Just Teach Sheets Children September Week 2

Parent/Guardian/Catechist – Just Teach Sheet

September Week 2
Theme: God’s Family – Belonging to the Church
For Ages: 7+
Focus: The Church is not just a building. It is God’s family. At Baptism, we become part of this family, and the Mass is our family meal.

Weekly Goal

The child learns that the Church is a family God gives us, where we pray, celebrate the sacraments, and help each other grow close to Jesus.

What You’ll Need

This sheet

A Bible (or verses printed below)

Your child’s prayer space

Paper & crayons for drawing

Opening Prayer (Daily)

Dear God,
Thank You for making me part of Your family, the Church.
Help me to love You, to listen to Jesus,
and to care for others in Your family.
Amen.

�� Day 1 – The Church is God’s Family

Say aloud:
When you were baptised, you were welcomed into God’s family — the Church. That makes every Catholic your brother or sister.

�� John 1:12 – “To all who received Him… He gave power to become children of God.”

��️ Mini Homily Reflection:
Families eat, pray, and live together. God’s family does the same — especially at Mass.

Ask:

Who do you think are your brothers and sisters in God’s family?

How does it feel to know you belong to something so big?

�� Day 2 – The Church is One

Say aloud:
Even though there are millions of Catholics all over the world, we are one family because we share one faith, one baptism, and one Eucharist.

�� Ephesians 4:4–5 – “There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

��️ Mini Homily Reflection:
Even if you went to Mass in Africa, South America, or Asia, you’d hear the same prayers. That’s how we know we are one.

Activity:
Look up (or show a picture) of a church in another country.
Say: “Even here, they celebrate the same Mass we do!”

�� Day 3 – The Church is Holy

Say aloud:
Sometimes people in the Church do wrong things. But the Church herself is holy because Jesus is holy. He gave us the sacraments to make us holy.

�� 1 Peter 1:16 – “Be holy, for I am holy.”

��️ Mini Homily Reflection:
Think of the Church like a hospital. People come in sick, but Jesus heals them.

Ask:

Why do you think God gave us the Sacraments?

Can you think of a time Jesus helped you when you were sorry or prayed?

�� Day 4 – The Church is Catholic (Universal)

Say aloud:
“Catholic” means “for everyone, everywhere.” The Church is not just for one place or one kind of people. It is for the whole world.

�� Matthew 28:19 – “Go and make disciples of all nations.”

��️ Mini Homily Reflection:
God wants everyone to be part of His family. That’s why the Church is everywhere.

Activity:
On a map, point out where other Catholics live. Mark three countries. Say: “They are our brothers and sisters too.”

��️ Day 5 – The Church is Apostolic

Say aloud:
Jesus gave His apostles the mission to teach and celebrate the sacraments. Today, our Pope and bishops continue this mission.

�� Matthew 28:20 – “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

��️ Mini Homily Reflection:
The same Jesus the apostles followed is with us today in the Church.

Ask:

Why is it important that our faith is passed on from Jesus’ friends (the apostles) to us?

Weekend Wrap-Up – God’s Family

Ask gently:

What did you learn about the Church this week?

How is the Church like a family?

What do we do together as God’s family? (pray, go to Mass, receive Sacraments, help others)

Encourage them to draw a picture of “God’s family at Mass.”

Prayer Prompt or Journal Space

Complete this sentence:
“Jesus, I’m glad I belong to Your family because…”

Apologetics for Parents

Q: Isn’t the Church just a building?
A: No. The building is important as a place of worship, but the real Church is the people God calls together as His family.

Q: Aren’t all churches the same?
A: Only the Catholic Church has all four marks: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. It alone is the family Jesus Himself founded.

Optional Catechism Extension (for parents/older children)

CCC 751 – “The word ‘Church’ means a convocation or assembly. It designates the People of God gathered from the whole world.”

CCC 811 – “The Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic in her deepest and ultimate identity.”