By Susan Ciancio
Raising children who care about the well-being of siblings, classmates, friends, those who seem different, and even those they do not like takes effort, persistence, and a grounding in our Catholic faith. As parents, we want to raise our children to be compassionate, loving, generous, and so much more, but in today’s world, this can feel difficult to do.
That’s why CLSP is here to help, and it’s why we create lesson booklets to help our faith come alive.
Kids can learn valuable lessons by studying the Beatitudes—the specific lessons given by Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount. In this teaching, Jesus explains who is considered blessed, not necessarily here on earth but in heaven.
As we listen to the Beatitudes, we hear the following:
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
- Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
- Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
- Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When children learn about the Beatitudes and begin to actually live them, their actions will have a profound impact on those around them. That’s what it means to build a culture a life, where all people are valued and cherished.
One of our newest lesson booklets, entitled Living the Beatitudes, is an excellent resource for families of children in 3rd and 4th grade. Jesus’ words and teachings contradict the culture that our children live in—a culture that tells them that the most revered people are the beautiful, the popular, and the rich. But Jesus helps us see that those things don’t matter, as He speaks of the true value of people. When children understand this, they begin to respect people for who they are rather than what they can do. This is a vital pro-life teaching, and it forms children into future adults who care for and protect the vulnerable.
Think about how the Beatitudes can transform kids’ behaviors. Here are just a few ideas:
Learning about mercy helps build empathy.
This means kindness toward siblings and to those they may not like. It helps kids put themselves in the shoes of another who may be lonely or sad, who may feel left out, or who may have a disability, and it encourages them to treat people with kindness.
Learning about meekness actually builds strength.
Being meek doesn’t mean that our kids should be doormats. On the contrary, they learn that they can exhibit strength and assertiveness with love rather than aggression.
Learning how to foster peace creates children who know the difference between right and wrong.
In a world that wants to teach our kids relativism and that their “truth” is the only one that matters, this Beatitude explains that it’s Jesus’ truth—the real truth—that we must focus on.
Learning to be clean or pure of heart helps kids avoid inappropriate situations or language.
These impurities drive a wedge between them and Jesus, and teaching purity of heart fosters honesty and integrity.
Each Beatitude offers a crucial lesson for our developing children, and Living the Beatitudes makes it easier for you to have meaningful conversations with your children, to help strengthen your faith at home, to build trust, and to give your kids the tools they need to handle conflict at school, to see the beauty in all people, to value those who are not like them, and to learn forgiveness when they are hurt.
Learning and integrating these values will teach your children to value every person, speak with respect, choose compassion over anger, and protect the dignity of all people, even in small ways. Living the Beatitudes offers concrete ways for students to help others, reminds them that all people are created in the image and likeness of God, and teaches that all people deserve respect and love.
Throughout the pages of this booklet, children will learn that even when life may seem or feel difficult, Jesus walks with us, cares for us, and loves us. When families explore the Beatitudes together, they begin to shape a home where kindness is practiced, forgiveness is normal, and every person is valued.
Download this booklet today for half off. For a limited time, it’s just $3!