St. Stephen
STEPHEN
Objectives:
- Know that Stephen was the first martyr.
- Know that a martyr is someone who dies for his belief in Jesus.
Possible Lesson Plan:
- Open with prayer.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
