Intermediate Session
Isaiah 66:10-14c
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Loving God,
we are grateful for those who spread the good news about
Jesus throughout the world.
Help us to share the good news of
Jesus with others by our words and actions.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.

Opening Life Reflection
The theme for today is evangelization. Begin by having the children brainstorm the many ways that they share good news with others. Write down their responses. Invite the children to choose one of the methods listed to create a message of good news about Jesus. Discuss:
• How do you hear the good news about Jesus?
• Why is news about who Jesus is and what he has done for us good news?
• How can you share the good news about Jesus with others?

Allow time for discussion. Bringing the good news about Jesus to others is called evangelization. As followers of Jesus we continue the work of evangelization.

Listening to the Word of God
In the first reading from the Old Testament listen to how God’s people are cared for.

Read Isaiah 66:10-14c.
Allow for silence.

Scripture Discussion Starters
• How does this reading reveal God’s love and tenderness?
• How is God like a mother?
• Why should God’s people rejoice?

In the gospel reading listen to learn who was sent out to spread the good news about Jesus.

Read Luke 10:1-12, 17-20.
Allow for silence.

• How does Jesus send out seventy of his followers?
• What are Jesus’ followers sent out to do?
• What does Jesus tell them to do if they are rejected?
• What do the seventy tell Jesus when they return?
• What does Jesus tell them?

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

The Old Testament reading today presents a tender image of God as a nurturing Mother. God is like a mother who cares for and comforts her children. This passage from the book of Isaiah was written after the exile when the Jewish people needed encouragement for the great task of rebuilding their society. This reading offers God’s people assurance that they will prosper.

In today’s gospel today Jesus sends seventy followers out on a mission. They are to cure the sick and spread the good news of the kingdom of God. For this important mission the seventy are not sent out alone. Jesus sends them in pairs. To every home they enter they are to bring peace. Jesus warns these first evangelists that they may be rejected. He also tells them that “the harvest is rich.”

A rich harvest symbolizes the day when the promise of salvation is fulfilled, when the kingdom of God is fully present. On their mission, the first evangelists experience the presence of God’s kingdom on earth when they cure the sick and expel demons from people who are afflicted. They return to Jesus filled with excitement and joy because they know that although the kingdom of God is not yet fully present, they have succeeded on their mission to build God’s kingdom on earth. Jesus tells his followers that their names are written in heaven and they will be with God forever.

Questions for Deeper Reflection
• What are followers of Jesus called to do?
• Where can followers of Jesus find the strength to tell others the good news about Jesus?
• How can our actions show others that we follow Jesus?

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

Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Church Exists in order to Evangelize
Jesus Christ is the good news of God who proclaimed by his life, death and resurrection the presence of God’s kingdom. The Church continues to spread the good news of Jesus. The Church evangelizes by preaching, teaching, healing, and spreading the kingdom of God on earth.

As followers of Jesus we take on the mission of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the world. We continue the work of the first evangelists, to go out and teach, heal, and build the kingdom of God on earth.

• Who needs to hear the good news about Jesus?
• Why is faith in Jesus good news?
• In what ways can you evangelize?

The Gospel in Life
How can you share the good news about Jesus with a friend or family member this week?

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 22
Grade 4, chapter 21
Grade 5, chapter 10
Grade 6, chapter 14

Connecting to Faith First® Original Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 22
Grade 4, chapter 21
Grade 5, chapter 10
Grade 6, chapter 14