In Home Religious Education 
October 2023
Theme: Jesua Called his Apostles, He also Calls Us
Online Session for October 22, 2023

Opening Prayer:

Prayer together the Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Catechesis:

Super hero movies and TV shows have changed a lot over the last fifteen years. When your parents and grandparents were growing up, super hero movies had room for one hero. Whether it was Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, or the Incredible Hulk, the world we saw in these movies had one hero. Sometimes Batman had Robin by his side, and even Batgirl, but the formula never changed. You only had one main hero per movie.

Flash forward to today, and think of how all that has changed. First came the X-Men movies. Then came the Marvel movies, a series of one-hero films that led to the assembling of the great super hero team, the Avengers! The CW network gave us the Legends of Tomorrow and team ups between Green Arrow and Flash. And now, at last, the Justice League of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and more has finally come together on screen.

It takes a major problem or a major threat to the world to bring these super hero teams together, but when they join up as one, they become an unstoppable force. Doesn’t matter if they’re fighting madmen from Earth, renegade robots, or aliens from outer space, when the team comes together, they will stop at nothing to save the world.

Saving the world is also why Jesus came to Earth. Like Superman, he traveled from far away. He was raised by Earthly parents, he had powers to do miracles, and he did something no human could have done when he died for our sins---he rose from the dead. Jesus did these things because he is God’s Son. He is the chosen one, the one God promised to send to save us. He alone saved the world. But here’s where it gets interesting. Before Jesus left Earth, he sent out a call. The call was for everyone who heard his message. It is a call to join him!

Jesus wants us to be saved from our sins. He wants us to make him his Savior. But that’s not all he wants. He wants us to join him in saving the world. Jesus did his part when he laid down his life for us. Now he wants us to do our part and tell the world about Him! Jesus spent three years traveling through Israel, preaching and performing miracles, but before he began this ministry, he chose twelve men to form a team. These were no super men by any means. Some were poor. Some may have been crooks before they met Jesus. They were all sinners, and they all had their own doubts and fears to overcome.

Read:

The Mission of the Twelve Apostles in the Gospel of Mark 3:13-19:

“He went up the mountain* and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed twelve [whom he also named apostles] that they might be with him* and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: [he appointed the twelve:] Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot party, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.”

Jesus hand chose his twelve apostles. The word “apostle” literally means “to send off”. Jesus knew that his time on earth was going to be short. He knew that he needed followers that would go off an continue to spread the news of God’s loving mercy; God’s grace; and God’s love. He chose men that would go off in the four directions of the world and spread his message of love. In spite of their imperfections, Jesus called them to join his team. He called Peter, a hot-blooded fisherman who would deny even knowing Jesus. He called Thomas, a strong and stubborn man who refused to believe Jesus had risen from the dead until he saw Him for himself. He chose Simon, a former political rebel; Matthew, a tax collector; and even Judas, who betrayed him.

Jesus isn’t looking for super powers. He’s looking for commitment. If you have a willing heart, like Peter and the gang, you too can be a follower of Christ. Jesus calls everyone to join his team. Are you willing to sign on?

Watch Together

For Grades 1-4

For Grades 5-10

Conclusion:

Some of you may be thinking to yourselves, “Wait a minute! I’m just a kid! I barely know Jesus. I can’t do anything without Mom and Dad’s okay! Does Jesus really want me on his team right now?”

Yes he does! Jesus can use you, even at your age, to be a witness to others. Jesus can use you to teach your friends, your siblings, even your teachers and parents about His love. Jesus needs kids who are willing to speak up for the Bible. He needs kids who are willing to love the kids no one else wants to love. He wants us to look for opportunities to serve others and then do it!

Don’t let your youth or inexperience keep you from joining God’s team. God isn’t looking for perfection. Jesus spent three years working on Peter, James, John, Andrew, and the others. They still didn’t get it, and none of them did understand fully until they went home to be with Jesus in Heaven. But they were willing to serve, and God used them to do great things.

Family Discussion:

Are you ready for some adventure? Are you ready to answer God’s call? Wherever you are, whatever you do in a week, God can use you right there to share his love with others.The invitation has been extended, and Jesus is waiting to hear from you.

Are you ready to join the Jesus League? What can you do? 

Closing Prayer:

Pray together The Apostles Creed

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

Challenge:

• How many of the twelve men Jesus picked to be His Apostles can you name without looking?

Questionnaire: 

Please make sure you submit your answers below so your child/ren can be marked present for this session. Thank you!