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EXPERIENCES FOR EXPLORING GOD’S WORD
An Interactive Approach for Young Teens Steve Mason and Sandy Rigsby Paper, $24.95 80 pages, 8½" × 11" ISBN 0-89390-573-9 View Table of Contents View Excerpt |
Experiences for Exploring God’s Word has everything a catechist needs to create interesting and meaningful religious formation experiences for young people in the fifth through eighth grades. Each session focuses on a single Scripture-based activity and is lively enough to be conducted outside, in a gymnasium, or in another recreational facility. The activities often require the young people to work together on a project, thus building their sense of community. After the activity, the leader assembles the young people in a quieter space and, using supplied discussion questions, helps them reflect on how the particular Scripture applies to their lives. The format works for various settings: religious education, retreats, junior youth ministry and the catechumenate. This is the second book in the Awakening the Word series. Some photocopiable pages included.
About the Authors
Steve Mason is a graduate of St. Meinrad Seminary and has worked formore then 12 years as a catechist, youth leader, camp director and coach. He has led workshops on enhancing religious formation with interactive learning techniques and is currently teaching Confirmation at St. Matthew Parish in Franklin, TN. Steve and his family live in Franklin, TN.
Sandy Rigsby has worked in religious formation for more than 15 years.She has conducted workshops on the use of interactive learning techniques in adolescent catechesis. She is currently the director of Youth Ministry and Confirmation at Our Lady of Refuge parish in Orchard Lake, MI. Sandy and her family live in West Bloomfield, MI.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
How to Use this Book Tips for Getting the Most Out of These Sessions
Beatitudes: Jesus teaches the Beatitudes
Choosing God's Ways: The fishermen leave their nets and follow Jesus
Do Not Worry: Jesus teaches to not worry about daily needs
Faith, God's Cleansing Touch: Jesus heals a leper
Following God: Disciples choose to follow Jesus
God's Ability to Transform our Hearts:Wedding at Cana
God's Treasures Among Us: Jesus is driven out of Nazareth
Holy Spirit: Jesus is baptized by John
Letting Our Light Shine: Jesus teaches that we are the light of the world
Listening to and Acting on God's Word: Listening and acting on God's word is like a house built on rock
Love Your Enemies: Jesus teaches to love your enemies
Our Actions Reveal Our Hearts: Jesus teaches every tree is known by its fruit
Prayer: Jesus takes time to pray
Recognizing God: Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the Temple
Seeing Goodness in Others: Jesus heals a paralytic lowered through the roof
Speaking with Authority: Jesus speaks with authority in the Synagogue
Using our Gifts: Paul writes of spiritual gifts
Index of Sessions
Preface
It was 12:20 in the afternoon; he was twenty minutes late for the luncheon. "Oh no, this is a great first impression to make," he thought rolling into the parking lot. She was pacing the floor in the large mall, waiting. "He did say 12:00, didn't he? Was this the place we were to meet or did I somehow misunderstand? What a great way to start this co-catechist experience, "she thought. After a few more minutes and an embarrassing question to a passing stranger, he finally made an appearance.
With nervous formalities, introductions, and an apology or two, we finally met for the first time. We came together to discuss our thoughts and make plans for the coming year. Little did we know what type of journey awaited us. Like catechists in many parishes, we came together to simply share our faith with the younger generation. We were not authors, theologians, educators, or child experts. We were each parents with children enrolled in the parish program, a religious formation program that depended on everyday people to come forward and share their faith.
As we discussed our thoughts about teaching over lunch, it became apparent we held in common some rather simple goals. First, we wanted to make the sessions fun. We wanted the youth to enjoy coming to religious education instead of it being something they dreaded each week. Second, we wanted the sessions to be relevant to the youth. We felt that our material needed to be presented in a way that made sense to young adolescents. We also wanted the youth to be able to apply the Scriptures to situations in their real world, common events that happen at school or home. Finally, we felt it was important to instill a sense of community with the group. In our parish the youth attended a number of different local schools. We wanted them to get to know one another and become friends with each other. We wanted our meeting room to become a place where they could experience faith and enthusiasm among their peers. With these ideologies in common and the shaky start behind us, we were ready to take on the challeng e of sharing our faith with sixth graders.
As the year progressed we discovered unique ways to bring fun and relevance to our lessons while managing to foster a sense of community with the youth. Between us we had several years experience as catechists, yet we were constantly challenged to live up to the goals we had set. By the end of the year we were amazed at what had unfolded. By using a different approach, the youth developed an enthusiasm for catechesis and retained material from the very earliest sessions. Equally amazing and rewarding were the comments and support that came from parents. They spoke of how their children had a change of attitude toward religious education. In many cases the youth told their parents how they looked forward to the activities each week.
After nearly two years of teaching together, we realized we were onto something. A unique way to approach religious education was evolving: an approach that could be used in various forms of adolescent youth ministry as well. However, just as we were finding our stride, changes were in the air; changes that would take this journey down a different path. In our second year of team teaching, a job transfer put an end to our timeas co-catechists. As we parted ways, the idea of putting our techniques, activities, and philosophies into print picked up momentum. Thanks to the support and encouraging words of many people, we decided to share these activities with others in this book.
The goals for this book are quite similar to those we set for teaching. We want to create an easy-to-use resource for catechists, junior youth leaders, and catechumenate leaders; a resource to help bring fun, relevance, and a sense of community to the youth they serve.
We have developed and tested activities that youth in fifth through eighth grade find engaging. Each session is centered on an activity. These activities are based upon the Scriptures and are designed to let the youth enter into an experience that parallels an experience or theme from the reading. For most passages the activity attempts to create an experience from an individual's perspective. This may be a disciple, Jesus, or perhaps someone Jesus healed. Actions and experiences in the activity symbolically parallel the featured person's perspective from the reading.
The youth find this fun for a couple of reasons. First, they get to do something. How often is youth ministry scheduled after school or in the evenings? By this time, most youth have spent all day in school and much of their time between school and religious education doing homework. Another hour or so of sitting still and listening is not something they get excited about. God has blessed them with abundant energy and they want to use it. These activities often take place outside the meeting room and may feature running or other forms of exercise. Leaving the meeting room is to a youth what leaving the workplace is to an adult. Second, the activities often encourage them to work together to meet some type of challenge. They are recognized and affirmed for their efforts. Teamwork, challenges, exercise, recognition, and affirmation, these are the things youth enjoy.
We have also strived to make this material relevant, memorable, and meaningful for the youth. After the activity, the group moves to a quietplace for reflection and discussion. This second half of the session begins with the Scripture passage read aloud to the youth. What follows is a group discussion moderated by the leader. The Scripture is explored in the context of their recent experiences in the activity. The youth are challenged to bring out the similarities between the activity and the reading. In this way, Scripture comes alive to them; it is perceived as something to be experienced. They are allowed to enter into the perspective of someone featured in the reading and let it speak to them on the level of experience.
Discussion questions are designed to allow the youth to discover and pull out spiritual truths in their own words. While the reflection is guided by the leader, the emphasis is always on the youth making the connections and verbalizing them. In this way, instead of being told what to believe, the youth form their own insights based on the Scripture. When they discover the truth themselves, it becomes much more meaningful to them. Questions are also designed to let the youth bridge these truths with experiences from their everyday lives. They are challenged to come up with practical ways to live consistently with the truths they have identified. In this way, spirituality and Scripture is experienced as relevant to them; it speaks to situations they face daily.
Our final goal is to foster a sense of community with the youth. Playing together, sharing experiences together, having fun together, and exploring the Scriptures together all help create a sense of unity among the youth. Also, by placing youth on different teams and in different small groups each week, the youth meet and become familiar with all youth in the group. We have also found that good preparation beforehand allows the catechist to greet each youth as they gather. Welcoming them and being present to them at this time creates a sense of community that sets the tone for the entire period.
We designed these sessions with a simple two-part format: an activity followed by a reflection period. Each part emphasizes important fundamentals of spiritual growth. The activity emphasizes spirituality as an experience. The Gospels are filled with experiences of significant meaning. Our relationship with God is an experience of love. While academics are important to faith, it is also important to let the youth discover faith and spirituality as an experience. Following the activity with a reflection period lets the youth develop the habit of reflecting on the events of their own lives. In asking meaningful questions, the youth discover the connections and relevance between Scriptures and their own experiences. It empowers them to take ownership of these truths as something they have found and experienced.
We sincerely hope you find this resource helpful in your ministry. Your willingness to share your faith is a wonderful witness of your own spiritual journey. Know that we feel a certain kinship with you as our spiritual paths cross in the sessions of this book. May the Spirit guide you in your work and lead you to God's presence in all the people you meet.
Session 8 (Sample)
Theme: Holy Spirit
Activity: Entice the Guest
Scripture Summary: Jesus is baptized by John
Readings: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:7-11; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
Lectionary: Baptism of the Lord A, B, C
Exploring the Theme
Read Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:7-11, or Luke 3:15-16, 21-22. In celebrating Jesus' baptism, we call to mind the remarkable image of the Holy Spirit descending upon him and the voice from heaven identifying Jesus as God's Son in whom God is well pleased. With the Holy Spirit's presence, Jesus was now ready to begin his ministry on earth. He was empowered to go forth and bring God's kingdom into the world.
Jesus' baptism provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon how we, too, are called to join in the work of God's kingdom. How does the Holy Spirit visit and empower us to do this work? How do we prepare our hearts to receive this calling? What are the signs of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives and how do we best respond to her callings?
The Gospel accounts describe the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove. Is there something in this image that speaks of the Holy Spirit's nature? Is she a living being, gentle and free, willing to descend upon those who are open and trusting of God? Perhaps we are to approach the Holy Spirit as a living being instead of an equation or formula. Is she unimposing like a dove, willing to alight but not forcing her will on others? Perhaps we are to develop eyes for her gentle presence. Is there something in the dove's vulnerability that speaks of our freedom to respond to her gifts? Perhaps the wildness of the dove, its freedom to go where it pleases, says something of how the Holy Spirit is God's gift freely given. Maybe we are called to befriend the Spirit, to become familiar with her ways, to create a welcoming and nurturing environment through prayer, forgiveness, and charity. Perhaps in this way she will alight in our hearts and empower us to help build God's kingdom.
When ex
ploring the Gospel, invite the youth to describe the image of a dove. What characteristics are common to doves? Why do they think the Gospel writers used the image of a dove in describing the Holy Spirit? What similarities can they express between a dove and the Holy Spirit? What do they envision when they consider the Holy Spirit as a living, moving being?
How can they make their hearts a place where the Holy Spirit can dwell? Although the Holy Spirit is a gift, what responsibilities are involved in receiving the gift? How do we receive the Holy Spirit? How did Jesus respond to the Holy Spirit's gifts?
Activity Summary
This activity is designed to help the youth explore the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus opened himself to receive the Holy Spirit in baptism, so, too, will the youth be given an opportunity to create an open and welcoming environment to receive a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Also, just as the Gospel writers used the image of a dove to symbolize the Holy Spirit as a living being, a live dog will be used to simulate this truth. The goal is to let the youth use this imagery to discover how the Holy Spirit is a living being. They will be invited to explore the desires needed to foster a life in the Spirit and the willingness required to receive her gifts.
The youth will be divided into two teams and positioned inside two different squares marked by masking tape. Each round the youth will choose dog treats and plan strategies designed to entice the dog from his or her central location into their square. A token will be awarded to the team able to entice the dog into their square first. Several rounds will be played, and the team with the most tokens at the end of the activity wins.
Bridging the Activity and Reading
The dog represents the Holy Spirit.
The dog coming to the team's square symbolizes the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus.
All the efforts and desire to entice the dog represent how Jesus was open to receive the Holy Spirit in baptism.
Preparation
Begin by carefully choosing a suitable dog for the activity. The dog must be affectionate, love people and excitement, and not prone to running off without returning. The dog should be hidden from the group until the activity has been introduced. If possible, keep the dog in the safety of another room and ask an aide to bring the dog to the activity site at the appropriate time.
Next, choose the site for the activity. A gymnasium, double-sized meeting room, or an area outside works well. If an area outside is chosen, make sure the site is free from objects that might distract the dog, such as cars, other animals, or people. Using masking tape, create two squares on the floor or ground approximately thirty feet apart. Each square should be large enough to accommodate half of the group standing comfortably inside. Approximately ten feet in front of these squares, mark an X with masking tape. Make sure this X is at the point exactly between the squares, so it is an equal distance to each square. This X will be the starting place for the dog.
Next, gather a supply of treats to entice the dog. This may be several different commercially available treats, bits of cheese, or dog food. Finally, gather a supply of tokens, such as pennies or poker chips.
When introducing the activity, choose your words carefully so that no hints are given that a dog is the guest of honor. Lead the youth to the activity site, and announce they will be playing a game called Entice the Guest to your Space. This game will require the use of all of their charm. They will be divided into two teams and each team will stand inside a square marked by masking tape. The object of the game is to convince a guest of honor, who will begin each round at the X, to come to their square instead of the competitor's square. The team whose square is chosen by the guest first will be declared the winners for the round and receive a token. Several rounds will be played and the team with the most tokens at the end of the games wins.
Invite the youth to discuss for a moment what tactics they could use to entice a guest to their space. What factors do they think a guest might use in deciding which space to go to first? If they were the guests of honor, what would convince them to choose one place instead of another? After a brief discussion, divide the youth into teams, and invite the aid to bring in the guest.
Introduce the dog as the guest of honor and allow the youth a few minutes to pet and become familiar with the dog. Arrange the treats on a table, and announce they are available to use as incentive to attract the dog to their square. Each team is allowed one treat per round.
After each team has chosen a treat, invite them to go to their squares. Explain that the dog must come to the square by its own decision; they may not reach out and pull the dog into the square. Also, remind the youth that they must remain in their square and are not allowed to leave the square for any reason.
Take the dog to the X, and point his or her face straight ahead to insure he or she is not facing either team. Announce on the count of three, the dog will be let go, and the enticing can begin. When all are ready, count One, Two, Three and release the dog. Once the dog goes to a square, the round ends and the team is awarded a token. Surprisingly, the team losing the round may take it somewhat personally. Be prepared to encourage the losing team and invite them to perhaps change their treat or strategy.
Before the next round, return the unused treat and invite the teams to choose another treat. Also consider having the teams trade squares after each round. Play as many rounds as time permits. Before the reflection, invite the youth to say goodbye to the dog, and ask the aide to lead the dog to a different location. Move the youth to the reflection area.
Supply List
a suitable dog
several types of dog treats
masking tape
tokens such as poker chips or pennies
a great sense of humor
Reflection
Read aloud Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:7-11,or Luke 3:15-16, 21-22.
Questions for Discussion
What did the activity have to do with the reading?
How did the Gospel writers describe the Holy Spirit?
Why do you think they described the Holy Spirit as a dove?
What did the Holy Spirit do in the reading?
What does this tell you about the Holy Spirit?
How do you feel knowing that the Holy Spirit is alive, an actual living being?
In the activity, what did you do to get the dog to come to your square?
How did you make your square a welcoming place for the dog?
What types of actions did you do in order to attract the dog?
How do you think the dog knew that he or she was wanted in your square?
Why did you not just sit back and expect the dog to come to your square?
The dog knew that he or she was welcome and wanted in each square. How can that be applied to the Holy Spirit and your heart?
What types of actions would prepare you to welcome the Holy Spirit to your heart?
How can reading Scripture, praying, and receiving sacraments make your heart a
place where the Holy Spirit will dwell?
What are some other ways to help prepare you to receive the Holy Spirit?
How did being a good athlete, being popular in school, wearing the right clothes, or
having the right friends affect the decision of the dog to come to your square?
Why did the dog come to you; what mattered to the dog?
What do you think matters most to the Holy Spirit?
In the activity, the dog had to choose one team or the other, how is this not like the Holy Spirit?
What are some gifts the Holy Spirit gives to people?
How can these gifts help you be more loving toward others?
What responsibilities do we have when we receive gifts from the Holy Spirit?
How did Jesus respond to the Holy Spirit's gifts?
Who in the Gospel reading felt inadequateor unworthy?
Even though John felt inadequate, what did he do in the reading?
What do you think would have happened if John refused to baptize Jesus because he felt unworthy?
How do you think it made John feel when he realized he was important to Jesus' ministry?
How can this help us when we feel unworthy or inadequate?
Why do you think you are important and acceptable to God?
What have you learned from this Gospel and how can you apply it in you life?
In the next few days, how can you make your heart a welcoming place for the Holy Spirit?
Catechumenate Connection
The Baptism of the Lord provides an opportunity to discuss baptism with the youth. Explain how the church symbolically uses white garments, oil, and candles in addition to the baptismal water. If possible, lead this reflection at the baptismal font, and allow them to smell the chrism oil used during this sacrament. Invite the catechumens to ask any questions they might have about their upcoming baptism. Read aloud sections 1265-1266 from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. How do they feel about becoming "a new creature?" What attitudes or habits do many Christians have, setting them apart from nonbelievers? What attitudes or habits might they adopt after receiving this sacrament?