St. Stephen

STEPHEN

 

Objectives:

  1. Know that Stephen was the first martyr.
  2. Know that a martyr is someone who dies for his belief in Jesus.

 

Possible Lesson Plan:

  1. Open with prayer.

 

  1. Read the story in the CBR pp. 269-271 or Golden Children’s Bible, pages 466-467. Review here the definition of martyr and have each child say the word.

 

  1. Feed the Elephant True/False Questions:

True                                                     False

                 Stephen was the first martyr.                     Peter was the first martyr.

                 Stephen died by stoning.                           Stephen was crucified like Jesus.

                 A martyr is someone who dies for Jesus.   A martyr doesn’t believe in Jesus.

 

  1. Stephen was one of the first deacons. Peter and the other apostles chose seven men to help them in caring for the early Church. Say the word “deacon”. Talk about a deacon:  He is a priest’s helper.  He helps in the Divine Liturgy and helps the priest by visiting the sick, praying for people, etc.  Do we have a deacon?

 

Add St. Stephen to your timeline. 

 

5.   Make “Pet Rocks” to commemorate the stoning of Stephen: Go on a little hike around the churchyard. There are lots of rocks to select from. Be sure the children select paperweight size rocks – not tiny pebbles or boulders. Bring them back to class and wash and dry them. Paint with tempera paints and glue a piece of felt on the bottom. Write “Stephen, the first martyr” on the top of each rock with a magic marker.

 

6. Close with prayer: Lord help me to love you so much that, like Stephen, I would be willing to die for you.