Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Primary

Primary Session

Luke 11:1-13

 

Opening Prayer

Let us pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

 

Opening Life Reflection

The theme for today is prayer. Begin today’s session with a prayer chain activity. Cut strips of construction paper 2 inches wide and 8 inches long, to make links for a chain. Bring tape or a stapler to link the strips of paper together during the session. Provide crayons or markers for the children to write down their prayers. Invite the children to write a prayer request to God on a strip of paper. When the children finish writing their request, staple the paper links together to form a prayer chain.

Allow time for discussion. Explain to the children that we can bring all our needs and wants to God. God loves us and hears our prayers. Jesus taught us how to pray when he gave us the “Our Father.” The “Our Father” or the “Lord’s Prayer” teaches us that God loves us and we are God’s children.

 

Listening to the Word of God

In the Gospel today Jesus teaches us how to pray. Listen to what special prayer Jesus gives us.

Read Luke 11:1-13.

Allow for silence.

 

Scripture Discussion Starters

• How does Jesus want us to pray?
• What prayer does Jesus teach us?
• What does Jesus call God?

 

Scripture Background

Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the Gospel.

In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches his disciples to pray the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus is at prayer when his followers ask, “how should we pray?” Jesus shows them how to pray by calling God “Abba,” a word that means daddy. By praying this way, Jesus shows the disciples that God is a loving and caring Father. The rest of the prayer teaches the disciples how to live a Christian life.

Today’s Gospel invites us to bring our needs to God, and to trust that God hears our prayers. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to live as God’s children.

 

Questions for Deeper Reflection

• Why do we call God, Father?
• How does praying the “Our Father” help us to live as God’s children?
• Do you ask God for what you need?

[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]

 

Doctrinal Discussion Starters

The Lord’s Prayer: Summary of the Gospel

Jesus gave us the Lord’s prayer to show us that God loves us and gives us what we need. The first part of the Lord’s Prayer teaches us that God’s love lasts forever. The second part brings our needs to God. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us how to live as God’s children. It is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which teaches Christians how to live in the world.

• What does the Lord’s Prayer teach you about God?
• Why is it important to pray the Lord’s Prayer?
• Who teaches you how to pray?

 

The Gospel in Life

This week pray the Lord’s Prayer with a family member and ask them to share with you what the prayer means to them.

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition

At Home Family Guide, theme 18
Kindergarten, chapter 24
Grade 1, chapters 24 and 26
Grade 2, chapters 25 and 26
Grade 3, chapters 23