Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Primary

Primary Session

Luke 14:25-33

 

Opening Prayer

Let us pray.
Loving and caring God,
you always listen to our prayers.
Thank you for taking good care of us.
In the name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.

 

Opening Life Reflection

The theme for today is turning our lives over to God. Begin the session with a kite making activity. Cut a large triangular shape for a kite out of a large sheet of paper. Punch a hole in the bottom of the kite and tie a long string for a tail through the hole. Provide the children with crayons and strips of paper. Explain to the children that the kite symbolizes how we can let our cares and concerns fly into the hands of God. Have each child think of one concern that they have at this moment. Invite them to take a crayon and write their concern on a strip of paper. Then, have the children bring their strips of paper forward and attach them to the tail of the kite. Discuss:

• Does God care about our lives?
• Does God listen to everyone’s prayers?
• How do you give your cares to God?

Allow time for discussion. God loves and cares for us. We can give all our cares to God. Our lives are in God’s loving hands.

 

Listening to the Word of God

In today’s Gospel listen to Jesus tell his followers to give all their cares to God.

Read Luke 14:25-33.

Allow for silence.

 

Scripture Discussion Starters

• What does Jesus tell the people about giving their cares to God?
• Who cannot be Jesus’ disciple?
• What does Jesus tell his followers to give up?

 

Scripture Background

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

In the Gospel today Jesus tells his followers that they need to put God first above everything else, even family and friends. Jesus makes it clear that those who follow him should give all their cares and concerns to God.

Jesus teaches his followers how to be a disciple. Disciples must be ready to give up everything they have. The good news is that by giving up what we have to follow Jesus, we gain life, love and freedom.

 

Questions for Deeper Reflection

• What do you have that you do not want to give up?
• What do you have that is easy to give up?
• How does putting God first help us to live?

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

 

Doctrinal Discussion Starters

Self-Renunciation as Requirement for Discipleship

Jesus tells us that in order to follow him we must give up everything. Jesus gave up everything when he suffered and died on the cross.

As Christians we grow in our ability to put God first. We grow in our understanding that God wants what is best for us. Trusting God helps us to give our lives over to God.

When we get too attached to things we can forget to put God first. When we put God first, we are freer to love God and one another.

• Does God want what is best for us?
• How does Jesus show us how to live?
• How does God help us to grow?

 

The Gospel in Life

Let all your concerns fly into the hands of God this week.

 

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition

At Home Family Guide, theme 20
Kindergarten, chapter 17|
Grade 1, chapters 9, 12 and 17
Grade 2, chapter
Grade 3, chapters 8 and 10