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Grade Five Video Study Guide

Segment 1 | Segment 2 | Segment 3 | Segment 4
Segment 5 | Segment 6 | Segment 7 | Segment 8

Segment 1:

Faith First Interviews: Faith and Prayer
Approximately 7 1/2 minutes.

Text reference:
Chapters 1, 25 and 26.


Background:
In these snapshot interviews, children and teenagers express what faith and prayer mean to them. The interviewees look at the various dimensions of prayer and faith in their lives. The interviewees claim that faith helps them trust in God's plan. The fast flow of interview comments will stimulate lively discussion on how prayer influences faith, especially in terms of talking with God and building a personal relationship with God.

Discussion:
  1. How is faith like a rock? An umbrella? A rope? A foundation? A compass? A blanket?
  2. What images and symbols of your own help you understand faith?
  3. When, where, and how do you pray best?
  4. What is the role of prayer in public places?
  5. Set the scene: Have the children imagine they are hiking on a beautiful nature trail, surrounded by lakes and mountains. The beauty of nature inspires them to be unusually open to God. They want to praise God for the beautiful gift of creation. They also want to be unusually candid with God about the recent flood disaster that completely destroyed their grandparents' home. Ask: Why does God want to hear you talk with him about the good things and sad things that are going on in your life?

Segment 2:

The Visual Bible™: The Story of Pentecost
Approximately 7 1/2 minutes.

Text reference:
Chapter 13.

Bible reference:
On-location reenactment of Acts of the Apostles 25:1-42.


Background:
In the opening scene Father Timothy mentions that birthdays are very important because they celebrate our gifts, our past, and our future.

Discussion:
  1. How does your family celebrate birthdays?
  2. Why is Father Timothy dressed like Uncle Sam? What are some unusual things you wear to celebrate holidays?
  3. How does Pentecost celebrate the Church's past, the Church's faith, and the Church's future?
  4. How do you celebrate your past, your gifts, your faith, and your future?
  5. Set the scene: Have the children imagine that the city is planning a gala July Fourth party. It will begin with a display of fireworks. It is to end with the party of all parties. Ask: What kind of July Fourth birthday party would you plan for this gala event?
More Background:
Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. The story of Pentecost is so familiar that it's easy to miss its true significance. The disciples are huddled together in fear. Suddenly a rush of wind fills the room. Tongues of fire rest upon each of the disciples. Immediately, they are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Discussion:
  1. What happened at Pentecost? What do these events mean?
  2. What difference was there in the disciples before Pentecost and after Pentecost?
  3. The Holy Spirit came in the form of wind and fire at Pentecost. What do wind and fire symbolize?
  4. How is the Holy Spirit present in your life today? What is the best way for you to be open to the Holy Spirit?
  5. Set the scene: Have the children visually recall a situation when they were filled with courage. Also remind them that on several occasions Jesus told his disciples not to be afraid. Ask: What is courage? Where does it come from? Why is courage needed to be a follower of Jesus?
Optional:
If time allows, briefly touch upon the sacrament of Confirmation (refer to text, pages 126 and 127). Point out that the sacrament of Confirmation seals, or completes, our Baptism. At Confirmation, the Holy Spirit strengthens us to proudly and courageously proclaim Jesus to others. Quickly review the gifts of the Holy Spirit:
  • Wisdom - the gift to evaluate life in relation to God
  • Understanding—- the gift to see the deeper meaning of life
  • Knowledge—- the gift to realize God's greatness
  • Counsel—- the gift of being open to the Spirit
  • Piety—- the gift to be attuned to God in prayer and worship
  • Fortitude—- the gift of courage so we can overcome fear and carry out our part in God's plan
  • Fear of the Lord—- the gift to deeply and genuinely love God

Segment 3:

Prayer: The Prayer of St. Francis
Approximately 4 minutes.

Text reference:
Can be used for various prayer experiences throughout the year.


Background:
The Prayer of St. Francis is an ideal prayer to help children vividly see the call of Christian life. The very life of St. Francis (1181-1226) teaches us how to be instruments of peace by transforming doubt into faith, hatred into love, and sadness into joy. St. Francis calls us to live a simple life. By embracing the spirit of his prayer, we embrace his life of faith, hope, and joy. St. Francis is an exemplary companion for our spiritual journey; his feast day is October 4.

Discussion:
  1. Why is the Prayer of St. Francis so universally used by people of all faiths?
  2. What does the Prayer of St. Francis say to your heart? What does it say to you about being an instrument of peace?
  3. Set the scene: Have the class imagine that a wedding is taking place. At the end of the ceremony the new bride and groom read together the Prayer of St. Francis. Ask: Why do you think the bride and groom selected this reading for their wedding ceremony?

Segment 4:

Story of Faith
Approximately 7 minutes.

Text reference:
Chapter 1 and 18.


Background:
This interview with 12-year-old Jason Crowe is instructive. It presents several examples of how the actions of one person can make a difference. A sad event in Jason's life, the death of his grandmother, prompted him to raise money for the American Cancer Society. A few years later, the horror of war moved him to build a monument to world peace. In every sense of the word, Jason is a peace activist.

Discussion:
  1. What did Jason mean when he said, "Hearts and hammers are used to build arks for the world"? What are some "arks" you are building for the world?
  2. How can the good action of one person influence and inspire many lives?
  3. What happens when violence encounters peace? When violence encounters creative solutions?
  4. Jason's recipe for Big Dreams is: One tablespoon of hope, one cup of determination, stir in enough work until done. What is your recipe for Big Dreams?
  5. Why is faith the difference between being a bystander and a hero?

Segment 5:

Moral Dilemma: Falsely Accusing
Approximately 5 minutes.

Text reference:
Chapter 23.


Background:
This video story is about a moral dilemma—a situation that involves a choice between equally unsatisfactory alternatives. The story revolves around a school that is having a theft problem. Kathy discovers that her necklace is missing. She bitterly accuses Melissa of the theft. Her only evidence is that Melissa's locker is next to hers. Melissa, a new student at the school, is devastated by the false accusation. Peter, Kathy's friend, does not take a stand one way or the other. Karen, another friend, is almost completely silent during the whole ordeal. As things turn out, Melissa is innocent and Karen is arrested for stealing some items from the school. At the end of the video, Peter admits that he never really believed that Melissa was guilty; he just went along. On the other hand, Kathy claims she should apologize to Melissa but just doesn't feel like doing it. The discussion points focus on both the Seventh and Eighth Commandments.

Discussion:
  1. What can Kathy and Peter do to set things right with Melissa?
  2. What can Melissa do to become part of her new school and to foster new friendships with the students at her new school?
  3. Why is making false accusations wrong? What are some possible outcomes of making false accusations?
  4. What do you do when you or someone you know is falsely accused?
  5. What can you do to protect your own good reputation and the good reputations of others?

Segment 6:

Story of Faith: Social Action
Approximately 11 minutes.

Text reference:
Chapters 16 and 21.


Background:
Nicole Mason and her co-volunteers talk about their community service project. They seek donated supplies and materials so they can renovate the family room in Keystone Hospice House. They talk about the rewards and difficulties they encounter in this project. The director of Keystone House, Gail Inderweis, claims that the energy and spirit of Nicole and her covolunteers bring joy and comfort to everyone connected with Keystone House.

More Background:
Hospice is a special ministry for the terminally ill and their families. People are served by hospice when the medical community makes a determination that no further treatment can cure the patient and, in their best judgment, the patient has six months or less to live. Hospice staffs include nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. Their goal is to make the remaining days of the patient as comfortable and as peaceful as possible and to help the family of the patient through a difficult time.

Discussion:
  1. What special qualities are needed to organize service projects?
  2. What special qualities are needed to be a hospice volunteer?
  3. How did their volunteer experience at Keystone Hospice House change Nicole and her friends? What benefits did they derive from the experience?
  4. What doubts or hesitations about volunteering for a service project do you have? What can you do to overcome them in yourself? What can you do to help others overcome their doubts and hesitations about volunteering for service projects?
  5. What is a "vision for good"? How can it make a difference in your life? In the lives of others?

Segment 7:

The Visual Bible™: Jesus' Teachings on Prayer
Approximately 5 1/2 minutes.

Text reference:
Chapters 24-26.

Bible reference:
On-location reenactment of Matthew 7:7-11.


Background:
Father Timothy suggests that prayer is how we stay in contact with God. He uses the image of modern communication (a phone) to express how important it is for people to stay in touch with one another.

Discussion:
  1. Do you use the phone to stay connected with friends?
  2. Why and when do you use the phone?
  3. How do you feel when you receive phone calls?
  4. How do you feel when you get a busy signal?
  5. What other forms of communication do you use to stay in touch with friends?

The Answer to Prayers

Bible reference:
On-location reenactment of Matthew 7:7-11.

Discussion:
  1. How do you pray?
  2. Does Jesus want us to pray alone or with others?
  3. What are some of your favorite places for praying?
  4. What are some of the words you use when praying?
  5. When do you pray without using words? What do you like about praying without words?
Optional:
Distribute Bibles to all students. Ask them to leaf through the four Gospels and identify some of the occasions when Jesus prayed.

Discussion:
  1. Why did Jesus pray when facing the most important events in his life?
  2. Do you pray when facing important decisions? If yes, why? If no, why not?

The Our Father

Bible reference:
On-location reenactment of Matthew 6.

Discussion:
  1. Why did the disciples ask Jesus to help them learn how to pray?
  2. What part of the Our Father has special meaning for you?
  3. How are the commandments to love God and to love our neighbor reflected in the Our Father?
  4. Why is the Our Father part of the Communion Rite of Mass?
  5. If everyone lived the Our Father, what would the world be like?

Segment 8: The Visual Bible™: The Passion Narratives
Approximately 16 minutes.

Text reference:
Chapter 7.

Bible reference:
On-location reenactment of the Passion Narrative of Matthew.


Background:
Father Timothy explains that the Passion Narrative is the most important story in each of the four accounts of the Gospel. The Passion Narrative tells us that God loves us beyond all measure. This is revealed to us in the suffering and death of Jesus.

Discussion:
  1. Which is the greatest of the sufferings that Jesus had to endure? Physical pain? Betrayal by friends? Feeling abandoned by God? Being ridiculed?
  2. What is the meaning of these events in the Passion Narrative? For example, the darkness at midday?
  3. What command did Jesus give to his disciples 2000 years ago? How do you respond to that command today?
  4. How does hearing the Passion Narrative help you remember Jesus' love and share it with others?
  5. The final picture of Jesus in the video reenactment of the Passion Narrative in Matthew's account of the Gospel shows Jesus with his arm raised and his fist clenched. Why is Jesus making this sign? What does this sign mean?
  6. What is the connection between the events of Good Friday and Easter, and what Christians celebrate at Mass?
More Discussion:
  1. Why is the death and suffering of Jesus on the cross such an important symbol of Christianity?
  2. How does Easter change Good Friday?
  3. What did the post-resurrection words of Jesus, "Do not be afraid," mean to his disciples? What do they mean to you?
  4. Distribute Bibles to the children and have them look at all four Passion Narratives (Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23, John 18-19). Have them discuss the following:
    • Why was Jesus rejected by the authorities?
    • Why did Judas betray Jesus?
    • Why did the disciples desert Jesus in his hour of greatest need?
    • What do the Passion Narratives teach us about suffering and death?
    • What is the victory of the Cross?

 

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