Chapter-by-Chapter Family Activities

Chapter 1: We Belong to God, Family Activities
In this chapter your child learned that we belong to God in a special way. God knows us and loves us. We become God’s children at Baptism. Choose one of the activities below to do together as a family.

  • Write thank-you cards to godparents thanking them for shepherding your child, helping them to grow as a child of God.
  • Review with your child praying the sign of the cross. Point out that we pray the sign of the cross with the same words of our Baptism: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
  • Visit the baptismal font at your church. Bless yourselves with the water and pray the sign of the cross.
  • Gather the whole family together and share pictures and stories about each person’s baptism.

Chapter 2: We Follow Jesus, Family Activities
In this chapter your child learned about the Great Commandment. The Great Commandment teaches that we are to live a holy life. We are to love God and love others. Choose one of the activities below to do together as a family.

  • Look up the definition of love in the dictionary. Compare the definition to what Jesus tells us about love.
  • Make a list of the ways your family helps one another to live the Great Commandment.
  • Talk about how living the Great Commandment could help your family resolve disagreements peacefully.
  • Make a banner of the Great Commandment. Hang it in your home to serve as a reminder to love God and to love others.

Chapter 3: We Listen to the Holy Spirit, Family Activities
In this chapter your child learned that followers of Jesus are Good Samaritans. They make good decisions that bring light to the world. Choose one of the activities below to do together as a family.

  • Talk about who helps you make good decisions. Then say a prayer thanking God for these people.
  • Look at today’s newspaper. Find stories about Good Samaritans.
  • Share stories about a time when a Good Samaritan helped you.

Chapter 4: We Are Sorry, Family Activities
In this chapter your child learned about Zacchaeus and what it means to be sorry for our sins. Choose one of the activities below to do together as a family.

  • Take turns telling about a time when you felt better after saying you were sorry for something you did.
  • Talk about why it is important to say the words, “I am sorry.”
  • Discuss the ways that we can show that we are sorry. Look on page 73 of your child’s book and pray together the Act of Contrition.

Chapter 5: We Are Forgiven, Family Activities
In this chapter your child listened to the story of the forgiving father. In the sacrament of Reconciliation God forgives our sins. God shows us that he always loves us. Choose one of the activities below to do together as a family.

  • Share stories about a time when someone forgave you like the forgiving father. How did knowing that you were forgiven make you feel?
  • Talk about why it is important to say the words, “I forgive you” when we forgive each other.
  • Visit the reconciliation room at your church. Give your child time to sit in the chair and look around.

Chapter 6: We Are Peacemakers, Family Activities
In this chapter your child listened to the Bible story of Jesus giving the disciples the gift of peace. We receive the gift of God’s peace and give thanks to God for that gift in the sacrament of Reconciliation. Choose one of the activities below to do together as a family.

  • Make Holy Spirit prayer cards to remind you that the Holy Spirit helps you live as a follower of Jesus.
  • Pray together the Prayer to the Holy Spirit:
    Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
    And kindle in them the fire of your love.
    Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
    And you will renew the face of the earth. Amen.
  • Talk about how the Holy Spirit helps your family live as followers of Jesus.