Primary Session
John 10:11-18
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Thank you, God, for your love that is always with us.
You show your love for us through the Trinity.
We pray in the name of God the Father,
God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
The topic for today is Trinity. To begin, brainstorm with the children how their family and friends show them love and care. Write down their responses on a chalkboard or poster paper. Provide paper and crayons and invite the children to draw a picture of how others might show love and care for them. Discuss:
• How do people show love for you?
• How do you show love for others?
• How does God show love for you?
• How do you show love for God?
Allow time for discussion. One way that God shows love for us is through the blessings of creation. God also shows us that there is only one God, who is God the Father and Creator, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We call the one God in three Persons the Holy Trinity.
Listening to the Word of God
In today’s gospel listen to find out why Jesus calls himself the good shepherd.
Read John 10:11-18.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
• Why does Jesus call himself the “good shepherd?”
• How does a good shepherd care for his sheep?
• What does Jesus do for his flock?
• How does Jesus know his sheep?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the gospel using the Catechist Background section.
In today’s gospel Jesus describes his love for those who belong to him. Jesus compares himself to a good shepherd who cares for his sheep. Jesus lays down his life for his sheep.
This passage uses the image of shepherd to describe God’s love. A good shepherd takes good care of his sheep. God truly loves and cares for us. Jesus tells us that he is a good shepherd. He loves and cares for us like God does. We are like sheep that listen to Jesus’ voice and belong to the one family of God.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
• How is Jesus like a good shepherd?
• What does it mean to belong to Jesus?
• How do we show that we are members of God’s family?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
Trinity
We believe there is only one God, who is God the Father who creates us, God the Son who saves us, and God the Holy Spirit who gives us life. The Holy Trinity is the one God in three Persons. Belief in the Trinity is central to our Christian faith. We profess this belief in the Nicene Creed.
Praying the Sign of the Cross shows our belief in the Trinity. Often we begin our prayers in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
God the Father created all that is good. Jesus knows the Father and the Father knows him. God the Father and Son share a relationship of love. Through Jesus, God’s love is shown to us.
The Holy Spirit is the giver of life. Through the Spirit we experience the love of God the Father and the Son. The Blessed Trinity fills us with faith, hope, and love and forms us into one body, the Church.
• What do you know about the Holy Trinity?
• Who are the three persons in God?
• How does praying the sign of the cross show our belief in the Trinity?
Sacrament Connection
We are baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The sacrament of Baptism celebrates our response to the Holy Spirit’s invitation to believe in Christ and live as children of God.
The Gospel in Life
This week pray the sign of the cross and ask God to help you grow in your belief in the Holy Trinity.
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