Primary Session
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
God our Maker,
You have made us in your image and we are your children.
Help us to treat one another as members of your family.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
To help the children understand the concept that God loves all people equally, begin the session with a game of musical chairs. When there are only a few people left in the chairs, end the game. Discuss:
- How did it feel to loose your chair?
- How did it feel to be one of the winners?
- Have you ever felt left out at school or at home?
We are all winners because God loves us and we belong to God's family. Jesus did not want anyone to feel left out. He tried hard to let children and adults know that they are precious to God.
Listening to the Word of God
In today's gospel Jesus tells his disciples that other people can use his name to do good.
Read Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
- What did the disciples see?
- Why did they want to stop someone from using Jesus' name to help a person in need?
- Does Jesus want the person who is helping to stop?
- What does he tell his disciples?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the gospel using the Catechist Background section.
In the gospel today Jesus tells his disciples that they should let other people use his name to do good works. The disciples wanted to tell the person who was casting out demons to stop. But Jesus let his friends know that they do not belong to a special group that leaves people out. If other people are doing good works and helping people in need, then they can call on the name of Jesus.
Today's reading also points out that we can make choices that turn us away from God. Jesus talks about getting rid of what makes us sin. Jesus does not want us to hurt ourselves. Instead he wants us to use our hands, legs and mouth to do good things. When we make choices that hurt other people or ourselves then we turn away from God. Jesus teaches us to make caring choices.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
Jesus does not want to turn anyone away.
- How can you help people to know that Jesus loves them?
- How can you make caring choices at home, in school or with your friends?
(If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.)
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholics believe that God has created all people in the image of holiness. Out of love, God made each person. Every child is precious in God's eyes.
All of creation is a wonderful gift from God. When we see the beauty that is in the world around us, we see how much God loves us.
God made each person with special talents. Over time we discover how to use our talents to help care for others. God wants us to work together to make the world a better place to live.
God did not make us alone. We were made to live together as members of God's family. We may look different or speak differently from one another, but we are still brothers and sisters in faith. And God loves us all equally.
- What special talents have you been given to share?
- How can we show our love for God's family?
The Gospel in Life
Take a walk and look at the beauty of nature. Say a prayer of thanks to God.
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