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| Home | |
Grade Six 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 Self-Esteem
Approximately 7 1/2 minutes.
Text reference:
Chapters 1 and 21.
Background:
In these snapshot interviews, children and teenagers talk about the connection between faith and self-esteem. They describe how faith gives them confidence and the ability to make good choices and decisions. The fast flow of interview comments will stimulate lively discussion on the importance of trusting in God's unconditional love and joy.
Discussion:
- How is faith like a rock? An umbrella? A rope? A foundation? A compass? A blanket?
- What images and symbols of your own help you understand faith?
- How does faith make you a stronger person? How does faith help you make better choices?
- What are the times when you feel especially good about who you are? Is it possible to have an objective and accurate picture of who you are? Explain.
- What can bring about a low self-esteem day? What can you do to get through it?
Segment 2:
The Visual Bible™: Ministering to a Great Multitude
Approximately 5 1/2 minutes.
Text reference:
Chapters 8 and 10.
Bible reference:
On-location reenactment of Matthew 4:25-5:12.
Background:
Surrounded by law books, Father Timothy makes the point that our society has many laws that guide us and protect us. The purpose of these laws is to make our society safe and happy. In building the kingdom of God, Jesus relies on a different kind of law—-- the Beatitudes. The key to happiness according to Jesus is trusting in God and living the Beatitudes.
Discussion:
- Which are easier to follow, our civil laws or the Beatitudes? Explain.
- Why does Jesus want us to be:
- poor in spirit?
- meek?
- hungering for justice?
- merciful?
- pure of heart?
- peacemakers?
- What do the Beatitudes tell us about the kingdom of God? Are the rewards for living the Beatitudes (being consoled, inheriting the land, etc.) something that you want and strive for with determination?
- Set the scene: Have the class visually recall the details of the gathering crowds as they listened to Jesus. Ask: What did you notice about the people's faces and the reactions of the crowds as they listened to Jesus? How were the people dressed? What age levels did they represent? Were they healthy? Were they sick?
- Set the scene: Again have the class visually recall the details of the video. Now have them insert one new detail into the action—themselves. They are to be part of the crowds listening to Jesus. Ask: Why did Jesus' fame spread so rapidly? As you listened to Jesus' sermon, did you find the Beatitudes challenging and something you were willing to embrace enthusiastically?
Segment 3:
Story of Faith: Social Action
Approximately 15 minutes.
Text reference:
Chapters 13 and 19.
Background:
In this interview video, the Galvin family tells how their faith changed as a result of choosing to leave their private home to live in Guadalupe House, a homeless shelter in Tacoma, Washington. Karen and Tom Gavin and their twelve-year-old, Mark, compare their lifestyle and attitudes before living in Guadalupe House to their new life and ministry with the homeless.
Discussion:
- Do you personally know anyone who is homeless or struggling with an addiction? If yes, how have your attitudes changed because of this experience?
- How did Mark explain the trouble that came into the lives of the residents of Guadalupe House?
- What role does the garden at Guadalupe House have in healing and bringing together the Guadalupe community?
- Is the ministry of the Galvin family a ministry for all families? Explain. What does Jesus expect of you and your family?
- What is the importance of the Tuesday night liturgy at Guadalupe House?
Segment 4:
Moral Dilemma: Stealing
Approximately 5 1/2 minutes.
Text reference:
Chapters 20 and 22.
Background:
Trisha and her girlfriend sneak into a movie theater to see an R-rated film. Scott, Trisha's boyfriend, works at the theater and regularly sneaks his friends into the theater. Trisha's girlfriend does not want to go along with the escapade. Trisha somewhat forces her to go along with these sharp words, "Don't be a loser." Scott also brings free popcorn and soft drinks to Trisha and her girlfriend. The owner finds out what Scott is doing and decides to call the police and the parents of Scott and Scott's friends.
Discussion:
- How did Scott and his friends justify their actions?
- What were their concerns when they were caught by Mr. and Mrs. Jones?
- Why do the owners consider the actions of Scott and his friends stealing? Do you consider their actions stealing? Explain.
- How do you form your conscience? How do you feel when you don't listen to your conscience?
- How serious is it when underage people attend an R-rated movie?
The word rationalize means to justify your misconduct with plausible but untrue reasons. How did Scott and Trisha attempt to rationalize their way out of their predicament? Why is solid, logical thinking so important in making any decision?
Segment 5:
Story of Faith
Approximately 15 1/2 minutes.
Text reference:
Chapters 1, 19-21.
This interview focuses on Elisa Miranda, who works with the Poetry Leadership Workshop at El Centro de la Raza (Center of the People) in Seattle. Elisa Miranda talks about poetry and how it helps her express her faith. Raul Salinas, writer, lecturer, and youth worker, observes how Elisa has grown in self-assurance and faith as a result of her own poetry. Empowering others to grow in self-assurance and faith is a natural ministry for Elisa.
Discussion:
- What makes poetry so powerful and fulfilling for Elisa? How can it condemn? How can it heal? How can it empower?
- What part do prayer and faith have in Elisa's story? Why is Elisa able to use the talents and opportunities that are available to her? What are your talents? What opportunities to grow in prayer and faith are available to you? How have you benefited from them?
- How does Elisa describe her relationship with her parents and sisters? Do you admire her honesty?
- What art forms or outlets do you use to express your faith? Your inner feelings? How have these outlets helped you be candid? How have they helped you discover more about who you are?
- What made Elisa open to the opportunities at El Centro de la Raza? What are some of the best resources available to young people to help them grow in faith and self-assurance?
Segment 6:
The Visual Bible™: The Judgment of the Nations
Approximately 5 1/2 minutes.
Text reference:
Chapters 10, 22.
Bible reference:
On-location reenactment of Matthew 25:34-40.
Background:
Father Timothy begins this segment by asking a very basic question, "What does it mean to be a good Christian?" There can be no better answer than the examples given in this gospel story. We are asked to be the hands of Jesus in serving and loving others.
Discussion:
- What does it mean to you to be a good Christian?
- How is it possible to serve other people and not know it?
- Why are people responsible for one another?
- What does it mean to show mercy for someone?
- What kind of new world is Jesus asking us to establish?
The Answer to Prayers and the Golden Rule
Text reference:
Chapter 22.
Bible reference:
On-location reenactment of Matthew 7:7-12.
Discussion:
- What would the world be like if loving others were the basis of all human activity?
- What would the world be like if showing mercy to others were the solution to all human problems?
- What are some things you do to make the world a better place?
- What does it mean to say that the Golden Rule is a summary of the Law and the Prophets?
- Who finds it easier to practice the Golden Rule: children or adults? Why?
Segment 7:
Prayer: Original Meditation
Approximately 6 minutes.
Text reference:
Can be used for various prayer experiences throughout the year.
Background:
This original meditation is an ideal resource to help children pray with images. The religious imagination is one of the most basic elements of the spiritual journey. The reason is quite simple: Praising God for the wonders of creation speaks to the imagination. It nourishes creativity. It sparks resourcefulness. And it allows us to see God in all things.
Discussion:
- What are some new and unexpected places where you have discovered God?
- Why is it important to see the world the way God sees it? What do we miss if we don't see the world the way God sees it?
- What is the connection between prayer and being good stewards?
- What are some images that help you pray?
- Set the scene: Have the students imagine that a spiritual director is visiting their class for one week. He will conduct a class retreat on prayer. During the retreat he talks about two main ingredients for spiritual growth: being a good listener and being alert to the Spirit's presence. He mentions that more and more people are expressing that something is missing in their lives. The spiritual director asks the class: What should I tell these people about what is missing in their lives? What should I tell them about how to fill their lives with greater meaning?
Segment 8:
The Visual Bible™: The Passion Narratives
Approximately 17 1/2 minutes.
Text reference:
Chapters 5 and 11.
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:
- Why is the death and suffering of Jesus on the cross such an important symbol of Christianity?
- How does Easter change Good Friday?
- What did the post-resurrection words of Jesus, "Do not be afraid," mean to his disciples? What do they mean to you?
- 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?
