Introduction
Sign of the Cross
How are you, dear children?
October is over and a new month has just started. In which month are we now? We are during the month of November. On the 11th of November, we celebrate the feast of a saint who was a young boy like you, who used to attend school and obey all those who used to take care of him.
Show this image to the children
Short Questions with regard to the image
- Which of the persons is St Martin?
- What is he wearing?
- What colour is the cloak?
- What is he holding in his hand?
- What do you think he will be doing?
- What else can you see in the picture?
Video
Moral Message
Saint Martin teaches us to be at peace and to love everyone.
Maltese Traditional Song
Introduction
Let’s make the sign of the Cross
During the month of November, the church celebrates these three feasts.
- All Saints Day
- We remember the souls of our relatives who are resting in peace
- The famous feast of St Martin of Tours
Game – Find Your Saint
On their tablets, the students will search for a saint that starts with the same letter as their names.
Everyone, in turn, mention the saint they found. (It’s like the litany of Saints)
Saint Martin
Mime
After watching and listening to the relation of the story the students present a mime.
Student 1 – St Martin
Student 2 – The poor man
Student 3 – The narrator
Discussion – What does Saint Martin teach us?
In the end, the animator will deliver this message:
Wherever we are, and whatever we are doing, like St Martin who in a similar way as you was a boy and a student, he grew up, became a priest like me, and then a bishop. In all his roles, he loved Jesus by showing mercy to everyone, and through his weapon, a sword, what did he do? He changed it into a weapon of peace with the poor man.
Song
Time
30 minutes
Aim
To reflect that we find inner peace when we discover our Purpose in life.
Learning Outcomes
- The students understand the importance of silence, prayer, discernment, and spiritual guidance to find purpose in life in a world full of distractions.
- They understand that God walks with us in life and shows us His love in daily circumstances and with the people we meet.
- The students understand that when we experience God’s love we can choose to do good and love others as God has loved us.
Resources
Powerpoint, interactive whiteboard
Introduction
Step 1
(Slide 1-2) The animator starts by telling the students they are going to watch a video clip showing a short vox pop in which people of different ages and beliefs are asked this question: What is the purpose of life?
(Use subtitles in English so that the students can follow.
Show footage from 00:32-01:46 only)
Lesson development
Step 2
(Slide 3) The animator asks the students the following questions to get feedback from them.
- Which answer did you agree with? Why?
- Was there an answer you did not agree with? Why?
- How would you answer this question?
The animator encourages the students to write their answers to the question on the interactive whiteboard or on a large sheet of paper in the middle of the classroom. The students can also express themselves through drawing if they want to.
Step 3
(Slide 4) The animator then uses the pictures on this slide for discussion and feedback with the students. Some of the following questions may be used to encourage the students to express themselves.
- What can distract me from finding true purpose in life?
Lack of reflective moments, Constant activities/events, materialism, busy life, consumerism, digital technology, and social media, escape from silence.How can spiritual guidance and prayer help us find purpose?(Suggested answer: Understanding how God works in our life, interpreting God’s plan through everyday circumstances, our history, and the people in our life)
2. What makes life purposeful?
3. How can I discover God’s plan in everyday circumstances?
personal prayer and reflection, spiritual journaling, retreats, spiritual direction or companionship
Step 5
(Slide 5) The animator shows the students a short clip with the timeline of these projects and discuss his life briefly.
The animator uses the example of Bjorn Formosa to help the students reflect on people who found purpose in life by choosing to do good and encouraging others to do so as well. Out of a difficult situation, Bjorn saw God’s plan and used the circumstances to do good to others and encourage others to do good as well.
If the animator needs information about Bjorn Formosa and his projects the animator can use this website. https://www.darbjorn.com/ .
Step 6
(Slide 6) The animator uses the bible verse in slide 6 to make reflections about the purpose of life which God gives us.
(Slide 7)
Prayer
Oh God, you created me with a purpose, to experience your love and to love others as you have loved us. Help me to discover your plan for my life in the daily circumstances and events of my life. Amen.
 Arms Wide OpenIn this prayer space one thinks of people who deserve a warm welcome and to pray so one puts love and compassion into practice. |
 Be Still: ChapelIn the space just be. Be at peace in a place where one becomes aware of God. |
 Being BraveThis space is to help one think of the situation where bravery is needed and to ask God for courage. |
 Be MercifulIn connection with the Pope Francis’ visit to the Malta, in this Prayer Space one is asked to think about acts of love he/she can carry out in his/her life, and to thank God for his mercy towards him/her. |
Time
30 minutes
Aim
To reflect that we find inner peace when we discover our Purpose in life.
Learning Outcomes
- The students understand the importance of silence, prayer, discernment, and spiritual guidance to find purpose in life in a world full of distractions.
- They understand that God walks with us in life and shows us His love in daily circumstances and with the people we meet.
- The students understand that when we experience God’s love we can choose to do good and love others as God has loved us.
Resources
Powerpoint, interactive whiteboard
Introduction
Step 1
(Slide 1-2) The animator starts by telling the students they are going to watch a video clip showing a short vox pop in which people of different ages and beliefs are asked this question: What is the purpose of life?
(Use subtitles in English so that the students can follow.
Show footage from 00:32-01:46 only)
Lesson development
Step 2
(Slide 3) The animator asks the students the following questions to get feedback from them.
- Which answer did you agree with? Why?
- Was there an answer you did not agree with? Why?
- How would you answer this question?
The animator encourages the students to write their answers to the question on the interactive whiteboard or on a large sheet of paper in the middle of the classroom. The students can also express themselves through drawing if they want to.
Step 3
(Slide 4) The animator then uses the pictures on this slide for discussion and feedback with the students. Some of the following questions may be used to encourage the students to express themselves.
1. What can distract me from finding true purpose in life?
Lack of reflective moments, Constant activities/events, materialism, busy life, consumerism, digital technology, and social media, escape from silence.
2. How can spiritual guidance and prayer help us find purpose?
(Suggested answer: Understanding how God works in our life, interpreting God’s plan through everyday circumstances, our history, and the people in our life)
3. What makes life purposeful?
4. How can I discover God’s plan in everyday circumstances?
personal prayer and reflection, spiritual journaling, retreats, spiritual direction or companionship
Step 5
(Slide 5) The animator shows the students a short clip with the timeline of these projects and discuss his life briefly.
The animator uses the example of Bjorn Formosa to help the students reflect on people who found purpose in life by choosing to do good and encouraging others to do so as well. Out of a difficult situation, Bjorn saw God’s plan and used the circumstances to do good to others and encourage others to do good as well.
If the animator needs information about Bjorn Formosa and his projects the animator can use this website. https://www.darbjorn.com/ .
Step 6
(Slide 6) The animator uses the bible verse in slide 6 to make reflections about the purpose of life which God gives us.
(Slide 7)
Prayer
Oh God, you created me with a purpose, to experience your love and to love others as you have loved us. Help me to discover your plan for my life in the daily circumstances and events of my life. Amen.
Arms Wide OpenIn this prayer space one thinks of people who deserve a warm welcome and to pray so one puts love and compassion into practice. |
Be Still: ChapelIn the space just be. Be at peace in a place where one becomes aware of God. |
Being BraveThis space is to help one think of the situation where bravery is needed and to ask God for courage. |
Be MercifulIn connection with the Pope Francis’ visit to the Malta, in this Prayer Space one is asked to think about acts of love he/she can carry out in his/her life, and to thank God for his mercy towards him/her. |