us come closer to him during the sad times. • God speaks to us as he did to Abraham. In our hearts, God tells us what to do to be happy with him forever. Has God told you to do something? What was it? What hard thing has God told you to do? How did you feel when you did what God wanted? God Called Abram to Believe In the Bible, we learn that long ago, God called a man named Abram. God told Abram to leave his home and his country for the land God would show him. Abram believed that God would take care of him. He did as God told him and went to the new land. There God gave Abram and his wife new names and promised them a son, saying: Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so . . . will your descendants be. . . . No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a multitude of nations. . . . As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. . . . She will give rise to nations. Genesis 15:5, 17:5,15–16 Abraham believed what God said. Although he and Sarah were very old, they had a son. They called him Isaac. He was a great joy to them. God Gives the Gift of Faith Abraham always believed in God’s loving care. He did what God asked even when it was hard. Even though we cannot see God, he always calls us to believe him. At Baptism, we receive the gift of faith. This gift makes it possible for us to believe in God and all he has made known in his Word and his deeds. We need the Holy Spirit to help us believe. But believing is also a free choice we make every day. We believe that God made us and that we are his children. We believe that God takes care of us in everything that happens. Just as God spoke to Abraham, he speaks to us in our hearts. He helps us know him better. His grace helps us do what he tells us even when it is hard. The Church supports and strengthens our faith. The Church helps us see that God wants us to be truly happy. 5 God Calls Us Chapter 1 T10 Unit 1 God Calls Us to Faith Day Two SAMPLE
Sharing 1. Tell the story of Ruth. • We will read the story of Ruth in our books, but first I am going to tell it to you. It is the Bible story told in the Book of Ruth. God Calls Ruth Ruth lived in Moab, a country where the people believed in false gods. She learned about the true God from her husband and his mother, Naomi. Ruth’s husband died, and she went to live with Naomi. Ruth loved and helped Naomi. Naomi was always kind and gentle toward Ruth. One day, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, in her homeland. Ruth wanted to go with her. Naomi told Ruth to stay with her own people. But Ruth loved Naomi so much that she would not let her go alone. She said that she would go where Naomi went and live where she lived. Ruth would love the God that Naomi loved. She would belong to Naomi’s people. So Ruth went with Naomi to Bethlehem. God blessed Ruth for her goodness to Naomi and gave her the wonderful gift of faith. In the new land, Ruth worked hard and helped Naomi. Every day, she gathered grain from early morning until night. Everyone could see how much Ruth loved and cared for Naomi. Boaz, the owner of the fields, who was related to Naomi, saw this too. God blessed Ruth’s goodness again. One day, Ruth met Boaz in the fields. Boaz was kind to Ruth and married her. God blessed them with a son. In time, Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David. From the family of David, Jesus the Savior was born. (From the Book of Ruth) Centering 1. Recall the last lesson. • Who is the father of all believers? (Abraham) • How did Abraham show faith? (He moved to a new land; he trusted God to give him a son.) • In the Bible, there is a story of a woman who had faith in God. Her name is Ruth. 2. Invite children to sing “Ruth’s Song.” • Use the melody of “Kumbaya.” Tell them the words were spoken by Ruth. Sing the first three verses. Ruth’s Song 1. I will go with you where you go. (three times) Oh, I will go with you. 2. I will live with you where you live. (three times) Oh, I will live with you. 3. I will love the God that you love. (three times) Oh, I will love your God. 4. God gave Ruth a gift, holy faith. (three times) God gave her holy faith. • Ruth spoke these words to her mother-inlaw, Naomi. [Point to the word Naomi.] Today you will learn why Ruth said them. Before You Begin The story of Ruth is a heartening affirmation of family life and loyalty. Ruth left her home and country to go with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and be her support in old age. For her kindness, God blessed Ruth with the gifts of faith, a fine husband, and a child who would be the grandfather of King David—of whose family line the Savior would be born. Materials • Names written on the board or on flash cards: Ruth, Naomi, Boaz • Words to “Ruth’s Song” (see Centering #2) written on the board or on a chart • Pictures of people through whom God may speak to us, such as a parent, teacher, priest, or elder, or someone who is poor or suffering. LEARNING OUTCOMES Children will be able to • tell the story of Ruth. • name ways that God calls them through the needs of others. Day Three God Called Ruth to Believe Student page 6 God Calls Us Chapter 1 T11 SAMPLE
• Who was Boaz? (a good and kind man) • What good things happened to Ruth because of her loyalty to Naomi? (She received the gift of faith. She married Boaz.) • How did God bless Ruth and Boaz after they were married? (He gave them a son.) • Ruth became the greatgrandmother of King David. Why was King David important for God’s people? (The Savior was born from his family.) 2. Have children read aloud the first two paragraphs of God Called Ruth to Believe on page 6. • What is the title of this story? (“God Called Ruth to Believe”) • Look at the picture of Ruth and Naomi. Which one do you think is Ruth? [Let children give reasons for their answers.] • Where did Ruth and Naomi live? (Moab, a country where people believed in false gods) • Why was Ruth living with Naomi? (because Ruth’s husband, who was Naomi’s son, had died) • How did Ruth and Naomi show their love for each other? (by being kind to each other; by helping each other) • How did Ruth feel when Naomi told her that she was returning to her own country? (sad) • What did she say to Naomi? What was Naomi’s response? (Ruth said she would go with Naomi. Naomi was happy, because she loved Ruth.) • How did God show he was pleased with Ruth? (God gave her the gift of faith.) • Through which people did God call Ruth to believe in him? (through her husband and Naomi) • Ask what children know about Bethlehem. They may have heard its name as the city where Jesus was born. It was also the city where David, about whom they will learn later, was anointed. 3. Sing the fourth verse of “Ruth’s Song.” 4. Read and discuss the rest of the story. • Ask a volunteer to read aloud the rest of page 6. • What sacrifices did Ruth make to help Naomi? (She worked in the fields.) Each day, Ruth had to get up early to gather grain in the fields. She gathered what the farmers had left behind; then she went home and prepared the meals from what she had gathered. God Called Ruth to Believe The Book of Ruth in the Bible tells about a young woman named Ruth. She was from Moab, a country where people believed in false gods. Ruth learned about the one true God from her husband and his mother, Naomi. Naomi was kind, and Ruth loved her. When Ruth’s husband died, she stayed with Naomi. One day, Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem, the city in Israel where she had been born. Ruth wanted to go with her. She said to Naomi: Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God. Ruth 1:16 Ruth went with Naomi to Israel. In her new country, Ruth worked hard every day. She gathered grain in the fields of a man named Boaz. Boaz was a good man. Before long, he married Ruth. They were very happy together. God blessed them with a son, Obed, who would become the grandfather of King David. Into the family of David, many years later, Jesus, our Savior, was born. God called Ruth to believe in him. She learned about God from Naomi and the Israelites. God was pleased with Ruth and gave her the gift of faith. Ruth knew God and loved him. 6 Unit 1 God Calls Us to Faith T12 Unit 1 God Calls Us to Faith Day Three SAMPLE
CHECKPOINT Were the learning outcomes achieved? How did children show that they believe God calls each of them by name? 6. Review the story of Ruth. Ask volunteers to tell one important thing about each person whose name is written on the board or on a flash card. 7. Sing “Ruth’s Song” again with children. Acting 1. Help children prayerfully consider God’s call. • God calls us through others to do the things he wants us to. Let’s tell God that we believe he speaks to us through our parents and others who have charge of us. [Pause.] • Let’s thank God for our parents and all the people who help us. [Pause.] 2. Ask children for suggestions about how they can be like Ruth and help someone else. • Let them dramatize some suggestions—for example, offering to accompany a friend on an errand. • In the dramatization, the child talks to the person and offers to perform some service, such as helping to carry something. Solidarity 5. Connect Ruth’s story with how God calls us through other people. • Have children form groups of three or four. Have the groups discuss how God might call us through someone else. • Ask the groups to recall the people through whom God called and spoke to Ruth. Children should remember that God called Ruth through her husband and Naomi. • Have the groups identify some people through whom they hear God talking to them. • Give each group one of the pictures you have brought, or project the images of people through whom God might talk to us or guide us. • Have each group discuss how God might be speaking to them through that person. • When the groups have had time to discuss, call them back to the whole class. Invite members of each group to share their group’s findings. God Calls Us Chapter 1 T13 Day Three SAMPLE
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