Clnaptet 7 GRADEFIVE

INTRODUCTION OFTHEMES Theme: History and Relationship with Other Churches

Lesson 1 A GLOBALCHURCH IN THESPIRIT OF ECUMENISM

Airn : 1. To show how our church is expanding from to different parts of the world. 2.To leam how it works with other denominations belonging to the World Council of Churches. Bible Verse: 1 Peter 2.9. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declarethe praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderfullight. Main ldeas: Among all statesof India, Kerala always lead the way in education and literacy. Educated people moved out of the state,first within lrdia and later to foreign countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Arabian Gulf countries and North America. Marthomites who settled at one place gathered for 7 GRADE-V.LESSON 1 7 GHADE.V LESSON1 worship and formed a parish. Sinceworship startedin North Materials: America n 1.972we had celebratedthe Silver Jubileeof our Map of theWorld or a giobe to locatethe growth tnl997. Parishesof North America and Europewere placesmentioned above. brought togetherin 1988to form a Diocese.Now there are severalactivities of the church organizationsat regional and Conclusion: diocesan levels. (Sharesome activities that you have been The Mar Thoma Church, though small (population about involved.) one million) is a global church with the members riving in all The Mar Thoma Church is working closely with other continents. It has a significant place among other churches churches in L:rdia,inciuding (CSI) and and worid organizations. we cherish the ecumenciaroutlook the (CNI), having intercommunion with and work closely with other churches. From humble both of them. In America we have inter-communion with beginnings we have come a long way. In all humility, let us the Episcopal church of the United Statesand the Anglican praise God for His Grace. church of Canada. Inter-communion means allowing members of our church to receive Holy communion from the church which has a special relationship with our church as agreedby the drurch authorities.Achens (pastors)are allowed to celebrate communion in the other church having inter communion. We have membership with severalworld bodies, especially the World Council of Churches (WCC), (give examples of our participation in such organizations).Also, the MarThoma Churchhasbecomea member of the National Council for Churches of Christ in the United Statesalong with 33 other "communions" in this country, (SeeMar Thoma Messenger,October 7997).We live at a time when ecumenical outlook and cooperation of different denominations are on the rise. Teaching strategies and Activities: Explain terms such as Ecumenism and Intercommunion. What are some of the other christian denominations in India and North America? Among them mention the churches which have inter-communion with our church. What are some of the other churches that we work closely by arranging specialmeetings and programs?How do theserelationships influence the growth of our church? Discusssuch questions and learn about the spirit of ecumenism of the Mar Thoma Church. y

7 GFADE-V, LESSON2 worship, different from EasterlrChurches. GRADEFIVE There is a worship order for the Mar Thoma church. we use the Word of God in our worship for our nurturing. Other INTRODUCTION OF THEMES basicelements of worship areAdoiation, Confessionihants Theme: Worship: Faith and Practicesof an giving, Intercession,and Offerrng. Eastern Church Teaching Strategiesand Activities:

Lesson2 Discussthe importance of worship in Christian Life. See WORSHIP:HIGHEST ACTlVlry FOR GOD different worship orders used in o,ri ch.r..h and Sunday Schools. Prepare and conduct small worship service by children with the help of teacher.Understand about other Aim:1. To understand what worship is and why it is systemsof worship. Encouragethe cultivation of a positive significant. attitude for worship. 2. To develop a positive attitude for worship. Materials: Bible Verse: Jdnn 4:24 Order of Worship, prayers and Hymns. Materials related to the worship God is Spirit, and thosewho worship him must worship of other churches. in spirit and truth. Conclusion: Main Ideas: By attending and involving in the worship, we grow in our spiritual Worship is the adoration of God. Worship is the highest life. activity of man whose ultimate aim is God's glory. In fact, it Ask the following questions: was through its existenceas a worshiping community that 7- whatis worship? v\4ratdo we accomprish Christianity could sustain itself in the world against hostile asindividuals and as a community through our surroundings. It is through worship that the life and witness worship? of the church are maintained, and the community is united 2. Why do we stand most of the time when we worship? and built up. The very nature of the Church constitutes the \Alhatare the differenceswith some other denominations need for corporate worship and the Church gives primacy to (name and the difference). worship. True and full worship is always an act of the whole 3. What are the basic elementsof worshio? body of Christ and not limited physically to thosepresent at worslrip (Gl ennings, p. 3 6 ). We worship in a standing posture becausewe believethe Lord is present in this service and as an eastern mark of respect,we adore him in standing. Kneeling is widely practised in the Roman Catholic Church. Southern Baptist Church encouragespeople to harrespontaneors e*pr"ssions during 7 GRADE-V LESSON3 71 There are seven sacr.amentsadministered by the Mar Thoma GRADEFIVE Church. They are: 1. Baptism, 2. Confirmation, 3. Confession, 4. Holy INTRODUCTION OFTHEMES Communion, 5. Matriage, 6. Ordination, 7. Unction Theme: Christian Sacraments (anointing of the sick). Dominical sacraments: Lesson3 THEIMPORTANCE OF SACRAMENTS Baptism and Holy Communion, instituted by and associatedwith our Lord, are called Dominical sacraments. All members of the church are morallybound to receivethese Aim: 1.To Understand the importance of Sacramentsin sacraments, if they take the membership in the Church Christian Life. seriously and continue in the fellowship. 2. To meaningfully participate in Sacraments Confirmation is administered along with baptism, and Confession along with Holy Communion. Bible Verse: L John 4: 13 Optional Sacraments: We know that we live in him and he in usbecausehe has given us his spirit. Marriage, Ordination, and Unction are optional sacramentswhich the members may receive Main Ideas: as a result of personal choice The Mar Thoma Church is part of One, Holy, Catholic Teaching Strategiesand Activities: and Apostolic Church. The faithful members of this religious community in an areais recognized as a parish. Each Parish Teacherpresents the meaning of the term sacrament and exists for the purpose of worship, proclamation of the Gospel name them (seven). and the administration of sacraments. Discuss the spiritual truth and the significance of the Holy Spirit prepares the faithful for the sacramentsby sacrament.Help the students understand that the faith of the Word of God. Thus the sacramentsstrengthen faith and the participants is an essentialelement. express it. Sacramentsare special encounters with Christ that Conclusion: help us grow in grace, and lead a holy life. Jesusgave His church sacramentsto continue His saving work and to build Sacramentsbecomemeans to receiveGod,sblessings and up the community of believers. Sacraments have visible inspires recipients to remain faithful and commitied in expressions.That means, the sacramentsbear fruit in those Christian life. our life must be a visible sign of the spiritual who receive them with the right attitudes. These visible, experience. outward expressionspoint to inner grace that is given to us (spiritual truths). They carry meaning only in spiritual life experience of the participants. In other words, life of a true believer wouldbe a visible expressionof spiritual experience. 7 GRADE.V LESSON4 The.spiritof eva.gelism hasrisen in great force.The churJ modified its administrative GRADE FIVE structure Ind becamea reformed church. INTRODUCTIONOFTHEMES Conclusion: Theme:Uniqueness and CentralValues The uniquenessof the Mar Thoma Church is that it is a reformed- church' The reformation must be a continuous Lesson4 process-Try to refolm REFORMATIONIN THE yourselvesday by d"y;dil;. ir/" need a devotional life-(prayer and Bible reading) and outreach activities (evangelicatwoit;. Aim: To understand the reformation in our church during the 19th century, with its visionary leaders. Bible Verse: Mark 5:2.(Good News Bible) On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue. Many people were there, and when they heard him, they were all amazed. Main Ideas: With the help of various Western missionary societies, especially the Church Missionary Society, Palakunnathu and Kaithayil Geevarghese Malpan dedicated themselves to the causeof reform in the Malankara church. They translated the liturgy into to bring about meaningful participation and gave emphasis to the personal study of theWord of God and initiated otherreforms to remain well founded on the Word of God. That reformed group is now known as the Mar Thoma Church. Teaching Strategies & Activities: Teachers ask questions to recall students' learning on church heritage and Westem contacts in the 19th century. Class should selectsome problem areaswhere changesare needed. Teacherexplains the contribution of selectedleaders, especially Abraham Malpan, in initiating new ideas and practices.Select a few of them and discussin the class.Bible reading and worship in the mother tongue have emerged. 7 GRADE-VLESSON 5 75 other Christian 3lt9 -by denominatirons and the goverr-rment GRADEFIVE itself. Thirumeni wasdisturbed by thesad condition INTRODUCTION OFTHEMES and the destitutes. of thepoor He wantei ro-i-p.o.re their Theme: Mission and Ministrv of the Church economicconditio^s. sociarand Sohe associate-dhi_uil;;ili"optu and movements committed ; i wgrk amon& Lesson 5 destitutes.H" ;:::}il:':"-:,'?_:1" these THELIFE AND MESSAGEOF A CHURCHLEADER: rvru*,ui.r,",.,irx"T"ilt*&Tf"Lrffir,5:ffi JUHANONMAR THOMA METROPOLITAN teacher at #rr,ft Mar Thoma Seminu.y. sensitivity fni*.r.,"r,r,, to theneeds of trre poo. u, a young ma. did loose when he not Aim: 1. Study the Life and Messageof a church leader by posi tio's,r"". ;ljo,: i:"lft selectingJuhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan he becamea bislgn"ii'"' Hffi nuli:H:l 9. *"oopoilr"r.,.rnr.umeni took the 2. Serving othersand responding initiativeto startthe first to human needs. a"riiit"i"'n ome(7949) for people who do not have anyone to Bible Verse: Romans 12:2 take care of. This was one first achievementlu, of his ih".,"* *-"t Jf, afr", n" Do not conform any longer to the pattern a "B eggar Rerief of this world, Committ"u" ut ivtu.tul-,on"fr*. c onrrention"rg";"0 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. volunteerswere given n 1949 . boxesto . JiJ.t for distribution Main Ideas: rhis stepdiscourased -oney :ff:fr::rr?.::s. u"ggi;f-li tn" Among church leaders we select Mar Thoma, Juhanon He berieved the Metropolitan of our church that social service activities from|947- 7976 andbishop prosrams are not rimited to from 7937onwards. Thirumeni (Metropolitan) initiated new but they,*;;r-;lrirti;; rollower:l?:,y of ;;;;"ffi. movements such as orphanagesand destitute Jesushas the duty to reachottrers homes,home sharing by helping them," for the homeless, "Habitat his/her wealth gi";r;; comparableto the for Humanity" shown G;. lr was the love of God inAmerica. in Jesusthat riotiv#Jiitr"meni community to orsanize outreachprograms for thetvta. The Mar Thoma Church built a new bishop,s house r^ori" Cf"l"n. People of various. (Aramana) and celebratedthe 75thbirthday of Mar religions and beriefs admired Juhlnon personal qualities the Thoma in 1968.Thirumeni was reluctant to move to this of Thirum"er'rir-rJ*,"y include the poor, the rich and new building the educated and the becausehe thought that such a larger facility non_eOucated,along with political leadersand others. H";;;;., he had srrong beriefs ;s it whether it will pleaseothe€ rosed the policies of un f,aiurrp.im"_". "or. vemment become undemocratic.He did 75 homes rrrestand for the homeless. It was the beginning of a new other consequences.The first movement in Kerala, ri built for the continued not only by our church, but homeless*", gi;;;;; u 7. GRADE.V LESSON5 Hindu whose need being consideredas the criteria. Teaching Strategiesand Activities: In Grade Four we have introduced the names of a few missionaries, selecting only one or two contributions of each. This year we study one person with more details, Juhanon Mar Thoma. He has some unique understanding of the church's relationship to the society and attempted to respond to the needs of people in the lowest socio-economicgroup. He recognizedthis task ashis Christian obligation, comparable to the life of the Biblical prophets who stood for righteousness or justice. He led a very simple iife with decent personai qualities which people admired. For children growing in an affluent society,hislife provides a rare model. Since Thirumeni published several books regarding his life and mission we have the resourcesfor our study. They inclu de Or maknlum Kur ippukalum (CLS, 7971) D r . I uhanon M ar Thoma:leeaithaaum Sandheshaaum (Mar Thoma Sabha Council, 7977),both in Malayalam, andChristianity in India and a BriefHistory of theMar ThomaSyriqn Church,1968. TeachingMatprials; Picturesof MetropolitanJuhanonThirumeni on different qccasions. Cpnclgsign: Thirymeni widened the scopeof mission by including areasbeyond preaching. He showed that outreach activities are an integral parf of mission. Today our church is knoum for its work among the poor and the needy. Peoplerejected by others in society are being cared for by our church including the destituteg, the disabled, the mentally ill and the alcoholicsand others.He has strengthenedthe emphasison the evangelicalsocial gospel in our church.