GUIDED MEDITATIONS FOR TEENS *E-BOOK* Living Through the Church Year Sydney Ann Merritt PDF, $29.95 216 pages, 5½" x 8½" ISBN 0-89390-684-0 View Table of Contents View Excerpt Quantity: (see download instructions below)

If you want your teens to be more Christ-like, let them walk, talk and pray — via their imaginations — with Jesus himself. "Gospel values" takes on a whole new meaning when Jesus personally shares his way of life and challenges each of your students to imitate him. They will watch Jesus model forgiveness, respect, patience and acceptance of all people — qualities most teens still need help developing. The introduction and music resources will help you prepare to lead these guided meditations, which are grouped by seasons of the church year.

The electronic format makes Guided Meditations for Teens even more useful for catechists. Select specific meditations to be used in class, or send them home for teens to reflect on.

Reviews

 "Guided Meditations for Teens stirs the soul, bringing the love and warmth of Christ alive. The book is an invaluable resource for youth group leaders, catechists and religious educators. It offers young people the experience of Scripture and prayer and the knowledge of true fulfillment in their Christian walk. The music suggestions, activities and prayer services are invaluable."
— Theresia Heffernan, director of religious education, Holy Trinity Parish, Beaverton, Ore.

"Catechists and high-school religion teachers are always looking for this kind of material. I liked the helpful ideas for rituals."
— Gretchen Hailer, RSHM, Provincial Center, Montebello, Calif.

 About the Author

 Sydney Ann Merritt has been involved in catechetical ministry for more than 40 years. She has been a director of religious education, a youth minister, a retreat leader and a Gospel drama director. Outside of parish circles, she is a court-appointed special advocate for children and recently was cited as one of the best in the country. She has contributed to the religious-education curriculum Celebrating the Lectionary and is the author of Guided Meditations for Children and Guided Meditations for Teens.

Purchase and Download Instructions:

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Table of Contents

 Acknowledgments

 Introduction

 Advent and Christmas

 1. Prepare the Way for Your Lord
Mt 3:1-12; Mk 13:33-37

 2. The Strength of Love and Faith in God
Mt 1:18-24

 3. The Annunciation
Mt 1:18-25; Lk 1:26-38

 4. The Birth of Jesus
Lk 2:1-16

 5. The Feast of Epiphany
Mt 2:1-12

 6. The Baptism of Our Lord
Mt 3:11-17; Mk 1:7-11; Lk 3:15-16,21-22

 Lent, Triduum, and Easter

 7. Hurricane of Evil
Mt 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-15; Lk 4:1-13

 8. The Cloak of God
Mk 9:2-10; Lk 9:28-36a

 9. Justice Begins in Your Own Heart
Jn 2:13-25

 10. Wells of Hope
Scripture: Jn 4:5-15,19-30

 11. The Prodigal Son
Lk 15:11-32

 12. Rise—Walk Beside Me
John 11:1-44

 13. Woman Caught in Adultery
Jn 7:58-8:11

 14. Wash My Soul in Your Love
Jn 13:1-17

 15. Father, I Do Your Will, Not Mine
Mk 14:32-42

 16. The Gift of Forgiveness
Mt 26:69-75

 17. What Say You?
Mk 15:1-15

 18. Forgive Them, Father
Mk 15:21-40

 19. A New Dawn
Mt 28:1-10; Mk 16:1-8; Lk 24:1-11

 20. The Story of Thomas
Jn 20:19-31

 21. Dwell within My Love
Jn 15:1-17

 22. Jesus Makes a Promise
Jn 14:23-29

 23. Pentecost
Jn 20:19-23

 Ordinary Time

 24. A Time for Celebration, a Time for Service
Jn 2:1-12

 25. Turn On the Word—Listen to the Voice of God
Mt 4:12-23; Mk 1:14-20

 26. Standing Up for What Is Right
Lk 4:21-30

 27. The Beatitudes
Mt 5:1-12

 28. Salt and Light
Mt 5:13-16

 29. The Wind and the Water
Mk 4:35-42

 30. The Good Samaritan
Lk 10:25-37

 31. The Parable of the Buried Treasure
Mt 13:44-52

 32. The Successful Picnic
Mt 14:13-21

 33. Jesus and Peter Take a Walk
Mt 14:22-33

 34. The Banquet Feast
Lk 14:1,7-14

 35. Jesus Cures the Deaf
Mk 7:31-37

 36. Forgive and Forgive Again
Mt 18:21-35

 37. The Grateful Leper
Lk 17:11-19

 38. The Greatest Rule of All
Mt 22:34-40

 39. Bartimaeus Sees the Light
Mk 10:46-52

 40. Jesus Meets Zacchaeus
Lk 19:1-10

 Music Resources

 Index of Meditations According to Cycles

Following is the introduction to Guided Meditations for Teens, followed by a sample meditation. All rights reserved. Copyright © 1997, Resource Publications, Inc.

 Introduction: Teaching Young Adults to Experience Jesus through Prayer

 The meditations presented in this book are an effective method of helping young adults learn how to experience Jesus within themselves — in their minds and hearts. The meditations follow the church seasons and are based on the lectionary Gospel readings for cycles A, B, and C. At the beginning of each meditation, I list the related Scripture citation, Sunday and season (with cycle[s] indicated in parentheses), and suggested background music.

 The book speaks to the spiritual lives of teens, helping them to establish a place in their imaginations where they can be with Jesus. Our teenagers have been raised on instant popcorn, instant coffee, and instant entertainment on the TV set. Where, then, does that leave the concept of prayer? It may not be happening except for a quick "Get me through this, Lord!" Reading the Bible, God's word, falls into an even more difficult category: unless it can be shown in "instant replay," the chances are that it is seldom, if ever, opened.

 Meditations will reawaken the young people's imagination, as in the days of their childhood when play was their main activity. The meditations are designed to meet an uncomplicated and direct way of understanding the word of God. The teens are led into a Gospel scene where they will encounter the Lord through touch, feel, love, and prayer. The pages of the Bible will become alive when they "hear" the brush of angels' wings, experience the healing touch of Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus, and feel the force of wild hurricane winds as they cross the Sea of Galilee with Jesus.

 The meditations can be merged into any catechetical program. For those who use Celebrating the Lectionary from Resource Publications, Inc., you can incorporate the meditations into your weekly lesson plans as an alternate activity or use them as introductions or conclusions to a unit.

 The introductions to many of the meditations relate my personal anecdotes or feelings and reflections. You may choose to read the introductions as written, explaining that they come from the writer's perspective, or you may adapt them to fit your own experiences or situations. The introductions are meant only as a starting point for the meditations.

 Group discussion questions follow each meditation. I recommend small groups of four to six young people rather than sharing in a large group. For one thing, it is less intimidating. A teen may feel more comfortable sharing with three others than with a roomful of people.

 Working within a small group also allows more time for discussion. I have indicated times when you may prefer general discussion. I do not suggest inviting the teens to share their own experience of the meditation because this should remain a personal time with Jesus. However, if a teen volunteers to share his/her experiences, you will find that it stimulates the discussion time. Activities and closing prayer services are also included with most meditations.

 Suggestions for Success

 Sharing the experience of Jesus through prayer should be rewarding spiritually for the presenter as well as for the students. Following a few simple suggestions will help to insure your success.

 To Begin

 Begin with "A Place to Meet," the introductory guided meditation found at the end of this introduction (in the actual book only). This will create a place in the young person's imagination to meet Jesus.

 Personal Reflection

 Before presenting a meditation, take a few minutes for your personal reflection on the Gospel scene. What images quicken your imagination? Ask yourself, "What is Jesus saying to me?"

 Practice

 To help you become more comfortable with this form of prayer, practice reading the meditation aloud slowly just as you will with the group. You may choose to record and play back the meditation, listening for pauses and voice inflection. Are you speaking too softly or too quickly? Are you pausing long enough?
 

• Read slowly with slight pauses where indicated (....). For longer pauses, wait sixty seconds or until you notice the teens becoming restless.
• Avoid speaking in a monotone. Change your voice to emphasize a change in character or scene.

Music

 Background music is very important; it sets the tone and helps activate the imagination. You will find music suggestions at the beginning of each meditation. (See "Music Resources" for the listing of suggested recorded music.) For teens, music is an important part of their lives. I have found that in working with teens, it is much better to offer background music that includes sounds of nature — wind, rain, the sea, etc. — rather than traditional forms of music. Live music and sounds — soft guitar strumming, gentle piano music, tinkling wind chimes — can also be helpful.

 Space

 Give some thought to how you will create an atmosphere of prayer for the young people.
 

• Lower the lights or pull the shades.
• Use a candle.
• When possible, teens like being outdoors, stretched out on the grass, enjoying the touch of nature.
• Create a focal point by combining important elements: an open Bible; a candle; natural objects like rocks, driftwood, or greenery; other items of significance to the teens.

Make sure the students will be physically comfortable. Is the room too hot or too cold? Some may prefer sitting in their own seat or sitting on the floor rather than lying on the floor. Floor pillows are a great way of indicating private space.

 Discussion

 Allow time for discussion questions. Invite responses, but do not demand participation. Stress that in most cases there is no wrong or right answer; the answer is based on how they "feel" about a subject or how they imagine the outcome. Introspective questions should be done in a small group or during the prayer time. Gradually, teens will learn to trust themselves and earn the trust of others in their small groups.

 Keep Trying

 Do not become discouraged if your first attempts are not what you hoped for. Even your first awkward attempts will have an impact. Each young person will take home something different after his/her visit with Jesus. Believe it or not, teenagers will actually enjoy the quiet and calm of meditation.

Sample Meditation

The Annunciation
Scripture: Mt 1:18-25; Lk 1:26-38
Feast: Fourth Sunday of Advent (AB)
Suggested Music: Dream Journey or “Hail, Mary: Gentle Woman”/Gentle Sounds

Whom would you choose to deliver an extremely personal and important message for you? Friend? Teacher? Pastor? Take a few minutes and think about this. You can pick anyone currently living. Now, why would you pick this person to deliver the message?

Allow a few minutes of discussion and sharing. Then ask, “Whom would God choose to be a messenger?”

God chose the angel Gabriel to deliver one important message. Gabriel really had his work cut out for him. Not only did he deliver a message that most of us would consider earth shattering, but he also had to convince a young teenage girl that this was in everyone’s best interest. Poor Gabriel! But God knew his subject well and Mary, the young girl, became our model of faith. Let’s release our imaginations to be beside Mary the morning God sent Gabriel with a message that would change the world. The angel Gabriel has just awakened Mary from a sound sleep.

Meditation

Close your eyes....Take a deep breath....Feel the quiet all the way to your toes....Relax....Put aside all the sounds around you....Take one more deep breath....Whisper, “Jesus.”....

It is very early morning....The sun has just peeked over the hills of Galilee....Birds are singing their song with the light of dawn. You are curled up in your bed, covered with a tattered quilt....Mary lies still in her bed....Slowly and quietly you turn in your covers....You look over at Mary....Long dark hair surrounds her young face....Mary is your friend....You trust her....Mary suddenly sits upright, startled out of her deep sleep....You are aware of a bright light in the room....An angel stands at the foot of Mary’s wooden bed!....Thoughts of alarm enter your mind, only to be dispelled by the aura of calm and peace....Mary grasps her ragged blanket about her, motioning for you to sit beside her....You feel her tremble beneath the covers....The angel speaks, “Good morning, Mary,” and slowly turns to greet you....The angel calls you by name....“Do not be afraid; I have not come to harm you.”....Can you hear the angel’s voice?....Mary smiles at the angel....

“My name is Gabriel,” the angel says gently....Gabriel turns now to speak to Mary....Listen as he speaks....“Do not be afraid, Mary; God has sent me to tell you that a male child is about to be born....When the child is born he is to be named Jesus, a name that means ‘Yahweh saves’”....Mary glances toward you, her eyes large and round, her mouth open....The angel gently puts his hand upon Mary’s shoulder. “God asks if you are willing to be this child’s mother,” Gabriel adds....With no hesitation, Mary nods her head, “Yes”....Then looking at Gabriel, she asks, “How can this be? Joseph has not yet taken me into his home.”....The bright light surrounding the angel glows in her eyes....Gabriel reaches down and touches Mary’s dark curls....“God wants you to be this child’s mother, and he will perform a miracle....Your child will be called the Son of God....But if you are not willing to do this...”....The angel’s words are frozen in mid-air....Mary scoots to the edge of her bed, falling to her knees in prayer....The lovely young woman reaches out her hand for you to kneel beside her....You feel the cold, hard floor beneath your legs but Mary’s hands are warm, her face glowing....Mary speaks, “Whatever God asks of me, I  will do....I do not understand but I will trust in God....I will be the mother of this child.”....

The angel smiles warmly at Mary and disappears as quickly as he appeared....Mary takes your hand in hers once more....She rises to sit up on the bed....Mary wraps your cold legs in the well-worn blanket....Look up into her eyes, ready to speak.... Mary knows what you are about to ask and answers....“We must put our whole trust in God at times.”....

Take this time to speak to Mary....Ask her anything you want....Remember that she always hears your prayers....Mary will help you to trust in God’s wisdom for your life....The mother of God will hear your prayer....