New Testament Module

OBJECTIVE

In this module, you will be discussing four parables over four weeks: the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of the Talents, the Parable of the Foolish Builder, and the Parable of the Pearl. We want to help the children learn the parable, but more importantly, we want the children to place themselves inside the parable and learn how to apply the lesson to themselves. In each parable, the children will be distinguishing the kingdom of this world from the kingdom of heaven and finding the key to obtain the kingdom of heaven.

MILESTONES

Scripture: The Holy Bible teaches us that our Lord Jesus Christ used parables to explain complex heavenly topics in an understandable manner to the people. A parable is an example of a figurative meaning of scripture using stories and imagery. Parables are found in all synoptic gospels (including that of St. John if one includes the allegories). Many of the most important lessons given by our Lord Jesus Christ were given in parables.

Spiritual: Many teachings are difficult to understand, especially if they are complex. Complicating matters even more, is the need to answer why Almighty God does actions towards us, treats us a certain way, or what are His reasons for His love for us? Parables provide an avenue for understanding complex teachings.

Social: Parables oftentimes leave the listener with a "what now" question after they are studied. For example, in the Parable of the Sower, one would ask how to become a good seed. Or in the Parable of the Talents, once would ask how to use their talent to the fullest. Spending time with the children to explore the answers to these questions in a simple manner (like the parable) highlight the many social lessons within the module of the New Testament.

Rituals: The Coptic Church's Rituals allows for something that seems strange to happen when the priest beats his chest as he says the Anaphora prayer form the Liturgy of St. Basil: "...and give each one according to his deeds." This act of beating on his chest comes from the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. While the Pharisee expected God's mercy as a result of his self-righteousness, the Tax Collector cried for mercy and beat his chest in anguish for his sins.

TOPICS BY WEEK

Please read through all of the lessons in this module in preparation for this lesson.

• Week 1: The Parable of the Sower
• Week 2: The Parable of the Talents
• Week 3: The Parable of the Foolish Builder
• Week 4: The Parable of the Pearl
• Capstone Activity

CHURCH CONNECTION

In exploring these parables, we hope to express to the children that the key to the kingdom of heaven is in building a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, reading the Bible, spending quiet time with God, attending church regularly and partaking in the sacraments of communion and confession regularly.

PARENTS CORNER

In order to help children solidify the lessons from these parables, parents will be invited to help their children set up a rule of prayer for praying and reading the Bible, for the same number of minutes as the child's age, to help their child memorize psalm 1, and to help encourage their child to set up a place for quiet time with God or to set up a prayer corner.