Covenant and Commitment

Transcription

Covenant and
Commitment
Background for the Catechist
A covenant is a binding agreement between two or more people.
In Bible times, people “sealed” covenants with symbolic rituals such
as the laying on of hands. In the Old Testament the most important
covenant was the relationship between God and his people.
God renewed his covenant with Abraham through Jacob, the son
of Isaac. Jacob’s story reinforces the belief that God is always faithful
to his promises. God promised Jacob many descendants, divine
protection, and land if Jacob would commit his life to the covenant.
God and Jacob kept this agreement.
In response to God’s
faithfulness, we must be
truthful, dependable,
and committed to
our faith.
Our Commitment to the Covenant
The covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was
renewed through Jesus. We live as covenant people when we believe
in Jesus, follow his teachings, and participate in
the Mass and sacraments. As Christians, we also
live out our covenant with God in the decisions
Time for Reflection
and actions of our daily lives. Christians may
In your daily life, how do you live out your covenant
also be called to show commitment in more
with God? How do you remain faithful to your baptisprofound ways. Saint Paul, for example, gave
mal commitment?
his life for his faith.
Catechist Prayer
Faithful God, keeper of all promises, help me
grow in fidelity and truthfulness. Help me
embrace your covenant of love and commit
my life to following your Son. Let my actions show
the importance of keeping promises and being faithful to you. Amen.
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Share
• Pray the Scripture verse.
• Read the text and discuss
personal experiences.
• Complete the matching
activity.
15 minutes
3 Covenant and Commitment
May God give to you
of the dew of the heavens
And of the fertility of the earth.
Genesis 27:28
Share
In Abraham’s time, agreements between
people were mostly verbal, or spoken. There
were no written legal contracts. Only the
spoken word was required. Agreements were
sealed, or made final, with symbolic rituals.
In a custom we still use today, giving a
blessing involved laying hands upon the head
of the person being blessed. Gestures such
as these still seal some of the promises or
agreements we make in our everyday lives.
Can you think of gestures that you have used
to show that your words are truthful?
Name
Keeping Promises
Complete the chart below by listing reasons to keep promises and
reasons that promises are sometimes broken. Give your advice at
the end of the exercise.
Reasons to Keep Promises:
Additional Activity
• Share pledges or oaths.
Reasons Promises Are Broken:
Activity
Hand over one’s heart
“I respect your authority.”
First two fingers raised
in a “V” shape
“In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit.”
Three fingers raised
“I’m being honest.”
Salute
“We agree.”
Shaking hands
“Peace.”
Crossing one’s heart
“I promise to tell the truth.”
Right hand raised
“I will be faithful to my duties
in this group.”
Sign of the Cross
“I pledge allegiance.”
Silver Burdett Ginn Religion © Pearson Education, Inc.
Draw a line from the gesture to the
promise or thought it expresses.
How do God’s
people show
they honor his
promise?
• materials for prayer
corner as listed on
page 44C
• pens or pencils
Activity Master 3a
See Catechist Guide,
page 44D.
Write three pieces of advice you would give someone who wanted to break
a promise.
1.
2.
3.
To the Teacher: Use this activity to reinforce the Share section.
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BLEST ARE WE 6
CHAPTER 3
Warm-Up Activity Master can be used for early-arriving children.
Share .
Or Icebreaker for
Live
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Hear & Believe
Chapter 3 Activity Masters
Answers can be found in the back of the Catechist Guide.
• Discuss the illustration.
• Read and discuss the
Scripture story.
• Teach the doctrine in
“Our Church Teaches.”
• Discuss the We Believe
statement and the Faith
Words.
25 minutes
• Bibles (at least one for
every two young people)
Additional Activity
• writing paper
Additional Activity
• Act out the Scripture
story.
Respond
• Discuss the illustration
and the painting.
story about Saint Paul.
• Do the activities.
• Pray “A Family Blessing.”
• Distribute the Take Home
Family Time pages for the
next chapter.
20 minutes
A Family Blessing
Blessings ask God to make someone or something holy. Before
their Sabbath meal, Jewish families pray blessings for the
day and one another. They hold a candle-lighting ritual and
a ceremony called kiddush, which involves blessing wine and
bread. The prayers that the priest says over the gifts during
Mass are similar.
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation,
Creator of the fruit of the vine.
You have taught us the ways of holiness through your
commandments.
Blessed are you, O Lord; you make holy the Sabbath day.
Additional Activity
• Research the meanings of
names.
Name
Covenant People
Look at the statements and decide whom they are referring to: Jacob, Esau,
Isaac, Rebecca, Noah, or Jesus. Write the correct name below the sentence.
1. He was the son of Abraham and Sarah.
2. He expected that his firstborn son would be his heir.
Based on the Jewish kiddush blessings
Share the following Catholic family blessing with your group.
Later, share it with your family.
Group 1:
May God help you and keep you.
Group 2:
May he guide you in life.
Group 1:
May he bless you this evening.
Group 2:
And keep you from harm.
Group 1:
May God bless (make the Sign of the Cross over
Group 2) you (name the people being blessed).
Group 2:
And God bless (make the Sign of the Cross over
Group 1) you, too (name the people being blessed).
3. She was the mother of Esau and Jacob.
4. He pretended he was Esau.
5. He sold his birthright for a bowl of stew.
6. God promised him that he would never again destroy the earth by flood.
7. She protected her favorite son.
Based on the Parental Blessing of Children,
Canadian Catholic Conference
8. He fulfilled the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
To the Teacher: Use this activity to reinforce the Hear & Believe section.
CHAPTER 3
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Wrap-Up Activity Master can be completed during the session. Or at home.
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• CD player
Additional Activity
• baby-naming books
• drawing paper
• crayons or markers
Activity Master 3b
page 45.
Overview
Books
• Sharing Blessings
Rahel Musleah and Rabbi
Michael Klayman
(Jewish Lights Publishing, 1997)
This engaging book explores the
spiritual values and family
blessings involved in Jewish
holidays.
This chapter will help the young people
1. learn that God is always faithful to his promises.
2. understand how they can become covenant people.
3. identify commitments they, as Catholics, can make
to their faith.
Catechism Connection
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
discusses bearing witness to faith, the highest
expression of which is martyrdom. Morality and
truth are presented as elements of witness.
CCC references: 71, 72, 2163
Videos
• Paul the Emissary
(54 min.) (Oblate Media and
Communication)
This drama depicts how Saul, a
persecutor of Christians, became
Paul, an emissary of Christ.
• Jacob
(150 min.) (Oblate Media and
Communication)
This portrayal of Jacob also
shows Rachel’s and Rebecca’s
roles in fulfilling God’s covenant.
Music
• “I Say ‘Yes,’ Lord/Digo ‘Sí,’
Señor”
(Unit 1 song, page 24)
BLEST ARE WE music CD 6, track 2
BLEST ARE WE Song Book #28
Gather Comprehensive II Hymnal #581
• “We Are Climbing Jacob’s
Ladder”
• “May God Bless and Keep You”
Christopher Walker
GDC and NDC Connections
The General Directory for Catechesis
(GDC) presents evangelization as
conversion and faith.
GDC references: 52, 54
The National Directory for Catechesis
(NDC) presents the catechetical
principles associated with teaching about covenants from the
Old Testament.
NDC references: Chapter 7, Section 51D
For the Prayer Corner
Arrange the prayer corner as described on page T24.
For Chapter 3, to help the young people understand
the role of covenants in their lives, display secular
as well as religious symbols of covenants. Symbols might
include a Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts badge, a costume-jewelry
wedding band, a baptismal candle, and a copy of the Ten
Commandments. Invite the young people to look over these
items, and discuss with them the covenant each represents.
Visit www.blestarewe.com
Visit our Catechists and Kids sections for
• interactive and printable activities.
• the Liturgical Calendar.
• Lesson Planning Resources.
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Name
Keeping Promises
Complete the chart below by listing reasons to keep promises and
reasons that promises are sometimes broken. Give your advice at
the end of the exercise.
Reasons to Keep Promises:
Reasons Promises Are Broken:
Write three pieces of advice you would give someone who wanted to break
a promise.
1.
2.
® RCL Benziger
3.
To the Teacher: Use this activity to reinforce the Share section in Chapter 3.
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ChApter 3
Or Icebreaker for Share .
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Name
Covenant People
Look at the eight statements and decide whom they are referring to: Jacob, Esau,
Isaac, Rebecca, Noah, or Jesus. Write the correct name below the sentence.
1. He was the son of Abraham and Sarah.
2. He expected that his firstborn son would be his heir.
3. She was the mother of Esau and Jacob.
4. He pretended he was Esau.
5. He sold his birthright for a bowl of stew.
6. God promised him that he would never again destroy the earth by flood.
7. She protected her favorite son.
® RCL Benziger
8. He is the fulfillment of the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob.
To the Teacher: Use this activity to reinforce the Hear & Believe section in Chapter 3.
ChApter 3
3b
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3
Pre-chapter home activities for families
Beginning at Home
Many of the young people will have spent some time with their families
working with the Take Home Family Time pages at home. You can help the
young people connect with what was done at home by discussing the saint
featured or using A Prayer for the Week at an appropriate time.
Getting ready for Chapter 3
Covenant and Commitment
A covenant is a kind of agreement that was common in Old
Testament times. Covenants were sealed in many different
ways, such as with a sacred sacrifice, a special blessing, or a
ritual meal. This chapter will explore some signs of the covenant
between God and Israel and how this covenant was renewed in
the generations after Abraham. In many ways, the same covenant
has been renewed for us through Jesus.
Before the Time of Jesus
Rebecca When Rebecca first appears in the Old Testament
(Genesis 24) she is innocent and beautiful. When we meet her as
Isaac’s wife and the mother of their twin sons, Jacob and Esau,
she has become hard and calculating. Of her sons, Rebecca
favors the younger Jacob. She plots with him to deceive
Isaac, so he will receive Isaac’s inheritance, which rightfully
belongs to Esau. The plot succeeded, but Esau’s anger
at being cheated out of his birthright grew into
a murderous fury. Rebecca sent away her favorite
son to save his life, and she never saw him
again. Read Genesis 27 to find out
more about Jacob’s deception.
Fidelity Awards Make a list of
chores and responsibilities for each
family member. Use stars to mark
the number of times during the
month each person has done his or
her chore. Reward the most faithful
with a chore-free week.
On Sunday
Saint of the Week
Think about how attending
Mass represents part of
our covenant with God.
Saint Paul, Apostle
and Martyr
Before Saint Paul was a follower
of Christ, he persecuted
Christians. His conversion came
in a vision he had in which he
encountered the Lord. Paul then
dedicated his life to teaching
people about Jesus. Paul made
the ultimate sacrifice for his faith,
dying as a martyr.
Feast Day: June 29
On the Web
www.blestarewe.com
Visit our Web site for
the saint of the day
and the reflection
question of the week.
in Legends
Lord, in unexpected
ways you come into
our lives and invite us
to share in your plan
for salvation. Help us
to respond to your call
faithfully. Amen.
Family Time Level 6
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Sunday Connection
•
•
•
•
Visit Our Web Site Catechists and parents
can visit www.blestarewe.com for
resources related to the Sunday liturgy.
a summary of the Sunday Scripture readings.
the Reflection Question of the Week.
seasonal activities.
More About the
Saint of the Week
Saint Paul Met Jesus in a vision on the road to
Damascus. After conversion, evangelized in his
native Tarsus, in Thessalonica, Antioch, and
Ephesus. Wrote epistles to Christian communities
in Corinth, Galatia, Philippi, and others. Fourteen
New Testament epistles are attributed to him.
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The Holy Grail Since Bible
times, Jewish family meals have
often begun with blessing wine,
the day, and family members. The
wine is held in a special cup called
a kiddush cup or blessing cup. The
cup Jesus raised at the Last Supper
was probably such a cup. Tradition
says the Apostles saved this cup
and Peter used it to celebrate the
Eucharist. The cup was handed
down through the centuries, and
its whereabouts were the subject
of many legends. It became known
as the Holy Grail. The only cup in
existence that might be the true
46
cup is a small agate one, shown
in the photograph, located in a
cathedral in Valencia, Spain.
www.blestarewe.com
The prayer for the week for Chapter 3 connects
Paul’s conversion experience to our commitment
to the Lord. Invite the young people to reflect on
the words of the prayer as you reverently read it
aloud, and to join in saying “Amen.”
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Chapter 3 ✦ Page 47
3 Covenant and Commitment
May God give to you
of the dew of the heavens
And of the fertility of the earth.
Praying with
Scripture
Genesis 27:28
Share
Review the promise that God made to
Abraham and how he fulfilled it with
Isaac. Explain that the opening
Scripture verse is part of a special
blessing given by Isaac that they will
learn about shortly.
Light the candle near the Bible in the
prayer corner. Proclaim the opening
Scripture verse at the top of page 47.
Then allow a moment for reflection.
Sing the unit song on page 24.
In Abraham’s time, agreements between
people were mostly verbal, or spoken. There
were no written legal contracts. Only the
spoken word was required. Agreements were
sealed, or made final, with symbolic rituals.
In a custom we still use today, giving a
blessing involved laying hands upon the head
of the person being blessed. Gestures such
as these still seal some of the promises or
agreements we make in our everyday lives.
Can you think of gestures that you have used
to show that your words are truthful?
Activity
Draw a line from the gesture to the
promise or thought it expresses.
Hand over one’s heart
“I respect your authority.”
First two fingers raised
in a “V” shape
“In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit.”
Three fingers raised
“I’m being honest.”
Salute
“We agree.”
Shaking hands
“Peace.”
Crossing one’s heart
“I promise to tell the truth.”
Right hand raised
“I will be faithful to my duties
in this group.”
Sign of the Cross
“I pledge allegiance.”
Personal Experience
How do God’s
people show
they honor his
promise?
Live
47
Share Sharing Pledges or Oaths
Ask volunteers who are Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or members of another organization that has a pledge or an oath
to share that pledge with the group.
Have a volunteer read the Share
paragraph on page 47.
Ask “What are some gestures we use
to show a promise or an oath?”
(Possible responses: raising our right
hand when pledging to tell the truth,
putting a hand over our heart when
making a promise, shaking hands)
Doing the Activity
• Invite the young people to do the
matching activity on page 47.
• When everyone has completed the
activity, ask volunteers to share their
reponses.
Ask “Why do we need to honor the
promises or agreements we make?”
(Possible responses: to be true to our
word, to follow Jesus, to be worthy of
trust, to show respect for other people)
Call attention to the Page
Turner questions throughout
the chapter.
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Hear & Believe
Jacob and the Covenant
Discussing the
Scripture
The Illustration Invite the young
people to look over the illustration on
pages 48 and 49.
Ask “What do you think is happening
in this illustration?” (Possible response:
The older man is saying something
important to the younger man. The
old woman is eavesdropping on the
conversation.)
The Scripture Introduce the Scripture
story by engaging the young people in a
brief discussion.
Ask “What was the agreement
between God and Abraham?” (In return
for Abraham’s being faithful to God, God
promised Abraham that he would be the
father of many nations.)
Say “This Scripture passage explains
how the elderly Isaac passed on God’s
covenant through a blessing upon his
son, Jacob.”
Read aloud the introductory paragraph,
then invite volunteers to read aloud the
Scripture story about Isaac and Jacob.
If time permits, have the young people
read about Jacob’s dream at Bethel
(Genesis 28:10–22) in their Bibles.
Ask “What is the reason Isaac gave
the blessing?” (A blessing sealed a
man’s promise to pass on his birthright
to his son.)
Explain that Isaac’s blessing had
special significance because it meant
Jacob had been chosen to continue the
covenant with God.
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God had promised Abraham that if he kept the covenant he would have
countless descendants. Isaac honored the covenant the Lord had made with
his father, Abraham. But Isaac’s wife, Rebecca, was unable to have children.
Isaac prayed to the LORD, and Rebecca became pregnant with twin boys.
Rebecca could feel the babies wrestling in her womb. She asked the LORD
why the babies were fighting. The LORD told her, “Two nations are in your
womb, but one will be more powerful, and the older shall serve the younger.”
Esau was born first. Esau grew up to be burly and hairy, and he enjoyed
being outdoors. He was Isaac’s favorite. Jacob was the second son. Jacob
liked simple things and would rather stay inside. Jacob was Rebecca’s
favorite, and she tried hard to protect him.
According to custom, Esau was entitled to Isaac’s birthright, the right
to become the family patriarch and receive a large inheritance when
Isaac died. Esau did not care much about his birthright. He even traded
it with Jacob for a bowl of stew.
One day, Isaac, who was ill and blind in his old age, called for Esau
so he could say a special blessing to give Esau his birthright. Rebecca
overheard what Isaac said to Esau, but she wanted Jacob to receive
Isaac’s blessing. She helped Jacob pretend he was Esau. She dressed
him in Esau’s clothes and hairy animal skins and
sent him to see Isaac.
Isaac fell for the trick. He gave the
blessing to Jacob, saying,“May God
give to you of the dew of the
heavens and of the fertility of the
earth abundance of grain and wine.
Let peoples serve you, and nations
pay you homage.”
The blessing could not be taken back, even
though Isaac was tricked. Esau was angry with Jacob,
so Jacob went away to a safe place. He wandered to a holy
place which he later named Bethel, meaning “house of God.”
One night, he fell asleep with his head on a rock. He dreamed
that the LORD promised him many descendants, protection, and
land. When Jacob awoke, he took the stone he had slept on and
blessed it as a memorial to God. He then vowed to be faithful
to the LORD.
Based on Genesis 25:19–34, 27, 28:10–22
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A Loving Covenant
Isaac’s blessing of Jacob was an outward sign of his agreement to pass on the birthright. Outward signs were an
important part of covenants between early peoples, much
as they are today, as in the exchange of vows and rings in
the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Ancient Hebrew covenant ceremonies involved gestures,
such as the laying on of hands, or special sacrifices.
In the Bible, God made the first covenant with Noah. This
covenant—a promise to never again destroy the earth by
flood—had an outward sign: a rainbow.
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Covenant People
It was important for Jacob to receive Isaac’s birthright because it
meant a special blessing and the right to be the patriarch. Jacob
would later have twelve sons whose children would become the
Twelve Tribes, or large family groups, of Israel. Jacob’s story shows
how God renewed his original promise to give Abraham as many
descendants as stars in the sky. Rebecca and Jacob’s plot to get the
birthright was dishonest, but it shows that the fulfillment of God’s
promises often happens in unexpected ways.
In Jacob’s dream at Bethel, God said to him, “I will never leave
you until I have done what I promised you” (Genesis 28:15). Jacob
trusted God’s promises and vowed to be faithful in return. Later on,
Jacob would wrestle with a messenger of God. Jacob prevailed against
the messenger. Because of this God changed Jacob’s name to Israel,
which means “one who struggled with God.”
Our Church Teaches
God began the everlasting covenant with all living beings when he
promised Noah that he would never again destroy the earth by flood.
This covenant was a loving and sacred relationship between God
and his people. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob honored the
covenant by being faithful to God. We have a part in continuing this
relationship. If we try to live as Christ did, honestly, simply, and
lovingly, we are covenant people. The Bible says, “If you belong to
Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the
promise” (Galatians 3:29). In Jesus Christ, we have forgiveness of
sin and hope of everlasting friendship with God. Believing in Jesus,
following his teachings, and participating in the Mass strengthen our
commitment to live as God’s people.
As Catholics, we have many types of covenants in our lives.
In Confirmation, for example, the Holy Spirit strengthens
our bond with the Church and our obligation to carry out its
mission. Matrimony is a covenant between one man and one
woman that requires them to be faithful to each other for their
entire lives. We also keep everyday covenants by being loyal
to our friends, respecting our parents, and being honest. We
strive to keep promises we make and try not to make promises
we cannot keep. In the same way, we only take oaths, in which
we call on God to be our witness, when absolutely necessary
and when the oaths are true.
Understanding Scripture
We Believe
God calls us to bear
witness to our faith, in
our words and through
our actions.
Have a volunteer read aloud the
“Covenant People.”
Say “We see how God was faithful to
those who respected the covenant
made by Jacob’s ancestors.”
Understanding Doctrine
Faith Words
convenant
A covenant is a
sacred agreement or
relationship, sometimes
sealed by a ritual or
ceremony. Isaac honored
the covenant the Lord
made with his father,
Abraham.
Read aloud “Our Church Teaches.”
Say “We are a covenant people. We
honor promises and commitments.”
Tell the group that God’s covenant with
all living beings remains in force as long
as the world lasts. Explain that as
Catholics we have many opportunities
to renew our commitment to God and
his Son, Jesus, such as the sacraments
of Eucharist, Confirmation, Holy Orders,
and Matrimony.
We Believe/Faith Words
Read aloud and discuss the We Believe
statement.
Ask volunteers to share the meaning of
the Faith Words in their own words.
How does
God’s love
change
people?
49
Scripture Acting Out the Scripture Story
• Help the students translate the Scripture story into a
drama. Discuss with them how to structure the play, and
help to create story dialogue.
• Choose students to play the roles of Isaac, Rebecca,
Esau, Jacob, and a story narrator. Allow time for the players to prepare their roles.
• Prepare the rest of the students to serve as an “audience,” and discuss good audience behavior.
Baptismal Promises
At our Baptisms the priest asked a
series of questions to which we,
or our sponsors if we were infants,
responded “I do.” We promised to
reject evil, follow Christ, and
remain faithful to Church teachings. These baptismal promises
are repeated at special liturgies
and during the Sacrament of
Confirmation. In this way, we constantly renew our covenant with
God as members of the Church.
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Respond
Saint Paul
Discussing the
Saint Story
The Illustration and the
Painting Direct the group’s attention
to the illustration of Saint Paul at the
top of the page, and to the painting at
the bottom of the page. Tell the young
people that the painting depicts the
event of Saint Paul’s conversion, about
which they will now read.
The Text Invite the young people to
read the story of Saint Paul on page 43.
Ask “How does Saint Paul’s story
reveal the power of the Lord?”
(Answers will vary. Encourage the
young people to focus on the way in
which Jesus reached out to Saint Paul
and turned him from a Christian-hater
into a saint.)
“Who are some other people who have
given up their lives for their faith?”
(Possible responses: Saint Peter; Saint
Stephen, the first Christian martyr;
missionaries in foreign lands)
Say “Unlike the early Christians,
we are free to practice our faith. But
there are times when we have to go
against popular opinion to stay true
to Jesus’ teaching.”
The early Christians were often persecuted, or
punished, sometimes even killed, for their beliefs.
If Christians identified themselves publicly as
Christ’s followers, they put their lives at risk from
those who did not believe.
Before Saint Paul was a follower of Christ,
he was one of the people who hated the early
Christians. His original name was Saul. His
mission was to persecute people who called themselves Christians.
One day, while Saul was on his way to Damascus to hunt for more
Christians, a great light shone around him. Suddenly, he fell to the ground
and was struck blind.
A voice said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
“Who are you, sir?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.”
Shaken and confused, Saul asked, “What do you want me to do?”
Jesus told him to go on to Damascus, where he would be told what to do.
At that moment, through the power of God, Saul received the gift of faith
in Jesus. Temporarily blinded, he could see the truth with his heart.
Saul was baptized. He took the name of Paul. After this experience,
his mission was to teach
people to know and love
Jesus. After a life of preaching
and imprisonment for his
teachings, Paul made the
ultimate sacrifice for his faith.
He gave up his life for his
beliefs, dying as a martyr in
Rome. Martyrs were ordinary
people whose extraordinary
faith enabled them to give
their lives for their belief in
Christ. This is the greatest
sign of commitment to Jesus
and the Church. Paul’s
story shows just how much
believing in the Lord can
change someone.
Saint Paul’s feast day is
June 29.
50
Renewing the Covenant
Jews mark special occasions in their lives with an outward
sign that represents a renewal of the covenant with God.
Birth is celebrated with a special blessing to commemorate
God’s promise to Abraham. Some Jewish families hold
baby-naming ceremonies for newborn girls or a ceremony
called a bris for newborn boys. These ceremonies are
typically held eight days after the baby’s birth.
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Read aloud “A New Life in the Lord.”
Invite the young people to identify
saints they admire and to tell what they
admire about them.
A New Life in the Lord
The stories of Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, and Saint Paul show us how
God’s revelation can change people so much that they need new names
to identify themselves. Catholics sometimes use new names to mark an
important change in themselves. For Confirmation, Catholics may choose
the name of a saint whom they admire and whose characteristics and
virtues they want to attain.
Doing the Activities
1. Invite the young people to read the
“Name Game” instructions and to do
the activity. Then ask them to reflect
on their names and their uniqueness.
2. Ask a volunteer to read the
instructions for the next activity.
Encourage volunteers to share their
drawings or writings.
Activities
1. Write your full name on the lines provided. Using the letters in
your name, create words that describe something special about
you, and write them on the lines below.
first name
middle name
last name
Answers will vary.
2. Acts of faith are not always as dramatic as Abraham’s, Jacob’s,
or Saint Paul’s. Draw or write one thing you can do in your
everyday life to show you are committed to following Jesus.
Answers will vary.
How can we pray
as Isaac did?
51
Respond Researching the Meanings of Names
• Have baby-naming books on hand.
• Invite the young people to look up their names in the
books and write down the definitions they find.
• Distribute drawing paper and crayons or markers.
• Invite the young people to draw a coat of arms representing the qualities associated with their names.
• Ask the young people to think about how they could use
these qualities to help others.
Young People Who Are
Cognitively Impaired
The “Name Game” activity on
page 51, which involves creating
words using the letters of a name,
requires a level of thinking above
the comprehension ability of
young people who are cognitively
impaired. Simply having the young
people verbalize what is special
about them will meet the objective of the activity.
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Preparing for Prayer
A Family Blessing
Invite the young people to gather in the
prayer corner. Invite them to recall that
they are in the presence of Christ as his
faithful people.
Blessings ask God to make someone or something holy. Before
their Sabbath meal, Jewish families pray blessings for the
day and one another. They hold a candle-lighting ritual and
a ceremony called kiddush, which involves blessing wine and
bread. The prayers that the priest says over the gifts during
Mass are similar.
A Family
Blessing
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation,
Creator of the fruit of the vine.
You have taught us the ways of holiness through your
commandments.
Orient the group to the prayer
celebration “A Family Blessing”
on page 52.
• Ask a volunteer to read aloud the
opening paragraph.
• Distribute the grape juice.
Blessed are you, O Lord; you make holy the Sabbath day.
Based on the Jewish kiddush blessings
Share the following Catholic family blessing with your group.
Later, share it with your family.
Group 1: May God help you and keep you.
Group 2: May he guide you in life.
• Have the young people pray the
kiddush blessing, raising their cups
of juice.
• Read the next paragraph, then have
the young people say the Catholic
blessing, with one group acting as
Group 1 and the other as Group 2.
• Encourage the young people to share
this blessing with their families.
• Sing the song you have chosen for
today’s celebration.
Group 1: May he bless you this evening.
Group 2: And keep you from harm.
Group 1: May God bless (make the Sign of the Cross over
Group 2) you (name the people being blessed).
Group 2: And God bless (make the Sign of the Cross over
Group 1) you, too (name the people being blessed).
Based on the Parental Blessing of Children,
Canadian Catholic Conference
52
Take Home
Tear out the Take Home Family
Time pages for the next chapter.
Remind the children to work on
these at home with their parents
or guardians.
Piety and Prayer
Joseph was one of Jacob’s sons and a patriarch,
or founding father, of the People Israel. As a boy,
Joseph’s jealous brothers sold him into slavery in
Egypt. Through a series of miraculous events Joseph
rose from being a servant to being Pharaoh’s chief
assistant. Throughout all the ups and downs of
his life Joseph was directed by his faith in God.
Joseph’s trust in God was richly rewarded.
Family Callings Have family members
draw outlines of themselves and fill
them in with clothing, tools, or other
objects that illustrate what they would
like their lives to be like five or ten
years from now. Talk about the work,
cooperation, and trust involved in
realizing your goals.
On Sunday
When the priest says,
“Let us pray,” speak to
God quietly and listen for
God speaking to you.
On the Web
www.blestarewe.com
and the reflection
Cultural Connections
Saint of the Week
www.blestarewe.com/familytime
Blessed André Bessette
(1845–1937)
Blessed Brother André Bessette
worked as a doorkeeper at Notre
Dame College in Montreal for
forty years. He had a special
ministry to the sick, and many
who came to him were healed.
Brother André encouraged all
who sought intercession to pray
to Saint Joseph, to whom he had
a special devotion.
Feast Day: January 6
God, teach us to hear
your voice in our hearts
and in the presence of
those around us. Like
Blessed André Bessette,
may we live a life of
prayer and service.
Amen.
Family Time Level 6
52
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55
Visit our Web Site for
the Take Home Family
Time pages in Polish,
Portuguese, Spanish, and
Vietnamese.
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Reviewing the Chapter
Complete each sentence below.
This page serves as a review of the
Learning Goals on page 44C. Be sure to
review the concept that God is always
faithful to his promises.
covenant
is a sacred agreement or relationship,
1. A
sometimes sealed by a ceremony.
2. Rebecca helped
birthright
his
3.
Jacob
trick Isaac into giving him
, which rightfully belonged to Esau.
Matrimony
is a covenant between one man and one
woman that requires them to be faithful for their whole lives.
Completing the Exercises
oath
4. A(n)
is a promise that must be truthful and
taken only when necessary.
Invite the young people to complete
the Chapter Review. Allow them to
look back at the pages of the chapter
to find answers they cannot recall on
their own.
Jacob
5. In
’s dream at Bethel, God said to him,
“I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you.”
Confirmation
6.
is a sacrament that strengthens
our bond with the Church.
Paul
7. Before
was a follower of Christ, he was one
of the people who persecuted the Christians.
8.
Martyrs
were ordinary people with extraordinary
faith who gave up their lives for their belief in Christ.
9. If we try to live simply, honestly, and lovingly, we are
covenant
people.
Respond to the following.
1. As Catholics, what are some covenants we have in our lives?
Possible answers include our covenant to carry out the
Church’s mission, the covenant of martimony.
2. Describe some ways in which a person your age can honor
the covenant with God to live as a follower of Christ.
Answers will vary.
www.blestarewe.com
A
1
p. 49
6
p. 49
2
p. 48
7
p. 50
3
p. 49
8
p. 50
4
p. 49
9
p. 49
5
p. 49
p. 49
Time permitting, Chapter
Review and/or Faith in
Action can be completed
during the session. Or at
home.
This session was
one of the best
pretty good
in need of improvement
What worked out best was
____________________________________
For next time I would change
____________________________________
B
1
53
2
p. 49
I will be sure to prepare for
____________________________________
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Parish Ministry
Legislative Advocacy Groups
Invite a volunteer to read aloud the first
paragraph. Tell the young people that
ignoring wrongdoing can be a sin of
omission. If we see an unjust situation,
we must do what is within our power to
rectify it. Parish legislative advocacy
groups work to bring injustices to the
attention of government leaders—on a
local or national level—and to
encourage them to pass legislation that
will change the situation.
Tell the young people that it is
important to speak out against injustice
and wrongdoing, whether as part of
an organized group or as a lone voice.
By speaking out for those who are
disadvantaged, we can live out the
Church’s social justice teaching on
Rights and Responsibilities.
1. Everyday Life Connection
Invite the young people to complete
the activity. Allow volunteers to
share what they have written.
2. Parish Connection
Invite the young people to respond to
the statement. Have volunteers share
their responses.
Legislative Advocacy Groups Lawmakers spend a lot of time making
decisions that affect us all. Influencing lawmakers to make laws that reflect
the values of our Catholic faith is the work of parish advocacy groups.
As Catholics, we can help shape public policy that respects life and the
environment, that promotes peaceful means of resolving conflicts, and that
leads to economic justice for all people. Catholic voices speaking out
together can be heard loud and clear by lawmakers.
Activity Choose an issue that concerns you, such as pollution, poverty, or
an issue affecting your local community, and in the space provided, write what
you would want to tell a lawmaker regarding your concerns. Also tell what
actions you would like to see lawmakers take.
Activity Use your knowledge of Catholic teachings to explain why you would
or would not support a motion such as this: Towns and other communities
should have programs that provide food and other assistance to the poor
and elderly.
I agree/disagree (circle one) with this statement because
.
54
Level 6
Parish Ministry
Rights and Responsibilities
• The Church teaches that human dignity can be protected
and a healthy community can be achieved only if human
rights are protected and responsibilities are met.
• Discuss with the young people some injustices that they are
aware of in the world, locally, nationally, or internationally,
and ways that individual citizens can make a difference to
improve these situations.
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Piety and Prayer
Background for the Catechist
Joseph, the eleventh of Jacob’s twelve sons, exemplified the piety
and prayer that we are called to have as God’s people. Genesis 37 and
39–47 recount how Joseph never doubted God’s love, even after being
sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and unjustly thrown into jail
in Egypt. Despite all the misfortunes that befell him, Joseph
continued to pray to God with love and faith. He trusted in God’s
providence, and eventually his prayers were rewarded.
The Quality of Our Prayer
Sometimes when we describe people as “pious,” we mean that
they are fastidious about saying prayers, going to Mass, or acting
reverently or ceremoniously. But true piety, a gift of the Holy Spirit,
means “faithfulness or loyalty.” Piety helps us remain true to our
faith, even when it may seem God is not listening.
The story of Joseph can be a starting point for assessing our own
piety and prayer. Do we really believe in God’s love? Do we know,
beyond a doubt, that God will never betray us? Do we trust that God
can bring good out of bad times and crises? Mary, the mother of
Jesus, had such piety. She knew that God was always a loyal and true
friend. God is always with us, caring for us and working for our good.
All things work for good
for those who love God,
who are called according
to his purpose
(Romans 8:28).
Time for Reflection
Look back on a difficult time in your life. How can you
tell that God was a loyal and true friend to you during
that time?
Catechist Prayer
Dear God, help me feel your presence when
I am overwhelmed by problems. Guide me
through difficult times. Help me learn from
the examples of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and
Joseph, the son of Jacob, to always trust in your
providence. Amen.
54A
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Share
• Pray the Scripture verse.
• Read the text and discuss
personal experiences.
• Complete the newspaper
activity.
15 minutes
4 Piety and Prayer
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
Luke 1:49
Share
Finding and being a loyal friend are wonderful blessings. What do you
look for in a good friend? You probably want someone with whom you
can share your private feelings. You want a friend you can trust not to
judge you or betray you. A good friend will also look out for your safety.
Most likely, you will do the same things for your close friend, too. This is
what loyal friendship is all about. In the same way, God is loyal and true
to his people. God is always there when we need him to listen. God will
not betray us, and he protects us always.
Name
Friendship and Loyalty
In each circle surrounding the word loyalty, write words that help define
what loyalty is. For ideas, think about the loyal friendships you have.
Activity
A local newspaper is doing a story on friendships and has chosen
you and a good friend as the subjects of the article. Below, write a
headline for your article, and draw two pictures about your
friendship to go with the story. On the lines under each
picture, write a description of what the picture shows.
Additional Activity
• Identify qualities of
friendship.
Loyalty
Explain what loyalty means to you by completing the following statements.
My friends are loyal to me when
How does
God respond
to our loyalty?
• materials for prayer
corner as listed on
page 54C
• pens or pencils
Activity Master 4a
page 54D.
I am loyal to my friends when
If you are loyal to someone, you should be willing to
To the Teacher: Use this activity to reinforce the Share section.
4a
BLEST ARE WE 6
Answers will vary.
CHAPTER 4
Share .
Or Icebreaker for
Pray
54D
57
Hear & Believe
• Discuss the illustration.
Scripture story.
• Teach the doctrine in
“Our Church Teaches.”
• Discuss the We Believe
statement and the Faith
Words.
25 minutes
• Bibles (at least one for
every two young people)
Additional Activity
• Explore dreams in
the Bible.
Respond
• Discuss the photograph.
• Read and discuss
the text.
• Do the activities.
• Pray the Magnificat.
• Distribute the Take Home
Family Time pages for the
next chapter.
20 minutes
Additional Activity
• Interview Joseph.
The Magnificat
Mary’s canticle is called the Magnificat, which means
“praises.” The Magnificat is from Luke 1:46–55.
Catholics pray it as an evening prayer.
Leader:
Let us pray Mary’s canticle of praise.
Name
All:
My soul proclaims the greatness
of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my
Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly
servant.
From this day all generations will
call me blessed:
The Almighty has done great things for me:
holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their
conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their
thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant
Israel,
for he has remembered his promise of
mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
Amen.
Examples of Piety
Fill in the blanks with the answer that best completes the sentence.
Look back in your book to find the answers. Then write the
numbered letters on the correct blanks at the bottom of the
page. You will spell out what happened to Jacob’s family.
1. Potiphar let Joseph run his
.
1
2
2. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s
.
3
4
3. Joseph’s brothers felt
of him.
5
4. Benjamin was Joseph’s youngest
.
6
7
5. Pharaoh’s dreams predicted years of
.
8
9
6. Joseph’s brothers sold him as a
.
10
7. Joseph was thrown into prison because Potiphar’s
lied about him.
11
8. Joseph had a servant hide a
cup in Benjamin’s bag.
12
9. By making him a ruler in Egypt, God rewarded Joseph’s
.
13
10. As we learn from Joseph’s story, there will always be
from God.
3
1
7
8
5
13
3
11
5
12
4
9
2
5
10
5
3
4
13
6
5
12
2
To the Teacher: Use this activity to reinforce the Hear & Believe section.
CHAPTER 4
54B
4b
BLEST ARE WE 6
62
55
• CD player
Additional Activity
• writing paper
Activity Master 4b
page 55.
Overview
Books
• Joseph
Brian Wildsmith (Eerdmans Books
for Young Readers, 1997)
This sensitive retelling of the
Old Testament story of Joseph
is accompanied by colorful
illustrations.
This chapter will help the young people
1. learn about Joseph and his devotion to and trust in God.
2. understand that they should trust God.
3. learn that it is important to overcome distractions from
God and to stay focused on his will.
Catechism Connection
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
discusses how Catholics pray.
CCC references: 2590, 2680, 2754
Videos
• Joseph in Bondage
(30 min.) (“In the Beginning” series;
CCC of America)
Joseph is sold into slavery in
Egypt by his jealous brothers.
His father, Jacob, mourns the
loss of his beloved son.
GDC and NDC Connections
The General Directory for Catechesis
(GDC) recalls the need to be
attentive to salvation history.
GDC references: 107, 108
The National Directory for Catechesis
(NDC) presents the catechetical
principles associated with teaching about prayer and
faithfulness, and articulates prayer as one of the tasks of
catechesis.
NDC references: Chapter 2, Section 20
For the Prayer Corner
Music
• “I Say ‘Yes,’ Lord/Digo ‘Sí,’
Señor”
(Unit 1 song, page 24)
• “Magnificat”
David Haas
• Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat
Original Broadway Cast
(EMD/Chrysalis Records)
Arrange the prayer corner as described on page T24.
For Chapter 4, emphasize ways that Catholics pray
by displaying in the prayer corner a variety of items
related to Catholic prayer, such as Rosary beads, a prayer
book, and prayer cards. Also display a statue of the Blessed
Virgin Mary. Invite the young people to examine the items,
and briefly discuss with them how each of these helps us
to pray.
Visit www.blestarewe.com
Visit our Catechists and Kids sections for
• interactive and printable activities.
• the Liturgical Calendar.
• Lesson Planning Resources.
54C
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Name
Friendship and Loyalty
In each circle surrounding the word loyalty, write words that help describe
what loyalty is. For ideas, think about the loyal friendships you have.
Loyalty
Explain what loyalty means to you by completing the following statements.
My friends are loyal to me when
.
I am loyal to my friends when
.
® RCL Benziger
If you are loyal to someone, you should be willing to
.
To the Teacher: Use this activity to reinforce the Share section in Chapter 4.
54D
ChApter 4
Or Icebreaker for Share .
S6016_CG_054A-056_r4.indd 4
4a
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BAW 3217 TE Grade 6
4/20/11 9:53:14 AM
Name
Examples of Piety
Fill in the blanks with the answer that best completes each sentence.
Look back in your book to find the answers. Then write the
numbered letters on the correct blanks at the bottom of the
page. You will spell out what Jacob’s family became.
1. Potiphar let Joseph run his
1
2
2. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s
3. Joseph’s brothers felt
3
.
4
of him.
5
4. Benjamin was Joseph’s youngest
6
.
7
5. Pharaoh’s dreams predicted years of
8
.
9
6. Joseph’s brothers sold him as a
.
10
7. Joseph was thrown into prison because Potiphar’s
8. Joseph had a servant hide a
.
lied about him.
11
cup in Benjamin’s bag.
12
9. By making him a ruler in Egypt, God rewarded Joseph’s
.
13
10. As we learn from Joseph’s story, there will always be
from God.
1
7
8
5
3
13
12
11
4
5
9
2
5
10
5
3
4
13
6
5
12
® RCL Benziger
3
2
To the Teacher: Use this activity to reinforce the Hear & Believe section in Chapter 4.
ChApter 4
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4
Pre-chapter home activities for families
Beginning at Home
Many of the children will have spent some time with their families working
with the Take Home Family Time pages at home. You can help the children
connect with what was done at home by discussing the saint featured or
using A Prayer for the Week at an appropriate time.
Piety and Prayer
Joseph was one of Jacob’s sons and a patriarch,
or founding father, of the People Israel. As a boy,
Joseph’s jealous brothers sold him into slavery in
Egypt. Through a series of miraculous events Joseph
rose from being a servant to being Pharaoh’s chief
assistant. Throughout all the ups and downs of
his life Joseph was directed by his faith in God.
Joseph’s trust in God was richly rewarded.
Before the Time of Jesus
Interpreting Dreams For many ancient cultures,
dreams were accepted as supernatural messages. The
dreams of royalty were considered especially significant,
and rulers sought advisers who were able to interpret
dreams. Those who succeeded were revered, as is evident
in Joseph’s story. When Pharaoh dreamed of cattle and
crops, all the wise men of Egypt were called upon to
interpret his dream. None succeeded. When Joseph, a
Hebrew, was able to interpret the dream as a warning
of seven years of prosperity followed by seven years
of famine, Pharaoh made him his chief assistant. Read
Genesis 41 to learn about Pharaoh’s dream.
Family Callings Have family members
draw outlines of themselves and fill
them in with clothing, tools, or other
objects that illustrate what they would
like their lives to be like five or ten
years from now. Talk about the work,
cooperation, and trust involved in
realizing your goals.
On Sunday
When the priest says,
“Let us pray,” speak to
God quietly and listen for
God speaking to you.
On the Web
www.blestarewe.com
and the reflection
Saint of the Week
Blessed André Bessette
in Art
(1845–1937)
Blessed Brother André Bessette
worked as a doorkeeper at Notre
Dame College in Montreal for
forty years. He had a special
ministry to the sick, and many
who came to him were healed.
Brother André encouraged all
who sought intercession to pray
to Saint Joseph, to whom he had
a special devotion.
Feast Day: January 6
God, teach us to hear
your voice in our hearts
and in the presence of
those around us. Like
Blessed André Bessette,
may we live a life of
prayer and service.
Amen.
Family Time Level 6
55
Sunday Connection
•
•
•
•
The Madonna of the Magnificat
During the Renaissance, European
artists created countless paintings of
the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of the
most famous is Botticelli’s Madonna
of the Magnificat.
Botticelli created the Madonna
of the Magnificat in the early 1480s.
The painting features nearly life-size
figures, and is lavishly covered with
gold paint. It depicts Mary being
crowned as the Queen of Heaven as
she holds the Christ Child and writes
the words of the Magnificat.
Today this painting can be seen
in the Uffizi Gallery, in Florence, Italy.
Visit Our Web Site Catechists and parents
can visit www.blestarewe.com for
resources related to the Sunday liturgy.
a summary of the Sunday Scripture readings.
the Reflection Question of the Week.
seasonal activities.
More About the
Saint of the Week
Blessed André Bessette Intensely devoted to
Saint Joseph. Collected nickels and dimes from
giving haircuts to build a chapel to Saint Joseph. By
the time of his death, a basilica in Montreal dedicated to his patron saint was near completion.
56
www.blestarewe.com
Allow the young people a moment of quiet
reflection on André Bessette’s example of piety
and prayer before you reverently read aloud the
prayer. Invite everyone to join together in saying
“Amen.”
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4 Piety and Prayer
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
Luke 1:49
Praying with
Scripture
Share
Finding and being a loyal friend are wonderful blessings. What do you
look for in a good friend? You probably want someone with whom you
can share your private feelings. You want a friend you can trust not to
judge you or betray you. A good friend will also look out for your safety.
Most likely, you will do the same things for your close friend, too. This is
what loyal friendship is all about. In the same way, God is loyal and true
to his people. God is always there when we need him to listen. God will
not betray us, and he protects us always.
Explain that we can always turn to God
in times when we need comfort or some
other kind of help. Ask volunteers to
suggest reasons people pray to God.
Light the candle near the Bible in the
prayer corner. Proclaim the opening
Scripture verse at the top of page 57.
Then allow a moment for reflection.
Sing the unit song on page 24.
Activity
A local newspaper is doing a story on friendships and has chosen
you and a good friend as the subjects of the article. Below, write a
headline for your article, and draw two pictures about your
friendship to go with the story. On the lines under each
picture, write a description of what the picture shows.
Personal Experience
How does
God respond
to our loyalty?
Answers will vary.
Pray
57
Have a volunteer read the Share
paragraph on page 57.
Ask “How did God reward Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob for their loyalty?” (by
giving children to Abraham and Sarah
and Isaac and Rebecca; by protecting
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from harm;
by providing a homeland for them)
“What are some ways that we can be
loyal in our own lives?” (by being
faithful and trustworthy to friends and
family)
Doing the Activity
Read aloud the instructions for the
activity on page 57.
Invite the young people to do the
activity.
Ask volunteers to share their drawings.
Share Identifying Qualities of Friendship
• Ask the young people to share some qualities they
admire in friends. List their responses on the board.
• Ask the young people to give reasons for their answers.
Call attention to the Page
Turner questions throughout
the chapter.
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Hear & Believe
Joseph, the Loyal Son
Discussing the
Scripture
The Illustration Invite the young
people to look at the illustration on
pages 58 and 59. Invite volunteers to
share what they know about Joseph.
The Scripture Read aloud the
introduction at the top of page 58. Point
out that this story introduces us to
Joseph, the last of the patriarchs.
Say “In this reading we will learn
how God is faithful to his people, in
spite of their human weaknesses.”
Invite volunteers to read aloud the
Scripture story about Joseph. If
time permits, have the young people
read about Pharaoh’s dreams
(Genesis 41:1–36) in their Bibles.
Ask “Why were Joseph’s brothers
jealous of him?” (Joseph was Jacob’s
favorite son. His brothers feared he
would rule them. They envied his colorful
tunic.)
“What special talent did Joseph
exhibit in Egypt?” (an ability to
interpret dreams)
“Why might Joseph have been so
forgiving of his brothers?” (Possible
responses: He was a good and
compassionate person. He understood
God’s plan for him. He wanted to be
reunited with his family and save them
from the famine.)
After Jacob left Bethel, God kept him safe. He journeyed to Haran and married
a woman named Rachel. Rachel was unable to have children. She prayed to
have a child and finally gave birth to a son, Joseph. Jacob and his family settled
in Canaan.
Jacob had eleven other sons, but his favorite son was Joseph. Joseph’s
eleven brothers were jealous of him, especially of a colorful tunic that Jacob
had given him. They began to hate him even more when he told them about
his dreams. In one dream, Joseph saw eleven stars, the sun, and the moon
all bowing down to him. “Are you planning to rule us?” the brothers asked
Joseph. They said to each other, “Let us kill Joseph. We can say a wild
beast ate him. We shall then see what comes of his dreams!”
The brothers stripped Joseph of his tunic, threw him into a well, and
left him out in the desert. Finally, they decided to sell Joseph as a slave,
and passing traders took him to Egypt. The brothers dipped Joseph’s
tunic in goat’s blood and gave it to a messenger to bring to their father.
“My son’s tunic!” Jacob cried. “A wild beast has eaten him!”
But God protected Joseph. Joseph came to live in the home of Potiphar,
an assistant of Pharoah, Egypt’s ruler. Potiphar liked Joseph and gave him
the job of running his household. From then on, the LORD’S blessing was
upon everything in the home. But then Potiphar’s wife began to flirt with
Joseph. Joseph ignored her. “How could I commit so great a wrong and
offend God?” he said. Potiphar’s wife was insulted. To get revenge, she
falsely accused Joseph of attacking her, and Joseph was thrown into jail.
Even in jail, the LORD blessed Joseph. The chief jailer put him in
charge of the other prisoners. Joseph had a gift for telling other prisoners
the meaning of their dreams. Pharaoh was having nightmares, so he sent
for Joseph. “In one dream,” Pharaoh told Joseph, “I saw seven ears of
grain, growing fat and healthy. Behind them sprouted seven ears of grain,
shriveled and thin. They swallowed up the seven healthy ears.”
Joseph told Pharaoh, “God is telling you that seven years of plentiful
food will be followed by seven years of famine.” Pharaoh put Joseph in
charge of storing food to prepare for the famine. When the famine came,
Egypt was ready.
After two years of famine, Jacob and his other sons were running out of
food. Jacob sent ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain. He kept Benjamin,
the last child Rachel had before she died, at home with him. Jacob’s sons
went to see Pharaoh’s chief assistant, who was actually Joseph.
Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. Wanting
to see his brother Benjamin, Joseph sent his brothers back to get him.
58
A Lesson in Loyalty
The narrative about Joseph is the longest in the Book of
Genesis. It covers thirteen chapters. It introduces us to
Joseph, the last of the patriarchs. In spite of his trials, Joseph
emerges as a model of piety and trust in God.
In every circumstance, Joseph does what he believes God
would want of him. He trusts that God will look out for him,
and his piety is rewarded.
Joseph’s story also reveals the origin of the Twelve Tribes
of Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus appoints the Twelve
Apostles to lead people in the good news and to become
judges of the Twelve Tribes.
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The brothers feared that Jacob, still mourning over Joseph, would
never let them take Benjamin. But they did what Joseph asked. When
they returned with Benjamin, Joseph told a servant to hide a silver
cup in Benjamin’s grain bag. Then Joseph accused the brothers of
stealing it and ordered Benjamin to be jailed. The brothers panicked.
“If Benjamin is not with us when we go back home, our father
will die of grief!” pleaded Judah, one of the brothers.
Joseph was touched by his brothers’ concern for their father.
“I am your brother Joseph,” he revealed, “whom you sold into Egypt.”
The brothers were shocked. Joseph said he forgave his brothers
because he understood God’s plan for him. “It was not really you but
God who had me come here, for the sake of saving lives,” he said.
“God has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his household, and
ruler over Egypt.”
The brothers went home and told Jacob the news, and the whole
family moved to Egypt. Pharaoh treated the family well. The twelve
sons of Jacob had many children and grandchildren. They all became
known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Each tribe was named after
one of Jacob’s sons. They waited patiently for the time when they
would return to Canaan.
Based on Genesis 29:1–30; 30:1, 22–24; 35:22; 37; 39—47:12; 48:21
Understanding Scripture
We Believe
Prayer requires
keeping our hearts
and minds focused
on God. Because
we trust God, we pray
to God as “Father.”
Faith Words
fidelity
Fidelity is faithfulness and
loyalty to something or
someone. Joseph is a
model of fidelity to God.
piety
Piety is putting God
above everything else.
An Example of Piety
Joseph brought joy to his father, and reconciliation to his family.
His story shows us the rewards of being loyal to God. Joseph
remained faithful to God. He never sought revenge for his brothers’
actions; instead, he forgave them. When Potiphar’s wife tempted
him, he resisted. He was patient even when he was jailed unfairly.
God rewarded him for this fidelity by making him a great ruler in
Egypt. Even as a ruler, Joseph was humble. His only concern was
how to serve God. Joseph’s piety is an example for us.
Understanding Doctrine
Read aloud “Our Church Teaches.”
Say “Think about how you pray to
God.”
Point out that attentiveness and trust
are two elements that make prayer
most effective. As Joseph demonstrated,
faithfulness to God can be expressed
in both prayer and actions.
We Believe/Faith Words
Our Church Teaches
As we see from Joseph’s story, there will always be distractions from
God. But like Joseph, we can overcome those distractions. Joseph
faced many difficulties, but he always remained focused on God’s
will. Separated from his own father, Joseph relied on God as
his father. When we become distracted in our prayers,
like Joseph, we should think of God as our caring
Father and try to turn our hearts back to him.
Have a volunteer read aloud “An
Example of Piety.”
Say “Joseph’s actions affected his
entire family and eventually led to the
formation of the nation of Israel. His
faithfulness renewed the covenant
God made with his great-grandfather,
Abraham.”
How did Hebrew
prayers address
God?
Use the following question to reinforce
the We Believe statement.
Ask “How does God want us to
pray?” (Possible responses: sincerely,
without distraction, frequently, with trust
in his love for us, to show our faith in
him, to benefit others)
Ask volunteers to explain the meaning
of the Faith Words in their own words.
59
Scripture Exploring Dreams in the Bible
• You might have the young people read about the dream
of the New Testament Joseph in Matthew 1:18–24.
• Share with the group information about dreams from the
Cultural Awareness box on this page.
• Invite the young people to speculate about why dreams
are so important in the Bible.
25283_TE_057-062.indd 3
Interpreting Dreams
Dreams played an important role
in Scripture. The Lord often
appeared in dreams to inspire
people to action. Dream interpretation was an ancient art. Those
who interpreted dreams were
revered. In Genesis 41:1–57, we
learn that all the wise men of
Egypt were unable to interpret
Pharaoh’s dream. When Joseph,
a Hebrew, was able to interpret
the dream, Pharaoh put him in
charge of preparing Egypt for the
coming famine.
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Respond
The Lord Helps the Lowly
Discussing the Text
The Photograph Direct the group’s
attention to the photograph on page 60.
Ask “How would you describe the
person in the photograph?” (Possible
responses: alone, homeless, poor, hungry,
sad, elderly, tired)
Say “This photograph shows
someone who is probably ignored,
even shunned, by society. But
he hasn’t been forgotten by God.”
The Text Ask for volunteers to read
the paragraphs under “The Lord Helps
the Lowly.”
Say “Let’s read the hymn together.”
Lead the group in reading the entire
hymn.
Joseph’s own brothers had plotted to kill him. They threw him into a
ditch, and he ended up a slave. But the Bible tells us that “the LORD
was with him and brought success to all he did” (Genesis 39:23).
When Joseph became a ruler, he believed that God was responsible
for all his blessings. He was a servant of God before anything else.
The Hebrews often prayed to God in hymns and songs that said
they were servants of the Lord. They praised God as the protector
of all humble servants. Let us sing or pray this traditional hymn,
which praises God for the help he gives to faithful people who
are powerless or poor.
Alleluia.
Praise the LORD, O my soul;
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while
I live.
Happy he whose help is the God
of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD,
his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
Ask “In what way is God praised?”
(Possible responses: as a source of hope,
a creator, a leader, a provider, a dispenser
of justice, a liberator, a protector)
The LORD sets captives free;
the LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those that were
bowed down;
the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers;
the fatherless and the widow
he sustains,
but the way of the wicked
he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all
generations. Alleluia.
Psalm 146:1–2, 5–10
60
All Part of God’s Plan
The story of Joseph and his brothers illustrates the rewards
of fidelity. It is also a “religious history.” Eventually, the
Hebrews will be held captive by a ruler who does not
remember or respect Joseph’s legacy. The story sets the
stage for the Exodus event, when God rescued the Hebrews
from oppression in Egypt and brought them back to the
land promised to their ancestors. Share this information
with the group.
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Activities
1. Reread the lines of the psalm that are in blue. They name things
that God does for people who are powerless or in need. Rewrite
the blue lines to describe how God helps you.
The Lord
Answers will vary for this activity.
The Lord
The Lord
The Lord
The Lord
2. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a Hebrew woman who may have
prayed many traditional hymns such as the one you just prayed.
When God asked her to be the mother of Jesus, she praised the
Lord in a canticle, a poem or hymn of praise. Her prayer said that
the Lord takes care of the poor and lifts them up.
The following song is based on Mary’s prayer. Complete Verse 3
by writing two sentences, one that praises God and one that
names something wonderful God has done.
Chorus:
Proclaim the greatness of God; rejoice in my God, my Savior!
Rejoice in God, my Savior!
Verse 1:
My soul is filled with joy as I sing to God my Savior:
you have looked upon your servant, you have visited your people.
Chorus
Verse 2:
I am lowly as a child, but I know from this day forward
that my name will be remembered, for all will call me blessed.
Chorus
Verse 3:
Answers will vary.
What were
Mary’s own
words to God?
Chorus
1. Read the instructions for the
psalm-writing activity, pointing out
the colored verse lines of the hymn
on page 60.
Invite the young people to rewrite
the lines to reflect their experiences.
2. Ask a volunteer to read the opening
paragraphs.
Say “Mary’s prayer is called the
Magnificat. It shows her appreciation
of God in choosing her to bear his Son.
It also shows how God’s kingdom will
reverse society’s injustices: The lowly
will be raised up; the proud will be
made low.”
Arrange the young people into two
groups. Have one group read Verse 1
aloud and the other group read
Verse 2. Have both groups read the
Chorus together.
Say “To prepare for prayer, think
about how you can praise God.”
Have the young people complete the
activity individually.
Invite volunteers to share the verses
they have written.
Chorus: Luke 1:46–55, James Chepponis ©1989 GIA Publications, Inc.
Verses 1 and 2: Luke 1:46–55, David Haas ©1989 GIA Publications, Inc.
61
Respond Interviewing Joseph
• Arrange the young people in groups of four. Have each
group pretend to be newspaper or television reporters
who have covered the breaking story of Joseph being
reunited with his brothers. Have the reporters interview
Joseph and one of his brothers.
• Invite the groups to report on their interviews of Joseph
and one of his brothers.
Background on the
Magnificat
Point out that in the Bible, Mary’s
song follows Elizabeth’s greeting,
“Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you
by the Lord would be fulfilled”
(Luke 1:45). Even though she
was responding to Elizabeth,
Mary’s Magnificat addressed God.
Emphasize that Christian prayer is
directed to God, the Father.
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Preparing for Prayer
Call the young people to gather in the
prayer corner. Invite them to recall that
they are in the presence of Christ as his
faithful people.
The Magnificat
Mary’s canticle is called the Magnificat, which means
“praises.” The Magnificat is from Luke 1:46–55.
Catholics pray it as an evening prayer.
Leader:
Let us pray Mary’s canticle of praise.
All:
My soul proclaims the greatness
of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my
Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly
servant.
From this day all generations will
call me blessed:
The Almighty has done great things for me:
holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their
conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their
thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant
Israel,
for he has remembered his promise of
mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.
Amen.
The Magnificat
Orient the group to the prayer
celebration “The Magnificat” on
page 62.
• Read aloud the opening paragraph.
• Before beginning the opening prayer,
ask the young people to quietly reflect
on God’s presence in their lives. Then
ask them to follow Mary’s example
and strive to praise God as she did.
• Read the Leader passage. Then invite
the group to pray the Magnificat
aloud.
• Sing the song you have chosen for
today’s celebration.
62
Take Home
Tear out the Take Home Family
Time pages for the next chapter.
Remind the children to work on
these at home with their parents
or guardians.
Slavery and Deliverance
The story of Moses and the Exodus is a key part of the
salvation story of God’s people. God spoke to Moses in
a burning bush and asked Moses to lead the Israelites
out of slavery to their own land. Through
escaping slavery in Egypt, the Israelites
learned new lessons about themselves as
God’s special people. We can learn from
their story and from our own family journeys.
Family Hieroglyphics The ancient
Egyptian alphabet, called hieroglyphics,
consisted of symbols that represented
letters. Create an alphabet of symbols
that mean something to your family.
For instance, a stick figure of a girl could
represent the letter H if there is a girl in
the family named Hannah.
On Sunday
Listen to the second
reading at Mass for themes
of slavery and freedom.
On the Web
www.blestarewe.com
and the reflection
Cultural Connections
Saint of the Week
www.blestarewe.com/familytime
Saint Martin de Porres
(1579–1639)
Martin de Porres, a Dominican
friar, lived near Lima, Peru,
during the time of the slave trade.
His days were filled with nursing
the sick and caring for slaves
and the poor of the city. His
love for all people, regardless of
their color, race, or status, set an
example for others of his time.
Patron Saint of: racial harmony
Feast Day: November 3
Thank you, God, for
our freedom to be your
followers. Give us the
courage to stand firm in
our beliefs. Amen.
Family Time Level 6
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67
the Take Home Family
Time pages in Polish,
Portuguese, Spanish, and
Vietnamese.
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Reviewing the Chapter
Match Column A with Column B by writing the correct
number in the space provided.
7 Jacob’s favorite son; dreamed
of seven years of famine
3 Mary’s canticle, or song of praise to God
This page serves as a review of the
Learning Goals on page 54C. Be sure to
review the concept that even when we
face distractions, we must remain
focused on God’s will.
9 youngest brother of Joseph
2 the title for a ruler of ancient Egypt
Completing the Exercises
A
B
1. Rachel
2. Pharaoh
3. Magnificat
4. fidelity
5. Mary
4 faithfulness and loyalty to something
or someone
6. piety
8 requires keeping our minds and
hearts focused on God
7. Joseph
6 putting God above everything else
8. prayer
1 wife of Jacob; mother of Joseph
Invite the young people to complete the
Chapter Review. Allow them to look
back at the pages of the chapter to find
answers they cannot recall on their
own.
9. Benjamin
5 her prayer said that the Lord lifts up
the poor
Optional Testing
After the young people have completed
Unit 1, you may wish to administer the
Unit 1 Test from the unit tests blackline
master book for Grade 6.
Complete the sentences, using words from the box.
Not all words will be used.
fidelity
1. God rewarded Joseph for his
by making him a great ruler in Egypt.
Father
2. Like Joseph, we should always remain focused
Twelve Tribes
will
on God’s
fidelity
Projects Book
Almighty
.
To reinforce concepts taught in this
unit, refer to the projects blackline
master book for Grade 6.
will
3. Joseph and his brothers became known as the
Twelve Tribes
First Fathers
of Israel.
4. Because we trust God, we pray to him as “
Father
.”
Almighty
5. In the Magnificat, Mary proclaims, “The
has done great things for me: holy is his Name.”
www.blestarewe.com
A
1
p. 58
6
p. 59
2
p. 58
7
p. 58
3
p. 62
8
p. 59
4
p. 59
9
p. 58
5
p. 61
63
Time permitting, Chapter
Review and/or Faith in
Action can be completed
during the session. Or at
home.
This session was
one of the best
pretty good
in need of improvement
What worked out best was
____________________________________
For next time I would change
____________________________________
B
1
p. 59
4
p. 59
I will be sure to prepare for
2
p. 59
5
p. 62
____________________________________
3
p. 59
63
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Parish Ministry
Parish Youth Groups
Invite a volunteer to read aloud the first
paragraph. Tell the young people that
the youth group ministry serves the
young adults in the parish community.
Explain that the purpose of the group is
to offer young people a place where they
can socialize as well as find supportive
peers and adults with whom they can
discuss concerns, peer problems, family
issues, and their faith. Through the
process of youth ministry, young people
can also plan their service
commitments.
Consider inviting a youth group leader
from your parish to visit your group to
tell the young people about the youth
group and its activities.
Parish Youth Groups Parish youth groups are a great place for young
people to get to know one another. Youth group members share good
times as well as the challenges of growing up as Catholics in a world that
doesn’t always respect their values. They help with parish fundraisers and
participate in service projects. Parish youth groups are where many of us
will learn firsthand that Saint Francis was right when he said, “It is in giving
that we receive.”
Activity In the left-hand column, list some qualities your friends have that
make you like them. In the right-hand, list some qualities you have that you
think make your friends like you.
What I like about my friends
What my friends like about me
Answers will vary.
1. Everyday Life Connection
Invite the group to complete the
activity. Share with the young people
qualities they might include, such as
kind, patient, funny, and loyal. Have
volunteers share their responses
for each column, without identifying
their friends by name.
2. Parish Connection
Invite the group to complete the
activity. Discuss qualities the young
people would seek in a youth group
minister.
Activity List two or three qualities that you feel are essential for a youth
minister to have, and that would make this person a good role model.
Explain why these are important. Then name someone you know who
would be an ideal candidate for this role.
Possible qualities: good listener, lives according to the
commandments, has a good sense of humor
64
Level 6
Parish Ministry
Call to Family, Community, Participation
• The Church teaches that we all need to participate in building
the common good and to seek the well being of all.
• Many people believe that our youth are changing and that
there is a glaring deficiency in moral values in society. Youth
ministers can build the common good by providing informal
experiences of wholeness, kindness, honesty, reverence,
respect, and compassion to teens.
• Invite two youth ministry participants to share their story of
service and personal growth in a parish youth group.
64
www.blestarewe.com

Covenant and Commitment

Transcription

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