Unit 4: Jesus Gives Us the Gift of Himself
We are currently working on chapter 20.
Click on the headings for each chapter to find a printable study guide.
Click here for Christ our Life Family Resources - interactive review games for each chapter
Unit 4 At Home Edition
Unit 4 Goals:
Chapter 15 - Jesus Promised the Gift of Himself
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that Jesus gives himself to us under the appearances of bread and wine.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ describe bread as an important source of life.
✦ repeat the story of the multiplication of loaves.
✦ describe how Jesus promised us the Holy Eucharist.
✦ explain that Jesus comes in Holy Communion to help us follow him by glorifying God and serving others.
Words Your Child Should Know
✦ miracle
✦ Holy Communion
Key Term for Your Information
✦ Bread of Life— Jesus’ identification of himself in John 6:35
✦ Holy Communion—Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine given to us during the Mass
✦ living bread—the bread that is Jesus at Mass
Chapter 16 - We Celebrate God's Love
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that at the Eucharist, we offer Jesus and ourselves to the Father
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ describe the history of the Passover.
✦ explain that Jesus gave us the Eucharist and a new commandment at the Last Supper.
✦ describe the gift of the Eucharist as a sign of Christ’s love.
✦ describe that at Mass, we listen to God’s Word and offer ourselves with Jesus to God.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ Last Supper
✦ Passover
✦ sacrifice
Key Term for Your Information
✦ Egypt—country in northern Africa that held the Israelites slaves
✦ manna—special bread that God sent the Israelites while they were in the desert
✦ martyr—someone who died for Jesus
✦ Mass—the celebration established by Jesus at the Last Supper as a remembrance of his Death and Resurrection.
✦ Moses—leader of God’s people who led them to freedom ✦ Pharaoh—ruler of Egypt
Chapter 17 - Jesus Invites Us
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that at Mass, God’s family gathers to worship and give thanks.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ identify the roles of the community and the different ministries at Mass.
✦ describe the importance of participating in the communal prayers, listening, and singing at Mass.
✦ recite the response to the priest’s greeting.
✦ describe the Penitential Act.
✦ describe the Glory to God as a special prayer of praise.
✦ explain that the Collect Prayer petitions God on behalf of all people.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ altar
Key Term for Your Information
✦ deacon—an ordained man who reads the Gospel, gives the Homily, or helps in another way at Mass
✦ Lectionary—book of readings for the Mass
✦ Roman Missal—book that contains prayers and directives for the Mass
Chapter 18 - We Listen and Pray
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that God speaks to us in the Mass readings, and we respond with a prayer of faith and prayers of petition.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ explain the importance of listening to God’s Word at Mass.
✦ recite the responses from the Liturgy of the Word.
✦ describe the Creed as a statement of beliefs that all Catholics hold.
✦ explain that in the Prayer of the Faithful, we pray for the Church and world intentions.
✦ explain that Jesus wants us to ask for what we need.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ ambo
Key Term for Your Information
✦ believe—to accept something as true
✦ Bible—the Word of God
✦ Gospel—the life of Jesus as told in the Bible
✦ Homily—a talk after the Gospel at Mass in which the priest or deacon explains the readings and how to live God’s Word
✦ Prayer of the Faithful—petitions to God during Mass for the needs of the Church and the world
✦ truths—what is real and taught by the Church
Chapter 19 - We Prepare Our Gifts
Focus:In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that at the Eucharist, we offer ourselves to God and give praise and thanks.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ describe the symbolism of the presented gifts.
✦ describe the Mass as a banquet to praise and thank the Father.
✦ explain the purpose of the prayers of the Preface.
✦ identify wheat and grapes with bread and wine through making a picture.
✦ discuss the symbols of bread and wine.
✦ describe the vestments and articles the priest uses at Mass.
Key Term for Your Information
✦ banquet—a special meal
✦ Eucharist—the Mass; the word means “thanksgiving”
✦ Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts—the part of the Mass when the altar is prepared and the gifts are brought up
✦ vestment—special clothing that the priest wears during Mass
Chapter 20 - Jesus Offered Himself
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that at the words of the priest, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, who offers himself to the Father.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ explain the meaning of the first part of the Eucharistic Prayer.
✦ describe that the Mass is Jesus’ perfect sacrifice to the Father.
✦ explain that after the consecration, we pray to the Father.
✦ describe the Amen after the Concluding Doxology as assent to the offering of Jesus and ourselves.
✦ create a clay model of the bread and chalice used at Mass.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ Body and Blood of Christ
Key Term for Your Information
✦ consecrate—to transform bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass
✦ Eucharistic Prayer—the central part of the Mass, during which bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and he offers himself to the Father
✦ Amen—our response of assent or agreement to the sacrifice of Jesus during the Eucharist
✦ host—the sacred bread
✦ sacrifice—a gift offered to God
Chapter 21 - We Receive the Bread of Life
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that Jesus comes to us in Holy Communion and unites us with himself and with one another.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ explain that the prayers of the Communion rite make us aware of our union with Christ.
✦ explain how to prepare for Holy Communion.
✦ distinguish between eating food and eating the Bread of Life.
✦ describe how close Jesus is to us in Holy Communion.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ holy
Key Term for Your Information
✦ extraordinary minister of Holy Communion—person appointed to assist in distributing Holy Communion ✦ fasting—refraining from food and drink, except water, in preparation for receiving Communion
✦ Lamb of God—the prayer before Holy Communion in which we ask for mercy and peace
✦ Sign of Peace—a gesture of love and forgiveness that we extend to others during Mass
✦ unworthy—not ready for such an honor
Chapter 22 - We Share God's Love with Others
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that we live the Mass by loving and serving the Lord and one another.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ explain that Mass ends with Jesus’ call to go in peace.
✦ explain that God can help us make the best of difficult circumstances.
✦ suggest ways to overcome obstacles to loving and serving the Lord.
✦ review Chapters 15 through 22 on the Mass and Holy Communion.
✦ demonstrate his or her understanding of the concepts presented in Unit 4.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ Blessed Sacrament
✦ tabernacle
Click on the headings for each chapter to find a printable study guide.
Click here for Christ our Life Family Resources - interactive review games for each chapter
Unit 4 At Home Edition
Unit 4 Goals:
- The children will be familiar with the parts of the Mass and be able to join in.
- They will be prepared to receive their First Holy Communion.
Chapter 15 - Jesus Promised the Gift of Himself
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that Jesus gives himself to us under the appearances of bread and wine.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ describe bread as an important source of life.
✦ repeat the story of the multiplication of loaves.
✦ describe how Jesus promised us the Holy Eucharist.
✦ explain that Jesus comes in Holy Communion to help us follow him by glorifying God and serving others.
Words Your Child Should Know
✦ miracle
✦ Holy Communion
Key Term for Your Information
✦ Bread of Life— Jesus’ identification of himself in John 6:35
✦ Holy Communion—Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine given to us during the Mass
✦ living bread—the bread that is Jesus at Mass
Chapter 16 - We Celebrate God's Love
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that at the Eucharist, we offer Jesus and ourselves to the Father
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ describe the history of the Passover.
✦ explain that Jesus gave us the Eucharist and a new commandment at the Last Supper.
✦ describe the gift of the Eucharist as a sign of Christ’s love.
✦ describe that at Mass, we listen to God’s Word and offer ourselves with Jesus to God.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ Last Supper
✦ Passover
✦ sacrifice
Key Term for Your Information
✦ Egypt—country in northern Africa that held the Israelites slaves
✦ manna—special bread that God sent the Israelites while they were in the desert
✦ martyr—someone who died for Jesus
✦ Mass—the celebration established by Jesus at the Last Supper as a remembrance of his Death and Resurrection.
✦ Moses—leader of God’s people who led them to freedom ✦ Pharaoh—ruler of Egypt
Chapter 17 - Jesus Invites Us
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that at Mass, God’s family gathers to worship and give thanks.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ identify the roles of the community and the different ministries at Mass.
✦ describe the importance of participating in the communal prayers, listening, and singing at Mass.
✦ recite the response to the priest’s greeting.
✦ describe the Penitential Act.
✦ describe the Glory to God as a special prayer of praise.
✦ explain that the Collect Prayer petitions God on behalf of all people.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ altar
Key Term for Your Information
✦ deacon—an ordained man who reads the Gospel, gives the Homily, or helps in another way at Mass
✦ Lectionary—book of readings for the Mass
✦ Roman Missal—book that contains prayers and directives for the Mass
Chapter 18 - We Listen and Pray
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that God speaks to us in the Mass readings, and we respond with a prayer of faith and prayers of petition.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ explain the importance of listening to God’s Word at Mass.
✦ recite the responses from the Liturgy of the Word.
✦ describe the Creed as a statement of beliefs that all Catholics hold.
✦ explain that in the Prayer of the Faithful, we pray for the Church and world intentions.
✦ explain that Jesus wants us to ask for what we need.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ ambo
Key Term for Your Information
✦ believe—to accept something as true
✦ Bible—the Word of God
✦ Gospel—the life of Jesus as told in the Bible
✦ Homily—a talk after the Gospel at Mass in which the priest or deacon explains the readings and how to live God’s Word
✦ Prayer of the Faithful—petitions to God during Mass for the needs of the Church and the world
✦ truths—what is real and taught by the Church
Chapter 19 - We Prepare Our Gifts
Focus:In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that at the Eucharist, we offer ourselves to God and give praise and thanks.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ describe the symbolism of the presented gifts.
✦ describe the Mass as a banquet to praise and thank the Father.
✦ explain the purpose of the prayers of the Preface.
✦ identify wheat and grapes with bread and wine through making a picture.
✦ discuss the symbols of bread and wine.
✦ describe the vestments and articles the priest uses at Mass.
Key Term for Your Information
✦ banquet—a special meal
✦ Eucharist—the Mass; the word means “thanksgiving”
✦ Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts—the part of the Mass when the altar is prepared and the gifts are brought up
✦ vestment—special clothing that the priest wears during Mass
Chapter 20 - Jesus Offered Himself
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that at the words of the priest, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, who offers himself to the Father.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ explain the meaning of the first part of the Eucharistic Prayer.
✦ describe that the Mass is Jesus’ perfect sacrifice to the Father.
✦ explain that after the consecration, we pray to the Father.
✦ describe the Amen after the Concluding Doxology as assent to the offering of Jesus and ourselves.
✦ create a clay model of the bread and chalice used at Mass.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ Body and Blood of Christ
Key Term for Your Information
✦ consecrate—to transform bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass
✦ Eucharistic Prayer—the central part of the Mass, during which bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and he offers himself to the Father
✦ Amen—our response of assent or agreement to the sacrifice of Jesus during the Eucharist
✦ host—the sacred bread
✦ sacrifice—a gift offered to God
Chapter 21 - We Receive the Bread of Life
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that Jesus comes to us in Holy Communion and unites us with himself and with one another.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ explain that the prayers of the Communion rite make us aware of our union with Christ.
✦ explain how to prepare for Holy Communion.
✦ distinguish between eating food and eating the Bread of Life.
✦ describe how close Jesus is to us in Holy Communion.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ holy
Key Term for Your Information
✦ extraordinary minister of Holy Communion—person appointed to assist in distributing Holy Communion ✦ fasting—refraining from food and drink, except water, in preparation for receiving Communion
✦ Lamb of God—the prayer before Holy Communion in which we ask for mercy and peace
✦ Sign of Peace—a gesture of love and forgiveness that we extend to others during Mass
✦ unworthy—not ready for such an honor
Chapter 22 - We Share God's Love with Others
Focus: In this chapter, you will be helping your child to understand that we live the Mass by loving and serving the Lord and one another.
In this chapter, help your child to
✦ explain that Mass ends with Jesus’ call to go in peace.
✦ explain that God can help us make the best of difficult circumstances.
✦ suggest ways to overcome obstacles to loving and serving the Lord.
✦ review Chapters 15 through 22 on the Mass and Holy Communion.
✦ demonstrate his or her understanding of the concepts presented in Unit 4.
Word Your Child Should Know
✦ Blessed Sacrament
✦ tabernacle