Catechist's Aide

Featured Song – November 2018

Catechist's Aide — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 12:10:13 +0000

^“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

The song “Unfinished” from Mandisa draws from this verse, reminding us that God has started something good in each of us, and His work continues throughout our lives. Even when things seem to go horribly wrong, and doubt begins to set in, we can draw on the truth that God’s plan for us may not be evident, but it is good.

God already knows the whole picture of our lives, but for us, it’s difficult to see. It’s like standing too close to a painting. We can see small details, even individual brush strokes, but the full image isn’t clear unless we are able to take a step back. Only then can the whole picture come into view.

This is a message that young people need to hear. When we’re young we tend to paint a picture of how things will be as we get older. But things don’t always go as planned and disappointment can set in. We can begin to feel disillusioned, hopeless. Worse yet – we can begin to believe that we are a failure – and that things will never change. If we could only take a step back, remember God’s great love for us, and trust in His plan for our lives, we can find the strength to persevere through these difficult times.

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Discussion Worksheet on Identity for Middle School Students

Catechist's Aide — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 12:32:34 +0000

Middle school students, just entering adolescence, are undergoing a tremendous amount of growth on every level – physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Amidst this rapid growth and development, they are also on a course to discover and define their own identities distinct from their parents. In fact, this might be considered the central task of adolescence, to begin to answer the question, “Who am I?” Students may not be able to articulate the process, but as they are exposed to new environments, social situations and influences, they begin to develop a sense of self that is foundational to who they will be as adults.

The Worksheet

The Group Discussion Worksheet, “Who Am I?” is intended to have students think about and identify what influences how they view themselves as individuals. The conversation begins by identifying cultural and societal influences. It then moves to what it means to be made in the “image and likeness” of God. What are the implications of this fundamental truth for humanity and myself?

Scripture verses provide the answer to the question, “Who or what does God say that I am?” Does it change the way I feel about myself to know that God loves me, has chosen me, and I am His heir?

Lastly, we look to Psalm 139, which tells us that God, who “knit me in my mother’s womb,” knew us before we were born. How does this affect how I look at myself, knowing that God has willed and loved me into being? Does knowing that God already knows my failures and loves me anyway, change the way I see myself?

Takeaway for Students

People will come and go in our lives, and our situation will change. There is one constant in our lives, however, and that is God’s eternal love for us. Many things factor into who we are as individuals. Our identities are shaped by our experiences, our friends, etc. But, if that’s all they’re based on, then we continuously have to perform, achieve and please others to maintain that identity.

If we can begin to see ourselves as God sees us, then we can trust that His love for us isn’t based on what we do, who we are friends with or how fashionably we dress. Knowing this gives us confidence that we don’t have to achieve to be loved. And our mistakes and failures will not define who we are. The loving and merciful God who made us loves us as we are. All He asks of us is that we respond in love.

Click the link below to download the Group Discussion Worksheet with Leader’s Guide to try out with your class. Be sure to make a copy of the Worksheet for each of your students. The Leader’s Guide is for you and any other discussion leaders.

Group Discussion Worksheet on Identity

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Featured Song – October 2018

Catechist's Aide — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 12:36:21 +0000

We feature another upbeat song this month, “Bulletproof” by Citizen Way. The band’s website explains that the members consider themselves “musicianaries or musicians with a missionary-like calling.” To their credit, their vocation comes shining through in their music. In “Bulletproof” they enthusiastically proclaim how relying on God’s strength makes us bulletproof to the devil’s weapons of fear and doubt. The song is a perfect complement to a study on Ephesians 6 – battling against evil with the armor of God.

Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

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