PRI Chalice Lessons-All Units
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EPISCOPAL CHILDREN’S CURRICULUM PRIMARY CHALICE Chalice Year Primary Copyright © 2009 Virginia Theological Seminary i Locke E. Bowman, Jr., Editor-in-Chief Amelia J. Gearey Dyer, Ph.D., Associate Editor The Rev. George G. Kroupa III, Associate Editor Judith W. Seaver, Ph.D., Managing Editor (1990-1996) Dorothy S. Linthicum, Managing Editor (current) Consultants for the Chalice Year, Primary Charlie Davey, Norfolk, VA Barbara M. Flint, Ruxton, MD Martha M. Jones, Chesapeake, VA Burleigh T. Seaver, Washington, DC Christine Nielsen, Washington, DC Chalice Year Primary Copyright © 2009 Virginia Theological Seminary ii Primary Chalice Contents BACKGROUND FOR TEACHERS The Teaching Ministry in Episcopal Churches..................................................................... 1 Understanding Primary-Age Learners .................................................................................. 8 Planning Strategies.............................................................................................................. 15 Session Categories: Activities and Resources ................................................................... 21 UNIT I. JUDGES/KINGS Letter to Parents................................................................................................................... I-1 Session 1: Joshua................................................................................................................. I-3 Session 2: Deborah.............................................................................................................. I-9 Session 3: Gideon.............................................................................................................. I-14 Session 4: Samuel.............................................................................................................. I-19 Session 5: Ruth.................................................................................................................. I-24 Session 6: David................................................................................................................ I-29 Session 7: Solomon ........................................................................................................... I-34 Session 8: Josiah................................................................................................................ I-39 Session 9: God’s Saints Rejoice ....................................................................................... I-44 UNIT II. PEOPLE IN PARABLES Letter to Parents.................................................................................................................. II-1 Session 1: Jesus' Family Tree ............................................................................................ II-3 Session 2: Emmanuel ......................................................................................................... II-9 Session 3: Joseph and the Angel......................................................................................II-14 Session 4: From Christmas to Epiphany .........................................................................II-19 Session 5: Flight Into Egypt.............................................................................................II-25 Session 6: Being a Resourceful Servant..........................................................................II-30 Session 7: Being Forgiven ...............................................................................................II-36 Session 8: Being a Neighbor to Others ...........................................................................II-41 Session 9: Welcoming All People ...................................................................................II-47 Chalice Year Primary— Contents Copyright © 2009 Virginia Theological Seminary iii UNIT III. EUCHARIST: PEOPLE IN COMMUNION Letter to Parents.................................................................................................................III-1 Session 1: Jesus' Last Supper With the Disciples ............................................................III-3 Session 2: Christians Remember the Last Supper ...........................................................III-9 Session 3: People Celebrate the Eucharist .....................................................................III-14 Session 4: We Use The Book of Common Prayer .........................................................III-19 Session 5: Each Congregation Celebrates Holy Communion.......................................III-24 Session 6: Jesus' Disciples Prepare for the Passover .....................................................III-29 Session 7: Jesus Was Arrested........................................................................................III-35 Session 8: Jesus Died and Rose Again...........................................................................III-40 Session 9: Road to Emmaus............................................................................................III-45 UNIT IV. THE CHURCH IN THE PRAYER BOOK Letter to Parents................................................................................................................ IV-1 Session 1: Episcopalians Use The Book of Common Prayer ......................................... IV-3 Session 2: The Church's People Pray All Through the Day........................................... IV-9 Session 3: Praying for Others ........................................................................................ IV-14 Session 4: Episcopal Services........................................................................................ IV-19 Session 5: The Psalter .................................................................................................... IV-24 Session 6: Prayers and Thanksgivings .......................................................................... IV-29 Session 7: Seasons of the Church Year......................................................................... IV-34 Session 8: The Calendar of Saints ................................................................................. IV-40 Session 9: The Church Celebrates Pentecost ................................................................ IV-46 Chalice Year Primary— Contents Copyright © 2009 Virginia Theological Seminary iv Note: The following letter is for teachers and parents of children in the Primary level of church school. These pages can be reproduced or used as a model for a personalized letter. Episcopal Children's Curriculum Unit I. JUDGES/KINGS Dear Parents and Guardians, This unit takes up the story of the Hebrew people just after the death of their leader, Moses. Moses was the person God chose to lead the people out of slavery in Egypt. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, which shaped the people's lives for all time. For forty years in the Sinai wilderness, Moses preserved the Hebrews as the chosen people of God. Under Joshua, who had been an assistant to Moses, the wandering of the people ended at last, and they crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Far from settling peacefully into their new home, the Hebrews faced a long struggle against hostile neighbors, the Canaanites. Joshua was followed by the period of the Judges, involving twelve leaders who served over a period of about 180 years. Also included in this unit is the story of Ruth and Naomi. The unit ends with stories about the experience of God's people under kingly rule. Stories of three kings have been selected from a period extending about 600 years: David, Solomon, and Josiah. After Solomon, the people of God were divided into two kingdoms. A long succession of rulers reigned in both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Josiah reigned in Judah. We encourage you to talk about the sessions with your child. You can do this by reading together the learners' book, Servants of God, which recaps the stories of Joshua, selected judges, Ruth, and three Israeli kings. We also encourage you to read the Scripture passages cited below with your child. The Take-Home Cards given to learners each week can be used in your discussions. These collectible cards, about the size of a postcard, can be displayed in a photo album, kept in a recipe box, or used in any way you find helpful. Following are summaries of the unit's sessions. Session 1: “Joshua” emphasizes his example as a servant of God. He challenged the Hebrew people to do what was right and good in God's sight and led them into the Promised Land. (Joshua 1:1-2) Session 2: “Deborah” tells the story of a wise woman and prophet. She helped amass an army to defeat a well-armed enemy who threatened the Hebrew's peaceful existence. She joined Barak, a military leader, to provide moral support for the troops. (Judges 4:4-5) Session 3: “Gideon” was chosen to battle against the Midianites who threatened the Hebrews about 100 years after Deborah's victories. Gideon protested that he was too young and weak for the task, but ultimately obeyed God. With God's help, he won a victory over the Midianites. (Judges 6:14-16) Unit I. Judges/Kings Chalice Year Primary I-5 Session 4: “Samuel” was a priest and prophet who was called to help Israel establish a monarchy. He served in the temple with Eli, and grew up to be a priest, judge and prophet. He anointed Saul as the first king and later anointed David as Saul's successor. (I Samuel 1:20; 3:19) Session 5: “Ruth” recalls the story of the Moabite woman who remained faithful to her mother-in-law,