3rd Grade - Unit 1: We Believe God Wants Us to Share [PDF]

Details

Specifications

Publication Year:: 2024

Editor:: Department of Religious Education (DRE)

ISBN-13:: 9780866872126

Description

Grade 3, Unit 1, We Believe God Wants Us to Share, students are introduced to the profound idea that God wishes to share His love with each of us. This unit begins with the story of the Hospitality of Abraham, illustrating how Abraham and Sarah's willingness to share and welcome others reflects God's love and a reminder of the Holy Trinity. By understanding this, students learn that sharing is a divine act that aligns with God's wishes, much like Abraham and Sarah's actions. The unit further emphasizes that God desires not only to share His love with us but also that we share with Him and each other, fostering a sense of community and compassion.

Students will explore the concept that God has a unique plan for everyone, exemplified through Abraham's faith in listening, obeying, and trusting God's promises. This unit encourages students to reflect on their own lives and consider how they might respond to God's calling. Additionally, the unit teaches about the Divine Law, particularly the Ten Commandments, which God shared with us to help us become more like our Father in Heaven—understanding and adhering to the two greatest commandments ("You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and with all your mind, and with your strength" and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself") gives us the strength to uphold the entire Divine Law.

An essential part of this unit is the practice of giving thanks to God, which is presented as a vital aspect of sharing. The act of sharing, in essence, is a way to express our gratitude to God for His love and blessings. The overall purpose is to illustrate that God desires to share His love with us through the Church, encouraging students to think about the positive feelings and sense of fulfillment that come from sharing. By engaging with these concepts, children will begin to appreciate the joy and goodness that sharing brings into their lives and the lives of others.

Lesson 1 Objectives:

Recognize that sharing makes us feel happy
Learn about Abraham's hospitality
Develop a desire to share

Lesson 2 Objectives:

Recognize that God wants us to share
Learn the story of Cain and Abel
List ways that we can share with God
Memorize the Bible verse: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31)

Lesson 3 Objectives:

Learn the story of God's Covenant with Abraham
Recognize that God blessed Abraham by making him the Father of the Hebrew people
Recognize that through Jesus, we are all God's people

Lesson 4 Objectives:

Learn what are the two greatest commandments according to Jesus
Learn how the 10 commandments are an example of the two greatest commandments
Recognize that when we love and respect one another, we show that we love God and obey His law.

Lesson 5 Objectives:

Recognize that giving thanks is an important part of sharing
Learn about the Hebrews bringing gifts to help build the Tabernacle
Memorize a morning prayer

Please Note:

The rest of the 3rd Grade curriculum student book units will be available end of September. The teacher’s guide for all units will be available in August in a digital format for download.