Grades 6, 7, and 8
October 1, 2025
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Welcome St John the Baptist Family!
Parents,
We thank you as you continue to encourage and participate as a family during this significant time as a family activity in coordination with St. John the Baptist Faith Formation classes. The At Home Family Lessons are a short lesson for parents and their children to learn together. One week they will study the lesson presented by the Diocese. The next online class will be an introduction to one of the many facets of our Catholic traditions, faith, or prayers. They are a great way to share your faith together for a better understanding.
Opening Prayer
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we remember and place before You the intentions of our poorest brothers and sisters. We ask You to bring comfort to the destitute and healing to those who suffer in body or spirit.
Help us to be instruments of Your love so that, following Your Son’s example, we may show compassion for the poor and neglected. May Your grace find expression in our efforts to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the sick, clothe the naked, and seek justice for the oppressed.
Help us, through your Holy Spirit, to turn sorrow and suffering into joy.
We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who for our sakes became poor and lived among us. Amen.
Theme
Theme
Mary and Joseph were poor. In Leviticus 12:1-8, it states that if a family could not afford a sheep, they were to offer two turtledoves or two pigeons as a substitute.
Simeon’s warning to Mary is one about love. When humans love fully as a parent or friend, it involves connecting. Loving means hurting; when others hurt, laughing when others laugh, and crying when others cry.
Shared Questions
Shared Questions
Are you good at keeping your promises to others?
What things amaze you? [E.g. If electricity is hot, how does it keep a refrigerator cold?]
What is a Temple?
Describe the different things inside your Church.
Scripture
Scripture
Luke 2: 22-38
Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
How can you be more like Mary and Joseph?
What things can we learn from Simeon and Anna?
Both Anna and Simeon thanked God for holding Jesus. What things do you thank God for?
Mary, Jesus, and Joseph were poor. What are some of the differences between being poor and being rich?
When Jesus grew up, He took care of the poor. How do you take care of the poor?
Like Simeon and Anna, how do you recognize Jesus?
Activity
Activity
The Bible is filled with verses that highlight the importance of caring for the poor and needy, promising blessings and favor to those who do so. This principle extends across both the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating that generosity, justice, and compassion are essential in living a life that pleases God. Here, we will explore key scriptures from Proverbs, teachings of Jesus, and other relevant passages that emphasize the significance of caring for the poor and how our treatment of them reflects our relationship with God.
Proverbs on Caring for the Poor
Proverbs on Caring for the Poor
The book of Proverbs, known for its wisdom and practical life lessons, frequently addresses the theme of helping the poor. These verses not only highlight the duty of generosity but also promise blessings for those who care for the needy.
Key Scriptures in Proverbs:
Key Scriptures in Proverbs:
Proverbs 19:17: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”
Proverbs 14:21: “It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”
Proverbs 22:9: “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
Proverbs 28:27: “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”
Proverbs 21:13: “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.”
These scriptures from Proverbs show that God values acts of generosity and promises blessings and favor in return. They also warn of the consequences of neglecting the poor, as such actions displease the Lord.
Using the Key Scriptures in Proverbs, match the Proverb with what it means from the choices below.
a. This verse speaks both of the abundance provided to the generous and the consequences of ignoring the needy.
b. Generosity towards the poor is directly linked to receiving blessings from God.
c. Ignoring the needs of the poor results in being ignored in one’s time of need.
d. This verse shows that when we help the poor, it’s as if we are giving directly to God, and He promises to repay us for our kindness.
e. Being kind to the poor brings blessings, and despising or neglecting them is considered sinful.
Bring your answers (The Proverb with its meaning) to class next week.
Summary
Summary
“The gravest form of poverty is not to know God.”
Closing Prayer
Closing Prayer
Prayer for Service to the Poor
Prayer for Service to the Poor
O Father, we humbly come before You, seeking Your guidance and strength to serve the poor and marginalized in our communities.
Instill in our hearts a spirit of compassion and generosity, that we may be Your hands and feet, bringing hope and relief to those in need.
May our actions reflect Your love, and may we always strive to uplift the downtrodden.
Amen.
Bring your answer sheet for the Proverbs Matching to its Meaning next week.
See you then!
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