Serving the Sick

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the service module is to teach the children how to implement service in our lives. We want children to know that we show our true faith through our actions, not just by saying how much we follow God's commandments.The goal is to teach third graders how the Holy Spirit works through them everyday. Every week of this module will focus on serving different spheres of their lives: week 1 -- the family, week 2- the poor, week 3-the sick, week 4- the community. Week 5 is the capstone week to review and serve together. Please read through all the lessons in this module in preparation for this lesson.

In this lesson, children should understand that those who are sick are often forgotten or not cared for. We hope to show the children the power of prayer and kindness towards others when they might not be able to care for them in other ways. The sacrament of Unction of the Sick provides healing through prayer and anointing of oil.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

Please review the previous week's lesson and check for understanding (5 minutes)

Before class begins, write each of the following letters (L, I, V, E, O) on a separate piece of poster board. Put the "O" aside until the last section of introduction. When the children come in, have four volunteers hold the letters L, I, V, and E up to form the word "live." (Letters may also be propped against a board.)

We're glad that we're alive and want to keep on living. But how are we living? Are we living in God's way? Let's take a look. In the Bible, God gives many commands and directions on how we should live. However, some people choose to live in the ways of EVIL. Switch the four letters around to spell the word "evil."

Many people break God's commands and live evil lives. God condemns living in sin and even warns us of the consequences of evil actions. Evil lives can lead to VILE lives. Switch letters around to spell the word "vile." Vile is when a person is corrupted and does not care about their actions or thoughts.

You know, it seems that there is just one letter messing up this word -- the letter I. "I" stands for self and sin begins with selfishness. To make this word perfect, we need to substitute an O for the letter I. We need to always consider others and put them before ourselves.

In the New Testament, Christ instructs us to 'Love our neighbors as ourselves.' Put a letter O in place of I and change the letters to read the word "love." By putting others first, we have a perfect word which will help us guard against sin. Love -- putting others before self. Lead your life with neighborly love.

Our motivation for serving must come from a love for God and others, and our desire to be more like Jesus.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

Memory Verse
"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick" James 5:14-15

Read together the Bible passage of the Good Samaritan together with open books.

The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Additional optional reading from the Synaxarium: St. Juliana the Merciful (Kiahk 26)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

Service to the Sick: Our actions show our character and as Christians, we show our faith by our actions. How can we serve the sick by our actions? What makes you feel good when you are sick?

Give the children time to discuss this concept and share examples.
Concrete examples: Things that make you feel good when you are sick -- Holy Oil from the priest, chicken soup, lemonade, a new blanket, a thoughtful card from a friend, a phone call...
Abstract examples: Pray for the sick specifically, ex "Please God help Sophia heal quickly from her broken wrist", instead of a general "please God help the sick people".

Explain to the children that the one of the Sacraments of the Church is called the Unction of the Sick. During this sacrament, the priest anoints the person with the holy oil from which they obtain the grace of remedy from God.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

We often make excuses for why we don't help or visit people when they need help. Why do you think the priest and the Levite didn't help him?

Children may say that their churchlike responsibilities were more important than helping; they might have been afraid that the robbers would come back; they might not have had enough money to get medical help for the man; etc.

Explain that Jews and Samaritans were enemies, but despite that, the Samaritan stopped to help the man who was in need.

You see, nothing was more important to him than helping his neighbor. Why? Because helping the traveler was an act of love.

LIFE APPLICATION (Action) - 10 Minutes

Ask children how they will serve the sick this week. Examples: Acting on what they say they will do -- call the sick, tell the priest to anoint or tell the Sunday School servant to make arrangements, make them a card and add a saint's picture, bring over soup or lemonade, etc.

Pass out Holy Oil (most commonly from monasteries) or a saint picture and have them attach a card/verse.

ACTIVITY - 5-10 Minutes

See suggestions in Appendix below.

Additionally you may have children act out the story of the Good Samaritan. Give parts for the sick man, thieves, the priest, the Levite, innkeeper, and the Good Samaritan.

PARENTS CORNER

Give your children opportunities to serve the sick and to act out their responsibilities successfully. Most important is that you help your child match their actions to their words. In this way, we can teach them to show their Christian faith through their actions.