PASSPORT TO Latin America LESSON 11 God is RULER Lesson at a Glance I. Music II. Share the Word: Friends with God, page 4 Memory Verse: Romans 3:23 III. God is Ruler: Catholicism IV. Pray Bahamas *What You Will Need 2015 Passport to the Nations, LLC Lesson 11-1
Lesson 11 MUSIC: (15 min.) Use this time for worship, to sing songs with a missional message, or to learn Latin American songs. Song examples and options can be found here: http://passporttothenations.com/sing-it-music-of-latin-america/ The song, This I Believe, (The Creed) by Hillsong, also found in the link above, may be a good music choice as it ties in very well to this lesson. You might choose to play it at the end of the lesson on Catholicism as an affirmation of what we believe as Christians. SHARE THE WORD: (15 min.) Introduce the next section of the Friends with God booklet: Page 4 and Romans 3:23. Choose a game from the Scripture Review Games section of the Appendix, A-3 through A-4, to aid students in their memorization of this memory verse. Model the presentation of Page 4 from the Friends with God script, R-2a. Repeat multiple times as time permits pointing out key words, phrases and ideas to help students understand the Gospel concepts and flow of ideas. Review presentation by quoting memory verses and making sure students understand the point of each verse in the Gospel presentation. Page 4: We are also sinful because we disobey God. Our sin separates us from God. The Bible says in Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That means we ALL (not just some of us) fall short of God s standard of perfection. (Instruct students to draw a stick figure in the in the gray area to the left of SIN and label it us.) Note: See the complete script, R-2a, in the resources. A full layout of this presentation can be found here: http://passporttothenations.com/friends-with-god/ Lesson 11-2
GOD IS RULER: Catholicism (30 min.) A full explanation of this lesson with helpful images can be accessed at the following link with a password from your curriculum administrator: http://passporttothenations.com/catholicism Roman Catholicism is the primary religion in Latin America. Seven out of every 10 people in Latin America claims to be Catholic and this makes up one third of all Catholics throughout the world. Catholicism was introduced to Latin America over 500 years ago when Christopher Columbus and the explorers arrived from Spain. The Spanish were Roman Catholic so they built Catholic churches and missions throughout Latin America. Roman Catholicism is also called Catholic Christianity. It shares beliefs from the Bible with Protestant Christianity, but differs in some interpretations of scripture and the addition of certain traditions and practices. Note to teacher: Before class: R-11a_Statement Cards, (printed two-sided on card stock) should be cut into separate cards. During class: Pass out statement cards to students. As you teach through each section of the lesson, instruct students to place corresponding cards on the diagram in the correct location. Similarities and Differences Activity Materials: R-11a_Statement cards Tape White board and Expo marker Procedure: Draw two large circles that overlap to form a Venn diagram on the board. One circle will be labeled Catholic Christianity and the other circle will be labeled Protestant Christianity. The area of overlap will be labeled Shared Belief. Pass out statement cards to students. Each card will have a picture on the front and the category and statement on the back. Students will take turns placing cards on the board in the correct area. As each card is presented, discuss how the card meets the criteria for the big picture ideas: Shared Belief Actions leading to grace Actions resulting from grace Lesson 11-3
Shared Beliefs: The shared beliefs for both groups are based on documents the Nicene Creed (325 A.D.) and the Apostles Creed (formally introduced in 390 A.D.) compiled to establish Biblical truths that were shared by all Christians. The following statement cards should be placed in the Shared Beliefs section of the Venn Diagram. God is our Father and Creator. God sent His son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead and broke the curse of sin and death. Jesus offers forgiveness and eternal life to those who turn to Him. The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity with God and Jesus. The church is made up of the faithful followers of Christ. Catholic Christianity: Add the words Actions leading to grace under this category. Explain to students that Catholic Christians participate in sacraments, which are religious ceremonies or acts that are an outward expression of an inward divine grace. In the Catholic church, these sacraments are seen as actions that open the door for God s saving grace. or actions leading to grace. The following statement cards should be placed in the Catholic Christianity section of the Venn Diagram: Confession Baptism Communion Commitment Protestant Christianity: Add the words Actions resulting from grace under this category. The Protestant church shares several practices with the Catholic church, such as communion and baptism. The difference lies in the fact that the Protestant church does not see the act as a way to work out salvation, but rather as a symbol of an inward salvation that Lesson 11-4
has already occurred. As a result, these practices are seen as actions resulting from grace. The following statement cards should be placed in the Protestant Christianity section of the Venn Diagram: Confession Baptism Communion Commitment Discuss and review the above similarities and differences to improve clarity. If time permits, remove cards and have students place cards on correct location on Venn Diagram a second time based on their memory of the pictures meaning. Students may look at back of card to cue memory as needed. It is important to focus on the shared beliefs of Christians while also seeking God s Word for clarity about the beliefs that differ. The Book of James in the New Testament is evidence that the topic of faith versus works (or actions) was a source of discussion and disagreement in the early Church. James tells us that both should be evident in a person who follows Christ: But someone will say, You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18 James is reminding them that faith and works are intertwined. A Christian s faith should lead to works that show others their faith. If a person takes part in a sacrament, but does not have faith, he is trying to gain salvation by his own works rather than through the sacrifice of Christ. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 If a person has faith, that person should desire to participate in baptism, communion, and committed ministry with the church body. A faith without these is dead. As Christians, we serve Christ, the son of the Living God, so our faith in Him must also be alive. Let s live out our faith so that others can find life in Him! Finally, provide a copy of R-11b_God is Ruler to students. Lead them to write the word Catholicism on the first line of the Primary religions of the region section. See R-11c_God is Ruler_completed for direction. Lesson 11-5
PRAY: (15 min.) Using Teacher Country Cards, introduce the following country: R-11d_Bahamas. Instruct students to label this country in their blue passport books. Next, lead students to pray for the people of the Bahamas. You may use the Prayercast videos below or lead your own prayer time. http://prayercast.com/bahamas.html Once your have prayed, stamp this country in each student s blue passport book. Lesson 11-6
What You Will Need Lesson 11 Music: Optional Music resources needed for planned music activity http://passporttothenations.com/sing-it-music-of-latin-america Share the Word: Supplies for Scripture review game as needed Friends with God booklet, teacher version Friends with God booklet, student copy R-2a_Friends with God script http://passporttothenations.com/friends-with-god/ God is Ruler: R-11a_Catholicism Statement Cards R-11b_God is Ruler_student R-11c_God is Ruler_teacher Pray: R-11d_Bahamas http://prayercast.com/bahamas.html Blue student passport books Passport stamp Lesson 11-7