This page is for SMA Family Faith Formation Catechists only. Content for this lesson is linked below.

Summary of Lesson

Knowing that God is our Father who loves us and cares for us unconditionally, is an essential building block of our faith. When we truly believe this, our faith stands on “solid ground”, not on shifting sands. God the Father is known as the Creator: He created the world and has given each of us life. By him, we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. He knows us inside and out, gives us grace throughout our life, and wants us to reach Heaven to be with Him. God the Father has reached out to us, all throughout history, finally sending His Son Jesus to save us from our sins.

God the Father Bullet Points:

Scripture Passage: Luke 15: 11-24 The Parable of the Lost Son

Then he said, “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. […] Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.

Example Discussion Prompts/Questions:

  1. What are some of your favorite things that God the Father has created?
  2. What are some of the strengths or talents that God the Father has given you?
  3. Name some things you love about your father/mother. Relate these to God.
  4. What is one thing you are afraid of? Ask God the Father to give you courage.
  5. Can you think of a moment when your mother or father, or another adult, helped you to feel courageous when you were afraid?
  6. Have you ever been lost? How did it feel when you were “found”?
  7. What are some things that runners need along the way in a race? Come up with examples of what God the Father gives us along our journey of life.
  8. What was the Father like in the story of the Prodigal Son? What does it tell us about God the Father? Why do you think Jesus told this parable?

Saint of the Month: Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Feast Day: September 5th)

Mother Teresa lived in India. She heard God calling her to go out and take care of the people who were sick and dying in her community. She helped people that no one else would help. She went out and met the poor and lonely. She, and those who joined her, brought them inside, fed them, bandaged their wounds, kept them company and prayed with them. Just like God the Father never leaves us, she wanted people to know they did not have to suffer alone.

Sample Class Lessons

K-1st

~ Talk about God our Good Father Who created each one of us and who is always there for us.
~ Ask applicable discussion questions, like #1, 2, 5, 6.
~ Show Video #3 about Parable of Prodigal Son.
~ Make God the Father craft in video below or use coloring/activity sheets.
~ Play songs #1 and #2 if time remains.

2nd

~ Talk about qualities of “fathers”, including fathers, grandfathers and priests. Write the qualities on the board.
~ Read or watch video about Parable.
~ Talk about the Father in the parable. Relate this to 1st Communion – God the Father gives us heavenly food to help us on our journey, just like the Father gave the son a feast.
~ Do one of the activities listed below or use coloring/activity sheets.

3rd-5th

~ Talk about qualities of “fathers”, including fathers, grandfathers and priests. Write the qualities on the board.
~ Read or watch video about Parable.
~ Ask applicable discussion questions.
~ Introduce Saint Mother Teresa. Watch video.
~ Do one or more of the activities and talk about how they relate to the lesson.

6th-8th

~ Introduce the theme. Ask what they think of when the hear “God the Father”.
~ Have the teens read the parable aloud.
~ Watch the last video called “Prodigal”.
~ Ask applicable discussion questions.
~ Introduce Saint Mother Teresa. Watch video.
~ Do one or more of the activities and talk about how they relate to the lesson.

Songs & Videos

Parable of the Good Father in Google Drive.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14P_TSA-FrPrpAm0Cf6h-_QDzPY7z1LfM/view?usp=sharing

Activities

Crafts

Handouts/Coloring & Activities Pages

Each of the following can be found in the printed handout for Lesson One. Let Becci know if you would like copies made.

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