Family Time Level I

In addition to each of The Life of Jesus activities, families are invited to review the content of each Gospel story using the following resources. Each Family Time session includes suggestions in which the Gospel message can be lived in daily family life as well as a corresponding prayer.

1: The Road to Emmaus

In this lesson, your child learned that the Risen Jesus walked with two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus. Along the way, he explained the Scriptures to them. Later Jesus shared a special meal with them. During this meal, they recognized Jesus and knew that all he had taught them was true.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

2: Jesus’ Story Begins

In this session, your child read three Gospel stories: the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), the announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus; the angel’s announcement to Joseph that Mary would have a son (Matthew 1:18-25); and the account of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:1-20) to shepherds tending their flocks.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

3: The Baptism of Jesus

In today’s session your child read about Jesus’ Baptism and the beginning of his ministry. Both of these stories help us to understand that it is through Jesus that God fully reveals his loving plan of Salvation for all human beings.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

4: The Call of the First Disciples

This week your child read about the call of the first disciples and Jesus’ naming of the Twelve Apostles. The children learned that we too are invited to follow Jesus. At Baptism, we are given special gifts that help us to believe in God and to follow Jesus.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

5: Calming the Sea

In this session, we read “The Calming of the Sea” from Mark 4:35-41. This Gospel passage tells the story of one of the many miracles Jesus worked during his earthly life. Your child learned that a miracle is a sign of God’s presence and power at work in the world. Jesus performed these great deeds to invite his followers to believe and trust in God.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

6: The Forgiving Father

The Parable of the Forgiving Father (Luke 15:11-32) was the focus of this session. Jesus told parables, which include ordinary events or objects to teach important truths. In this parable, Jesus teaches us that we are all in need of God’s forgiveness when we sin. He also teaches us that God’s love is always just and merciful, like the father’s love in the parable.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

7: The Good Samaritan

The Parable of the Good Samaritan was the focus of today’s session. In this story, Jesus teaches us that love for God and love for neighbor are inseparable. He tells us that we are to treat everyone as our neighbor. This means that we are called to love and respect others because we all belong to the family of God.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

8: The Kingdom of God

This week the children read two parables in which Jesus calls us to prepare for the coming of the Kingdom. Your child learned that the Kingdom is the reign of God’s peace, love, and justice. It is only in the Kingdom that we will experience the perfect happiness that is beyond anything we can imagine living on Earth.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

9: The Passion of Jesus

Today your child read three stories that lead up Jesus’ crucifixion: “Jesus Enters Jerusalem,” “Jesus Betrayed,” and “The Last Supper.” Invite your child to retell one or more of the stories for you, and then read together the other two Gospel accounts.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

10: The Death of Jesus

The Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus is a story of suffering and death. Most importantly, it shows Jesus great love for all people and his remarkable trust in his Father’s will.

Your child already knows from our first Gospel story, “The Road to Emmaus” that Jesus rose from the dead. The Passion and Crucifixion must be viewed in the context of Jesus’ Resurrection and the new life Jesus shares with all who choose to follow him.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

11: The Resurrection of Jesus and an Appearance of the Lord

In today’s session, the children read about Jesus’ Resurrection and one of his post-Resurrection appearances to the disciples. In the Resurrection account, the empty tomb, the angels’ words, and the burial cloths are signs of Jesus’ Resurrection.

In his seaside appearance, Jesus shared a meal with his disciples. This recalls Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist. Just as the disciples celebrated Jesus’ presence at the seaside, we celebrate the Real Presence of Jesus in the bread and wine we share at Mass.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

12: The Ascension of Jesus

In the story of the Ascension, your child learned that before he returned to his Father, Jesus gave his disciples an important mission. He told them to go everywhere in the world to teach the Gospel, the Good News.

The disciples’ mission has been handed down to all of Jesus’ followers. We, too, are called to share the Good News about Jesus with others.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer