S4 Trusting God

Lesson Starter : Working in Pairs: What does the word Vocation mean? Who does the word apply to? Vocation The Word Vocation comes from the Latin word ‘Vocare’ , which means ‘to call’. Vocation is God calling us to respond to tasks He wishes us to fulfill or how we should live our lives.

Pope St John Paul II on Vocation Lesson Starter : Reflection “Jesus has a specific task in life for each and every one of us. Each one of us is hand-picked, called by name by Jesus! There is no one among us who does not have a divine vocation!” “In the hidden recesses of the human heart the grace of a vocation takes the form of a dialogue. It is a dialogue between Christ and an individual, in which a personal invitation is given. Christ calls the person by name and says: "Come, follow me." This call, this mysterious inner voice of Christ, is heard most clearly in silence and prayer. Its acceptance is an act of faith” Pope St John Paul II on Vocation

Working in a group discuss: Focus 1 – Trusting God Working in a group discuss: (i) What does it mean to trust God ? (ii) When might someone trust God ?

Focus 1 – Trusting God The Call of the First Apostles As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, throwing a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. ”Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

Focus 1 – Trusting God The Call of the First Apostles When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee and John, his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. Immediately He called them. And they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed Him.

What are you prepared to give up to follow the Lord ? Focus 1 – Trusting God The Call of the First Apostles What are you prepared to give up to follow the Lord ?

Focus 1 – Trusting God The Call of the First Apostles Reflection   Is ‘faith’ important to you ? 2. What impact does faith have on your life ? 3. What ‘entanglements’ stop you from getting to Mass or getting involved in your Parish community ?

As a class read over the Vocation Story from your booklet. Focus 2 – Vocation Story A Vocations Director speaks….  As a class read over the Vocation Story from your booklet. 

2. Working by yourself answer the following : Activity   1. Working with a partner discuss the following: (a) What do you want to do with your life ? (b) What things will help you achieve that goal ? (c) What things might be a ‘net’ and prevent you from achieving that goal ? 2. Working by yourself answer the following : (a) If Jesus asked you to follow him, would you drop everything, like the first Apostles did ? (b) What would stop you following Jesus in this way ? (c) What makes it difficult for you to trust God ?

3. Working in groups/pairs: Activity   3. Working in groups/pairs: Using the following conversion stories produce a collage/wall display on the theme ‘trusting God’ Genesis 15:1–6 Isaiah 6:1–8 Jeremiah 1:1–10 1 Samuel 16:1–13 Matthew 4:18–22 Luke 1:26–38 Luke 5:1–11 John 20:11–18 Acts 9:1–19

Focus 2 – Vocation Story Extension Task  On a large sheet of paper write the word ‘priest’ down the left hand side and for each letter think of a word starting with that letter that relates to the job of a Priest eg P…Prays etc

End of Lesson Prayer End of Lesson Prayer   Lord, I thank You that You are the God of the impossible. You can do anything. I want to trust in Your ability and not my own. Teach me to see difficulties in my life from Your perspective. Today I bring before You this difficulty in my life [Name a hard situation you are right now facing]. Help me not to fear but to trust You in this situation. Amen