Intermediate Session
Wisdom 18:6-9
Luke 12:32-48

Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Dear God,
Thank you for keeping us in your care.
Help us to live each day with faith, hope and love.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.

Opening Life Reflection
The theme for today is the virtue of hope. To begin, provide each child with a sheet of paper and a pencil. Have the children vertically print the word hope in upper case letters down the left side of the paper. Invite them to write four phrases about the virtue of hope using each letter as the starting point. For example: H--Helps us get through hard times. Discuss:
• Why is it important to have hope?
• What does the virtue of hope help us do?
• When do you practice the virtue of hope?

Allow time for discussion. God gives us virtues to help us live lives of holiness. The virtue of hope helps us to trust that God is looking out for us.

Listening to the Word of God
In the Old Testament reading listen to how the people trusted that God was looking out for them.

Read Wisdom 18:6-9.
Allow for silence.

Scripture Discussion Starters
• Why do the people trust that God is looking out for them?
• Why do God’s people rejoice?
• What does God promise?

In the gospel reading listen to Jesus teach his followers to be faithful.

Read Luke 12:32-48.
Allow for silence.

• What does Jesus tell his followers about God’s promise?
• How does Jesus teach his disciples to be faithful?
• Why must Jesus’ followers be ready?

Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the readings.

The Old Testament reading today illustrates how the Israelites await the promise of salvation with watchful readiness. The author provides reassurance to the people that God is looking out for them. In today’s passage we are reminded that our ancestors put their trust in God. We too can hope in God’s promise.

Today’s gospel offers hope as we wait for the final coming of Jesus. We are reassured that God wants to give us the kingdom, we need only be ready. How can we be ready and live faithfully in this time between Jesus’ resurrection and his final coming? In today’s passage Jesus teaches his disciples how to be alert and ready. He tells them to let go of their material possessions and to give what they have to the poor.

The gospel today advises those who follow Jesus to be faithful. The faithful disciple looks forward with hope yet lives responsibly in the present by caring for the poor and keeping focused on God.

Questions for Deeper Reflection
• Do you trust that God is looking out for you?
• What helps you keep focused on God?
• How can you share what you have with the poor?

[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]

Doctrinal Discussion Starters
Christian Hope
The Christian tradition understands faith, hope and love to be theological virtues. They are gifts given by God to help us live in union with the Holy Trinity.

Hope is a virtue that helps keep us focused on God. It is hope that enables us to trust in God and God’s promise of salvation. It is by hope that we desire heaven. In difficult and painful times, hope sustains us and keeps us from being discouraged.

Christian hope is centered in the person of Jesus. Through Jesus we have hope in life after death. The virtue of hope is nourished through prayer, especially the prayer that Jesus taught us wherein we express our longing for the coming kingdom, here yet not fully.

• How does hope help you get through hard times?
• How can you help others to hope?
• How does the virtue of hope help you grow closer to God?

The Gospel in Life
Name one thing that you can do this week to practice the virtue of hope.

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 15
Grade 4, chapter 3
Grade 5, chapter 5
Grade 6, chapter 21

Connecting to Faith First® Original Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 15
Grade 4, chapter 3
Grade 5, chapter 5
Grade 6, chapter 21