Spotlight! Session #5 Week of 12/8/19 The Patriarchs

Video Intro -

Opening Prayer The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Icebreaker Discussion: Here you will find a current top 40 song. The subject of the song may/may not reflect the topic of the lesson. PLEASE PLAY THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE SONG! Music videos are the work of artists and video producers and associate an image with the song that may or may not represent the lyrical value of the song. The goal of the icebreaker song is to have a song that both students and parents have heard or is currently charting. We want to use these songs to get parents and students talking so when we get to the core of the lesson, both parties are warmed up and ready to share. Parents should view the video prior to the lesson to see if it is something that you want to view during the lesson.

Burning Man / Dierks Bentley Values: Positive Pace: Medium Clarity: Clear Issues: This song could serve as a review of many people's lives. It takes a look at life's journeys. "Half your life you struggle, half your life you fly. Half your life makin' trouble, half your life makin' it right." We can take a close look at the many options we deal with on a regular basis. "I always loved the highway, I just don't run it as fast. I still go wherever the wind blows me, but I always find my way back." He is being very upfront about the way he has handled his decisions in life. "I'm a little bit heaven but still a little bit flesh and bone. I'm a little bit holy water but still a little bit burning man." Questions: How would you describe the way you handle what your life deals you? If you could describe your life so far as a highway, what would the highway look like? Actions: Become a song writer for a moment and review your life.

Mass Readings for Sunday 12/8/19 If you would like to preview the Gospel and the reading for the week you can find them here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120819.cfm

TRIVIA ZONE (know these facts as they will be part of our Kahoot! Trivia for large group) 1. Patriarchs of the Bible – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, 2. Abraham’s wife was Sarah 3. The twelve tribes of Israel were descendants of the sons of Jacob 4. Magisterium – The teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church, especially as exercised by bishops or the Pope. 5. Vulgate - the principal Latin version of the Bible, prepared mainly by St. Jerome in the late 4th century, and (as revised in 1592) adopted as the official text for the Roman Catholic Church.

Featured Scripture for Discussion This is the section where you will read the scripture, discuss it and answer the questions.

To us it seems horrible that God would ask Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. But this story is meant to be a sign of Abraham’s complete trust in God. Ultimately, God prevented the sacrifice because God wanted not Isaac’s death but Abraham’s faith. Because of his willingness to respond to God’s demand, Abraham is recognized as the father of our faith. Our trust in God should be as total as Abraham’s trust was. We probably won’t ever be faced with the test of Abraham, but perhaps we will be faced with different, though equally difficult tests of faith in our own lives. The story of Abraham shows us the power of faith. Because of Abraham’s faith in God’s promise, Isaac lived and became the father of Jacob, whose twelve sons became the twelve Tribes of Israel. – The Catholic Youth Bible Third Addition NABRE

The Spotlight scripture is Genesis 22:1-19 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Chapter 22

The Testing of Abraham.[a] 1 Some time afterward, God put Abraham to the test and said to him: Abraham! “Here I am!” he replied. 2 Then God said: Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There offer him up as a burnt offering on one of the heights that I will point out to you. 3 Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac, and after cutting the wood for the burnt offering, set out for the place of which God had told him.

4 On the third day Abraham caught sight of the place from a distance. 5 Abraham said to his servants: “Stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over there. We will worship and then come back to you.” 6 So Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two walked on together, 7 Isaac spoke to his father Abraham. “Father!” he said. “Here I am,” he replied. Isaac continued, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” 8 “My son,” Abraham answered, “God will provide the sheep for the burnt offering.” Then the two walked on together.

9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he bound[b] his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. 10 Then Abraham reached out and took the 11 knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 12 “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the angel. “Do not do the least thing to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you did not withhold from me your son, your only one.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a single ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering in place of his [c] 14 [d] son. Abraham named that place Yahweh-yireh; hence people today say, “On the mountain the LORD will provide.”

15 [e] 16 A second time the angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven and said: “I swear by my very self—oracle of 17 the LORD—that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your son, your only one, I will bless you and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants will take possession of the gates of their enemies, 18 and in your descendants all the nations of the earth will find blessing, because you obeyed my command.”

19 Abraham then returned to his servants, and they set out together for Beer-sheba, where Abraham lived.

Discussion Questions:

1. How far are you willing to go for God? 2. Have you ever doubted God? What do you doubt about? 3. Would you follow God wherever he led you and do whatever he told you no matter how hard your path may be if he spoke directly to you? 4. Have you heard the voice of God in your life? (through other people, dreams, songs, experiences) 5. What do you think Abraham would say if you asked him these questions? a. Did you need to understand God’s promise to you or did trusting God come easy for you? b. Did you struggle with doubts before God called you? c. What was going through your mind when you tied up Isaac? d. What would your advise be to young people who doubt God? 6. Check out these bible verses on the topic of trusting God a. James 1:3-4 b. James 5:11 c. Luke 8:15 d. Romans 2:7 7. Because of your beliefs have you ever had to give up someone or something that was precious to you? 8. How has your life been enriched as a result of your trust in God?

Catechism Connection: Faith and Obedience (142-144) By revelation, God calls men.

By faith, man responds to God's invitation. By this "obedience of faith" (Rom 1:5) man submits his will and intellect to God, the Revealer, because God guarantees its truth.

Abraham is the model of this obedience and Mary is the most perfect embodiment of this submission.

Abraham (145-146) Abraham went as a pilgrim to a strange land, even when he did not know where he was going. After his wife Sarah conceived by faith, Abraham was willing in faith to sacrifice his son, Isaac (Heb 11:17).

Being "strong in faith" Abraham became the "father of all who believe" (Rom 4:11).

Jesus - The Perfecter (147) Although Hebrews praises the many Old Testament persons who "received divine approval," the author says that "something better" awaits us, namely, Jesus the "perfecter of our faith" (Heb 12:2).

Saint Profile: Saint Jerone

Feast day September 30

Jerome was a man of extremes. His real name was Eusebius Hieronymus Sophronius. He lived to age 91 even though he undertook extreme penances. Jerome had a fierce temper but an equally intense love of Christ.

This brilliant saint was born in Eastern Europe around 345. His Christian family sent him to Rome at age 12 for a good education. He studied there until he was 20. Then he and his friends lived in a small monastery for three years, until the group dissolved. Jerome set out for Palestine, but when he reached Antioch, he fell seriously ill. He dreamt one night that he was taken before the judgment seat of God and condemned for being a heretic. This dream made a deep impression on him. Although Jerome wished to study rather than to be a priest, he was ordained. Again he tried the life of a monk in the desert, but impure temptations plagued him. To fight them, he studied Hebrew, wrote letters counseling friends in the spiritual life, and copied books. Finally, Jerome moved to Constantinople. He studied Scripture under the Greek theologian Gregory Nazianzen. Pope Damasus summoned him to Rome and had him translate the Bible into Latin, a 30- year task. His translation, called the Vulgate, became the official text of the Catholic Church. We can take a lot from St. Jerome’s story and example. You do not have to be perfect to become a saint, but chasing perfection certainly helps one grow in discipline and virtue.  Ask St. Jerome to pray with you, not only if you have a short temper but if you want to grow in knowledge – especially knowledge of Scripture – and if you want the courage to stand for truth in the midst of a culture that rejects it at every turn.

Wins and Spins Have each member of your family or small group talk about a “win” for the day. Something that went well or you feel good about. Now have each member of your group talk about a “spin” something that did not go as planned, was disappointing or you feel could be improved. After each member of your group has said a win and a spin, pray for each member’s spins.

Example: My win for today is I got a A on a quiz. My spin for today is that I had a fight with my mom this morning and I feel bad about the things I said. (the group will now pray for each person’s “Spin” so there will be healing or improvement.)

Christian Music Song of the Day

Trust in You – Lauren Daigle- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv-SXz_exKE

 Take a few minutes to reflect on the words and images from the video.

Closing Prayer Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.