We Share Lessons for Children Ages 6–11 We Share Contents Lessons for Children Ages 6–11
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We Share Lessons for Children Ages 6–11 We Share CONTENTS Lessons for Children Ages 6–11 © 2013 Community of Christ We Are Part of the Sacred Story ..... 3 We are part of the sacred story. Each of us has Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations contained a story to share of God in our lives. This is who herein are from the New Revised Standard Version we are as Community of Christ. (NRSV) Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Chris- tian Education of the National Council of Churches We Share Shalom ................ .9 of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights We can make responsible choices to join God reserved. in caring for all creation. This is who we are as Community of Christ. Lesson plans developed by Monica Bradford, author of We Are Peacemakers ............ .13 the We Share picture book We are to be peacemakers with one another through our words and actions. This is who we are as Community of Christ. We Follow Jesus ................ .17 We follow Jesus by living together in communi- ties of joy, hope, love, and peace. This is who we are as Community of Christ. We Receive and Share ........... .22 We receive gifts from God and share those gifts with others. This is who we are as Community of Christ. We Belong ..................... 26 We are part of God’s family who is made stron- ger through its diversity. This is who we are as Community of Christ. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this course is for children ages 6–11 to Cornelison, and published by Community of Christ. The learn who we are as Community of Christ. Specifically, hardbound book is available through Herald Publishing children will explore how we are part of the sacred story, House. All lessons include downloadable scripture posters how we share shalom, and what it means to be peacemak- and MP3 song files. ers who follow Jesus. They will also discover that we share the gifts we receive from God with others and that God’s WHEN YOU SEE THIS ARROW... Suggested language for teachers is indicated by a callout family is made stronger through its diversity. arrow ( ) and a change in font. These statements or This course includes six lessons based on the We Share pic- questions do not need to be quoted word for word but ture book, written by Monica Bradford, illustrated by Sue carry important main ideas for the lesson. Live Christ’s Peace — 2 LESSON 1 We Are Part of the Sacred Story Focus booklets before the first class using these instruc- To introduce who we are as Community of tions: On paper 8½ x 11 in (216 x 279 mm), print Christ. To discover that we are all part of the sa- one copy of the story template (pages 7–8), printed cred story. To realize that we each have a story front to back, for each child. Fold in half with a to share about God in our lives. blank piece of paper folded around the outside for the cover. Staple together. Each book should now Focus Scripture have four inside pages for recording a story, plus a front and back cover. When copying the story tem- Do not fail to listen attentively to the telling of the sacred story, for the story of scrip- plate, print the pages lengthwise so the pages will ture and faith empowers and illuminates. turn in sequence as in a book. —Doctrine and Covenants 161:5 • Or choose other paper options for recording stories Objectives (lined or large blank paper) • Pencils and markers or THE LEARNERS WILL… crayons (pastels) • become acquainted with the other students through a series of getting-to-know-you questions. Resources • We Share by Monica • read We Share and discuss in detail the sec- Bradford, illustrated by tions on “Sacred Story” and “Continuing Sue Cornelison (Her- Revelation.” ald Publishing House, • document their personal sacred stories. 2012, ISBN 9780830915224) • Doctrine and Covenants 161:5 Materials • Optional: PowerPoint slides of the We Share picture • Poster paper or white board and dry erase book markers • Optional: Downloadable MP3 file for “We Are • Lesson 1 focus scripture poster (page 6) Community of Christ” from www.CofChrist.org/ • One story booklet for each child. Prepare the onlineresources/reunion/ GATHER Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson Warmly welcome the children as they enter the room and What questions can we ask to learn a little bit about invite them to sit in a circle with you. Discuss together: who he or she is? Decide together on a list of three to five questions and What do we do when we meet someone new? display them for all to see. Go around the circle and invite each child to share his or her name and answer How can we learn more about that person? the questions. We Are Part of the Sacred Story— 3 GATHER continued By sharing together, we have learned a little bit about We do the same thing as a church! As Community each of you. But I know that you are so much more of Christ, we discover more about who we are in ex- than what you have shared today. As we go through actly the same way—by playing, learning, sharing, and our time together we will learn more about each of questioning together. We’re going to read a story that you by playing together, learning together, sharing helps us understand a bit more about who we are, as our stories and our talents, and by asking questions. people, and as a church community. ENGAGE Invites exploration and interaction Today, we will read a book called We Share. Before I What books do many of our special stories of faith read the story, I want you to notice two very special come from, as a church? These stories of faith are part things about this book. (Open to the first spread.) What of the “sacred story.” do you notice about the words on this page? This book Is scripture the only place where we can find parts of is trilingual! That means that each page has three lan- the sacred story? What are some other examples of guages on it! Can anyone guess what languages we parts of the sacred story? have in this book? (English, Spanish, and French). Why What is a lesson you have learned from either a story do you think this book has been published in those in scripture or a friend’s story of faith (or testimony)? All three languages? (so more children in many countries can read the book; so more children who speak different of these are parts of the sacred story. languages can learn what “we share”) The other thing I We are going to create a “sa- want you to notice is this little bug here. (Point out the cred story” wall. On this wall little bug on the first page.) The bug’s we will place examples of name is CC. As I read the story, qui- special stories about God or etly watch and see if you can find of faith and testimony gath- CC on each page. ered throughout our time Read the entire We Share book to together. Today I want to the children. Allow the children to add this scripture passage, enjoy the flow of the story without Doctrine and Covenants stopping to discuss each page. We 161:5. (Read the scripture will discuss the story in more detail in later lessons. When passage and add the poster to your sacred story wall.) Em- you finish reading the story, discuss: powers and Illuminates…what do you think this scrip- ture passage is teaching us? (Discuss.) What was your favorite part of the story? What kinds of things did you notice CC doing in the Let’s re-read another page from We Share. story? Re-read “Continuing Revelation” on pages 18–19. Discuss: We Share is a special story about who we are as Com- What is CC doing on this page? What do the other munity of Christ. Stories about God are very important drawings show us about listening for God? to us as a church. I’d like to re-read one part of the book. What are some ways that we listen for God every day? How does listening for God relate to the Doctrine and Re-read “A Sacred Story” on pages 12–13 and discuss: Covenants scripture passage we have on our sacred What is CC doing on this page? What do the other story wall? pictures show us about “sacred story”? We Are Part of the Sacred Story — 4 RESPOND Takes the learners from hearing to doing Help me remember…who is the sacred story about? OPTIONS (people and God together) And when do we listen for • Use pre-made books with a space for illustrations and God? (every day) Hmm…sacred story is about people text to write your personal story. and God in relationship. We believe that God’s guiding • Use regular notebook paper to write your personal presence is with us every day. Do you know what that story. means? That means that you are a part of the sacred • Use poster paper to design your story. story, and you, and you, and you, and you, and me! We are all part of the sacred story! • Create a cartoon of your story. Once everyone has created their stories, allow children Today you are going to record a story about your re- to share. Based on the number of children and the time lationship with God.