Primary Session
Luke 12:32-48
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Thank you, God,
for always loving us,
for keeping us in your care,
for the gifts of faith, hope and love,
and for Jesus, in whose name we pray.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
The theme for the session today is hope. To begin, draw the outline of a large rainbow on newsprint paper. Put the paper on the floor or on the wall low enough for the children to reach. Provide crayons and invite the children to color in all the colors of the rainbow. Explain that rainbows remind us of how much God cares for us. After the flooding rains God sent a rainbow as a sign of God’s promise to always love and care for us. Discuss:
- Why is a rainbow a sign of hope?
- What is hope?
Allow time for discussion. Hope is a virtue that helps us trust that God will always love and care for us.
Listening to the Word of God
In the Gospel reading listen to Jesus tell his followers that God will take care of them.
Read Luke 12:32-48.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
- What does Jesus tell his followers about God?
- What does God promise?
- Why does Jesus tell his followers to be ready?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the gospel.
In today’s Gospel Jesus tells his followers to hope in God’s promise. God wants to give us his kingdom; we need only be ready. How can we be ready for the coming of God’s kingdom? In today’s passage Jesus teaches his disciples how to be ready. He tells them to give up their material belongings and to give what they have to the poor.
The Gospel today shows us how to be faithful. Faithful followers of Jesus live with the hope that God’s kingdom will come.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
- When are you afraid?
- Who helps take care of you?
- Do you trust that God looks out for you?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
Christian Hope
As God’s children, we share in God’s own life and love. God gives us gifts called virtues to help us live as God’s children. Faith, hope and love are “theological virtues.” They help us grow closer to God.
The virtue of hope helps us put our trust in God. God gives us the gift of hope to help us get through hard times.
Through Jesus we are given hope in life after death. Praying the “Our Father”, the prayer that Jesus taught us, helps us to grow in the virtue of hope.
- How can you grow in the virtue of hope?
- How does the gift of hope help you?
- What helps you to grow closer to God?
The Gospel in Life
This week ask a family member to read you a story about hope. Stories of hope can be found in many children’s books, however if you need a suggestion, use the story of “Noah’s Ark” from any children’s Bible.
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 15
Kindergarten, chapter 1
Grade 1, chapter 2
Grade 2, chapter 3
Grade 3, chapter 2
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