Sunday Connection

Gospel Reading
John 6:1-15
Jesus feeds the crowd of more than five thousand people with five barley loaves and two fish.

Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3)

Every child experiences fears and worry from time to time. Teach younger children that they can take their fears and worries to Jesus, who calms us with his love, protection and care.

Materials Needed

• None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Say: Everyone gets afraid or worried from time to time. When I feel nervous or worried, I notice that my arms feel shaky. Ask: What do you notice when you feel afraid or worried? (Accept reasonable answers, such as butterflies in the stomach or racing thoughts.) Give an example of something you worried about as a child. For example: I used to be afraid of the dark. I would keep the light on. But as I got older, my parents helped me see I didn’t need the light any more. They knew that being in the dark was safe, and they helped me learn that too. Over time, I had more and more experiences that taught me it was safe for my bedroom to be dark at night.
2. Say: In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us that we can rely on our faith in him and turn to him when we are afraid or worried.
3. Read aloud today’s Gospel, Mark 4:35–41.
4. Say: There was a storm, and water was filling the boat. Ask: Were the disciples afraid? (Yes) Was Jesus afraid? (No, he is sleeping.) Say: When Jesus woke up, he quieted the storm. The wind died down and the seas were calm. Jesus knew that was no reason for concern.
5. Say: We can trust in Jesus’ protection and love. Whenever we are worried or afraid, we can take our worries and fears to Jesus. We can pray for him to help us. Just as he calmed the wind and the stormy seas, he calms our stormy thoughts and feelings and helps us feel at peace.
6. Close by praying: Jesus, we have faith in you. Please comfort us when we are worried or afraid and help us remember that you are always with us. Amen.

Gospel Reading
Mark 4:35-41
Jesus calms the storm.

Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6)

Older children are growing more sophisticated in their worries and concerns. Adults in their lives need to take these worries seriously and help children gain perspective so that they might begin to trust in God's love and protection.

Materials Needed

• None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Ask the children to recall a time when they were worried about something, perhaps about a test at school, something that happened to a friend, or a news story on TV or radio. Ask: Who do you talk to when you have worries or concerns? (friends, parents, teachers, family members) How does talking with other people help you when you are worried? What do you hope that other people will do when you share a concern or worry with them? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

2. Read aloud today's Gospel, Mark 4:35-41.

3. Ask: What were the disciples worried about in today's Gospel? (the storm) Was Jesus worried about the storm? What was Jesus doing? (No; Jesus was sleeping.) Why wasn't Jesus worried about the storm? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

4. Say: Like the disciples, we can share our worries and concerns with Jesus. When we bring our worries to Jesus in prayer, Jesus can help us see our worries from a different perspective. He can help us face our worries with faith in God's love and protection.

5. Conclude in prayer by asking the children to think about one thing they are concerned or worried about. Allow quiet time and tell the children to talk to Jesus about their worry or concern. After sufficient time, invite the children to pray together the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love.

Gospel Reading
Mark 4:35-41
Jesus calms the storm.

Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8)

There are many situations in which someone might be encouraged to “have faith.” Reflecting on these circumstances can help young people consider what it means to have faith in God.

Materials Needed

• None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Ask the young people if they have ever heard someone tell another person to “have faith.” Ask volunteers to give examples of possible situations in which someone might be told to “have faith.” Observe that this phrase can have different meanings, and discuss its meaning in each situation.

2. Observe that another way to expand our understanding of a word’s meaning is to consider its antonyms. Ask the young people to name antonyms for the word faith and list these on the board (for example, doubt, fear, despair).

3. Say: This Sunday’s Gospel describes a situation in which Jesus questions whether the disciples have faith. Let’s listen carefully to this Gospel reading.

4. Invite one or more volunteers to read aloud this Sunday’s Gospel, Mark 4:35–41.

5. Ask for volunteers to retell this Sunday’s Gospel in their own words. Then ask: What do you think Jesus meant when he asked his disciples, “Do you not yet have faith?” (Accept all reasonable answers.) In what ways is a lack of faith demonstrated by the disciples? (Accept all reasonable answers.) If it is not offered, observe that one way the disciples demonstrate a lack of faith is by questioning Jesus’ care for them.

6. Say: Faith is a gift from God that allows us to believe in and trust him. Faith is also our response to God and is expressed by the way we live our lives. We demonstrate faith when we trust God in all circumstances.

7. Conclude by providing time for quiet prayer. Encourage the young people to ask Jesus to strengthen their faith as they pray about a situation in which they need to “have faith.” After sufficient time, pray together the psalm for this Sunday, Psalm 107.

Gospel Reading
Mark 4:35-41
Jesus calms the storm.

Family Connection

Worries and concerns are part of human life. Jesus teaches us, however, that we ought not to let worries and concerns consume us. Jesus teaches us that our faith ought to lead us to trust in God's protection and love, no matter how strong the whirlwind going on around us. Like the disciples, we can bring our worries and concerns to Jesus in prayer. Jesus will hear our cries for help. He knows that our faith can be fragile and he will act so that our trust in God will be strengthened.As you gather as a family, invite each family member to talk about something that might be worrying them. Talk about how important it is to share worries and concerns with other people. When we do this, we learn to see our worries from a different perspective. Read today's Gospel, Mark 4:35-41. Ask your family questions such as these: Why were the disciples worried about the storm? Why wasn't Jesus worried about the storm?When we bring our worries to Jesus in prayer, Jesus can help us see things from God's perspective. Invite family members to name again a worry or concern and pray together that Jesus will help us have faith in God's love and protection. Conclude in prayer together by praying the Lord's Prayer.