Showing posts with label Bible Study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible Study. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Yes, Lord! VBS 2012
This year our parish didn't host a Vacation Bible School (we'd gone every summer since Katie's birth!) and I was totally bummed. It didn't work out on our calendar to go elsewhere and the closest parish ended up not doing theirs either. :-( So, my dear friend Rachael and I decided to do our own. We took inspiration from other mothers who've done the same and from our years in Totus Tuus and thus VBS 2012 Yes, Lord!
Our week having preschool age children in mind was three mornings of Vacation Bible School rather than the whole week/day long. We decided to focus on three Old Testament Bible Stories (Noah, Moses, David) and three coinciding mysteries of the Rosary (the first three Joyful Mysteries). The day consisted of songs, prayer, lessons about each story and mystery, craft, snack and game. It was enough for our crowd (5 yr. old, 4 yr. old, and two 2 yr. olds, plus a newborn and mom and a pregnant mom) who had occasional meltdowns or moments of being uncooperative (no, I didn't have the meltdown!). The kids however had a BLAST! And there were moments of great joy for us moms, too in seeing cooperation, learning and excitement about our faith!
We didn't take many pictures but here are a few off of my phone to share. I wish we could have had video of the game station- what a hoot! Especially the Crossing of the Red Sea! I think we crossed it at least a dozen times before it got old and they wanted to play it again the next day! If you're interested in our outline or anything like that I'd be happy to share. Nothing too time consuming!
Our week having preschool age children in mind was three mornings of Vacation Bible School rather than the whole week/day long. We decided to focus on three Old Testament Bible Stories (Noah, Moses, David) and three coinciding mysteries of the Rosary (the first three Joyful Mysteries). The day consisted of songs, prayer, lessons about each story and mystery, craft, snack and game. It was enough for our crowd (5 yr. old, 4 yr. old, and two 2 yr. olds, plus a newborn and mom and a pregnant mom) who had occasional meltdowns or moments of being uncooperative (no, I didn't have the meltdown!). The kids however had a BLAST! And there were moments of great joy for us moms, too in seeing cooperation, learning and excitement about our faith!
We didn't take many pictures but here are a few off of my phone to share. I wish we could have had video of the game station- what a hoot! Especially the Crossing of the Red Sea! I think we crossed it at least a dozen times before it got old and they wanted to play it again the next day! If you're interested in our outline or anything like that I'd be happy to share. Nothing too time consuming!
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| The stage was set! Day one- Noah |
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| Snack Time! |
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| The big girls showing off their work! |
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| Crafts! |
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| Our smallest and cutest helper! |
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| The attendees sporting their VBS 2012 T-shirts and smiles. |
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Baptism and the Old Testament
In out Bible Study this morning we touched on the story of Naaman and its relationship to Baptism. I was so moved again by this connection I wanted to share a bit here.
If you don't know who Naaman is, you're probably not alone. He's a little known Old Testament person and his story is found in 2 Kings 5. Naaman, commander of the Syrian army, was a leper. He went to the prophet Elisha in Israel to seek healing. The prophet told him to go and bath in the Jordan River 7 times and he would be healed. But Naaman was disappointed with Elisha's solution- whether the simplicity of it or perhaps Naaman was too, proud to bath in Israel's waters. Regardless, he turns away angry and wishing that the prophet would have called on the Lord to heal him then and there. Naaman's servant reminds Naaman that if the prophet would have asked him to do something great would he not have obeyed? And so Naaman goes down to the Jordan and follows the prophet's command and is healed.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not mention this episode of Scripture in the Old Testament's prefiguring of Baptism (paragraphs 1217-1222). However, the thought that was spoken of today at our study was how many of us, like Naaman, doubt the work of God in the simplicity of the Sacraments. The Sacraments themselves require humility of us to realize that they are the way in which Christ deemed give us grace. The way in which Christ comes to us today! Under the humble guise of bread and wine we receive the body and blood of Jesus. In our spouse, we awake to encounter Christ, dwelling among us. In the simple, yet humbling, admission of our sins we are forgiven in the sacrament of Confession. Yet, there is part of us, like Naaman that thinks God ought to do something grandiose. Rather, it is going to the Jordan, a meager stream in Israel, that Naaman is healed. And we, too, in following the example of Our Lord, seek the waters of Baptism to heal us of original sin.
If you don't know who Naaman is, you're probably not alone. He's a little known Old Testament person and his story is found in 2 Kings 5. Naaman, commander of the Syrian army, was a leper. He went to the prophet Elisha in Israel to seek healing. The prophet told him to go and bath in the Jordan River 7 times and he would be healed. But Naaman was disappointed with Elisha's solution- whether the simplicity of it or perhaps Naaman was too, proud to bath in Israel's waters. Regardless, he turns away angry and wishing that the prophet would have called on the Lord to heal him then and there. Naaman's servant reminds Naaman that if the prophet would have asked him to do something great would he not have obeyed? And so Naaman goes down to the Jordan and follows the prophet's command and is healed.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not mention this episode of Scripture in the Old Testament's prefiguring of Baptism (paragraphs 1217-1222). However, the thought that was spoken of today at our study was how many of us, like Naaman, doubt the work of God in the simplicity of the Sacraments. The Sacraments themselves require humility of us to realize that they are the way in which Christ deemed give us grace. The way in which Christ comes to us today! Under the humble guise of bread and wine we receive the body and blood of Jesus. In our spouse, we awake to encounter Christ, dwelling among us. In the simple, yet humbling, admission of our sins we are forgiven in the sacrament of Confession. Yet, there is part of us, like Naaman that thinks God ought to do something grandiose. Rather, it is going to the Jordan, a meager stream in Israel, that Naaman is healed. And we, too, in following the example of Our Lord, seek the waters of Baptism to heal us of original sin.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Of Babes, Bible Studies and Bonding
Since becoming a mom my life is now viewed through a different lens. Nothing seems untouched by this new perspective least of all my spiritual life.
Recently, I joined the 'church ladies' from our parish in a Bible study and prayer group. It has been rejuvenating for me to stretch those theology legs again after a brief reprieve. It has struck me though that my understanding of Scripture, the Mass and other parts of the faith may not have changed but I HAVE. And now, when reading from God's Word know a bit more of that LOVE that the Father has for His children. And the ache He must have at their disobedience for His is the love of a parent who only desires the best for His children. Not only that but I look at that little nursing babe in our life and the words "this is my body given up for you" take on a personal ring. I am able to unite my work, my sacrifices, my life with Christ in the Mass and offer it to God. [Certainly this is the ideal I strive for though not alway attainable when Kate decides to fill her diaper, onesie, pants and socks during this middle of the Mass. This has become some what of a daily Mass trend. On the bright side, she's regular!] Not to mention the infancy narratives we will be meditating on this Advent and Christmas. These insights have not only brought me closer to our Lord but to our little one as well. I hope and pray she one day will be able to see the beauty of the Scripture and the Mass and know Christ so intimately!
Recently, I joined the 'church ladies' from our parish in a Bible study and prayer group. It has been rejuvenating for me to stretch those theology legs again after a brief reprieve. It has struck me though that my understanding of Scripture, the Mass and other parts of the faith may not have changed but I HAVE. And now, when reading from God's Word know a bit more of that LOVE that the Father has for His children. And the ache He must have at their disobedience for His is the love of a parent who only desires the best for His children. Not only that but I look at that little nursing babe in our life and the words "this is my body given up for you" take on a personal ring. I am able to unite my work, my sacrifices, my life with Christ in the Mass and offer it to God. [Certainly this is the ideal I strive for though not alway attainable when Kate decides to fill her diaper, onesie, pants and socks during this middle of the Mass. This has become some what of a daily Mass trend. On the bright side, she's regular!] Not to mention the infancy narratives we will be meditating on this Advent and Christmas. These insights have not only brought me closer to our Lord but to our little one as well. I hope and pray she one day will be able to see the beauty of the Scripture and the Mass and know Christ so intimately!
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