To keep an open mind because most people in the world don't believe what I am about to teach you.

Op here - thank you all very much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

The last shall be first and the first shall be last.

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.



Our culture is all about competion and consumption...the essence of capitalism. IMO, the most important messages I got out of Catholic school ...12 yrs...were these messages of humility and service.

Many religions have these values -- Christianity is not needed to have them. Many non-religious people have these values too.

Several major religions still have eye-for-eye justice. Jesus explicitly and very clearly said that eye-for-eye justice is a bad thing, instead people should turn the other cheek, forgive, not judge, et cetera.

Actually that's not correct for one, and probably two reasons:

First, eye-for-eye justice amounted to a revolution in thought. This came from Judaism. It was saying people are equal. Before, if you were of a lower class, and accidentally injured someone in power, or even insulted them, you could be killed. This brought everyone down, or up, to the same level. The individual in power could not kill in revenge for one who had not killed their kin; the power had to be evenly distributed.

Second, there is an alternate explanation for Jesus's "turn the other cheek" comment, given the context of his words at the time. People at that time slapped slaves with the back of their hand, and slapped their equals with the palm of their hand. Turning the other cheek has been interpreted by many scholars as Jesus saying, "don't slap me like a slave; slap me like your equal,"--a challenge.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

The last shall be first and the first shall be last.

Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.



Our culture is all about competion and consumption...the essence of capitalism. IMO, the most important messages I got out of Catholic school ...12 yrs...were these messages of humility and service.

Many religions have these values -- Christianity is not needed to have them. Many non-religious people have these values too.

Several major religions still have eye-for-eye justice. Jesus explicitly and very clearly said that eye-for-eye justice is a bad thing, instead people should turn the other cheek, forgive, not judge, et cetera.

Hi, OP --

Welcome to the wonderful world of Sunday School teaching, where you will make new friends (of all ages) and challenge, renew and and go deeper in your faith! Plus, you're now in the same club as Jimmy Carter, Stephen Colbert and Anne Lamott -- how cool is that?

I've taught Sunday School in an Episcopal church for grades K-8, and, as you've probably guessed, I love it. It's definitely the best church lady gig I've had. From this experience, as well as my perspective as the parent of young people in their teens and early 20s, I'd suggest that you emphasize the following themes:

God is love. We're all broken; God knows it and loves us anyway.

Be kind and loving toward others in your intentions and actions -- even when they're mean or petty. Everyone is broken; everyone is fighting a difficult battle (yes, I know this is attributed to Plato, but it's a beautiful and succinct statement of Christianity as well).

Pray -- I have found that kids have really interesting and original ways of praying, and are surprisingly comfortable talking about prayer.

Everyone has doubts -- yes, even your Sunday School teachers, but we still show up on Sundays and try to do our best to grapple with them. God is totally OK with this.

This church and congregation are here for you. There are adults here who care about you, and you can have friends here who love you for who you are -- not for where you are on the popularity food chain at school.

As Christians we are called to create God's kingdom here on earth -- to love and serve one another and to care for God's creation. Kids love to do service projects -- look for every opportunity you can to work with them in service. Acts will nurture faith.

Hope this is helpful, and that you have a great time with your class!

Anonymous wrote:Somehow I got volunteered to occasionally lead 4th grade church school (Episcopal) this year.

If you do send your children to religious school, what do you want them to come away with?

We do have a curriculum, but I'm trying to identify major themes to help organize my thinking about this year.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

I want my children coming away with a sense of personal relationship with God. I wan them to understand that prayer is just like talking with a friend. If they truly have this relationship all the other values come with that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At that age I think it is important that they learn that Jesus is always with them and will help and guide them through life. If they let Him

or they can find human guides and learn to guides themselves.

Not mutually exclusive. We are meant to connect to others, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At that age I think it is important that they learn that Jesus is always with them and will help and guide them through life. If they let Him

or they can find human guides and learn to guides themselves.

Oh, great. Now there's a recipe for failure in life.

Catholic parent of a child with significant special needs (intellectual disability + physical disability + significant facial difference).

I want my child to know that they are made in the image of God.

Anonymous wrote:At that age I think it is important that they learn that Jesus is always with them and will help and guide them through life. If they let Him

or they can find human guides and learn to guides themselves.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That we are saved by the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

saved for what?

I was going to ask “saved from what?"

From themselves

At that age I think it is important that they learn that Jesus is always with them and will help and guide them through life. If they let Him

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That we are saved by the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

saved for what?

I was going to ask “saved from what?"

I want my small children to learn that

God is good.

God's creation is good.

God loves them.

God wants them to love each other and all people.

They can pray to God any time.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with mercy and grace. I'll add that my faith is the bedrock of my resilience in the face of some pretty traumatic life events, including childhood sexual abuse. I want my kids to have that same strong faith.

Yes the foundation of faith is very comforting especially in tough times.