Continuing Service

OBJECTIVE

There is no greater comfort in this world than knowing that our Lord united us with Himself through the Holy Sacraments, especially Holy Communion in the Divine Liturgy. We are blessed to be called members of the Body of Christ, with Christ as the head, called to celebrate the Divine Liturgy together. In this unit, we will develop the understanding of 5th graders on the initiation, unity, and function of the Body of Christ centered on the Divine Liturgy.

HOOK/INTRODUCTION - 5 Minutes

When a student goes to college, they learn an abundance of information and have an enriching experience. When they graduate and become alumni, many choose to give back to the university in some way to pay it forward for future graduates. Essentially when an individual benefits, they should then serve their community.

What happens when we partake of the Divine Liturgy? We look forward to communing together all week long. However, what happens during the week to the Body of Christ while we are separated?

  • Typical answers: everyone goes back home, parents go back to work, we go back to school, we go to friends' houses, we play sports/activities...

How do we maintain the One Body of Christ during the week if we are separated?

Think about this and let's come back to this question at the end of the lesson.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

  • Matthew 5:13--16 "You are the salt of the earth..." "You are the light of the world..." "Let your light so shine before me, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven."
  • Acts 12

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes

After we partake of Holy Communion and become filled with Christ, it is important for us to then pass it on and live accordingly. We can do this through service. There are many reasons why it is important for us to serve one another:

  • It is a commandment
  • It is a definition of love
  • It is a lesson of our Lord

In the Divine Liturgy, we don't just focus on ourselves. We actually pray for others in the Liturgy. The following is part of what the Priest says in the Litany of the Faithful from St. Basil's Liturgy

"All peoples and all flocks bless. The heavenly peace, send down into all our hearts; even the peace of this life, graciously grant to us. The kings, presidents, the armies, the rulers (governors), the counselors, the multitudes, our neighbors, our coming in and our going out, adorn them all peace."

We also pray for the Pope and Patriarch. We pray for our Metropolitans, Bishops that they may "rightly handle the word of truth and shepherd Your people in purity and righteousness." We pray for all bishops, hegumens, priests, deacons, subdeacons, the seven orders of the Church of God, and all the fullness of Your one, only, holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic Church.

We pray for the servants, all those that brought the gifts of the altar. We pray for the purity of all the faithful people. We pray for salvation of the world and of our city and all cities, districts, islands, and monasteries. We pray for everyone in all of their activities and wherever they are for God to bless it.

LIFE APPLICATION (Action) - 10 Minutes

Let's go back to the question we asked in the beginning: How do we maintain the One Body of Christ during the week if we are separated?

  • Realize that you have an opportunity to let your light shine with everyone that you interact with during your week.
  • Every activity or job can edify the Body of Christ by your actions
  • Prayer list - those we pray for each day and special prayers we can offer on the altar on Sunday.
  • Collect your troubles, worries, and prayers for others and bring them to church on Sunday

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes

During the week we have our jobs and we do them according to our talents that God gave us. Our jobs should reflect the light of Christ. Jesus called us to be saints. Then we come together on Sunday for Divine Liturgy and share the Eucharist together and pray for one another as One Body in Christ. We pass the light of the Holy Eucharist to each person we meet during the week.

CONCLUSION - 5 Minutes

How will you maintain the One Body of Christ during your week?

Talk about the Gospel and Bible readings with your family and friends. Talk about the sermon and your Sunday school lesson with your family and friends. See how you can practice what you've learned this week. Remember that you are called to be set apart

ACTIVITY - 5 Minutes

Have students keep a journal of how they maintain the life of the Body of Christ.

RESOURCES

"Service" book by HG Bishop Youannis

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

This week we are remembering our call to be Christians every day of the week, not only on Sunday. Please point out all the ways your child and your family carries the Light of Divine Liturgy during weekly tasks. Keep a journal of how he/she maintains the life of the Body of Christ.