Jesus the Storyteller
told parables to convey
his message about God, his
kingdom, and his love for the
poor and for sinners.
(CCC 543–546)
n The Bible is God’s Word.
The books of the Bible were
inspired by the Holy Spirit and
written down in human
words. (CCC 102, 105–110)
With many such parables he spoke the word to them as
they were able to understand it. Without parables he did
not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained
everything in private.
n Jesus
The Catechism affirms that God
is the author of the Bible. The
Church can be sure that it
teaches his saving truth without
error. (CCC 119, 136)
God’s word is an important
message; it inspires us and compels
us to action, including conversion
and confession. (See NDC, 27.)
BOOK
Psalm Twenty-Three. Ladwig, Tim
(illustrator). Eerdmans Books for Young
Readers. Illustrates the psalm with images
of an urban African-American family.
Catholic Bible Stories for Children.*
Ball, Ann with Will, Julianne M. Our
Sunday Visitor. Stories of witness,
worship, and tradition build on faith
formation.
Mark 4:33–34
A Great Storyteller
All the Gospels agree that much of Jesus’ public teaching took
the form of parables, brief stories about incidents of everyday
life that contained a profound religious message. Parable comes
from the Greek word parabolé, which conveys the idea of
putting two things side by side in order to compare them. Jesus
intended that his audience relate the parables to their own
experiences as members of the community that worshiped the
God of Israel. In the process, they were to discover surprising
truths about God, his love, and the demands that he made of
his people.
A Great Story
In the parable of the lost sheep, for example, Jesus compared
God to a shepherd who temporarily abandons the rest of the
flock to seek out the one sheep that has become lost. The
message is that, to God, every member of his flock is precious,
even those who have strayed farthest into sin. Jesus hoped his
parables would lead his hearers to faith, to
conversion of heart. No matter how many
times we read the parables or hear them
proclaimed, they are always new, because
through them, the voice of God addresses
each one of us directly.
Reflect How can you share the word
with others today?
*Available at www.osvcurriculum.com
Catechist Resources
For interactive lesson planner,
chapter resources, and activities
www.osvcurriculum.com
67A Chapter 6
067A_05RBL022_CU1385_CEP_U2C6.pdf
DIGITAL PASS
6/8/11 11:27 AM
TEACHING CHAPTER 6
FIRST Graders Say
Jesus as Storyteller
Learning Through Stories
The parables of Jesus are a literary form that is
particularly accessible to young children. First
­graders like to hear stories, and they appreciate a
good storyteller. They can relate to Jesus as a
storyteller.
Children are mature enough to practice active
reading and active listening. When asking children
questions about the stories, they become involved
in learning a new skill—story interpretation—that
requires them to listen carefully to the new stories
you tell them.
•Telling stories well is a gift; but if you are not a
natural storyteller, you can improve your
performance considerably by careful preparation.
•Try to tell the story, rather than simply read it.
Plan what tone of voice you will use for each
section of the story, and what you will emphasize.
•Now and then add a layer of interest by making
simple puppets or props for a story.
• I learn through stories.
• I learn the most from them when I hear
stories over and over again.
• I really like to be read to. I also like
retelling the stories I have
heard with gestures.
SUSTAINING YOUR SPIRIT
Marginality
Many who sustain a life committed to the good
of others can describe times in which they were
ignored or marginalized. As a catechist, you may
also feel marginalized. You may find that others
push you to the margins because of your values,
your convictions, your educational level, your
financial status, or even your geographic roots.
Marginality, that lonesome place of exclusion and
insignificance within a school or parish program,
does not have to hamper your ability to sustain the
spirit to teach. Resilient people have used occasional
experiences of marginalization to reexamine and
reaffirm their core values.
Reflect When have you been marginalized, and
has it helped or hindered your ability to sustain
the spirit to teach?
Lord Jesus, you taught how to love God your Father and
neighbor through your parables. Though the stories are
simple, they are not always easy to live by. Help me follow the
example you have given me. Amen.
Jesus the Storyteller 67B
067B_05RBL022_CU1385_CEP_U2C6.pdf
DIGITAL PASS
6/8/11 11:27 AM