This Week s Goal: Help the children reflect. Environment: Opening Music: Opening Prayer:

Transcription

1 This Week s Goal: Help the children reflect on Jesus as the source of faith and unity in the Church through the following points: Jesus is the Rock Jesus Connects Us Jesus Prays for Us Environment: Stations are set up in various rooms. The gathering room is table free with carpet pads, soft lighting, music playing in the background, and a Welcome to G.I.F.T! PowerPoint displayed. (10 Minutes) Opening Music: The children will enter to upbeat versions of Stand Together, then My God is Powerful. Opening Prayer: Good morning/afternoon/evening! Welcome back to G.I.F.T.! Let s begin with a prayer: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit [Either pray an extemporaneous prayer, recite a common one, or use the following]: Come, Holy Spirit, into our hearts. Renew our lives; teach us how to love. We pray that we would remain in your presence always, united by our Spirit, as true brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Amen. Transition into the Proclamation by playing a quiet, acoustic version of Love has Come by Matt Maher (or just play the audio/video version) to bring the youth to a more attentive state. Have lyrics on the screen if you can.

2 (15 Minutes) Bible Point: Jesus Made the Church Bible Story (Skit) John 20; Acts 2 (Props: Costumes Jesus, Peter and Mary, live plant, PowerPoint) Leader: We have an important visitor today! He s someone who was very close to Jesus, and he has a special message for us. Oh, Peter. Are you here? (Looks around the room.) Enter, Peter. Peter: Here I am! Thanks for inviting me to speak to you today! (Turns toward audience). My name is Simon Peter. You may know me as Saint Peter, the Apostle and the first Pope. I was there when Jesus lived on earth, when he performed his many miracles, and when he was arrested and condemned to death, on the cross. I m here to tell you my story a story that will amaze and astound you! It s the story of what happened to me, and to the other apostles, after Jesus death (Peter pauses and takes a deep breath, then continues.) [Slide 1] It was the first day of the week. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, my friend, Mary of Magdala, went to the tomb where Jesus was buried. Now, when Jesus was placed in the tomb, the soldiers rolled a huge (demonstrates), heavy rock in front of it, so that no one could go in. But, when Mary got to the tomb, do you know what she saw? The huge stone had been moved! In fact, I think Mary should be the one to tell you this part of the story. Mary? (looks around for her) Mary Magdalene?! Mary: Hello, Peter, I d be happy to tell everyone my part! After I saw that the stone had been moved, that the tomb was empty and that Jesus was gone, I ran to tell the Apostles right away. I said to them, They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don t know where they put him. Peter: The apostle John and I ran to the tomb as fast as we could (he runs in place). The Apostle John got there first, and when I arrived he was bending down, looking at the cloths that Jesus had been buried in, which were now lying on the floor. I walked past John, into the tomb, and saw that the cloth that had covered Jesus head was now rolled up and placed away from the other cloths. I couldn t believe it! Jesus was really gone! Mary: Later that day, I returned to the tomb. I was kneeling outside (she kneels), crying, because I thought someone had taken Jesus away. Do you know what really happened though? Jesus had risen from the dead! He was alive! As I knelt there, I looked into the tomb and saw two wonderful angels! I could hardly believe my eyes! Then, I turned around, and who do you think I saw? 2

3 Enter, Jesus. [Slide 2] Mary stands. Mary: Jesus himself was standing there, looking at me! I, Mary of Magdala, was the first to see Jesus after he rose from the dead! (Pauses dramatically). But, I didn t know who he was! He looked so different that I didn t recognize him. I thought he was the gardener, come to tend the tombs. He asked me Jesus: Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? Mary: I said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to me Jesus: Mary! Mary: When he called my name, I knew instantly that it was him! I turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). After I saw and spoke to Jesus, I ran to tell the Apostles that he was really alive. Peter: That very night, we saw him for ourselves! The Risen Jesus came to the disciples, and he stood among us and showed us the wounds in his hands and in his side. Jesus demonstrates. Peter: We were so happy! Our Lord Jesus was dead, and now he was alive again! He told us Jesus: Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Peter: Then, he did a very strange thing He breathed on us and said Jesus: (breathes out) Receive the Holy Spirit. Peter: We were amazed at everything, and confused. We didn t know what to think I mean, if someone you knew and loved came back from the dead, what would you do? How would you feel? Mary: Jesus stayed with us on earth for 50 days. During that time, he told us all about the Kingdom of God. Peter: Then one day, as we were gathered around him, Jesus told us it was time for him to return to the Father, in Heaven. Before he left, Jesus said Jesus: When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be my witnesses, throughout the ends of the earth! Peter: He meant that we would be the people who would tell the whole world about his life, death, and resurrection! Then, we watched in astonishment while he was lifted up into the sky and a cloud came and took him away! [Slide 3] Jesus exits slowly, as if floating. Peter: He was gone, but he still remained with us. Not long after Jesus went to Heaven, the Holy Spirit came upon us, just as he d said it would. The other Apostles and I were together with Jesus Mother in a house when, suddenly, we heard a loud noise coming from the sky. It sounded like a strong, driving wind (demonstrate). It came and filled the entire house. [Slide 4] Next, there appeared in the air tongues of fire flames that glowed bright orange, yellow, and red! The flames separated and came to rest on each of us. We were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages languages that we did not learn or know before then, but that the Spirit helped us to speak. 3

4 I stood up with a strength I had never felt before, and I told everyone watching that what had happened came from God. I said that God had fulfilled his promise, by rising from the dead, and that Jesus had sent the Holy Spirit to be with us forever, through his Apostles, the first members of his Church! (Peter pauses dramatically and looks at the ground). Mary: Nothing like that had ever happened to us before, and nothing like that on earth has happened since. This was the beginning of the Universal Church, the Catholic Church. Jesus made us his Church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and sent us out into the world to tell the Good News to proclaim the Gospel to every people and nation, all over the world! [Slide 5] Peter: And guess what? He didn t just send me and the other eleven Apostles. He sent each of you, too! (gestures toward audience). As members of the Catholic Church, you have the Holy Spirit! Together, we can tell the whole world that Jesus is risen from the dead! And you must pray always for the grace to do this with your whole heart! (Turns toward Leader). Thanks, again, for letting me tell you my story. May the Peace of Jesus Christ be with you all! (Peter and Mary wave and exit). Leader: Thank you both for coming and sharing your story with us! End. Explanation John 15:1-5 You ve just heard the wonderful story of Easter and Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit). Can you imagine what joy Mary and the Apostles must have experienced after Jesus resurrection? Even though Jesus had told them that he would rise from the dead, they were still surprised to see the tomb open and the burial cloths lying on the floor. It s one thing to be told that something will happen, but it s quite another to actually see and experience it! What would you have done if you were Mary Magdalen, and you saw the open tomb? Would you have run to tell the Apostles? (Pause for answers). What about if you were Peter? Would you have believed Mary? Would you have run as fast as you could, to see for yourself if what she said was true? (Pause for answers). What happened when Mary was weeping at the tomb? Whose voice did she hear? (Pause.) Yes, Jesus voice! But she didn t recognize him at first, because he looked different. His body was a resurrected body, and probably glowed with Heavenly light. He looked different because he was different he was transformed! Do you remember how Mary finally recognized Jesus? (Pause) Yes, he said her name! Jesus calls each one of us by name, too. After Mary saw and spoke to Jesus, she told the other disciples. And that night, they saw the Resurrected Jesus for themselves. He showed them his wounds, and they believed that it was really him. 50 days later, Jesus ascended (rose up) to the Father. He went home Heaven. 4

5 But whom did he send, to be with the Apostles after he rose? (Pause) The Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit came down upon them in tongues (or flames) of fire. They became the Church that day. And the Apostles were able to spread the Good News of Jesus resurrection to the whole world! Remember, as members of the Church, Jesus calls each of us by name; and he sends us forth into the world, to tell everyone we meet about the Good News! Now, I m going to read you a verse from Scripture. This is from the Gospel of John, where Jesus is telling us that he is like a vine, and we, the members of his Church, are like the branches on that vine. Listen. (Read John15: 1-5). Now, I have a plant here (demonstrate). What do you think would happen to this plant if I were to tear off a branch? Do you want to see? (Carefully tear off a small section of the plant, letting it drop to the floor). What happened?! It s the same way with Christ and his Church. Every one of us the branches must remain with Jesus, if we are to survive. (Tear off another section.) If we are separated from him, we will wither and die, just like this piece of plant. And what happens to the plant when the pieces are torn away? (Pause). Eventually, the plant will probably die too! The Church needs each and every one of us and we need Jesus! We are weak, but he is strong! Transition Music: We Fall Down by Chris Tomlin (VBS, Kingdom Rock version) 5

6 Creativity Station: JESUS ROCKS Preparation In this Station, the children will receive their own rock to take home, as a symbolic reminder that Jesus is the only Rock upon which we can build a firm foundation. The catechetical teachings are woven throughout an interactive and fun- filled experience. Children will first work together in their Small Groups to build the highest stack of rocks they can, discovering that, when used properly, each of their rocks is an integral part of the structure. Then, they will decorate their rocks with their names, the words Jesus is My Rock, and an image of the cross. PREPARING YOUR SPACE: Set up two to three round tables, depending on how large your group is. At each table, have a basket of colored Sharpies to choose from, and a box of medium- size rocks (one per child). If possible, have a musical device with upbeat Praise and Worship music to play in the background during the activities. GATHERING YOUR MATERIALS: *Prepare ahead of time: Medium- size rocks (1 per child) (select various shapes of rocks) NAB Bible (for Station Leader) Musical Device For each group: Colored Sharpies (or similar drawing material that will show up on rocks, with limited mess) PLANTING THE SEED: Jesus is the Rock Your goal as their Station Leader is to give them a joyful experience, and to plant the seeds of faith in their hearts, through a tangible experience of togetherness and a fun project. A simple seed: Jesus is the rock upon which the Church is built. He doesn t build his Church with materials; he builds it with his people. We are the Living Stones, and together we make up the Church. Jesus lives in each of us, as our rock, and each one of us is an important part of his plan to build his Church and to make it beautiful.

7 Creativity Station: JESUS ROCKS Script (20 minutes) (Greet kids as they enter, by name if you can, and have each Small Group sit together with their Leader at a table.) Say: Hi everyone! Welcome back to the Creativity Station! Today, we re learning about Jesus Church that s us! We re learning that Jesus is the Rock upon which all of us, his Church, are united. We have a fun project to complete, but first let s read a passage from Scripture about what Jesus says it means to be wise. (Open your Bible to Matthew 7:24-27, then say:) I m going to read you one of Jesus parables. (Read the parable aloud) You see, the Church is built on the words of Jesus, and he says these words are solid, like a rock. Jesus promises us that we can trust his words, and that they will keep his Church safe, no matter what. Have you ever ignored wise words before? I want you to talk in your small groups for a couple minutes, and share a time when something bad happened because you didn t listen to wise words. Small Group Leaders, try to give everyone who wishes a chance to share. BUILDING THE CHURCH (After a couple minutes, say:) Ok, now your Small Group Leader will give each of you a rock, and we re going to have a contest. (When everyone all leaders included have a rock, say:) We re going to work together in Small Group to stack our rocks and the goal is to see how high we can build them; and be careful. Ready? Go! (After a couple minutes, say:) Ok, great job! Now, how about we work together to make one giant structure? Let s see how high we can make it! (When everyone s rocks have been added, say:) Great job, everyone! Jesus is the Rock, and he gives himself to each one of us. Then, he brings each of us together to create his Church. Question: What if one of your rocks had been left out? (Name someone, as an example.) Would your structure have been as good? (Pause for answers.) No! Each rock, if it s used properly, adds an important piece. And that s how the Church works, too. The Church needs each one of us, if it s going to be as great as Jesus wants it to be. Jesus is the Rock, and when each one of us listens to him, he makes us a part of something huge! He tells us that his Church is made of Living Stones. Who can tell me what Jesus means? (Pause.) Yes, we re the living stones, and together we make the Church! DECORATE YOUR JESUS ROCKS Before we go, we re going to decorate our rocks. There are some different drawing materials to choose from. I want each of you to write Jesus is my Rock. Leaders, be sure to help anyone who needs it. (After a couple of minutes, say:) Ok, next, I want you all to write your name on your rock, and then with the time remaining, draw a beautiful cross on it. (When time is up, say:) All right, great job today! Your Small Group Leaders will hold onto your rocks for you until the end of today s session. When you take it home, put your rock somewhere in your room where you can see it. Whenever you look at it, say a prayer to Jesus, and thank him for loving you and for being your Rock; and especially, thank him for making you a part of his amazing Church. The Church is not the same without you! Ok, it s time for your next station. I ll see you next time!

8 Cooperation Station: POWER CONNECTION Preparation It s relatively common knowledge that the human body is a conductor of electricity; but, did you know that our bodies are also generators of electricity? In this exciting Station, the children will learn this reality firsthand. With the help of Energy Sticks, they will experiment individually and as a group, completing the circuit and making a power connection, supplying with their own bodies the electricity needed to light up the Energy Sticks. This fun- filled activity demonstrates the power of connection, which will then be used to make the connection to Christ and his Church. The power of Jesus the Holy Spirit, alive and animating the family of God is far more powerful than electricity. With his Grace, alive in our hearts, we are made Church, connected by an unbreakable bond to God, and made brothers and sisters in his family. PREPARING YOUR MATERIALS: *Prepare ahead of time: For Each Group/Team 1-2 Energy Sticks PREPARING YOUR SPACE: Create an open space, large enough for 3-4 Small Groups to sit comfortably in circles, and open enough for everyone to stand together in one large circle. Have 3-4 Energy Sticks on hand and easily accessible, preferably with a couple of extra, as back- ups. PLANTING THE SEED: Jesus Connects Us Your goal as their Station Leader is to give the children a joyful experience, and to plant the seeds of faith in their hearts through a fun, interactive activity. A simple seed: Jesus came to start the Church. It is his family. By the power of the Holy Spirit alive in our hearts, we are given the divine Grace we need to stay connected. Jesus came to make us brothers and sisters in the family of God. The Church is that family and, together, we remain united in His unfailing love.

9 Cooperation Station: POWER CONNECTION Script (20 minutes) (Greet the kids as they enter, by name if you can, and have each Small Group sit down together on the floor.) Say: Hi, everyone! Welcome back to the Cooperation Station! Today, we re going to have some fun (hold up an Energy Stick). But, before I tell you what this is, who can tell me what Jesus came to start? (Pause for answers.) Yes, the Church! And why do you think Jesus mission was to start the Church? (Pause for answers.) Great answers! Thanks for sharing! Jesus has made us a part of his Church because he wants us to be a family the biggest family in the universe! Right now, I want you to take a couple minutes in your Small Group to talk about this. Why does Jesus think that it s so important for us to always remember that we are a part of his family? (Take a couple minutes to allow Small Groups to discuss.) POWER CONNECTION Now, are you ready for a fun activity? This is called an Energy Stick, and it only works with electricity. Guess where the electricity is going to come from? From YOU! Did you know that your body actually generates electricity? Well, it does! Watch this (take an Energy Stick and hold each end with your hands.) Each Small Group will get an Energy Stick (pass one out to each Small Group Leader.) Now, in your Small Groups, I want everyone to take a turn energizing the stick. (Here, instruct Leaders to pass the Stick around their Small Group until everyone has a turn.) Ok, now I want each Small Group to stand in a circle and hold hands. Your Leader will hold one end of the Energy Stick in his hand, and the person next to him will hold the other end to complete the circuit. Ready? Go! Now, instead of using just hands, Leaders, touch the other end of the Energy Stick to the nose of the person next to you. Make sure everyone is still holding hands, and see if you can make it work. Ready? Go! Isn t that cool! Now, I want you to complete the circuit and light up the Stick, but when it s ringing, I want someone on the other side of the circle to stop holding hands and see what happens. Leaders, choose someone now. Ready? Go! (At this point, Station Leader, move from Group to Group, and insert yourself into the circuit by holding the hands of two of the members. Do this for each group.) EVERYONE TOGETHER Ok, one last experiment. I want everyone, Leaders included, to get into one large circle. Everyone needs to be holding hands. And let s use all of the Energy Sticks! (After the Large Group has connected all of the Sticks and they are all ringing, say:) Now, I want everyone with an Energy Stick to touch one of the ends to the person s nose, instead of their hand. Ready? Go! (When they have finished) Ok, you can drop your hands. Wasn t that cool! We are all connected by the power of electricity. And, in the Church, we have something waaaaay more powerful than electricity. We are made one family, one Body in Christ, by the power of Grace Jesus love inside each one of us. As long as we keep his love inside us, we remain forever connected as his family, the Church. The Holy Spirit fills us with Jesus love, and this makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus connects us! Ok, it s time for your next station. I ll see you next time!! 9

10 Prayer Station: LECTIO DIVINA Preparation In this Station, the children participate in proximity to their Small Groups, but individually. They are opening their hearts and quietly entering into an attentive conversation with the Lord, through the practice of Lectio Divina. NOTE: Please refrain from disciplining or shushing during this time... Gently redirect the children, reminding them that they are talking with God. WHAT IS LECTIO DIVINA? In the practice of Lectio Divina, literally Divine Reading, we learn to make our reading of Scripture a prayer encounter, a conversation with the living God through his Word. This is a guided meditation, in which the same passage is read four times, with a different focus each time. In this adaptation for children, you will lead them through the following process: 1. Lectio (Read): The passage is read once, without comment. Then again, focusing on the main characters of the story and asking, What is God saying to all of us? 2. Meditatio (Meditate): The passage is read again. They are asked to reflect silently on the question, What is God s Word saying to me, today, in my life? 3. Oratio (Pray): Then they are asked, What can I say to the Lord in response to his Word? 4. Contemplatio (Contemplate): The passage is read one last time, and they are given a final activity to make his Word come alive for them. PREPARING YOUR SPACE: When possible, this Station will take place in a chapel, before the Blessed Sacrament (or simply find a quiet room that can be cleared out and made into a prayerful space). They can either sit in chairs, or on the floor with carpet pads. If possible, have quiet instrumental music playing in the background as the children enter, and again as they leave and you prepare for the next group. (Remind them to genuflect.) Optional: Play Word of God Speak by Mercy Me, at some point. GATHERING YOUR MATERIALS: *Prepare ahead of time: For each child, you ll need the following materials, neatly organized in an easily accessible place: 1 Clipboard with a blank sheet of paper 1 set of crayons, markers, a pencil, and a pen, wrapped together in a rubber band 1 Lectio Activity Sheet Basic Steps Handout (for Station Leader) NAB Bible (for Station Leader) PLANTING THE SEED: Jesus Prays for Us Your goal as their Station Leader is to give them a joyful experience, and to facilitate a living encounter with Jesus through the hearing of his Word. A simple seed: The most effective way to hear God is by reading and listening to his Word in Scripture. He is with us, and the more we hear him in the Scriptures the more we trust that he is here to help us and to guide us in every situation of our lives.

11 Prayer Station: LECTIO DIVINA Script (20 minutes) JESUS PRAYS FOR UNITY John 17:20-24 (Greet the kids as they enter, by name if you can. Have them enter quietly and sit down with their Small Group leaders.) Say: Hi everyone! Welcome back to the Prayer Station! We ve prepared another special time for you today. Remember, prayer is talking with God. Jesus lives in our hearts, and he speaks to us; but we can only hear him if we listen! So, let s all be very quiet during this time, so that we can listen to Jesus speaking in our hearts. It makes Jesus so happy when we talk with him and listen for his voice. Are you ready? Wonderful! Now, today you re going to hear a part of Jesus prayer to his Father (hold up Bible) several times. Each time, there will be something for you to do or to think about. Are you ready? Good. Let s begin In the name of the Father, and of the Son This special prayer of Jesus is taken from the Gospel of John. (Read passage, slowly and with expression). Now, I m going to read it again; this time, try to focus on the people in the story and for what Jesus is asking. (Read passage again.) What is Jesus asking his Father for, in this prayer? Why is Jesus asking this? (Pause for answers). What do you think God is saying to all of us, through the prayer of Jesus? (Pause for answers). All of those were very good answers! Through this prayer, God is asking us all to live as brothers and sisters, and to let Jesus show us how to love each other. Okay, let s listen to the prayer again. As I read it, quietly think about this question: What is the prayer of Jesus saying to me today, about my life? (Read passage). Your Small Group Leaders will now give you a sheet of paper, and I d like you to think about Jesus prayer, and either draw or write an answer to the question I asked you earlier. (Give a pen/pencil, crayons/markers, and a blank sheet of paper to each child.) Okay, is everyone ready? Answer this question, either by drawing a picture or writing: What is the prayer of Jesus saying to me today, about my life? (Give two or three minutes of quiet time for this, then continue). Now, turn your papers over. Good. Next, think about this question: What can I say to God, after hearing his Word? Is there something you d like to ask him? Or something special you want him to know? What do you want to say to God? Draw or write your answers on your paper. (Give two or three minutes of quiet, then continue.) Ok, I m going to read Jesus prayer to you, one last time. Listen carefully. (Read passage). Now your group leaders will give you an activity sheet. (Wait until all children have received the handout God calls us to be more like him. Read them the instructions out loud.) Fill out the activity sheet as best you can. If you re confused or need help, ask your Small Group leader to help you. (After a few minutes of quiet time) All right, you guys did a great job! Why don t we close our time with a prayer: Thank you, Lord, for speaking to us through your Word. Help us to listen carefully to you in our hearts, and to always remember that we are brothers and sisters in your family. In the name of the Father, and of the Son Ok, it s time for your next station. I ll see you next time!

12 (10 Minutes) The youth will enter back into the Large Group setting together as the music minister once again plays a quiet, acoustic version of Love has Come by Matt Maher (or as the video/audio version is played, if you do not have a musician). This is meant to get them seated, prayerful, and attentive as the Leader proclaims the Summary Wrap Up. Summary Wrap Up: Hello again! Have a seat. And tell me about the activities you did today. (Pause for answers.) Which ones were your favorites? (Pause) That s great! Today you learned that Jesus came to build the Church, and that he sent his Holy Spirit to be with us, as we live out our mission in the world. He connects us all with his unfathomable love, and he prays for us constantly, that we may be united to him and to each other. So, let s go over the three points you learned today. Repeat after me: [Have three slides on a PowerPoint and have the children repeat each of the three points as the wrap- up ends.] Jesus is the Rock Jesus Connects Us (use an Energy Stick) Jesus Prays for Us [Make any announcements at this time.] [Alternative Circles of Care Station ] Closing Prayer: Dear Jesus, we come before you today, little and weak. But you have the power to make us strong. You are the Rock, upon which your Church stands firm. Come into our hearts, Lord. Gather us together, as your Church, and give us the strength to build your kingdom on earth. Amen. Closing Song(s): End with Power Shuffle by Jay Stocker. Extra Song: Let s Get a Little Crazy SUPPLIES NEEDED: Skit Props: Costumes and live plant Medium size rocks (1 per child) NAB Bible Colored Sharpies Musical Device 4-6 Energy Sticks (some to have as back- ups) Lectio Sheets: God Calls Us handout Intro to Basic Steps handout [All Lectio handouts supplied by: Lection Divina for Children and Teens: Activities to Help Young People Encounter God s Word by Jared Dees, The Religion Teacher, can be purchased and downloaded for redistribution for a minimal price at Blank Paper Clipboards (1 per child) Crayons/Markers/Pencils Hymns/instrumentals for Lectio VBS 2013 Kingdom Rock CD VBS 2015 Everest CD XFAjL1xIDPs Matt Maher, Love has Come song and PowerPoint Lyrics (or video)

13 This Week s Goal: To understand that: Jesus founded the Church The Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic As members of the Church we are called to be disciples. Environment: Small Group stations are set up in various rooms; the main room is a relaxed setting, upbeat music playing in the background, and a Welcome to G.I.F.T. PowerPoint displayed. (10 Minutes) Icebreaker TELEPHONE Play the game Telephone. Have all youth sit in a circle (if you have a large number of kids, you may want to split them into two teams). One person will whisper a word into the ear of the person sitting next to them (Example: "macaroni"). The next person will then whisper what they hear to the person to their left, and so on, until it reaches the person who said the original phrase. This person shares the word or phrase out loud with everyone... be ready for laughs, as it is usually quite different from the original word! Play several rounds of this, starting with a different person each time. 13

14 (15 Minutes) Opening Song: Land of My Father by Matt Maher Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help us to bear witness to the Gospel. Open our hearts and eyes to the outcasts of society the poor, the lonely, the addicted, the elderly, the dying. Give us a spirit of courage that we may serve as faithful disciples. Help us to remember that we are the Church; we are the Body of Christ. May we live our life in such a way that through us, people may come to know you. We pray for renewal and evangelization in the Catholic Church. We ask this through your Holy Name, Amen Scripture: Matthew 16:18 Acts 2:1-4- ; Matthew 28:18-19 Proclamation: What do you think of when you hear the word "church"? (Allow time for all youth to give responses.) What type of answers do you think you might hear if we went out into the streets and asked people the same question? We probably would get a lot of different answers some would be positive and some, unfortunately, would be negative. As we saw in the game we just played, information can easily be distorted. Many people have misconceptions about what the Church is, by whom it was founded, and for what is its purpose. Does anyone know who founded the Church? (Allow students to respond) If you guessed Jesus, you're correct! Jesus gives us the Church. Pentecost and the Establishment of the Church By looking at Scripture, we can identify Pentecost (or, the coming of the Holy Spirit) as the moment when the Church was established. Let's read Acts 2:1-4- ; When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability Put yourself there. Imagine how amazing this would be if you experienced a miracle like this! Scripture tells us that the listeners were so touched by the Apostles words that they wanted to respond, but didn t know how: Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, Brothers, what should we do? Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

15 From that point on, the followers of Jesus lived in close community, truly as one Body in Christ. Scripture tells us, They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that "on the day of Pentecost when the seven weeks of Easter had come to an end, Christ's Passover is fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, manifested, given, and communicated as a divine person: of his fullness, Christ, the Lord, pours out the Spirit in abundance" (CCC 731) Before Pentecost, the Apostles were all huddled together in a room, too afraid to go out and preach Jesus' message. Have you ever been afraid to tell someone about Jesus? Maybe you were afraid this person would laugh at you, call you names, think you were weird, or judge you for your faith. Well, the Apostles were afraid too; afraid of people's judgment, but also afraid of death. However, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, he allowed them to speak in different languages so that everyone they encountered would be able to understand the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit filled them with courage and they became confident in proclaiming everything Jesus had taught them, not just with their words, but also with the witness of their lives together, as the Body of Christ. The Four Marks of the Church Now that we ve seen how the Church began, let s go back to our original question: What is the Church? When we pray the Creed at Mass on Sunday, we profess, "I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church." These words are called the four marks, or characteristics of the Church. What does each of those marks mean? Let's take a look. One - Before we go any further, we must talk about the two different types of "church." There s "little 'c' church" and "capital 'C' Church." Does anyone know the difference between the two? "Little 'c' church" is the physical building, like [insert name of church(es) in your parish]. When I say that Jesus founded the Church, I'm talking about "capital 'C' Church." This Church is the Catholic Church, the Body of Christ. Today, Christianity is divided. There are many different denominations, or branches, of Christianity Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Protestant, and Episcopalian, to name a few. However, the Catholic Church remains one. God has given us his Holy Spirit to ensure unity: one Spirit, making us one in Sacrament, one in Creed (belief), one under the leadership of the Pope and bishops, one under the guidance of moral laws to help us live as one Body in Christ. Holy - The Church is holy because Christ is holy. This does not mean its members are without sin. On the contrary, from the beginning, the Church has been comprised of sinners. In deed, it is for us broken, sinful people that Christ came into the world. Jesus established the Church in order to continue His sanctifying and redemptive deeds in the world. Thus, the holiness does not come from the members of the Catholic Church, but rather, from Jesus himself. Catholic - Just like "capital C Church" and "little c church", Catholic has two meanings. "Capital C Catholic" means the Catholic faith. However, "little c catholic" means universal. 15

16 When we profess that the Church is catholic, we are professing that it's universal. The Church is catholic because Christ is present in her (CCC 830). Jesus has commissioned the Church to evangelize the world "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19). The mission for the Church is to continue Jesus' sanctifying and redemptive works, and to continue bearing fruit, throughout the world. The Catholic Church was established for every person, in every age. Apostolic - First, let's read a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, 16:18-19: And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Peter, one of the Apostles, is given the authority to lead the Church. Through Peter, Jesus gave the other apostles authority. They were the first priests and bishops, and the foundation for the Church. Each bishop is a successor to the apostles. Pope Francis is the 265th successor of Peter. How incredible and beautiful is that?! Furthermore, the deposit of faith, or the entirety of revealed truth in the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition, was preserved, taught, and handed on by the Apostles. It is their faith that we profess today. Living the Four Marks of the Church Today Today, we are called to live a life like the Apostles. As the Body of Christ, we are called to deepen and share our faith with each person we encounter. We are called to continue to build the kingdom of God, here on earth, and to share the Gospel message. Perhaps you, like the Apostles were, are afraid. Or maybe, you are unsure how to do this, what words to say. Pray to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it is not a different language we need, but a willingness to overcome differences, to talk to people you might not usually talk to. Sometimes that "language" we need to converse with someone is found in sports, or theatre, or books. The Holy Spirit that rushed into room on Pentecost, is the same Spirit today. You probably won't see tongues of fire or begin speaking in different languages. But, the Holy Spirit will equip you with the tools you need to do God's work. 16

17 (40 Minutes) Introductions: (10 minutes) Welcome everyone back to the Small Group and begin with a short prayer. High, Low & God Moments Have everyone go around in a circle and share a high, low, and God moment that happened to them over the past month or week (you can decide). Stress that no one else should be talking when someone is sharing. High the best moment that happened over the past week (Example: Getting a 100 on a quiz, or a fun trip, etc.) Low the worst moment that happened over the past week (Example: Being late for school, being sick, etc.) God Moment A moment when God s presence in your life was made obvious to you (Example: A sunset, during prayer, helping someone, during Church, etc.) **Really press the youth on this one, as this is usually the most difficult one for them to answer. It s important that they learn to see God in everyday situations Activity: (15 minutes) This activity will involve personal reflection, small group dialogue, and large group discussion. The leader might want to have small groups pre- selected. Items to have: Evangelization work- sheet (Handout A), yellow, green, and blue markers, and butcher paper. 1. Hand out one activity sheet to each person, along with a yellow, green, and blue marker. 2. In the center circle, have each person write his/her name. 3. In the hearts, they will write the names of people whom they are close to, and who are in their hearts. (Examples: parents, siblings, grandparents, significant other, best friend, etc.) 4. Next, in the L- shaped figure, have youth write the names, or the name of a group of people, with whom the young person interacts on a fairly regular basis. These should be people in his/her Life with whom they have a living relationship based on shared school, work, or extra- curricular activities.

18 5. Finally, in the pictures of the earth, have them write the names of a group of people or specific persons who are in their world. These people could be people they know, have come across, and have noticed, but with whom they do not have any relationship, aside from knowing who they are and seeing them in passing. (Examples: teens who hang out by themselves and are excluded, the homeless person who is always seen at the same place, the all- star athlete at school, immigrant laborers who might work in the neighborhood, etc.) 6. Once the figures are filled with names, have the youth use markers to trace and draw lines between the figures and his/her own name. Color code: o Yellow = Those with whom I talk about my relationship with God o Green = Those with whom I might be able to talk about my relationship with God. o Blue = Those with whom it would be difficult to talk about my relationship with God. Discussion: (15 minutes) Discuss the youths completed charts with them, and ask them to share why they assigned the colors to different people. After the youth have each shared two or three examples, guide them to brainstorm some concrete ways in which they might be able to share their relationship with God with the people in their hearts, lives, and world (the green, blue, and yellow lines). As a group, fold or divide a piece of butcher paper (or poster board) into three columns: Heart, Life, and World. Then, designate one person to write the answers shared. Placed under each column will be the concrete ways they will turn green and blue lines into yellow lines. **Activity taken from the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Youth and Young Adult Ministries** ( young- adult/upload/evangelization- Lesson- Plan- for- Youth.pdf) 18

19 (10 Minutes) Share: Once each group has completed the activity, share with one another identified ways to increase the yellow. Each group should have the opportunity to present its work, and give everyone present an opportunity to ask follow up questions. Summary Wrap Up: Recap the main points: Jesus founded the Church. The Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. As members of the Body of Christ, we are called to be Disciples. Birthdays: Sing Happy Birthday to those who have a birthday this month (have them stand while everyone sings). Closing Prayer: *Handout B* Reaching Out [Before prayer, designate half of the room as Side A and the other half as Side B. ] Side A: O, God of Good News through your Son Jesus, you showed us how to proclaim the good news of your love. Send us your Spirit, so we are encouraged to share our faith with those in our hearts, in our lives, and in our world. Help us to grow in our awareness of your presence in our lives, so that we might better share our love of you with others. Side B: May we be true heralds of your Good News. May our works on behalf of all people who live their lives in the margins of our world, our schools, and our communities be a sign of your love for all people. Strengthen us as we live the call to evangelize. All: We ask that you allow us to be open to opportunities, that may come our way, to do your will. Give us the strength to say Yes like Mary and fully commit ourselves to you. In this way, we are able to bring your light to all those we encounter. Leader: We place this all in your most Sacred Heart, Lord, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, as we pray All: Hail Mary **Prayer taken from the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Youth and Young Adult Ministries** young- adult/upload/evangelization- Lesson- Plan- for- Youth.pdf Closing Song(s): Same Power by Jeremy Camp SUPPLIES NEEDED: Handout A Handout B (each sheet is enough for 2 people) Blue, Green, and Yellow Markers (1 each per person) Butcher Paper/ Poster Paper