scripture god’s saving presence - sjeparish.org book of genesis, #3 (chalk, ... songbook and the...

© 2014 Published by Morehouse Education Resources, http://www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

session essentialsP r ima r y

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Helps for Catechists◆ More about Today’s Scriptures◆ Reflection◆ The Scriptures and the Catechism◆ Liturgy Link: A Spirit of Prayer◆ The World of the Bible: Covenant

Enrichment◆ Welcome the Good News◆ Singing Together◆ Old Testament Story: The Boat and

the Bow◆ Art: Lawrence’s Eight Studies from

the Book of Genesis, #3 (chalk, watercolors)

◆ Info: Children and the Lectionary◆ Info: Where You’ll Find Everything

Else

Core Session◆ Getting Started (glass or dish

of water, mirror or prism)◆ Old Testament Story◆ Story-Review Game: The

Great Flood◆ Praying Together

Jesus invites us to celebrate the arrival of God’s kingdom.◆ In today’s gospel, Jesus ends his temptation in the desert by proclaiming the good news.◆ Because we do not want to omit the great stories of the Old Testament, today we focus on

the story of Noah and the ark.◆ In today’s session we also explore the Old Testament story through a story-review game,

storytelling, fine art and books.

God’s Saving PresenceScriptureGenesis 6:9–9:17

1s t Sunday o f L en t – B

Living the Good News | Primary | 1st Sunday of Lent – B

Question of the WeekGod cared for both Noah and Jesus. How does God care for us?

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Getting Started (5-10 minutes)Children hunt for rainbows as an introduction to today’s story of Noah and the rainbow. Set up a glass or dish of water in a sunny spot of the room. Lean the mirror in the water so that it reflects sunlight onto blank walls, floor or ceiling. As the water grows still, look for patches of reflected light refracted into rainbows.

Invite the children to find rainbows in the room. Give children white paper or index cards to lay in the patches of light. The rainbows will show up more clearly.

If sun is unreliable in your area, arrange to have the children look through prisms or crystals. Invite children to share stories of rainbows they have seen. Then say:◆ The Bible has a rainbow story, too—and that’s the

story I want to tell you today.

Old Testament Story (5-10 minutes)Tell the Old Testament Story found on pages 3-4.

Story-Review Game (5-20 minutes)The Great FloodChildren compete in teams to fill newsprint boats with animals in today’s story-review game.

Invite children to help you make pieces for the game. Ask one volunteer to draw a big boat on newsprint.

Ask the other children to make 12 animal figures from construction paper. Children glue construction-paper shapes together to form the animals, then use crayons or felt pens to add details.

Invite children to fill the ark with animals by answering questions about today’s story. When the children answer correctly, they can add one animal figure to the newsprint boat.

Story review questions:◆ What did Noah build? (an ark or large boat)◆ Can you name at least one of Noah’s sons? (Shem,

Ham or Japheth)◆ With what was God going to cover the earth? (rain)

◆ What people were going to ride in the boat? (Noah and his family)

◆ Who else did God want on the boat? (animals)◆ For how many days did it rain? (40 days)◆ What animals did Noah send to see if the land was

dry? (birds)◆ What bird brought back a green twig in its mouth?

(a dove)◆ One day, the birds did not come back at all. Why

not? (The birds had found dry land—a new home.)◆ What did Noah do when the land was dry? (Noah

led his family and the animals from the boat.)◆ What did Noah see in the sky? (a rainbow)◆ What promise did God make to Noah? (God

promised that floods would never again destroy the earth.)

Praying Together (5 minutes)Gather the children around you and say:◆ 40 was a special number in today’s story. Do you

remember what happened for 40 days?◆ 40 is a special number in other Bible stories, too.

One story tells how Jesus once prayed for 40 days.◆ 40 days is a special number for the Church, too.

For 40 days, we keep a season called Lent.◆ In Lent, we get ready for Easter. One way we get

ready for Easter is by praying.◆ Each Sunday during Lent, we will try a different

way of praying. ◆ This week we will pray two by two—just as Noah

and his family filled the ark with animals, two by two.

Divide children into pairs, taking any extra child as your own partner. Explain:◆ Tell your partners how you want them to pray. You

might ask your partner to pray for you or to say “Thank you, God,” for you.

◆ Take turns praying.

After 1 minute, close by praying:◆ God, thank you for your promises to Noah and to

us. Help us to remember your promises as we get ready for Easter. Amen.

Note: Distribute this week’s At Home with the Good News to children before they leave, or e-mail it to their parents after the session.


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Welcome the Good News (5-10 minutes)On page 1 of today’s Welcome the Good News, children will find a short version of today’s Old Testament story.

On page 2 children learn about the meaning in Lent and find activities they can do at home during Lent. You can incorporate these ideas in the remaining sessions of Lent, too. Children will also find a With Your Family activity they can lead at home or practice in the group.

Singing Together (5-10 minutes)From Singing the Good News you and the children can sing together:◆ “God Makes Promises” (p. 28 of the songbook; also

available as an MP3)◆ “Friends with God” (p. 32 of the songbook; also

available as an MP3)

(Open your Spring-B Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Singing the Good News to access both the songbook and the MP3s.)

Old Testament Story (10-15 minutes)The Boat and the Bow

“Old fool! What are you doing building a boat like that? No water around here could hold a boat half its size!” The villagers laughed at old Noah, patiently hammering on his giant ark.

“Father, are you sure this is what God asked you to do?” Shem whispered to Noah.

Noah took another board—the last board—from Shem. “Son, trust God!” was all Noah said. He laid the board carefully into place.

Shem and his brothers looked at each other and shook their heads. For weeks, all they had done was help their father Noah build his boat. How could old Noah just abandon his fields and vineyards like this? And what would he do when this giant boat was finished?

For days, Noah and his sons rubbed the boat, inside and out, with pitch, to keep out water. “Not that there is any water,” grumbled Japheth.

“Now we can load it!” said Noah, satisfied at last. Noah’s wife and daughters had spent weeks

preparing giant pots and baskets of grain, dried fruits and vegetables.

Shem picked up a basket, but dropped it when he heard a thundering roar. “What’s that?” he shouted.

“It sounds like a lion,” said his brother. They listened. “It is a lion—and his mate! And they’re headed this way!” The brothers leapt behind a pile of hay, just as two huge lions sprang into sight, tossing their golden heads as they roared.

But before them, unafraid, walked Noah. “Here you may rest, my friends,” said Noah. The lions curled into a corner of the deck. Noah bowed and turned. “My sons! This is no time for us to rest. Gather the food and the animals!”

“What animals...” they began, but stopped. Up the planks, into the ark walked crocodiles, gorillas and jackrabbits. Honey bees and birds flew overhead. (Pause to ask, “What other kinds of animals do you think came on board?”)

Noah and his family hurried to load the food and make the animals comfortable. Finally Noah and all his family went into the boat, too. And the waters came. For 40 days rain poured down on the earth, pounding so hard on the roof of the ark that you could hardly hear all the animals roaring, growling, hissing and shrieking.

When the rain stopped, Noah’s youngest daughter ran to look outside. “Father, all I can see is water!” The family came to her side.

“Will we have to live in this boat forever?” she asked. “Has God forgotten us?”

“No,” said her mother. “Trust in God.”

Noah took a bird in his hand and let it fly outside. The bird flew over the waters, looking for dry land. When it grew tired, it flew back to the ark. Day after day, Noah let the birds search for land. Then one day, a dove flew in the window with a green twig in its beak.

“God remembers us!” said Noah’s daughter. “The trees are beginning to show.” Days later, the birds flew away and did not come back. They had found a home.


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“The day has come,” said Noah’s wife. “Open the door!”

“Yes,” said Noah. “Put down the planks. God has saved us from the waters!”

“Come out! Come out!” Noah’s family called to the animals. The animals raced into the sunshine, squawking, growling, stomping and flapping.

Noah’s family danced around an altar of stones. “Thank you, God!” they shouted. “Praise you, Lord!” they sang. And as they danced, a bow of color took shape in the sky—red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. “Look!” they whispered, one to another. “A sign from God!”

And they heard God promise, “Never again will floods destroy the whole earth.”

Art (10-20 minutes)Lawrence’s Eight Studies for the Book of Genesis, #3Gather children around Jacob Lawrence’s painting Eight Studies for the Book of Genesis, #3 found attached to this document. This colorful poster shows an animated, modern version of preaching. We will use this poster several times in Spring to help children enter into the experience of sharing our stories of God and God’s people.

Ask children to talk about what they see in the picture. Can they find people in the picture? What are the people doing? If they could be in the picture, too, where would they like to be? What would they do? Explain:◆ Some people in the picture are listening to stories

about God.◆ One person in the picture is telling stories about

God.◆ Let’s take turns reading aloud words from scripture

that tell us about God.

Help volunteers take turns reading aloud verses about Noah, found in Genesis 7–9. We recommend Genesis 9:15: “Whenever the rainbow appears, I will remember my promise to you.”

Ask the children, “What did God put in the sky when God made this promise to Noah?” (A rainbow.) Invite children to work together to make rainbows, reminders of God’s promise. Distribute sheets of white paper.

Ask each child to create a rainbow on his or her paper, using one of the methods described below.

Wet ChalkSoak colored chalks in sugar water. Show the children how to use sponges to dampen their papers and the soaked chalk to draw rainbows. The damp paper will help the colors blend; the sugar-water soak will give bright colors with less smearing.

WatercolorsShow the children how to use sponges to dampen their papers. Invite the children to paint rainbows with the watercolor or tempera paints, using brushes to blend different colors.

Children and the LectionaryIn Lent, we explore several Old Testament

stories especially appropriate, both to the season and to the interests of children. Today’s session for the First Sunday of Lent tells the story of Noah’s rescue from the flood, focusing on the rainbow as a sign of God’s promise of life to Noah.

Where You’ll Find Everything Else

◆ Attached to this Session Plan you will find:— Backgrounds and reflections for today’s

readings, titled More about Today’s Scriptures.— A helpful handout on Using Models of the Faith

content. (You’ll find Spring-B’s Models of the Faith in your Spring-B Seasonal Resources folder.)

— A guide for Preparing Your LTGN Session.— An optional activity titled Catholic Basics.— A shareable story script of today’s Old

Testament Story.— Suggestions for children’s books in a handout

titled Book Corner: Noah’s Ark.— Lawrence’s Eight Studies for the Book of Genesis,

to be used in today’s Art activity. — This week’s At Home with the Good News, to

distribute or email to group members.◆ Open your Spring-B Seasonal Resources folder, then

click on Seasonal Articles to find:— Information on Spring-B’s Models of the Faith.— For catechists and/or families, an article titled

Season of Lent.— For catechists and/or families, an article titled

Covenants.


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More about Today’s Scriptures Today’s readings affirm God’s promise of continuing relationship. In Genesis 9, life begins anew, sealed by God’s promise to all creatures and confirmed by the rainbow. The author of 1 Peter explains that we are saved through the cleansing water of baptism. In the gospel, Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness end with the proclamation of God’s good news.

Genesis 9:8-15Both Jewish and Christian tradition attribute the writing of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, to Moses. Modern scholars now recognize that the Pentateuch is composed of several strands of

tradition preserved and edited over centuries of Jewish history. The story of the flood is itself an ancient one, shared by several Near Eastern cultures, but the biblical account has its own unique theological perspective.

Through Noah, God makes the first covenant, a covenant with all humans and animals for all generations. The sign of the covenant, the rainbow, is a sign of peace, showing that God’s wrath was over

and the stability of the natural order was guaranteed. This first covenant demonstrates the trustworthiness of God who makes promises and keeps them.

1 Peter 3:18-22For many scholars, the excellent Greek style of this letter, its use of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) and the lack of direct reference to Jesus’ teaching all suggest that the letter was not written directly by Peter, but perhaps by a companion, disciple or scribe of his.

In this reading, the author seems to have used parts of a hymn to frame statements about Jesus’ authority and the meaning of baptism. Christ died “once,” not only

as a model to be followed but also to bring new access to God.

The author draws parallels between the destructive but cleansing waters of the flood and the cleansing, saving waters of baptism. Verse 21b is translated more literally, “a pledge to God from (or of ) a good conscience.” Thus, the believer’s baptism is effective not as a physical washing, but as a sign of one’s new life in Christ.

Mark 1:12-15Today’s reading recounts Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The event of empowerment by the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism (vv. 9-11) immediately leads into a time of testing. The 40 days recall the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2), the 40 days of Moses on the mountain (Exodus 24:18; 34:28) and the 40 days of Elijah’s journey (1 Kings 19:8). Exposure to temptation is a continuing theme of Jesus’ ministry, in the desire of the crowds for a sign (8:11), in Peter’s rebuke (8:32-33) and in the jeers of the crowds at his crucifixion (15:29-32).

Apparently Jesus was prompted by the end of John the Baptist’s active ministry to begin his public work. Jesus now proclaims that “the time is fulfilled.” The work of the prophets, including John the Baptist, was to prepare for God’s kingly rule. In Jesus, however, all God’s prophetic words find their fulfillment. The prophets were called to speak God’s message, while Jesus is God’s message. “The kingdom of God has come near” (v. 15), that is, the kingdom of God is more than merely nearby, it is present in Jesus.

ReflectionMany of us, finding ourselves in a desert place, wonder how we got there. Was it my fault? Or could I blame some handy moron? If we look to today’s gospel, it’s the Spirit who sends Jesus to the desert.

This might seem like a cruel Spirit indeed, until we read the qualifying phrase: “and angels waited on him.” It is possible that angels attend all our desert places. Where we sense the least comfort, there it abounds. When we feel estranged and lost among wild beasts, something stirs beneath the surface.

At least it was true for Jesus. He emerges from the desert with a spurt of energy that launches his public life. After 40 dry days to consider his message, he bursts forth with good news. Perhaps he knew the

“[Jesus’] ministry was clearly defined, and the alternatives to the illusion and temptations of the desert were spelled out. A choice was made—life abundant, full, and free for all. Make no mistake about it, the day that choice was made, Jesus became suspect. That day he sealed the fate already prepared for him. How was the world to understand one who rejected an offer of power and control?”

—Joan B. Campbell Sojourners, Aug-Sept 1991


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reign of God was at hand because he had felt it in the hardest trials.

In his streamlined style, Mark offers no explanation of what happened during the lonely ordeal. Perhaps that makes it more universal, so we can all identify. Mark’s brevity makes it even more dramatic when Jesus breaks into speech, and in the next verse, begins his preaching.

The Scriptures and the CatechismToday we are reminded of God’s desire to be in a relationship with us. As Creator, God fashioned the world for us to live in (CCC, #279–301). As covenant-maker, God entered into a special relationship with humanity (CCC, #302–314). And when we frustrated God’s desire for a relationship, God punished sinful humanity. But the punishment also resulted in a renewal of a covenant with Noah and his family. God’s desire for the right kind of relationship with us demonstrates God’s faithfulness and loving care (CCC, #410–12, 422–29, 1647).

Liturgy LinkA Spirit of PrayerIn today’s society, prayer has become largely personal. It is understood to be a private experience that belongs to the individual, and it should not interfere with public life. According to this understanding, prayer belongs in the heart, in the head, in the home and, at appointed times, in the church, mosque or synagogue.

In contrast to this, Christian worship has always insisted that prayer is a public activity undertaken by the assembly of believers, together and separately. Yes, prayer is clearly private and personal, but the individ-ual’s prayers issue out of and build upon the corporate prayers of the Church. The prayers of the Church affect those inside and outside of the gathering for worship.

Roots of Christian PrayerMuch of Christian liturgy developed out of Jewish worship. The first Christians, who were Jews, continued to attend the synagogue until they were excluded after AD 70. Paul usually went first to the local synagogue when he began to preach in a town. Thus it is not surprising to find the influence of the synagogue service on the forms of worship, especially in the forms and the postures of prayer for various parts of the service.

The characteristic Jewish form of prayer is berakah, a blessing or a thanksgiving to God. This consists of an opening proclamation of thanks and praise, the recollection of the saving deeds of God, a request that these deeds be realized in the present or future and a concluding note of praise.

Many examples of such prayer can be found in scripture, especially in the Psalms. The berakah also had a strong influence on the development of Christian prayers, especially on the eucharistic prayers. An examination of the eucharistic prayers in the Mass reveals that they are in the form of berakah.

The World of the BibleCovenantA covenant is a formal agreement between two persons or parties that spells out the obligations of their rela-tionship. In the biblical world, the general expectations were modeled on the customs that guided relationships between persons of unequal honor, status and wealth. These relationships were voluntary and freely entered into and were not required by law. The covenant bound the parties in mutual and reciprocal obligations.

The “patron” or more powerful person (like God) promised to provide for and protect the less powerful “clients” (from the Latin word for dependents). In return, to enhance the honor and reputation of the patron, the clients offered respect, praise and gratitude and other favors when requested.

God’s directives or basic guidelines for the Hebrew covenant community’s life with one another are given as commandments, statutes and decrees. Together they identify the basic attitudes and actions that must be followed to fulfill God’s desires.

Commandments refers to the 10 basic “words” that God spoke directly to Moses and the community on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17). When the people are overcome by fear, they request that in the future God not speak to them directly but only through Moses. Statutes and decrees describe this further indirect teaching through Moses that makes the many specific applications of the Ten Commandments to the everyday life of the community.


©2015 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.livingthegoodnews.coM • 1-800-242-1918

Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Spring • Year B

Catholic Basics

PR-SB-LE01-DL-C-Catholic Basics

The Breath of GodMaterials: cotton balls, 1 per participant

Ask the children to sit cross-legged on the floor in a circle and place both hands on their hearts. Ask the children to breathe in deeply and slowly. Now, blow out slowly. Repeat. Ask the children:

Do you feel your breath moving in and out of your lungs?

Why is breath so important? (We need breath to live.)

We call the breath of God the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit, God’s breath, to live well.

Ask each child to hold out her or his hand while still seated. Place a cotton ball on the palm of each child’s hand. Next, ask the children to blow as hard as they can! The power of our breath moves the cotton balls.

Now discuss how God’s breath, the Holy Spirit, has unimaginable power!

(10-15 minutes)

Living the Good News: Lawrence’s Eight Studies for the Book of Genesis, #3. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Lawrence, Jacob. Eight Studies for the Book of Genesis, #3 © 2008 The Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Foundation, Seattle / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; Photo: Art Resource, NY

Spring • Year B

©2015 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.livingthegoodnews.coM • 1-800-242-1918Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

00-SB-LE01-SB-C-More about Today_s Scriptures

More about Today’s Scriptures1st Sunday in Lent

Today’s readings affirm God’s promise of a continuing relationship. In Genesis 9, life begins anew, sealed by God’s promise to all creatures and confirmed by the rainbow. The author of 1 Peter explains that we are saved through the cleansing water of baptism. In the gospel, Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness end with the proclamation of God’s good news.

Genesis 9:8-15

Both Jewish and Christian tradition attribute the writing of the Pentateuch, the first five books of

the Bible, to Moses. Modern scholars now recognize that the Pentateuch is composed of several strands of tradition preserved and edited over centuries of Jewish history. The story of the flood is itself an ancient one, shared by several Near Eastern cultures, but the biblical account has its own unique theological perspective.

Through Noah, God makes the first covenant, a covenant with all humans and animals for all generations. The sign of the covenant, the rainbow, is a sign of peace, showing that God’s wrath was over and the stability of the natural order was guaranteed. This first covenant dem-onstrates the trustworthiness of God who makes promises and keeps them.

1 Peter 3:18-22

For many scholars, the excellent Greek style of this letter, its use of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) and the lack of direct reference to Jesus’ teaching all suggest that the letter was not written directly by Peter, but perhaps by a companion, disciple or scribe of his.

In this reading, the author seems to have used parts of a hymn to frame statements about Jesus’ authority and the meaning of baptism. Christ died “once,” not only as a model to be followed but also to bring new access to God.

The author draws parallels between the destructive, but cleansing, waters of the flood and the cleansing, saving waters of baptism. Verse 21b is translated more literally, “a pledge to God from (or of ) a good conscience.” Thus, the believer’s baptism is effective not as a physical washing, but as a sign of one’s new life in Christ.

Mark 1:12-15

Today’s reading recounts Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The event of empowerment by the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism (vv. 9-11) immediately leads into a time of testing. The 40 days recall the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2), the 40 days of Moses on the mountain (Exodus 24:18; 34:28) and the 40 days of Elijah’s journey (1 Kings 19:8). Exposure to temptation is a continuing theme of Jesus’ ministry, in the desire of the crowds for a sign (8:11), in Peter’s rebuke (8:32-33) and in the jeers of the crowds at his crucifixion (15:29-32).

Apparently Jesus was prompted by the end of John the Baptist’s active ministry to begin his

“[Jesus’] ministry was clearly defined, and the alternatives to the illusion and temptations of the desert were spelled out. A choice was made—life abundant, full, and free for all. Make no mistake about it, the day that choice was made, Jesus became suspect. That day he sealed the fate already prepared for him. How was the world to understand one who rejected an offer of power and control?”

—Joan B. Campbell Sojourners, Aug-Sept 1991

Spring • Year B

©2015 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.livingthegoodnews.coM • 1-800-242-1918Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

00-SB-LE01-SB-C-More about Today_s Scriptures

More about Today’s Scriptures1st Sunday in Lent

public work. Jesus now proclaims that “the time is fulfilled.” The work of the prophets, including John the Baptist, was to prepare for God’s kingly rule. In Jesus, however, all God’s prophetic words find their fulfillment. The prophets were called to speak God’s message, while Jesus is God’s message. “The kingdom of God has come near” (v. 15), that is, the kingdom of God is more than merely nearby, it is present in Jesus.

ReflectionMany of us, finding ourselves in a desert place, wonder how we got there. Was it my fault? Or could I blame some handy moron? If we look to today’s gospel, it’s the Spirit who sends Jesus to the desert.

This might seem like a cruel Spirit indeed, until we read the qualifying phrase: “and angels waited on him.” It is possible that angels attend all our desert places. Where we sense the least comfort, there it abounds. When we feel estranged and lost among wild beasts, something stirs beneath the surface.

At least it was true for Jesus. He emerges from the desert with a spurt of energy that launches his public life. After 40 dry days to consider his message, he bursts forth with good news. Perhaps he knew the reign of God was at hand because he had felt it in the hardest trials.

In his streamlined style, Mark offers no explanation of what happened during the lonely ordeal. Perhaps that makes it more universal, so we can all identify. Mark’s brevity makes it even more dramatic when Jesus breaks into speech, and in the next verse, begins his preaching.



Spring • Year B

Book Corner: Noah's Ark

Today’s story inspires children’s book writers and artists. Try sharing a picture book about today’s themes with the children. We recommend:

Noah’s Ark by Jerry Pinkney. (San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2003). This retelling of the story captures the original awe of the Genesis story that has become faded with adult familiarity. The prose is almost straight out of Genesis, right down to the wonderful phrase “and God closed the door behind them.” The arks is shown to be overwhelming in size. The animals both in the ark and in the sea around them convey all the energy of the world God and Noah love and—in collaboration—save.

On Noah’s Ark by Jan Brett (New York: Putnam, 2003). “Grandpa Noah says the rains are coming” this book begins. The voice is that of Noah’s granddaughter who loves the animals and cares for them on the ark. Jan Brett has long loved and drawn the animals of our world. You’ll find a wealth of appealing activities on her website at www.janbrett.com.

PR-SB-LE01-DL-A-Book Corner_-_Noah_s Ark



Spring • Year B

PR-SB-LE01-DL-A-Preparing Your LTGN Session

When your ministry is important, but life is very full...If it is the case that your ministry is important to you, but “life” is also very full, then the following suggestions may be of help. For busy leaders without the luxury of much preparation time, we suggest that sometime during the week, or in the hour before your session begins:

Look over the Session Essentials and Core Session pages to find and review the Core Session essentials.

Limit your agenda to accomplishing the Core Session.

Gather together the necessary materials.

Remember that free play is okay. It’s an important part of any session with young children, particularly as it provides opportunities to experience God’s creation in the context of a warm and supportive relationship with you.

Keep your session materials handy during the session for quick reference as needed.

Before you start, take a deep breath and remember: your most important job is just to “be.” Be respectful. Be caring. Be present. Be blessed by each other’s company.

When leading is your primary ministry...If leading is your primary ministry, you may be willing to spend an hour or more as preparation time during the week before you meet with your group. You may also want your preparation time to nourish you as well as the children you’ll lead.

In this scenario, we suggest spending a short time on preparation over several days:

Day 1: Begin by grounding yourself in the scriptures. Read through the week’s readings, and review the scripture background materials provided in your session materials (or on the LivingTheGoodNews.com Web site). We provide scripture summary statements and reflections in each session plan, but encourage you to listen also for a unique personal meaning and to experience the gospel reading as a “message for today.“ (10-15 minutes)

Day 2: Review the Core Session page of this week’s session plan. Identify the consistent weekly activities and visualize accomplishing these core items. Ask yourself “How am I an ambassador of Christ through these core activities?” (10-15 minutes)

Preparing Your LTGN Session



Spring • Year B

PR-SB-LE01-DL-A-Preparing Your LTGN Session

Day 3: Review the Enrichment section of each week’s session plan. This section typically includes material for both leader’s and children. Reflect on how using the arts examples provided helps you to share God’s message. Decide which Enrichment activities you would like to incorporate into the session, and finalize your session plan accordingly. (10-15 minutes)

Day 4: Practice telling the week’s story. Let your reflections from Day 1 inspire your storytelling. This is the heart of each session, so make sure you’re ready to share the story in a way that inspires you. (10-15 minutes)

Day 5: Practice any activities you’re unsure of. Make any advance preparations. Double check to make sure you have all your materials, and arrange for any in-session help you might need. (5-30 minutes)

Day 6: Return to the scriptures. Notice how your understanding has changed and matured over the week. Articulate to yourself what it is you now have to offer the children in your group. (10 minutes)

Preparing Your LTGN Session



Spring • Year B

PR-SB-LE01-DL-A-Using Models of the Faith

Using Models of the Faith

With Different Age GroupsEach week, Living the Good News profiles a Model of the Faith—individuals or groups who, over the course of Church history, have been “model Christians” embodying the values Jesus taught and lived by: service, sacrifice, stewardship.

At every step of our own personal faith journey these models can step forward to offer something unique and meaningful to us—or through us, to those in our groups.

Adults, for example, may find resonance in a model of the faith who faced similar challenges at a similar stage of life. Adults may also gain a perspective on the scale of their own problems and issues when cast against those struggles which seem to us so much greater than anything we have yet experienced.

Young adults and teens might find here a role model or two from which to “pick and choose” parts of their own emerging identities. Certainly their worlds are filled with a panoply of contemporary identity influences. Help young people to “sort themselves out” by adding these historical figures to this mix.

School-aged children (Primary and Intermediate), are busy working out the mechanics of social interaction and figuring out “how the world works.” They can find in the lives of these models of the faith some valuable do’s and dont’s, the permission to retain their natural selflessness, and another set of adult voices who say: “Christian is a valuable and important thing to be. Here’s how.”

Even our youngest traveling companions on the journey to Christ (Nursery-age, Preschoolers and Kindergartners) can find in these models of the faith the foundations for their own faith formation. At this age that may mean simply a first exposure to our shared faith vocabulary; words like love, help, give, serve and God. Or youngsters may envision these models as “scriptural superheroes”—letting them range freely across fertile imaginations to face conflicts, handle fears and teach life lessons along the way.

As a Part of Your Session PlanUse the Models of the Faith section of each session plan to enrich your session, to enhance your own sense of mission and calling and to provide an even more well-rounded experience to those participating in your groups week-to-week.



Spring • Year B

PR-SB-LE01-DL-A-Using Models of the Faith

Using Models of the Faith

Challenge adults to use the information provided as a jumping off point for further research. Invite them to put these characters in historical context, dig deeper into their life experiences and explore their relationships, issues and struggles. Let that process engender a sense of validation and/or insight into their own lives, struggles, successes and shortcomings.

Invite teens and young adults to compare and contrast between and among the various persons profiled. What do they admire, and where are they at odds with given individuals? How would they see themselves react in similar circumstances? Are there currently similar circumstances? If so, why so? If not, why not? Where do they see hints of these characters in their own lives or the lives of their friends?

Spark the imaginations of school-aged children by using this content as the basis for problem-solving and roleplays. Based on what you know, how would you imagine X would respond to a given situation? What about Y? What if X and Y worked together to solve a given problem? Lets try it and see. What did you see? What did you hear? What would you do differently?

For the youngest among us, keep it simple, keep it concrete, keep it physical and tactile. Choose a figure as a session room theme. Decorate a bulletin board, create a costume play center around a particular Model of the Faith. Tell the story with a children’s story book if available, and recap or reenact the plot with a follow-the-leader game, a hero’s parade or a related craft activity.

Finally, in concert with your own faith formation ministry, engage in the exercise of inviting each week’s model of the faith along with you as you plan, prepare for and carry out each week’s session—in other words, “dialog” with them. Seek their input, engage their wisdom and counsel, and then find the place of quiet where you can begin to hear their answers.

Com

mon

sense an

d the experts agree: faith

form

ation m

ust occu

r in th

e hom

e. Th

e chu

rch’s edu

cational program

s have a m

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better ch

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ccess if these efforts are expan

ded an

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ed by the fam

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spen

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Th

is resource is design

ed to help fam

ilies an

d chu

rches m

eet that n

eed. Often

parents

wan

t to participate in th

eir children’s religiou

s edu

cations, bu

t aren’t sure h

ow to do it. T

hese

pages give families m

any w

ays to bring th

e Su

nday readin

gs into th

e hom

e. At H

ome w

ith the G

ood New

s is designed for th

e parents of

children

aged preschool th

rough

grade six.

Each

reproducible page con

tains:

•B

ibleBackgroun

d

Th

is section lists th

e readings for each

Su

nday an

d briefly explain

s how

they relate

to each oth

er or to a comm

on th

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•W

hatYourChildD

idThisW

eek

Th

is section su

mm

arizes wh

at Presch

ool/ K

indergarten

, Prim

ary and In

termediate

groups did in

their session

s. It gives parents

a specific startin

g point for a con

versation

about w

hat th

eir children

learned or

accomplish

ed. For parents w

ho are n

ew to

an experien

tial, lectionary-based approach

, it serves as an

introdu

ction th

at will

increase th

eir familiarity.

•P

rayerStarter

Th

ese can be u

sed at hom

e, after a meal,

at bedtime or w

hen

ever a family gath

ers to pray togeth

er. On

e person can

serve as th

e leader, reading alou

d the w

ords of the

prayer or the prom

pt that in

vites others to

participate.

•Parentin

gTip

Health

y parentin

g is a skill learned over

time. T

hese su

ggestions give paren

ts con

crete ideas for cherish

ing th

eir children

an

d makin

g the C

hristian

message th

eir w

ay of life at hom

e.

How

to U

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Brin

gin

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eadin

gs to

Your Fa

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•FamilyD

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uestion

In th

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estion based on

th

e gospel. Since m

ost families don’t h

ave lon

g, un

interru

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ssion,

this qu

estion can

come u

p in th

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urch

, durin

g the w

ait at the drive-in

ban

k or fast food restauran

t, or at bedtime.

Paren

ts can adapt it to th

e ages and

interests of th

eir children

.

•GospelR

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T

his m

editation on

the gospel lin

ks Jesus’

story and ou

r daily lives. People w

ho pray

over the gospels regu

larly can begin

to m

ake them

the tem

plate for the w

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live. Th

us, th

ey can tran

sform th

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from w

ords proclaimed in

chu

rch to valu

es en

shrin

ed in th

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Wh

ile some fam

ilies may h

ave time for

extended refl

ection on

the readin

gs and

utilize all th

e sections of th

e page, others m

ay h

ave time for on

ly a quick Fam

ily Discu

ssion

Qu

estion or P

arentin

g Tip. A

ll parents w

ill wan

t to see w

hat th

eir children

did in th

eir session so

they can

discuss it w

ith th

em afterw

ards.

Reprodu

ce the pages an

d arrange a system

of distribu

tion so th

at they can

be sent h

ome w

ith

the oldest or you

ngest ch

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ily, the

chu

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WheretoU

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esourceT

his resou

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a variety of settin

gs, and especially for:

• C

hristian

Edu

cation settin

gs wh

ere parent

involvem

ent is cru

cial•

Intergen

erational edu

cational settin

gs•

Schools w

ith den

omin

ational spon

sorship

wh

o wan

t to involve fam

ilies more

Brin

gin

g th

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eadin

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Your Fa

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Today’s readings affirm God’s promise of continuing relationship. In Genesis 9:8-15, life begins anew, sealed by God’s promise to all creatures and confirmed by the rainbow. 1 Peter 3:18-22 explains that we are saved through the cleansing

water of baptism. In Mark 1:12-15, Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness end with the proclamation of God’s good news.

Preschool/Kindergarten children heard the

Old Testament story of Noah’s rescue from the

flood, concentrating on the rainbow as a sign of

God’s promise of life. Activities to choose from

included water play, a circle game, painting a mural

and making rainbow snacks. There was also the

suggestion of setting up a purple prayer corner to

use throughout Lent.

Primary (Grades 1-3) children focused on the

story of God’s covenant with Noah and all living

things. Activities included hunting for rainbows,

playing a story-review game and making rainbow

pictures.

Intermediate (Grades 4-6) participants explored

God’s presence and promises in the Old Testament

story of the flood, in the gospel story of Jesus

in the desert, and in personal experiences of

baptism. Students reviewed the story of Noah

with a cooperative game, Bible study and art. They

considered new beginnings in today’s gospel and in

the sacrament of baptism.

First Sunday of Lent • Year B

© 2015 Morehouse Education Resources. All rights reserved. www.livingthegoodnews.com • 1-800-242-1918 • Permission is hereby granted to reproduce these pages for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Cut an arch from white paper and hang it over a doorway. Have family members paint a band of color each time a relationship goes through a stormy time, then comes back into the sun. By the end of Lent, you may have created a beautiful rainbow.

Many of us, finding ourselves in a desert place, wonder how we got there. Was it my fault? Or could I blame some handy moron? If we look to today’s gospel, it’s the Spirit who sends Jesus to the desert.

This might seem like a cruel Spirit indeed, until we read the qualifying phrase: “…and angels waited on him.” It is possible that angels attend all our desert places. Where we sense the least comfort, there it abounds. When we feel estranged and lost among wild beasts, something stirs beneath the surface.

At least it was true for Jesus. He emerges from the desert with a spurt of energy that launches his public life. After 40 dry days to consider his message, he bursts forth with good news. Perhaps he knew the reign of God was at hand because he had felt it in the hardest trials.

God cared for Noah in the ark and Jesus in the desert. How does God care for us?

Read aloud a few headlines from today’s newspaper that show the needs or sorrows of our world or local community. Then ask family members to respond to each with Jesus’ words:• This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand!

We can learn from Noah and his family being locked into the ark. This sometimes

annoying, often crazy bunch of people with whom we spend our lives are exactly the ones

God has chosen for us. God wants us right in this home—not off in the foreign missions or

away at a retreat center. This is where we’ll find holiness.



Spring • Year BOld Testament Story:The Boat and the Bow

“Old fool! What are you doing building a boat like that? No water around here could hold a boat half its size!” The villagers laughed at old Noah, patiently hammering on his giant ark.

“Father, are you sure this is what God asked you to do?” Shem whispered to Noah.

Noah took another board—the last board—from Shem. “Son, trust God!” was all Noah said. He laid the board carefully into place.

Shem and his brothers looked at each other and shook their heads. For weeks, all they had done was help their father Noah build his boat. How could old Noah just abandon his fields and vineyards like this? And what would he do when this giant boat was finished?

For days, Noah and his sons rubbed the boat, inside and out, with pitch, to keep out water. “Not that there is any water,” grumbled Japheth.

“Now we can load it!” said Noah, satisfied at last. Noah’s wife and daughters had spent weeks preparing giant pots and baskets of grain, dried fruits and vegetables.

Shem picked up a basket, but dropped it when he heard a thundering roar. “What’s that?” he shouted.

“It sounds like a lion,” said his brother. They listened. “It is a lion—and his mate! And they’re headed this way!” The brothers leapt behind a pile of hay, just as two huge lions sprang into sight, tossing their golden heads as they roared.

But before them, unafraid, walked Noah. “Here you may rest, my friends,” said Noah. The lions curled into a corner of the deck. Noah bowed and turned. “My sons! This is no time for us to rest. Gather the food and the animals!”

“What animals...” they began, but stopped. Up the planks, into the ark walked crocodiles, gorillas and jackrabbits. Honey bees and birds flew overhead. (Pause to ask, “What other kinds of animals do you think came on board?”)

Noah and his family hurried to load the food and make the animals comfortable. Finally Noah and all his family went into the boat, too. And the waters came. For 40 days rain poured down on the

PR-SB-LE01-DL-C-Old Testament Story_The Boat and the Bow



Spring • Year B

earth, pounding so hard on the roof of the ark that you could hardly hear all the animals roaring, growling, hissing and shrieking.

When the rain stopped, Noah’s youngest daughter ran to look outside. “Father, all I can see is water!” The family came to her side.

“Will we have to live in this boat forever?” she asked. “Has God forgotten us?”

“No,” said her mother. “Trust in God.”

Noah took a bird in his hand and let it fly outside. The bird flew over the waters, looking for dry land. When it grew tired, it flew back to the ark. Day after day, Noah let the birds search for land. Then one day, a dove flew in the window with a green twig in its beak.

“God remembers us!” said Noah’s daughter. “The trees are beginning to show.” Days later, the birds flew away and did not come back. They had found a home.

“The day has come,” said Noah’s wife. “Open the door!”

“Yes,” said Noah. “Put down the planks. God has saved us from the waters!”

“Come out! Come out!” Noah’s family called to the animals. The animals raced into the sunshine, squawking, growling, stomping and flapping.

Noah’s family danced around an altar of stones. “Thank you, God!” they shouted. “Praise you, Lord!” they sang. And as they danced, a bow of color took shape in the sky—red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. “Look!” they whispered, one to another. “A sign from God!”

And they heard God promise, “Never again will floods destroy the whole earth.”

Old Testament Story:The Boat and the Bow

PR-SB-LE01-DL-C-Old Testament Story_The Boat and the Bow

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