Family Time Level II

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 appeared to two of his disciples and walked with them on the road to Emmaus. Along the way, Jesus explained the Scriptures to them. Later, as they were eating together, they recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. They knew then that all that Jesus had taught them was true.
Click here for: Daily Suggestion and Corresponding Prayer

2: Jesus’ Story Begins

In this session, your child read three passages related to the events of Jesus’ birth. Many of the students are already familiar with the Nativity story. The angel’s announcements to Mary and Joseph provide context to help young people become aware of God’s plan of Salvation in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
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 two stories. In the first, Jesus calls his first disciples to follow him. In the second, Jesus chooses Twelve Apostles after spending a night in prayer seeking God’s guidance. This was an important choice because the Apostles would lead the Church after Jesus’ return to his Father.
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5: Healing Miracles

In this session, your child learned that Jesus worked miracles to invite people to have faith in God. The students read about two miracles: Jesus’ healing of Jairus’ daughter and the healing of a woman with a hemorrhage. Re-read these miracles stories as a family from your family Bible (Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, or Luke 8:40-56).
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

Throughout his ministry, Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God to his disciples. The Kingdom of God is the reign, or rule, of God’s everlasting love, justice, and peace. The parables Jesus told helped his followers prepare for the Kingdom.

In this session, the students read the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30). This parable, which uses an agricultural setting, teaches about who will share in the everlasting happiness of God’s Kingdom. Weeds are sown into a landowner’s wheat field. When the crop is harvested, the weeds are collected to be burned. Then the wheat is gathered into the barn.
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