Primary Session
John 6:37-40
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Thank you, God, for sharing your life and love with us.
Help us to show others your loving kindness.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
The topic for today is Heaven. To begin invite the children to brainstorm all the things that make them happy. Write down their responses on a sheet of poster paper. Discuss:
• How do the people we love make us happy?
• How can you help make others happy?
• How does God make us happy?
Allow time for discussion. As children of God we are called to live in happiness with God forever. Heaven is being happy with God forever.
Listening to the Word of God
In today’s gospel listen to find out what will happen to those who believe in Jesus.
Read John 6:37-40.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
• What has Jesus come from heaven to do?
• What does Jesus tell his friends about eternal life with God?
• What will happen to those who believe in Jesus?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the gospel using the Catechist Background section.
On today’s feast of All Souls we remember and pray for all who have died that they live in happiness with God forever. We pray in the hope that one day God will put an end to all death and welcome us to heaven.
Today’s gospel reminds us of God’s great promise. Jesus tells his friends that all who love God are welcome to eternal life with God. We call eternal life with God heaven. In this gospel Jesus invites all believers to live with God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, forever.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
• What do we pray for on today’s feast of All Souls?
• What do we call eternal life with God?
• Who will live with God forever?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
Heaven
We believe that death is not an end of our life. After death, we are invited to live with God forever in heaven. We believe that those who die in friendship with God live forever in eternal happiness with God.
Jesus was raised from the dead and he lives in heaven with the Father and the Holy Spirit. By his death and resurrection, Jesus has opened the gates of heaven for us. Jesus welcomes into heaven all those who believe in him and who have remained faithful.
It is not easy to understand God’s great gift of eternal life. In Scripture we find images such as life, light, peace, banquet, the Father’s house and paradise, to help us understand what heaven is like. However, we will not fully understand this mystery until that time when God reveals heaven to us.
• Why is death not an end of our life?
• Where do people who love God go when they die?
• What do you imagine heaven is like?
The Gospel in Life
This week take a nature walk and look for signs of God’s life.
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