EXPLORE
Explore
1 Begin
God’s Wonderful Creation Think about how you feel when you see a rainbow or a beautiful flower. A feeling of joy and wonder is what God wants us to experience whenever we look at the amazing things he has created for us.
Invite volunteers to hold a prism near a light source and try to refract the colors of the rainbow. Say: Notice the amazing colors that God has created. Ask: How do you feel when you see the colors of the rainbow? (Possible answers: happy, excited, thankful)
God’s most amazing creation is the human family. He created each human with a spiritual nature called a soul. In addition God gave us an intellect so that we can understand and free will so that we can make choices. We are able to choose to live as God wants us to live.
2 Connect Read aloud the first paragraph. Then say: The next time you see something beautiful, remember to take a moment to thank God for creating it. Ask volunteers to read aloud the next three paragraphs. Point out the vocabulary terms. Explain that having a soul makes us human and makes us beings that are made in the image and likeness of God. Point out that the soul also helps us recognize God’s handiwork and that body and soul together form one unique human nature. Tell children that the soul is responsible for our conscience and our freedom. Say: Free will is our ability to choose good because God has made us like him. Explain that our conscience is the part of us that helps us use our free will to make good choices.
The goal of human life is to follow Jesus Christ to God the Father. The Holy Spirit helps us live in a way that will lead us to this goal.
Reading God’s Word The works of God are all of them good; every need when it comes he fills. Sirach: 39:33
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UNIT 1 • God, Our Creator and Father
If Time Allows
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Session 1 BLM
3 Close Ask: What kinds of choices do you think God want us to make regarding the earth? (Possible answer: God wants us to use our free will to choose to care for everything he has given us.)
Reading God's Word Read aloud the Scripture passage. Explain the verse in simple terms. Say: Everything God makes is good, and he takes care of everybody and everything.
Who Am I? Have children_______ PDF Signoff: Production complete the Session 1 Blackline Master [T-293] to identify people who care for God’s creation.
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The Soul and Free Will Design _______
Message Through Media: Winged Migration
Have children watch a clip from a nature program such as Winged Migration, which is a documentary chronicling bird migration over 2,000 miles of landscape. Afterward, ask children to reflect on God’s creation and their role in caring for it.
Editorial _______
Saint Paul said, “For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate.” [Romans 7:15] It is not always easy to do good. However, we have a soul and the free will to choose to do good. Original Sin does not destroy free will. God’s grace, which we receive in the sacraments, helps us make good choices.
Rights and Responsibilities
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