L6: Lesson Plans Mar. 30, 31, Apr. 1

Photo Credit: photo by @picsbyjameslee for Unsplash.com

This catechist lesson plan was developed using the Alive in Christ online publisher’s resources. It can be adapted for home school use in completing Chapter 21, the last chapter assignment on our spring calendar.

Lesson Plan – Level 6

Chapter 21- A New Creation

Lesson Overview- God will triumph over evil when Christ comes again in glory. In the new creation, God will reward good and punish evil.

Lesson Objectives- The children will:

·         Define apocalyptic literature as a type of writing that claims to reveal what humans cannot see.

·         Recognize that God will triumph over evil when Christ comes again in glory.

·         Explore the resurrection of the body and life everlasting as central tenets of the Catholic faith.

·         Reflect on the things that can help deepen our trust in God’s promise of eternal life, like virtues, the Sacraments, and the Church.

Table Time-

·         Begin with the prayer on page 277, (Psalm 130:5, 7 and 2 Peter3:11b-12a, 13,18). Discuss “What do you wonder?” questions:

1.       In the end, what will triumph, good or evil?

2.       As a Christian, should you be afraid of death?

·         Turn to pages 278-279.

Catechist Tip- Apocalyptic Writing: The tradition of apocalyptic writing gained prominence in the Jewish community through the Book of Daniel. Historical apocalypses, such as in the Book of Daniel, focus on the future course of history. Other apocalypses, such as those attributed to Enoch, Adam, Moses, Abraham, Ezra, and Baruch, focus more on the exploration of the heavenly world. The Book of Revelation is an example of both the above types of apocalyptic writing.

 The Triumph of Good

Ask: What is the Book of Revelation about?
• List the children's responses on the board or on chart paper.
Read aloud the first paragraph.
Have a volunteer read aloud the rest of the text.
• Ask: How does apocalyptic literature differ from most books that you have read? It uses numbers and symbols to help convey a message.
• Ask the children why the Holy Spirit inspired John to write the Book of Revelation. to encourage Christians in a time of persecution

Scripture

Have a proficient reader proclaim the Scripture passage.
• Discuss the first question at the bottom of the page.
• Ask: What is God's message for us today?
• Discuss how God's message, shared by John, applies to Christians today.

Unveiling the Future

Read aloud all three paragraphs. Tell the children to follow along in their books as you read.
Next, arrange the children in pairs. Have the partners use the Key to Revelation as they reread the text and discuss the images mentioned.
• Invite the children to share ideas about why the symbols were used. Because those who might want to harm Christians would not understand the meaning of the book, but Christians facing persecution would understand.
Remind the children that Sacred Scripture is not always easy for us to understand on first reading. Send the children to page 304 in the Our Catholic Tradition section of the Student Books to read How to Better Understand Scripture.

Activity

Ask a volunteer to read aloud the activity directions.
• Have the children work in small groups to complete the activity.
• Ask volunteers to share their messages.

Go to pages 280-281: Hope for the Future

Ask: What is God's new creation?
• List the children's responses on the board or on chart paper.
► Music Option: Play for the children, “Lord of All Hopefulness,” downloaded from aliveinchrist.osv.com
 or click - “Lord of All Hopefulness” on YouTube. Have three volunteers each read aloud one of the paragraphs.
• Ask: How does your belief in the Resurrection affect how you feel about loved ones who have died? How does it affect the way you live today?
• Arrange the children in groups of three, and have each group discuss ways in which the Resurrection makes a difference in the lives of Christians.
• Remind the group that the Resurrection is the foundation for all Christian living and future hope.

New Creation

Invite the children to silently read the text. Tell them to look for ideas and images of what the new creation will be like.
• Point out that the Church is the beginning of the New Jerusalem on Earth.
Work with Words
Have two volunteers read the words and definitions in the Catholic Faith Words box.
• Ask the children if they have any questions about Resurrection and the new creation or anything you have talked about so far.
• The concepts in Revelation can be difficult. If you are not sure of the answers to their questions, tell the children that you will get back to them at a later time— and remember to do so.

 

Activity

Read aloud Revelation 21:1–4, or have the children read the passage from the Bible.
Have a volunteer read aloud the instructions for the activity.
• Provide colored pencils and markers.
• Invite the children to share their creations with the group.

Catechist Tip- Stay Hopeful- Give the children these pointers on keeping the virtue of hope alive in difficult times: Trust God and do not worry. Find one positive thing you can do, and do it. Choose companions who will encourage you and build you up.

·         Go to “People of Faith” on page 283 and read about Saint John the Evangelist, (c. 4-104). Discuss: How do you follow Jesus today?

Optional Activities-

Rainbow of Hope- Have the children work together to create a class mural of hope. Have them paint or color a large rainbow on mural paper. Invite each child to write on the bands of the rainbow his or her ideas about staying hopeful. (Many families are posting rainbow murals in their windows during the pandemic.)

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