Unit 3: Jesus Shows Us He Is Good

Goals

• The children will understand how to live the two great laws of love.
• They will be inspired to go to Jesus the Good Shepherd for forgiveness when they have done wrong.

Chapter 13: Jesus Calls Apostles
Jesus chose 12 men to be his first apostles. The children learn that all Christians are called to work together to bring all people to the Father and to help make a better world. The children can be Jesus' helpers too.

Chapter 14: Jesus Shows God's Love
Jesus spent his life doing good. The children learn how his tender compassion for people who are sick or suffering comforted them and how his divine power healed them. From this the children learn that they, too, must be concerned for others.

Chapter 15: Jesus Teaches Us to Love God
Jesus' love for his Father prompted Jesus to commune with him in prayer and to fulfill his Father's will. The children learn that love of God calls for a wholehearted response. They are introduced to a simple morning offering.

Chapter 16: Jesus Teaches Us to Love Others
Jesus showed the meaning of Christian love by his own example. The children learn what the command to love our neighbor implies through the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Chapter 17: Jesus Calls Himself the Good Shepherd
The forgiving love of our God is revealed through the words and deeds of his Son. Jesus the Good Shepherd seeks out sinners and welcomes them back. The children learn that God's family asks for forgiveness at Mass. They are introduced to Psalm 23.

Chapter 18: We Come to Our Good Shepherd
Members of the Church forgive and ask forgiveness of one another and of God. In a celebration the children strengthen the bonds of love between God, themselves, and others. The children's reaching out to others with forgiving hearts is a sign of their union with the Lord, in whom we are one.