Vocation Lesson Plan Elementary Grades 1-6

1. What is a Vocation? a. Everyone has a vocation. It’s your life’s call from God. It is our personal response to give back to God by using the gifts God gave us with an open heart. A Vocation is NOT a job; it is about a way of life. Your job or career is separate.   b. God calls each of us to one of these vocations in life i. Married Life – A call to a lifelong commitment of deep and shared love in union with another person. ii. iii. Single Life – To live out your life as a single person independently with a serving heart and energy.   Consecrated Life as a Sister or Nun – To dedicate your life to God and to follow Jesus through vows.     They live a prayerful life in community and in service to others. 2. Following Jesus through ministry and service a. Each community has a different ‘charism’ – a specific mission and gift to the church and world that meets a need.  Charisms reflect the Gospel or an aspect of Jesus.  Most often communities were formed because the founder had a profound experience.  Example: Josephine Potel founded the Sisters of Bon Secours after the French Revolution. Seeing that the sick did not have access to health care, she nursed them in their homes.  She spoke of God’s love because people could not practice their faith publicly. Ask students: What can a community contribute to the world? 3. Activity:  Copy the handout on the back for students.  Invite a sister to share her story.