Welcome to the St. Francis Family Bible Workshop! We are looking forward to learning about Salvation History this year and learning more about

Transcription

1 Welcome to the St. Francis Family Bible Workshop! We are looking forward to learning about Salvation History this year and learning more about Scripture. 1

2 Many people are challenged by the Bible it s a lot of pages. It s a lot of stories! But it isn t challenging, it is inviting the Bible invites us into the mind and heart of God. The more we learn about God the more we learn about ourselves. 2

3 There are many covenants that God has made with his people God is always trying to find a way to help us come closer to him, to live in this world with God, and prepare ourselves for living with God in heaven. You already know many of the stories. Who are these people? 3

4 St. Jerome translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into Latin, the most common language of the time (405 A. D.) It took him more than 30 years. His translation was called the Vulgate which means popular edition. 4

5 The Bible has two parts the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament tells us about the time before the birth of Jesus when God first created the earth and chose his people. The New Testament tells us about the birth of Jesus and the beginnings of the early Church but it also tells us about what God is thinking. God sent Jesus so we would know him and understand him. Jesus made that possible. Jesus through his ministry, his words and actions, guides us in this life to a spiritual union with God. Today you will receive your Bibles. You will use these Bibles through the next four years. Hopefully you will learn a lot about God and his people, Jesus and his Good News, and how you can use this Bible in your daily life. Right now I would ask the 5 th graders to open your Bibles to the page where you will write your name. Let us read the scripture together. Please fill in the blanks on this page. The scripture is from 1 Timothy 4:12. It is a great instruction for all young people from St. Paul who was writing to his young friend, Timothy. But whether it is 35 A.D. or 2015 C.E the advice is sound and pertinent to your lives. Now turn to the next page and let us pray together 5

6 Why did we choose this Bible above all others? 6

7 How did we come to be the people of God and the Church established by Jesus Christ? In 5 th grade we focus on God s plan to save people from sin and death which we call Salvation History. We look at both the Old & New Testament and the people who were important in establishing and fulfilling God s plan of salvation. We will continue through the next four years to learn and pray our way through the Bible. 7

8 Bible people interviews help us to understand the people in the Bible who were essential in fulfilling the covenant. Throughout the year, 5 th graders will act these interviews out in their faith rooms. The first page of every book gives a summary of the story and the theme of the Bible book. 8

9 The Pray It! Study It! Live It! & Catholic Connections are short articles to help our young readers understand what they are reading in the Bible. Everyone needs help reading the Bible it is not an easy book to read! Along with these articles there are maps, glossaries, and indices of articles and stories at the back of the book. One of my favorites in the Bible Passages for Special Occasions. You will have time to read through all of this when you return home. 9

10 The Bible is like a coded message. You must find the clues to unravel the code! Finding a Scripture Verse may seem impossible but once you know and understand the code it s so easy! So we are going to work on that now! 10

11 When you are given a citation to look up it will look like this. Sometimes the name of the book may be abbreviated. But always the book is written first. Then the Chapter. Every book of the Bible has Chapters (unless it is a very small book). Every Chapter has verses. Most verses are one sentence long. Can you imagine the person who marked every verse?! Would you like to do that? 11

12 These are abbreviations for the Gospels. If you turn to the last page in your bibles, all of the books of the bible are listed alphabetically along with their abbreviations. 12

13 Let s review: Proverbs would be the book. So let s find the Book of Proverbs. The more you become familiar with the Bible, the easier it will be to know where the books are located. Once you find the book, the first number is the chapter. Turn to chapter 1. Then find the verse which is 8. 13

14 Let s read this aloud together. What does that mean? The Book of Proverbs is the book that the Jewish people use to train their children in the ways of right living. Does this verse remind you of something we learn and use to help us choose to do right? You were introduced to these laws in first grade. When you read scripture, try to understand what the author is trying to say and then ask yourself, what does that mean for me today? When we read Proverbs 1:8, does it hold true for today s world? 14

15 YOU are an important part of Salvation History. Because of your Baptism, you are part of God s family. Because of your Baptism and Eucharist, you are disciples of Christ. When you receive Confirmation, you will be a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church and entrusted with the mission of Jesus Christ to tell the good news. That is why we study the Bible so we may grow in our knowledge and understanding of what God wants for us and how we may follow Jesus in this life. Reading the scriptures is an important way to come closer to Jesus and to become more aware of God in your life. Whether you are playing sports, studying in school, or hanging out with friends God is always there. You will see him and hear his voice if you are open to encountering God in your everyday life. 15

16 Jesus told his disciples to tell all the world the Good News. This year you will begin your Bible journey. It will guide you on your spiritual journey to God. When we travel we consult our maps, GPS all the time to make sure we are on the right track. The Bible is our GPS God Positioning System. Read every day and think about the words. Translate them into modern language. The truth of what God wants us to know is always there if we look for it! Look at this verse at Matthew 25: It is an important lesson for us. When you do any of these things for others you will be reminded of this verse and of God. 16

17 This picture is from the 3 rd century. It is a painting of the bread of life from the catacombs and the early Church. Christians in the 3 rd century worshipped underground in the tombs of the dead because of persecution. Many of their paintings still exist on the walls. The catacombs are located in Rome. The bread of life is an image of Jesus. Why do you think? Yes, because we receive Jesus in the bread and wine in the sacrament of Eucharist. But the Bible is also the bread of Life. Why do you think we would say that? Words nurture us and help us grow. When we want to find out about something we go to a book or google it on the internet to find the answers. When I want pictures for my presentations I google images of and I have lots of pictures. Remember that when you are going to make your sacrament posters. 17

18 When you take the time you will realize the results. When you know scripture, everything in your life reminds you of what you read and makes you think about how God wants you to respond. It s not about academic learning, its about knowing knowing God. We come to know God and Jesus through Scripture. 18

19 Its important to make a schedule for reading Scripture. It doesn t have to be a lot of reading but a little bit every day will help you to keep God in your mind and Jesus in your heart. Parents, it would help if you became interested as well. Perhaps before bedtime every night you could take the time to sit and read a little bit of scripture with your child. It would reinforce the importance of scripture in their lives, help to enforce the habit, and you spend time with your most precious gift from God your child! Mark your Bible time on your calendar or put it in your phone with an alarm. Read a little bit and then mark it in your journals. What did the words say to you? Sometimes you don t understand what you read until the next day. Suddenly, the meaning of what you read is in your mind! 19

20 Nest Family Entertainment has a number of animated DVDs that you can watch. When I was your age, I watched the movies that told the stories of the Bible. If you are not a good reader, and it takes you a long time to read, then find movies that can help you with the stories. If you have Netflix, you can find movies. OnDemand has them as well. Or perhaps your parents will help you with your scripture reading. These movies are exciting and well made. Be careful to choose the movies that are close to the original scripture story. Some recent movies on the big screen have distorted the facts of the story as told in the Bible. The Bible Series is a good collection. The Bible-In The Beginning and The Ten Commandments with Charleston Heston are excellent. The Nest Complete Learning System has very good animated movies. 20

21 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son so that all who believe in him might not perish but have eternal life! This verse from the Gospel of John tells us what God has planned for us and the extent of God s love for us. It is very powerful because the words tells us how important we are to God, and it implies that we are so very important to our God that he would sacrifice everything for us. It challenges us to accomplish what God has intended for us. Thank you for attending tonight and I hope that tonight will begin years of family Scripture reading. 21