April 12th
This month’s lesson supplements the Resurrection of our Lord. It is recommended for elementary grades.
Objectives:
- Student will have a better understanding of the events of the third day following the Passion.
- Students will have a better understanding of the impact of these events on the eye witnesses of each account.
Standards:
- Students will read (have read to them) Matt 28:1-20.
- Students will read (have read to them) Mark 16:1-20.
- Students will read (have read to them) Luke 24:1-48.
- Students will read (have read to them) John 20:1-31.
- Students will listen to the song “Sing Alleluia”.
- Students will read the lyrics to “Sing Alleluia”.
- Students will analyze and adapt each scene into a tangible display.
Materials:
- Bibles (or copies of the readings)
- Copies of the lyrics
- Copy of the song
- A shoe box for each child
- Construction paper, scissors, glue, crayons, markers, scraps of card stock
Anticipatory Set:
- Ask: Who was the first person (people) to arrive at Jesus’ tomb?
- Ask: Who was the first person to see Jesus after He rose from the dead?
- Ask: Who had to see to believe?
Presentation:
- Distribute copies of the lyrics and play the song.
- Read the resurrection narratives together (some may be shortened for younger grades).
- Discuss the women’s arrival at the tomb, Mary Magdalen’s encounter, the disciples’ encounter on the road to Emmaus, and Thomas’ encounter in the upper room.
Guided Practice:
- Distribute the shoe boxes and other material to each child (this can be done as a small group activity if desired).
- Assign (let the students choose) a scene to recreate as a diaramma.
- Students will present their boxes to the class.
Closure:
- Play song again.
- Ask the introduction questions again.
SING ALLELUIA (Tefft)
1) They ran to find but an empty tomb.
No body laid there within the gloom.
Our Lord is risen who once was dead.
He conquered death just as He said.
Chorus: So sing alleluia.
Glory to the Lord on high.
Sing out your praises to the King.
Sing alleluia.
On His power we rely.
Lift up your hearts.
Raise your voice and sing! (your praises to the King.)
2) To the woman He did appear.
And Mary Magdalen lost her fear.
To her heart His joy outpoured.
And so she knew she had seen the Lord.
3) On the road two disciples walked
Listening to Him as He talked.
They were amazed at all that He said
But knew Him only in the breaking of bread.
4) Thomas stood in the upper room.
He did not believe in the empty tomb.
But the Lord broke down his façade.
And Thomas cried out “my Lord and God!”
5) And so because of the empty tomb
Within our hearts His grace will bloom.
Our Lord is risen who once was dead.
He conquered death just as He said.
March 2009
This month’s lesson supplements the Way of the Cross. It is recommended for upper elementary and middle school.
Objectives:
- Students will have a better understanding of God’s love.
- Students will have a better understanding of Christ’s Passion.
Standards:
- Students will read the Stations of the Cross as they are presented by St. Joseph Press.
- Students will read and discuss the Way of the Cross narratives in each of the four Gospels: Matthew 27: 31-50, Mark 15:20-39, Luke 23: 26-46, John 19:16-30.
- Students will listen to the song “Golgotha”.
- Students will read the lyrics.
Materials:
- Stations of the Cross booklets
- Bibles (or copies of the readings)
- Copies of the lyrics
- Copy of the song
Anticipatory Set:
- Ask: Can anyone tell me what Jesus may have been thinking or feeling as He carried the cross?
- Ask: Can anyone tell me who Jesus met on the road?
- Ask: Can anyone tell me what Jesus said from the cross?
Presentation:
- Distribute copies of the lyrics and play the song.
- Read the Way of the Cross booklets together and discuss who Jesus met on the road.
- Read the Gospel narratives together and discuss the last words of Jesus.
Guided Practice:
- In small groups students will read the lyrics and relate them to the readings they have just read and discussed as a class.
- Students will then present their findings in a larger group discussion.
Closure:
- Play the song again and invite students to sing along.
- Ask the introduction questions again.
1) Walking down the road with a cross upon my back.
Such a heavy load to bear.
Every little pause earns me another slap.
And it is all because I care.
These familiar faces seem so different now
Not too many traces of love.
A few I see are crying, one gently wipes my brow.
They don’t know I’m dying for love…
chorus: I’m doing this for them.
And I’m doing this for you.
No greater love than this
What I’m about to do
I’m doing it for you.
2) I hit the dirt again, I can’t stay upon my feet.
Every little sin pulls me down.
And they don’t understand, it’s victory not defeat.
Taken like a lamb with no sound.
They said they would follow, now they clamor for my death.
Seems so long ago in the past.
Soon the end will come to my heartbeat and my breath
Soon it will be done at last
3) I feel forsaken, My Father far away.
But all the sins I’ve taken are gone.
Now time is moving slower. Night time comes to day.
Finally it’s over and done.
February 2009
This month’s lesson supplements the fall of man and the redemption of the cross. It is recommended for senior high level.
Objectives:
- Students will have a better understanding of the nature of temptation and sin.
- Students will have a better understanding of reconciliation and salvation.
Standards:
- Students will read and discuss Genesis chapter 3.
- Students will read and discuss The Gospel of John chapters 13-21.
- Students will understand the concepts of being “fallen by nature” and “saved by grace” as they pertain to the Creation and Redemption.
- Students will listen to the song “Fallen”.
- Students will read and discuss the lyrics.
Vocabulary:
Concupiscence–humanity’s tendency toward sin.
Materials:
- Bibles (or copies of the readings)
- Copies of the lyrics
- Copy of the song
Anticipatory Set:
- Discuss the term concupiscence and how it realtes to the students. (1 minute)
- Ask: When did this tendency become a part of our nature?
- Ask: What happened to help us resist this tendency?
- Ask: What can we do when we fall victim to concupiscence?
Presentation:
- Distribute copies of the lyrics and play song.
- Read Genesis chapter 3 and discuss the Fall and the promise of the Redeemer
- Read the Last Supper dialogues and discuss Christ’s love and His promise to remain with us.
- Read the Passion and discuss Christ’s love and sacrifice.
- Read the Resurrection narrative and discuss the fulfillment of God’s promise in the Garden.
Guided Practice:
- In small groups students will read the lyrics and relate them to the reading they have just read and discussed as a class.
- Students will then present their findings in a large group discussion.
Closure:
- Play the song again and invite students to sing along.
- Ask the introduction questions again.
Fallen (Stephen M. Tefft)
1) Disobedience is at the root of it.
Deciding not to follow in God’s plan.
Now concupiscence is the fruit of it.
What was done made me what I am.
But, behold, the Savior came, and He gave a heavenly gift.
With His life and love He healed the rift…
Chorus: Although I’m fallen by nature
By His grace I am saved.
For He opened up heaven
With the life that He gave.
Although I am fallen, He lifts me with His love,
So, I have the chance to reach heaven above.
2) Life seems difficult when you’re in the midst of it.
So often we forget where we are bound.
The truth lives in our hearts but we keep twisting it.
Before we know it we are on the ground.
But, behold, the Savior came, with God’s healing in His hand.
He lifts and holds up every fallen man…
But, behold, the Savior came, and He’ll never go away.
Follow Him, for He shows us the way…
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