My Orthodox Family
Introduction (Ages 13-17)
" For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother, and sister and mother. " - Matthew 12:50
My Orthodox Family , a parish-wide, self-study program, is designed to help us discover and develop ways we can continue to become living examples of Christ in our lives, while we help to build up society (i.e. “the world”). We are responsible for our behavior in all the communities and “families” in which we live: home, church, school, neighborhood, government, the environment, etc. Our coming together as a community in Christ is the essence of our faith. “The word church, as we remember, means a gathering or assembly of people specifically chosen and called apart to perform a particular task.” (Hopko, The Orthodox Faith II, Worship). No matter what our background, this is what binds us as Christians, and family members of His Holy Church.
The journey begins when Christians leave their homes and beds. They leave, indeed, their life in this present and concrete world, and whether they have to drive fifteen miles, or walk a few blocks, a sacramental act is already taking place, an act which is the very condition of everything else that is to happen. For they are now on their way to constitute the Church, or to be more exact, to be transformed into the Church of God. - Schmemann, For the Life of the World
As Orthodox Christians in America, we are a diverse mixture of peoples from throughout the world. Looking back on four or five generations, many of us can trace our families to immigrants from Greece, the Middle East, Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Siberia and the Far East. Traveling long distances, our ancestors established new families and communities on the North American continent. They discovered here the same Orthodox faith that Native Alaskans had adopted in 1794 from Russian Missionaries to America. In a little over 200 years, Orthodox parishes have populated North America with more than 4-5 million people!
Our parish communities today include many new people who have found their home in the Orthodox Church. They or their ancestors have come from a multitude of nations—Irish, Italian, English, Scandinavian and German cultures from Western and Northern Europe, as well as a mixture of traditional cultures from Africa, Asia, Mexico, and South America. We not only live in multicultural societies, but in multicultural parishes in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. As Orthodox Christians in America, spending time finding out who we are and where we want to go as an Orthodox community will help us see ourselves as a part of our local, regional, national, and world communities. Along with those roles comes responsibility. Every person within the parish community has a role to play; from the newly baptized, to the oldest. How we see ourselves and our role as a Family of God is critical to the survival of the parish, as well as the entire Church in this world.
As God’s children we are called to witness our faith. We are called to understand who we are as Orthodox Christians, and to bear witness to God with our families and friends by being good neighbors, reaching out to help others, and standing up and protecting those who are being mistreated, or are victims of discrimination or prejudice. We are also called to know and live our faith; to correct misconceptions and wrong information about our beliefs, as well as to respect people of other faiths.
Overall Objectives of the Unit
Throughout the duration of this FOCUS Unit, teachers will find it helpful to keep two main overarching objectives in mind:
- Identify ourselves as Orthodox people, bound together as a family in Christian Love.
- Understand that, as faithful Orthodox Christians, we must commit ourselves to His Commandment to love one another through acts of compassion and charity to all of God’s people.
Objectives are things which the students should be able to do as a result of the session. Keeping the two main obj,ectives in mind can help us, as teachers, focus on the important fact that our parishes were established for the purposes of worship, community, mission, and good works for each other, and for those in the world around us.
God made us His People through the sacraments of the Church. We became God’s Children in Baptism. He anointed us with the Holy Oil of Chrism and called us to be His People; to hear, understand, and proclaim His Word as God’s prophets; to protect and care for the world as His anointed Kings—clothed in the white garment of Holiness; and to offer up to Him everything we are and do as a holy gift and service, as gifts offered by priests. God calls us to restore the world as the Paradise He created for His people in the Garden. He calls us to everlasting life in His Kingdom. It is through life in the Church that we become His holy people who are called to do His work in this world!
How the Unit is Arranged
The unit is comprised of six sessions of about 45 minutes each. The first five deal with identity, self-study, and involvement within our parish; while the last focuses on our involvement within our communities. The suggested prayers are just that. Singing the Troparion of the parish is certainly appropriate as an opening prayer, with the closing being whatever hymn or prayer is your parish tradition for gatherings. Students at the youngest level should probably keep the same prayers throughout the sessions for consistency.
The lessons have been developed based on five age levels: ages 4-6, ages 7-9, ages 10-12, ages 13-17, and 18-older. Every age level has its own individual lesson plan. All the lesson plans contain the following parts:
- FOCUS Unit Title, Lesson Title & Age Level
- Lesson Objectives
The lesson objectives are the things measurable by the teacher. Through questions, discussion and activity participation teachers can measure whether students were able to fulfill these objectives. If they cannot, teachers will know that review or repetition may be necessary.
- Materials
Materials are the various items required to teach the lesson. These include items such as craft materials and classroom Bibles. - Resources
Resources are items the DCE has provided for use while teaching the lesson. These include printable icons, line drawings, handouts, liturgical texts, Bible stories, planning worksheets and many other kinds of professionally developed teacher resources to aide in teaching the lesson. The resources have been categorized into two groups: Required Resources and Supplemental Resources. Required resources are specifically referred to within the lesson plan. Supplemental resources are generally useful in gathering background information. Often, the supplemental resources will be links to external web sites and suggested books for the teacher to read. - Lesson Procedure
This is a step-by step outline of how the session should go. Please be aware that some lessons require advance preparation--read lessons, prepare for them, and think prayerfully about them well before you meet students in the classroom.
Every Family Has a Story (Ages 13-17)

Overview
Family is Love
- Every family’s story is different and each generation tells a different story about its ways of life, its joys, and its hardships.


Objectives
By the end of this Lesson, learners should be able to:- Recall and orally share their own family ancestry with stories, music, and traditions
- Draw/paste pictures of family members on a page in a unit scrapbook
- Write shared oral family stories and add to scrapbook
- Interview older parishioners to discover how they celebrated feasts in earlier times, what their church was like when they were children (either in North America or abroad), and how the parish interacted with the larger community
- Record these interviews by journal, audio, or video
- Begin a “Roots” Coffee Hour Project incorporating all above projects


Materials
- Handouts from Resource Section:
- Family Letter: My Orthodox Family
- “Roots” Oral History
- "Roots" Ancestor Map
- “Roots” Project and Coffee Hour
- Teaching Devices: Journaling
- Teaching Devices: Personal Value Inventory
- Interview forms for parish member interviews
- Construction paper (9” x 12”) with holes punched with 3-hole puncher
- White lined paper (8 ½” x 11”) with holes punched
- Glue sticks
- Pencils, pens, markers
- Paper hole punch
- Yarn cut into 6’ inch strips, three per student
- Large world map for “Roots” Ancestors Map
- Large foam board on which to mount world map
- Scissors
- Rulers
- Thin yarn or string in varying colors
- Thumbtacks
- Sewn-in notebooks for journals
- Video camera
- Audio tape recorder, if video not available
- Labels for names and captions in scrapbook and on journals
- Dates and times prearranged with and announced by pastor or placed in parish bulletin for students to interview parish members about Feast Day traditions.
- List of parishioners given by pastor
- Icon for prayer
- Materials sent in earlier by parents (see Resource Handout: Family Letter)
- Pictures of family members and photos of special occasions, holidays, vacations, baptism
- Ancestor story, family story, special occasion/holiday story
- Pictures of family members and photos of special occasions, holidays, vacations, baptism


Resources
Required Resources
- "Roots" Coffee Hour Parish Event (PDF)
- Ancestor Roots Map (PDF)
- My Orthodox Family - Family Letter (HTML)
- Oral History (HTML)
- Teaching Devices: Journaling (HTML)
- Teaching Devices: Personal Value Inventory (PDF)


Procedure
1 |
Opening Prayer |
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
2 |
Discussion Starter-Bridge |
|
3 |
Family Memories Scrapbook |
|
4 |
Oral History Project |
|
5 |
Journals |
Students may spend the last 5-10 minutes of each session writing their thoughts about what they have learned. For this study unit on our family and parish history and life, students may wish to use journaling as a way of recording things they want to remember about their history and church life. Students can decide if they want to share their journal entries or keep them confidential. Have the class set rules for these decisions and procedures and go over them so there is no mistake or misunderstanding. Review the Resource Handouts: Teaching Devices: Journalling and Teaching Devices: Personal Value Inventory |
6 |
Wrap-up |
As students are cleaning up and preparing for closing prayer, ask the following:
|
7 |
Closing Prayer |
O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; And by virtue of Thy cross, preserve Thy habitation. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |

Life Together as a Family (Ages 13-17)

Overview
Family Means Cooperation
- Family members need to work together on rules, daily tasks, good habits, and relationships to “make families work” as a unit.


Objectives
By the end of this Lesson, learners should be able to:- List and reflect upon the influences or people, both positive and negative, that provoke changes in our values, ethics and practices
- Explain why some of our behaviors become stronger and others weaker
- Relate the need for supportive relationships with persons holding like values to assist in the complex task of choosing directions and making the right choices
- Make connections between family and parish family by tracing the history of families who were the foundation of Orthodoxy in America
- Begin to research and construct a timeline of major events, families, and personalities important in the settlement and establishment of missions, churches, and monasteries of the Orthodox people in America
- Continue to interview older parishioners to discover how they celebrated feasts in earlier times, what their church was like when they were children (either in North America or abroad), and how the parish interacted with the larger community
- Record these interviews by journal, audio, or video
- Continue work on “Roots” Coffee Hour Project incorporating all above projects


Materials
- Sewn-in notebooks for journals
- Video camera
- Audio tape recorder, if video not available
- Labels for names and captions in scrapbook and on journals
- Interview forms for parish member interviews
- Butcher paper on a roll for time line.
- Markers with large tips
- Yardstick
- Copies of family pictures and churches to decorate time line
- Icon for prayer


Resources
Required Resources


Procedure
1 |
Opening Prayer |
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
2 |
Discussion Starter |
|
3 |
American Orthodox Timeline |
Materials:
Resources:
Note to the Teacher: Students may look up the events and use this as an ongoing project, or look at the time- line example given at the end of the session and discuss, add to or elaborate upon it. In the cooperative learning style, you may also divide students into several groups, each working on the “Roots” project and this activity. Again, this activity will probably take several sessions and can be an on-going project.
|
4 |
Oral History Project |
They will have two weeks to finish their interviews. Explain that interviews are to be conducted at an arranged time and place and they are to be present to carry out their interviews at that time. If this is not possible, try to arrange for them to conduct the interviews by phone, or place the interview sheets in a parish bulletin and ask that they be returned to the senior class by a pre-arranged date. Tell students they may NOT make arrangements to meet anyone outside of the parish setting without their parent’s and your knowledge! |
5 |
Journals |
Using notebook paper, if there is time answer some of the wrap-up questions as journal questions. Also see See Activity Handout: Journaling and Personal Value Inventory (Grades 9-10 only) |
6 |
Wrap-up |
As students are cleaning up and preparing for closing prayer, ask the following (Students may also journal responses, if time):
|
7 |
Closing Prayer |
O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; And by virtue of Thy cross, preserve Thy habitation. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |

God’s Story and God’s People (Ages 13-17)

Overview
God’s faithful family became God’s people
- When God created people, He created family. Some of God’s people were faithful; others turned away from God. God sent His Own Son, Jesus Christ, to bring His people back to Him. Jesus taught us to repent, turn away from evil, and change our lives. Jesus also shows us how to care, to love, and to help one another.


Objectives
By the end of this Lesson, learners should be able to:- Research in the Bible, events of Gods people from the New Testament, the story of Pentecost
- Prepare scripts for a breaking-news report
- Role-play events as an evening t.v. news report of a breaking-news event
- Videotape the news story for parish viewing during Roots Coffee Hour (optional)
- Determine that these events marked the beginning of the Christian Church and our new lives as the family of Jesus Christ.
- Connect the interviews and time lines researched with the lives changed by conversion during Pentecost.
- Recognize the importance of our love for each other as God's people, and recognize that the diversity of peoples who were gathered when the Holy Spirit came down upon them is similar to our parish experience
- Remaining Objectives--See Session 1 Collect and update interviews of parish members for Roots Project
- Continue recording and reporting parish family stories of ancestors. (RootsOral History)
- Continue work on Roots Map from interviews
- Continue planning the Roots Coffee Hour Project


Materials
- FlashPaper: “Roots” Ancestor Map and Family Memories
Album - FlashPaper: “Roots” Coffee Hour (Parish Event)
- Paper
- Bibles
- Pencils
- Glue stick
- Construction paper
- Copy machine
- Overhead projector
- Icon of Pentecost copied onto a transparency
- Thumb tacks/tape
- Family Memories scrapbook and materials (See Session 1)
- “Roots” Ancestors Map (See Session 1)
- Journals (See Session 1)
- Interview forms for parish member interviews (See Session 1)
- Icon for prayer


Procedure
1 |
Opening Prayer |
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
2 |
Discussion Starter-Bridge |
|
3 |
T.V. News Report |
In the Cooperative Learning Style, each student will be designated a position/task and will execute it in an organized and “cooperative” manner, working together with others as a unit. As each person is assigned, he or she should set about a plan and work it to completion.
|
4 |
"Roots" Ancestors Map |
|
5 |
Oral History Project |
Continue Interview of parishioners by collecting finished interviews and updating those in progress. They will have two weeks to finish their interviews. Explain that interviews are to be conducted at an arranged time and place and they are to be present to carry out their interviews at that time, or by phone. Tell students they may NOT make arrangements to meet anyone outside of the parish setting without their parent’s and your knowledge! |
6 |
Journals |
Have students label date and write about their reactions to their activities today. |
7 |
Wrap-up |
As students are cleaning up and preparing for closing prayer, ask the following:
|
8 |
Closing Prayer |
O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; And by virtue of Thy cross, preserve Thy habitation. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |

Members of God’s Family (Ages 13-17)

Overview
God's Holy Spirit Lives In Us
- After Jesus’ Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, He sent God’s Holy Spirit to live in us. We receive the Holy Spirit and become members of God’s family when we are baptized. As God’s children, we are called to live together as God’s own people. How did the early Christians become “living temples” of God? How do we celebrate the new life in Christ in our parishes today?


Objectives
By the end of this Lesson, learners should be able to:- Reflect upon events of Pentecost, and the actions of God's people following the descent of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:41-47)
- Discuss how St. Paul's words (Romans 12:1-21) relate to our interactions with people in our parish and community
- Choose one section of St. Paul's letter and respond to it
- Draw a poster, or create a mobile, an acrostic poem, and/or journal
- Compare St. Paul's words in Romans 12 with Acts 2:41-17
- Describe how St. Paul understands our life as Christians, both in the church and in our responsibilities to others in society
- Continue American Orthodox Timeline (See Session 2)
- Remaining objectives--See Session 1 and collect and update interviews of parish members for Roots Project
- Continue recording and reporting parish family stories of ancestors (Roots Oral History)
- Continue work on Roots Map from interviews
- Continue planning the Roots Coffee Hour Project


Materials
- FlashPaper: “Roots” Ancestor Map and Family Memories
Album - FlashPaper: “Roots” Coffee Hour (Parish Event)
- Paper
- Bibles
- Pencils
- Glue stick
- Construction paper
- Copy machine
- Overhead projector
- Icon of Pentecost copied onto a transparency
- Thumb tacks/tape
- Family Memories scrapbook and materials (See Session 1)
- “Roots” Ancestors Map (See Session 1)
- Journals (See Session 1)
- Interview forms for parish member interviews (See Session 1)
- Icon for prayer


Procedure
1 |
Opening Prayer |
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
2 |
Discussion Starter-Bridge |
|
3 |
T.V. News Report |
In the Cooperative Learning Style, each student will be designated a position/task and will execute in an organized and “cooperative” manner, working together as a unit. As each person is assigned, he or she should set about a plan and work it to completion.
|
4 | |
|
5 |
Oral History Project |
Continue Interview of parishioners by collecting finished interviews and updating those in progress. Students will have two weeks to finish their interviews. Explain that interviews are to be conducted at an arranged time and place and they are to be present to carry out their interviews at that time, or by phone. Tell students they may NOT make arrangements to meet anyone outside of the parish setting without their parent’s and your knowledge! |
6 |
Journals |
Have students label with the date and write about their reactions to their activities today. |
7 |
Wrap-up |
As students are cleaning up and preparing for closing prayer, ask the following: Students may also write responses in their journals (See above)
|
8 |
Closing Prayer |
O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; And by virtue of Thy cross, preserve Thy habitation. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |

Being an Orthodox Christian (Ages 13-17)

Overview
God Calls Us To Love All People
- Our “neighbor” is any person who stands before us at any given moment. How we are known, recognized, or accepted as Orthodox Christians is tempered by how we approach or respond to other people. The very word “Orthodox” tells us what or who we are as people: a truly (and/or) correctly believing, acting, and worshipping people of God.


Objectives
By the end of this Lesson, learners should be able to:- Discuss and recognize that being Christians and being Orthodox should not isolate us from neighbors or strangers who are not
- Describe what it means to be an Orthodox Christian in today's world and distinguish to what extent the Orthodox faith and practice shape identity
- Name problems that people might face and tell how their faith helps them deal with them
- Select one person from the parish interviews, or from the timeline study, and write about his or her life and contributions to the Orthodox faith, and Christianity
- From research, compose a news report and add to the news video, or compose as a journal entry
- Continue American Orthodox Timeline (See Session 2)
- Remaining objectives--See Session 1 Collect and finish interviews of parish members for Roots Project Finish recording and reporting parish family stories of ancestors
- (RootsOral History) Finish work on Roots Map from interviews Continue planning the Roots Coffee Hour Project


Materials
- “Roots” Ancestor Map and Family Memories
- Album
- “Roots” Coffee Hour (Parish Event)
- Large butcher/chart paper
- Bibles
- Markers
- Pencils
- Tape
- Lined paper
- Worksheets with research questions
- Video worksheet
- Family Memories scrapbook and materials (See Session 1)
- “Roots” Ancestors Map (See Session 1)
- Journals
- Chart paper
- Markers
- Video interviews with parishioners for “Roots” Project
- Video camera (if needed)
- Worksheets for research, Good Samaritan Parishioner, Video
- Interview forms for parish member interviews (See Session 1)
- Icon for prayer


Procedure
1 |
Opening Prayer |
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
2 |
Discussion Starter-Bridge |
|
3 |
Research |
The research and activities can be done in the Cooperative Learning Style. Each student will be designated a position/task and will execute it in an organized and “cooperative” manner, working together as a unit. As each person is assigned, they should set about a plan and work it to completion.
|
4 | |
|
5 |
Roots Ancestors Map |
|
6 |
Oral History Project |
|
7 |
Wrap-up |
As students are cleaning up and preparing for closing prayer, ask the following:
(Have chart/butcher paper with questions and answers tacked to a wall or bulletin board.) What did today’s Gospel accounts show us? (Answers should reflect student understanding of love, call to use our talents, judgment) How do the writings we researched today and the Good Samaritan parishioners we talked about help us to overcome the difficulties of taking that first step? (Answers should reflect insight into how people should strive to live as the early Christians did, showing that oneness of mind and fullness of heart, loving and helping one another. We should not be afraid to stand up for what is right, and side and align ourselves with those who are shown to be righteous. We should begin to look around us and help those in need when we come in contact with them, as this is what we are called to do as Orthodox Christians, if we are to live the life we have been taught.) |
8 |
Closing Prayer |
O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; And by virtue of Thy cross, preserve Thy habitation. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |

The Work of God’s People (Ages 13-17)

Overview
Following God in Our Lives
- We are accountable to God for our lives and the lives of those around us. This determines the manner in which we govern ourselves and relate to others in society. As faithful Orthodox Christians, we reveal our commitment to God through our steadfastness, integrity, compassion, and responsibility for and to all God’s people. Community involvement is an important part of witness, mission, and outreach.


Objectives
By the end of this Lesson, learners should be able to:- Identify community involvement as the primary means of evangelization and true Christian spirit, as preached by Our Lord, Jesus Christ
- Discuss our accountability as Orthodox Christians to this community involvement
- Assess how many peers regularly participate in parish and community activities: i.e. choir, church school, service in the altar, outreach activities, food bank, church and community social or sporting events, visitations with the elderly, sick, etc.
- Plan and organize an ongoing community service program (for at least several weeks or for several visits) to help senior citizens in the parish or neighborhood, in ways that would make life easier for them
- Within the parish family volunteer to help: serve coffee, assist those with physical handicaps, watch children during parish events, or volunteer a few hours a week at an existing social service agency, local Council of Churches, or charity
- Work in a cooperative manner, sharing tasks and information
- Utilize the internet (optional) for ideas
- Remaining objectives--See Session 1 Finish planning the Roots Coffee Hour Project


Materials
- Large butcher/chart paper
- Bibles
- Markers
- Pencils
- Tape
- Lined paper
- Worksheets with research questions
- Computer and internet access (optional)
- Family Memories scrapbook and materials (See Session 1)
- “Roots” Ancestors Map (See Session 1)
- Journals
- Marker
- Materials to finish projects for “Roots Coffee Hour” (See Session 1)
- Icon for prayer


Procedure
1 |
Opening Prayer |
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
2 |
Discussion Starter-Bridge |
Begin by asking the following: Who can tell about one of the Gospel readings we researched last week? Let’s review from our notes and video from last week:
Let’s get our materials together and begin. |
3 |
Research |
The research and activities can be done in the Cooperative Learning Style. Each student will be designated a position/task and will execute them in an organized and “cooperative” manner, working together as a unit. As each person is assigned, they should set about a plan and work it to completion.
|
4 |
Journals |
5 |
"Roots" |
Students spend time finishing up all aspects of their Roots Coffee Hour Project:
1. Roots Map The Roots Coffee Hour should take place within the coming weeks. Extra sessions for planning should take place accordingly. |
6 |
Wrap-up |
As students are cleaning up and preparing for closing prayer, ask the following:
|
7 |
Closing Prayer |
O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. |
