Page 11 - Lessons and Activities on the Bible

HONORING
THE HOLY BIBLE
Objective
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e children will learn ways to honor and love God’s word, in particular by enthroning the Bible.
Catechist Notes
e Jewish people, our spiritual ancestors, show great esteem for Scripture. Christian monks hon- ored the Bible by painstakingly copying it by hand, creating illuminated manuscripts. By reverently holding the Bible and reading from it in a slow, digni ed manner, you will instill in the children re- spect for God’s word.
Materials
□ An item that is special to you, such as
a picture of a loved one, a trophy, a homemade gift
□ A sample or picture of an illuminated Bible
□ A Bible with a page marker set at Matthew 7:24–27
□ A prayer table covered by cloth, and on it a crucifix, plant, candle, and matches (if allowed; otherwise use an electronic candle)
□ Music for the songs chosen for the enthronement
□ Copies of Activity Sheet 2
Activity
1 Show an item you cherish and tell why it means a lot to you. Explain how you give it special treat- ment: for example, by displaying it, placing a candle or owers in front of it, or setting it out on spe- cial occasions. en ask the children to name items they cherish and tell how they treat them.
2 Explain how Jewish people honor God’s word. ▪ In their places of worship, they keep
the scrolls of God’s word in a special
place in a container called an ark. ▪ On one of their holy days, they dance
with the scrolls of God’s word.
3 Show a sample of an illuminated Bible and com- ment:
▪ Before the printing press was invented, monks honored the Bible by spending years producing copies by hand. ey printed the words with decorative letters and added illustrations tinted with gold and silver.
Ask how the Bible is honored at Mass. ( e Book of the Gospels is carried in the entrance procession and then placed on the altar; it may be incensed; when the presider carries it to the lectern, servers may accompany him with candles; we stand for the gospel; after proclaiming the gospel, the priest or deacon kisses the book.)
5 State that we can honor the Bible by setting it in a special place during a prayer service called an enthronement. Pass out copies of Activity Sheet 2 and prepare the children for the ceremony:
▪ Choose a leader to carry the Bible at the head of the procession, place it on the table, bow, and say, “I praise you, God, for your holy word.”
▪ Choose a reader to read from the Bible (or the sheet).
▪ Designate sides 1 and 2.
▪ Explain that, in the prayer, God’s word
is also called the law and ordinances. ▪ Explain how the procession will go.
4
Light the candle and carry out the enthrone- ment. Encourage the children to hold an enthrone- ment at home.
Prayer
I praise you, God, for your kindness in giving us your word. May I always read the Bible with reverence and awe.
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Twenty-Third Publications Sample