SPARK

Week 14 - Chooses the First Followers Week of Jan. 18 Focus:

Jesus said to them, "Come, follow me." After this time together your child will be able to :17 do/know (one or all depending on their age):

Jesus called ordinary people ..most were Adult Pre-work (15 min) fishermen. Jesus calls us to follow Him. These people immediately stopped what they were Watch Lesson 13 preparation doing and followed him. video at saint-max.org/spark Jesus told them that they would become 'fishers of Watch Peter Fishes for Men men.' We can be fishers of men too. (2:30) Watch the first link in Dig Deeper!

PRAY Opening Prayer + (Sign of the Cross) God you are our father and our leader. Thank you for sending Jesus to us. Help us to always follow Jesus and be loving and kind like Him. We pray especially for ______. Amen. +

Family Connection SHARE This week share about how you follow Jesus in your own life? How did you follow Him as a child? What do you do daily to build your relationship with Him?

Saint Spotlight - St. Andre Bessette 1845-1937 (Click his name to learn more!) Andre was a sickly man and after many jobs, came to the Brother of Holy Cross Brothers in 1870. He was functionally illiterate but had a deep faith and a devotion to St. Joseph. He lived to be 90 and left a legacy of healings and a Basicila to St. Joseph in Montreal, Canada. His story is amazing! Feast day: January 6

Jesus has spent time in the desert after being baptized and He is now calling his followers! LEARN Read the Story This story can be found in Mark 1-3, -6, :18-22, 9:9, 10:1-4. (Picture Bible Stories p. 52-53, Great Adventure Storybook (p. 125)

Can you tell me what happened in the story? Why do you you think the men were in the boat fishing? (for food for their families or to sell) I wonder why the men in the boat followed Jesus? (Maybe they had heard of him? Or their hearts were moved by the Holy Spirit.) I wonder what it means to be a 'fisher of men?' (By our Baptism we are called to be Jesus' followers. He has a mission for us. We are supposed to carry the light of Christ to the world. We do that in the way that we live. It can be seen in our attitudes, our words and our actions. That is how we show Christ's love for all people.)

Wondering Questions: I wonder what this Bible story is about? I wonder what it was like to live when Jesus did? (No grocery stores, many were dependent on the earth for food) I wonder what it was like to be a fisherman in Jesus' time? I wonder what God is teaching us through this story? (We must listen and obey Jesus' voice. We must follow Him and his ways. We are his disciples and we are called to become like him: kind and loving toward all.)

If you or your child needs to Dig Deeper or watch the story: Jesus Picks His First Disciples (2:30 min) Fun version of the story using children as actors/actresses Jesus & His First Disciples (2:30) Quick drawing version of the story

LIVE YOUR FAITH This week as a family ..... 1.How are we following Jesus as a family? (Attending Mass, praying together, learning & talking about our faith.) Are there some adjustments we could make? 2. Teach your children this song and you have taught them the lesson!! The 12 Song A catchy tune that will stick in their head.!(Yours too!) 3. Draw a picture or write a sentence or two about anything you learned from this story. (Use an bordered Homework Template)

Add + Father God, Help us to be more like Jesus everyday. Help me to be kind to PRAY everyone. Lord, today I am sorry for ______. Please help ______. Amen +

Dig Deeper!

How to be a Good Disciple (8 min) Fr. Mike Schmitz - 4 ways to be a good disciple. Bishop Barron on the Calling of the Disciples (11 min) An excellent in depth look at this Scripture & what it meant for them to leave everything & follow Jesus.

Questions? Contact - Joan Stoltz at [email protected] or 777-4322, ext. 119