on Earth However, it was Jesus who instituted the Church, through His ministry on earth.

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1 The Ministry of jesus on Earth I N T R O D U C T I O N OBJECTIVE: OVERVIEW: The middle school youth will understand that the history of the Catholic Church begins with the ministry of Jesus on earth, which concluded at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was sent forth to God s people. From the beginning of human history, the Father was preparing the world for the establishment of the Church. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Father determined to call together in a holy Church those who should believe in Christ. This family of God is gradually formed and takes shape during the stages of human history, in keeping with the Father s plan. (CCC #759) However, it was Jesus who instituted the Church, through His ministry on earth. It was the Son s task to accomplish the Father s plan of salvation in the fullness of time. Its accomplishment was the reason for his being sent. The Lord Jesus inaugurated his Church by preaching the Good News, that is, the coming of the Reign of God, promised over the ages in the scriptures. To fulfill the father s will, Christ ushered in the Kingdom of heaven on earth. (CCC #763) Further, it was on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was sent throughout the world, that the Church and the work of the Church began. 1

2 When the work which the Father gave the Son to do on earth was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order that he might continually sanctify the Church. Then the Church was openly displayed to the crowds and the spread of the Gospel among the nations, through preaching, was begun. As the convocation of all men for salvation, the Church in her very nature is missionary, sent by Christ to all the nations to make disciples of them. (CCC #767) G A T H E R 1. Opening Music: 2. Introduction: a) welcome new youth; b) find out which middle school youth are celebrating a birthday during the week; c) present a brief overview of the session. 3. Opening Prayer: This prayer should be based on the overview of the session and the objective you wish to accomplish. 4. Individual Process: What Is History? (Handout A) Each middle school youth will receive a handout and list five facts that they recall from history. They will describe what makes these events significant enough to be about remembered generations after they happened. They then will list five recent events that they think may appear in history books in the future, and describe why they think people will remember them. 5. Small Group Process: In your small group, discuss the middle school youth s responses on Handout A. Summarize the group s individual contributions to write a general description that answers the question What is history? Explain what is significant about certain events that are remembered long after they occurred. Select a group spokesperson. 6. Large Group Process: Selected small group spokespeople will share their responses with the large group. 2

3 P R O C L A I M 7. Scripture Reading: Mark 1: Catechetical Talk: The Ministry of Jesus. As Catholics, we traditionally say that Jesus founded the Church, bringing together all the pieces that God had been putting in place for centuries. To understand what that really means, we need to have a short history lesson. First, we need to understand what Church really means. The word church comes from a root word meaning convocation, which we might say another way as the community or the people. When we say that Jesus established the Church, we mean that He established a community. How did He establish this community? By establishing God s kingdom on earth and then creating a structure guided by the Holy Spirit to ensure that it continues. How and why did Jesus establish God s kingdom on earth? The answers are in the reading we just heard: preaching, teaching and healing. Over and over in the Gospels, we hear how Jesus interacted with people by preaching the gospel, teaching them through parables and His example, and by healing people whose illnesses had caused them to be separated from rest of the community. Jesus passed this responsibility on to His disciples to do the same, and over the years it has been handed down to us. That s right. We are called to interact with others in the same way that Jesus did. We are called to preach, teach and heal. But how can we just ordinary people do that? At our Baptism we are brought into the community Jesus created. That Sacrament of Baptism means that we are initiated into His mission of preaching, teaching and healing. Our baptism is what gives us the call and the authority to do these things, on behalf of Jesus, for Him, in His name. But what are some of the ways that we continue Christ s work on earth? What are some practical ideas? I ve asked a couple people to share with you how they do [Invite a high school core member or middle schooler involved in ministry with younger children to share his or her experience of preaching and teaching, describing how he or she has seen it change others and more importantly, how it has changed him or her. Invite a parishioner involved in ministry at a local hospital or care facility to share his or her experience of healing, describing how he or she has seen it change others and more importantly, how it has changed him or her.] You might think that s cool but that s not for me. It is for you, though, it is for everyone, all the baptized. The question is not whether or not you should serve, but how do you want me to serve, Jesus? As you just heard, the way that we preach, teach and heal is different from the way that Jesus did it. But it is just as important, and it can have just as much impact on the lives of other people. 3

4 B R E A K 9. Individual Work: Preaching, Teaching and Healing. (Handout B) Each middle school youth will receive a handout that leads them in a reflection on what it means to preach, to teach and to heal, as well as how he or she can do this in everyday life. If needed, core members may read the questions to the middle school youth, but each person should silently write his or her own responses to each question. Core members also should complete the handout. 10. Small Group Process: In your small group, discuss the middle schoolers responses on Handout B. 11. Small Group Activity: Keeping Jesus Ministry Alive. Each small group will create a 2-minute pantomime skit about how middle school youths preach, teach and heal in their everyday lives with the people they know. The skit should be based on real-life situations and should involve all members of the group, who will act out the skit without dialogue. One person may narrate the action, if necessary. Practice the pantomime several times, and be prepared to perform it before the large group. 12. Large Group Presentation: As many small groups as possible will perform their pantomimes for the large group. S E N D 13. Announcements a. b. c. d. 14. Summary Challenge: Before the middle school youth are sent home they will be challenged to remember: a. The history of the Church began with Jesus ministry on earth. b. During his time here, Jesus established the kingdom of God on earth through preaching, teaching and healing. c. Jesus passed on this responsibility to his disciples, and over the years, it has been passed down to us. 4

5 d. We continue the Church today by following Jesus example and by preaching, teaching and healing, in our own way with the people in our own lives. 15. Closing Prayer: You might be wondering, why is it important to learn this Church history stuff? It s because you are a part of it, a living part of the living Church of God. Our lives are just as important to God as all those who have come before us. You are as important to God as the great saints and the great heroes and heroines of the Bible. Knowing the Church s history is like knowing your family tree and background, knowing where you come from. The better you know the faith, the more you ll appreciate the faith and the better you can help those in your family and your friends appreciate it, too. The mission is the same for you that is was for the original apostles. You are called to hand on that mission and this community to all you come into contact with. Jesus has a mission for you. Are you willing to accept it? Let s pray. This prayer should be based on the objective of the session and what was covered during their session. Pray especially for those who are in need of healing who have been separated from the community in some way, whether through illness or life circumstances that God will use us to help them heal physically, emotionally or spiritually, so that they can again feel part of the community that Jesus established on earth. 16. Closing Song: S U P P L I E S N E E D E D - Handouts A & B - Pens - Pencils - Note paper for pantomime narration 5

6 WHAT IS HISTORY? [HANDOUT A] I N S T R U C T I O N S A. Memorable Events in History: List five facts you recall from history. Explain what you think is so significant about each that people remember them years afterward B. History In the Making: List five recent events you think may appear in history books of the future. Explain what you think is so significant about each that people will remember them years afterward

7 C. What Is History? In general describe what makes certain events significant enough that people remember them years later. 7

8 PREACHING, TEACHING & HEALING [HANDOUT B] 1. Explain what you think it means to preach the gospel. 2. Who is someone that you think needs to hear the gospel message? 3. How could you share the gospel with that person? 4. Explain what you think it means to teach the Christian life. 5. Who is someone that you think needs to learn more about the Christian life? 6. How could you teach that person? 7. Explain what you think it means to heal and reunite someone with the community. 8. Who is someone that you think needs healing? 9. How could you help that person heal and reconnect with the community? 8