LESSON 3 :THE CHURCH AS PEOPLE OF GOD

Lesson 3 : The Church as People of God

Date        : 01-02-15

MEMORY VERSE :

Psalm 19: 14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Recap of previous lesson on the Holy Spirit

Class asked about what was learnt in the previous lesson. Learners asked about the Pentecost and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

BIBLE READING : PETER 2 : 9-10

Class asked about their understanding of the reading. Learners asked to share their views about the bible reading. Peter 2 : 9-10

GROUP DISCUSSION AND TASK:     )

What does the “CHURCH” mean to you?

Learners invited to study the pictures on page 18 to 22 of text book.

Class divided into groups. Each group discusses and list down what the term “Church” means to them   

The groups then share their responses with the class. Learners invited to give feedback on the responses of their peers.  The purpose of this activity is to help learners see that the term ‘church’ is more than the physical structures, laws and commandments. The church is about God and His relationship with His people.   

Explanation

The Church is human and divine

We cannot fully describe the “Church” because she is both human and divine in nature.

The Church is human because she is made up of a human community compromising of human persons.  

The members of the community sometimes make mistakes or have misunderstandings among themselves.

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The Church is also divine because it is spiritual in nature. The Church was born out of God’s love for His people and His desire to re-gather them into His family. But despite all the weaknesses, shortcomings and   

limitations of her members the Church remains holy.

Why is the Church holy?

The Church is holy because her founder Jesus is holy. The Church reflects the goodness and holiness of Jesus to the world.

The Church is a gathering of God’s people.

God gathers His people in and through Christ

God gathers His people in and through the Church.

On her own the Church cannot exists, The Church exists only because of God’s love and grace for His people.   

What are the qualities that belong to the People of God?

1. A person becomes a member of the Church through Baptism

2. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, a member of the Church shares the dignity and freedom of the sons    and daughters of God.   

3. We call God “Our Father” because we are children of God.

4. As God’s people we are called to love God and to love our neighbours. We are called to love especially people in need and those who are treated unjustly or unfairly.

Our mission as God’s people is to help build the Kingdom of God on earth until Christ comes again and brings it to perfection.

As God’s people it is essential that we show love and mercy to others.

Ask the class to give examples of occasions that they helped someone in need and how did they feel?  

Time: 9.15 am - 9.20am

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Thank you that we can live in Your light and walk in Your truth.
May the things that you have revealed and thoughts that we have shared
dwell in our hearts and stir us to action. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus

Amen.     Psalm 119:105

THE ORIGINS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH  (Check out this Link)
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ui=2&ik=c75b423248&view=att&th=14b1c2fcc55a4052&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_i5b1tpci0&safe=1&zw