Grade 3 Lesson 10: Chapters 13 & 14 Key Points The story of Joseph and his brothers and how it teaches the importance of forgiving and loving. Describe the Beatitudes as teachings of Jesus that show the way to true happiness and tell how to live in God s Kingdom. The New Commandment teaches: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. Christians are called by Jesus to be the light of the world. Each of us has a purpose and vocation that helps us follow God s plan and be a light to the world. God s gifts of faith, hope, and charity (love) help you live a good and moral life. Materials Crossword Puzzle (p. 189E) Joseph The Favorite Son book A Circle of Love (Active Learning Primary 1) Joseph skit 4 large pieces of paper with titles- Home, school, parish, and community Catechist Prayer before the lesson: Loving God, you turn cares and troubles into opportunities to approach and appreciate you. Hold me in your love as I love others. Amen. Before the Lesson Hand out the Circle of Love sheet and let them start working on it while others gather. [5 min] Invite Choose Love (p. 189) Ask the children if there is anything they would like to pray for. Pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Recite the prayer and Scripture passage on page 189. Discuss the What do you wonder? box. [20 min] Learning to Forgive (p. 190-191) Life can be full of tough choices. Let s read the story of Joseph, who made a difficult choice after he was separated from his family. Instead of reading the textbook, read the book Joseph: The Favorite Son. Use the alternate text on the back cover of the book. How do you think Joseph s brothers felt when he told them who he was? What other choices could Joseph have made? (optional- you may choose to do this or the activity later in the lesson- you probably won t have time for both, but it s up to you!) Skit: Hand out the Story of Joseph script. Assign roles to the kids and give them a few minutes to practice, then perform as a class. Review the Quick Tip box in your manual about making choices and asking for help. 1
[10 min] The Way of Love (p. 192) Allow the children to complete A Circle of Love if they haven t already done so. What does Jesus teach about love? The New Commandment teaches: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. Read the text on page 192 about loving our enemies. In what kinds of situations would it be hard to follow Jesus commandment? Read page 193 and emphasize the Catholic Faith Words. Have the students complete the crossword puzzle while discussing the answers as a class. [5 min] Live Our Catholic Life (p. 194-195) Read or summarize p. 194 about making the sign of peace. Ask if they know in which part of the Mass we do this. During the Liturgy of the Eucharist. [15 min] Discover The Light of the World (p. 200-201) Invite the children to close their eyes while you read the Scripture passage on page 200. Discuss: o What are some things you say or do that can bring light? o Why do you think it s important to share your light with others? Let Your Light Shine Activity ( you may choose to skip this activity if you did the skit and don t have time.) o Ask: What are some places you go to each week? o Hang up the 4 location signs around the classroom: Home, School, Parish, and Community. o Divide the class into 4 groups and assign one of the locations to each group. o Ask: How can you bring light to others in these places? o Instruct each group to write their ideas on the location sheet. o After a few minutes, rotate the groups. Do this four times so that each group has a chance to write their ideas on each location sheet. o Discuss together as a class. Be a Light (p. 201) o A vocation is God s plan for our lives. Each of us has one of these vocations: Becoming a priest Becoming a monk or nun Getting married Staying single for life o When you follow your vocation, you will be happy because you re living out the purpose that God made you. [10 min] Discover The Virtues (p. 202-203) Virtues are good spiritual habits that make you stronger and help you do what is right. We received three virtues when we were baptized. There are called the Theological Virtues. The Theological Virtues are faith, hope, and charity (love). o Faith is belief in God. Faith helps us understand more about God. 2
o Hope is trust in God s plan for our happiness and eternal life with him in heaven. o Charity is love for God and others. Discuss: How can we practice each of these virtues? [5 min] Live - Our Catholic Life (p. 204) How can you make prayer a part of your day? o We should pray in the morning, before meals, and before bed. o We should pray at least 15 minutes a day. Read about Saint Genevieve p. 205 Complete the Live your Faith activity if you have time. [5 min] Sending Prayer of Petition (p. 206) Listen to God s Greatest Gift (Track 23). Pray the Memorare Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. Recite the prayer on page 206. Remind the children to read through the Family+Faith pages with their parents. 3
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The Story of Joseph Characters Narrator Joseph Levi Merchant(s) Benjamin Reuben Jacob Judah Scene 1 The grazing lands Near Dothan Narrator: Joseph has come to see his older brothers. They are jealous of him. Judah: Now is our chance. Let s kill Joseph. Just look at that amazing coat that our Dad gave him. Levi: Yes, we can tell Dad that an animal killed him. Reuben: No, let s not take his life. Let s just put him in this pit and leave him. Narrator: The brothers take Joseph s coat and throw him in the pit. Joseph struggles and calls to the other brothers while they eat. A group of merchants comes by. Judah: What do we gain by killing our brother or letting him die in the pit? Let s sell him! (The other brothers nod and agree. They lift Joseph out of the pit and take him to the passing traders.) Judah: What will you pay us for this seventeen-year-old boy? We ll sell him to you as a slave. Merchant: We ll give you twenty pieces of silver for him. Levi: Sounds good! Narrator: They take the coins and watch as the merchants lead Joseph away. The caravan disappears in the direction of Egypt. 6
Scene 2 The brothers home, years later Narrator: There is famine where the brothers live, but there is plenty of grain for sale in Egypt. Jacob: We need more food. Go to Egypt and buy grain. Judah, Levi, Reuben and Benjamin: Yes, Dad. Scene 3 Joseph s house in Egypt Narrator: Joseph tested his brothers to see if they have changed. He has made it seem that Benjamin stole a silver cup. Joseph: (Speaking sternly to his brothers as they bow low before him, very distressed) What is this terrible thing that you have done? You have stolen my expensive cup!! Benjamin: No I didn t! Judah: What can we say? How can we clear ourselves? God knows what a terrible thing we did in the past! Now all of us are your slaves, including young Benjamin. Joseph: Oh, I wouldn t do that. Just Benjamin has to stay. The rest of you can go home. Judah: Sir, let me speak for myself here. Our father would die of sorrow if we returned without our youngest brother. Let me take Benjamin s place. I will be your slave. Let Benjamin go home. Joseph: I am your brother Joseph. Don t be worried any more. Everything will be all right now. God sent me to Egypt so that I could help you now. And now all of you, with our Father, can come to Egypt. I ll take care of you. We ll all be together again! 7