Primary Session
Matthew 13:1-23
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Dear God, help us to be good listeners.
Open our ears to hear your Word.
Help us to live your Word in our daily lives.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
The topic for today is sacred Scripture. To begin, invite the children to brainstorm some of their favorite scripture stories. Provide paper and crayons and invite the children to draw a picture to show their favorite bible story. Discuss:
- What does the bible teach us?
- How does the bible speak God's Word to us?
- Why is it important to hear God's Word?
Allow time for discussion. God speaks to us in the bible. We listen to God's Word in the Scriptures because it helps us to grow.
Listening to the Word of God
In today's gospel Jesus tells a story about a sower who planted some seeds. Listen to what Jesus teaches about hearing God's Word.
Read Matthew 13:1-23. (Shorter Matthew 13:1-9)
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
- What happens to the seeds that fall on the path?
- What happens to the seeds that fall on rocky ground?
- What happens to the seeds that fall on good soil?
- What does Jesus teach about good soil?
- How does the parable teach about listening to God's Word?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the gospel using the Catechist Background section.
In today's gospel, Jesus tells a story that teaches us to listen to God's word. Jesus told stories often to help people understand the Kingdom of God. Today's parable about the sower and the seed shows the challenges of hearing God's word and letting it take root.
The seed is the Word of God. Jesus teaches that we must be like good soil and allow the Word of God to grow in our hearts. The gospel story today shows that it is important to have ears that are open to hear God's voice so God's Word can bear fruit in our actions.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
- Why is it hard sometimes to hear God's Word?
- What helps you listen to God's Word?
- How can our actions show that we are listening to God's Word?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to theGospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
Sacred Scripture
We Catholics believe that God speaks to us in the Bible. The Bible is the written Word of God. The Bible is also called the Sacred Scriptures. The Bible tells us about God and God's people. There are two parts to the Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Scriptures come to us from God. While human beings wrote the texts, they were written under the inspiration of God.
Jesus helps us understand the Word of God. Jesus is present in the sacred Scriptures to help show the truth in the written word. The Scriptures are a central part of our lives as Christians. Listening to God's Word in the Scriptures helps us to do good works.
- Why is the Bible called the written Word of God?
- What are the two main parts of the Bible?
- How does Jesus help us to understand the Scriptures?
- How does listening to God's Word help us to do good works?
Correlation to Faith First©
Faith First Grade 1, Chapter 1
Faith First Grade 2, Chapter 1
Faith First Grade 3, Chapter 1
The Gospel in Life
Share your favorite Bible story with a member of your family this week. Remember to open your ears to hear God's Word.
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