Creation

• Teach children the story of creation through the Book of Genesis. Genesis 1:1- 1:3 -- "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth...And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Ask children to name things God created. Teach them that the twinkle of stars at night can be a reminder that the world is no longer in darkness. The story of creation can also present the lesson of obedience. What happens if the stars don't obey God? Or the sun or moon? What happens if we don't obey God? Hand out free, printable coloring sheets to further enhance your lesson.
  
  

Ruth and Naomi

• This vibrant story of faith and love teaches children that with kindness and obedience to God we are rewarded. In Ruth 1:16-17 the story says, "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried. Boaz observed the kindness Ruth showed Naomi and Boaz welcomed Ruth into his fields to harvest grain for herself and Naomi, her mother-in law. . Follow with coloring pages, or ask children to demonstrate an act of kindness.
  
  

Noah's Ark

• The beloved story of Noah is in the Book of Genesis 6-9. Genesis 7:1-4 says, "And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation...For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth." This Bible story teaches children the lesson of faith. Children will raise many questions; discuss with them how the people oln the ark kept the lions from eating the zebras. Design your own arks with popsicle sticks or cardboard, and color cut-out animals.
  
  

Jonah and The Whale

• This Old Testament story can teach children the value of trust and obedience within the Catholic faith. Jonah 1:17 reads "Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. He prayed to God, apologizing for his disobedience. This story illustrates the importance of faith, trust and love. Discuss the importance of trusting and obeying parents. Who should we put our trust and faith in? Just anyone? Sing the hymn, "Trust and Obey" and conclude with coloring activities or play a game with objects as to what belongs in the belly of a big fish.