L4 Lesson Plan for Chapt. 19: Mar. 23, 24 & 25

The Widow Who Gave Everything/Picture Credit: Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org.

Below is a guide for teaching Level 4 from the Alive in Christ text for classes during the week of March 23, 24 & 25. This guide is adapted from the Alive in Christ publisher website online lesson planning resources for our students. 

 

Lesson Plan- Level 4

Chapter 19- A Generous Spirit

Lesson Overview-The Commandments call you to be generous and to have the right attitude toward possessions. Stewardship is the way we appreciate and use God’s gifts, including our time, talent and treasure, and the resources of creation.  

Lesson Objectives- The children will be able to:

·         Recognize that being detached from our possessions enable us to work for peace and justice in God’s Kingdom.

·         Identify that the Seventh and Tenth Commandments teach about the right attitude toward material possessions and require generosity.

·         Name theft, greed and envy as sins against these Commandments.

·         Appreciate that God created the world for all creatures and called humans to stewardship.

Table Time-

·         Alive in Christ, Chapter 19, page 257.

·         Pray the Opening Prayer and reflect on the scripture excerpt. (Proverbs 14:21,31, Luke 6:38) Discuss “What do you wonder?” questions:

1.       How do you share your gifts with others?

2.       Which of the Ten Commandments helps you grow in generosity?

·         Read “What Really Matters” on pages 258-259, focusing on the scripture passage, The Parable of the Rich Fool).

·         There is a helpful video on YouTube, it looks more closely at “The Parable of the Rich Fool” using a famous Rembrandt painting. It’s about 3 minutes long. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/2yyVzsUK5ak

·         Go to pages 260-261 and read about Generosity, Humility, and Stewardship. Discuss the faith terms: envy, greed, humility, justice and stewardship. 

·         Once you’ve completed the Catechist Edition instruction on page 261, show the children this video. Say: It is important to make time for stewardship and make it a priority in your life. It shouldn’t be something we only work on when it is convenient. Think about some time that you can dedicate to being a good steward. YouTube Link: http://youtu.be/Or3tCrlsVIY

·         On page 247, read the story, “The Poor Widow’s Contribution.” Ask the children: Why do you think the widow contributed more than the rest? What was different about her?

·         Turn to “People of Faith” on page 263. Read about St. Margaret of Scotland, (1045-1093). Discuss: How does it feel when you give away something you own?

Optional Activities-

·         Complete the activity sheet handout titled: “What Will Help?”

Additional Activity: Generous Spirit Posters

Visual/Spatial

Supplies:

• old magazines
• markers
• scissors
• glue
• poster board
• obtain permission for a place in the parish where the children can hang their completed posters

Remind the children that they have been talking about how generous spirits can care for the Earth and share their gifts and talents. Explain that they will make posters to share what they learned with others in the parish.

Point out the supplies you have gathered for making posters. Brainstorm ideas for stewardship messages for the posters. Tell the children where their posters will be displayed in the church building. Encourage the children to cut out photos, draw pictures, write suggestions and decorate their posters in any way they want. Divide into groups of three to four children and give each group a piece of poster board. When the posters are finished, hang them for all to see.