The P.R.A.Y. Program
 

God and Family Final Review

 

These are questions that can aid the pastor in conducting a final review of the God and Family curriculum. Please do not ask all the questions. The intent of the final review is not to quiz or “stump” the child, but to dialogue with the child and help him or her express what she has learned. The questions below are to be used to discover what the child is eager to share with you. Find the questions that resonate with the child. The final review may be done with one child or with a group of children.

 

God and Family Student Curriculum 

God and Family is designed to help youth understand the importance of family and God’s role in a healthy family. They compared families and “pizza.”

 

1. Crust-Foundation – We are God’s Family

Every pizza needs a crust or foundation. Families need foundations, too. Students studied Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and the resurrection account in Matthew 28:1-10 to learn how families need to build their foundations on God and on God’s love.
    

· What’s a mezuzah? What passage is in your mezuzah? What does this verse mean to you?

· Tell me about the “draw-ma” that you drew on page 6. How do these faces tell the resurrection story?

· Explain John 3:16. How is this a “mini-story” about God’s love?

· What did you learn about foundations for your family? What did you write on your recipe card (page 7)?

· Show me the crust for your pizza. Tell me about it.

 

2. Sauce – Family Heritage, Spiritual Heritage

Every pizza has sauce (which has simmered over time). Like the sauce, a family’s heritage grows over time. A family’s heritage, especially its Christian heritage, is an important part of its identity. Students learned about Ruth (how she came to faith through marriage) and Jesus (how he was brought up in the faith from infancy on). Even though our faith journeys may differ, our faith in Christ is the same.

 

· What do you remember about Ruth?

· Explain the picture of yourself on page 10. Who is a part of you?

· What did Mary and Joseph do to bring up Jesus in the faith? What experiences are similar to yours? What experiences are different from yours?

· What did you learn about the importance of your spiritual heritage? What did you write on your recipe card (page 11)?

· Show me the sauce for your pizza. Read some of the names that make up your heritage.

 

3. Toppings – Our Talents and Gifts Strengthen Our Families

The toppings on a pizza make each pizza unique.  Like the toppings, the individual members of a family bring unique gifts and talents that strengthen and make their family special.  Students read about Moses and Aaron, two brothers with very different gifts, and Timothy, a young man with the gift of faith. Students were challenged to name their own gifts and the special gifts in each member of their family.

 

· How were Moses and Aaron different? How were they alike?

· Timothy had the gift of faith. What does this mean? Do you have the gift of faith? Who encourages you?

· What are the gifts that you and the members of your family have? Can you read some of the “toppings” that you put on your pizza?

· How did you summarize this lesson? What did you write on your recipe card (p. 15)? 

 

  4. Cheese – In God’s Family We’re Loved No Matter What! Because We’re Loved, We Follow Rules

The cheese on a pizza covers everything and holds it together. Families need to be held together, too. Christian rules and guidelines can help families relate to each other and live together as God’s family. Students read the story of Jesus lost in the temple and the parable of the prodigal son and discussed WHY we need rules. They were required to memorize the Ten Commandments.

 

· What did you learn about the story of Jesus lost in the temple?

· How do you try to be obedient and respectful to your parents?

· Did the father in the parable of the prodigal son surprise you by his actions? How does it make you feel to know that God loves you no matter what?

· Can you recite the 10 Commandments? Why do we have to obey them?

· What did you learn about rules? Read what you wrote on your recipe card (p. 20). 

 

5. Bake – Being in God’s Family Helps Us When Things Are Tough

When pizza comes out of a hot oven, it’s better than ever. Families can be like pizza: by relying on God, families can come through the heat of tough times and be even stronger. Students studied Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and Paul and Silas in prison, and were challenged to name the “faith tools” that can help their families in tough times.

 

· How did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survive the burning furnace? What faith tools did they have?

· Doing the right thing is often difficult to do. What happened to Paul and Silas in the jail? What did they do? What good came of their actions?

· Tell me some of the faith tools that you have or want to have (e.g. the Bible, Christian friends, Scout leaders, knowing that God loves me, God’s forgiveness, the Ten Commandments, knowing right from wrong, sharing our gifts with each other, etc.)

· Can you think of a tough time that turned out good?

· What did you write on your recipe card on page 25?

· What Bible verse did you choose to write on your oven mitt?

 

6. Eat, Share, Enjoy! – In God’s Family, We Share as a Response to God’s Love

Pizza tastes good: it nourishes our bodies and satisfies our hunger. Pizza is fun to share: everybody loves a pizza party. Families are like pizza: they need to provide spiritual nourishment for family members, and they need to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those around them. Students read about the feeding of the five thousand and the Great Commission to learn the importance of sharing God’s love with other people.

 

· The feeding of the 5,000 began with a boy who was willing to share his lunch. What are some of the things that you can share (what are some of the things that you wrote on your lunch sack on page 28)?

· What is the Great Commission? What does it mean to you? How can you share God’s love with others?

· Show me how you decorated your pizza box. 

 

Wrap Up 

    · What was your favorite family project?

    · Read your beginning statement on page 3. Compare it to your final statement on page 31. How have you grown in faith?

 

To the pastor: please add a personal comment to the young person on page 31 or 35 encouraging him or her to follow Joshua’s example: “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15b