Primary Session
John 3:16-18
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
The topic for today is the Holy Trinity. To begin, invite the children to pray the sign of the cross. Write on a large sheet of poster paper or chalkboard, The Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit – One God in three Persons. Discuss:
- Who are the three persons in one God?
- What do we believe about God the Father?
- What does God the Son do for us?
- How does God the Spirit help us?
Allow time for discussion. We believe there is only one God, who is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. On Trinity Sunday we celebrate our belief in the Holy Trinity.
Listening to the Word of God
In the Gospel today, listen to find out how much God loves the world.
Read John 3:16-18.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
- How is God’s great love for the world shown?
- Why was Jesus sent into the world?
- What happens to those who believe in Jesus?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the readings using the Catechist Background section.
In today’s Gospel, God’s great love for the world is shown. The love of God is shown in the gift of Jesus to the world. God sent Jesus into the world to save people. Jesus came not to judge but to save. Jesus was born and he gave his life on the cross so that we might be saved. The gift of Jesus helps us to understand the generous love of God. The response to God’s gift is faith.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
- How is God’s love for us shown?
- Why is Jesus a gift to the world?
- How do we show our belief in Jesus?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Holy Trinity
At our baptism, we are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. By our Baptism, we become sons and daughters of God. We are baptized in the name, not the “names,” for we believe that there is only one God, the Father, his beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit—the Most Holy Trinity. Belief in the Trinity is central to our faith because it is the mystery of God’s very self.
The Sign of the Cross shows our belief in the Holy Trinity. We confirm that we believe in the Trinity each time that we bless ourselves saying, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
- Why is our baptism special?
- What do we believe about the Holy Trinity?
- How do we show our belief in the Holy Trinity?
The Gospel in Life
How can you show your belief in the Holy Trinity this week?
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 7
Kindergarten, chapter 16
Grade 1, chapter 11
Grade 2, chapter 12
Grade 3, chapter 121
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