Treasuring Values Education in Everyday Life - Grade 7
Treasuring Values Education in Everyday Life - Grade 7
1. Scriptural Foundation
2. Discernment in Prayer
• Three Ds of Discernment:
• Discernment: Engage in prayerful reflection to choose the path that aligns with
the values of faith, hope, and love, ensuring that decisions made are consistent with one’s
spiritual journey and growth.
• Mother: Often the emotional backbone of the family, mothers offer support and
nurturing. They play a crucial role in nurturing faith through daily interactions, organizing family
prayers, and creating an environment where spiritual discussions are encouraged.
ce. By teaching children to value collaboration and mutual support, families can develop
stronger bonds and contribute positively to the community at large.
Lesson 2: Community and Family Prayer
1. Scriptural Foundation
• Galatians 6:1-10: In this passage, St. Paul emphasizes the importance of mutual
support among believers. He calls for persistence in doing good, reminding the community that
their actions have consequences and that they should bear one another’s burdens in faith. This
scripture promotes the idea that we are called to lift each other in faith and share in both joys
and sorrows.
• Definitions by Saints:
• St. Augustine: Described prayer as “pure love,” emphasizing its role as a heartfelt
communication with God. This understanding elevates prayer to a relational experience rather
than a mere ritual.
• St. John Damascene: Defined prayer as the act of “raising one’s mind and heart
to God,” illustrating the transformative nature of prayer that seeks to connect believers with the
divine.
• Purpose of Prayer:
• Establishes a personal connection with God, allowing individuals to express their
thoughts, hopes, and fears in a safe space.
• Strengthens community ties, as communal prayer fosters unity and a sense of
belonging among believers.
• Encourages spiritual growth by inviting God into daily life, leading to
transformation and greater understanding of one’s faith.
The act of prayer serves multiple purposes, reflecting its significance across various religious
and spiritual traditions:
• Connection with the Divine: Prayer is often seen as a means of establishing and
nurturing a relationship with a higher power, whether it’s God, the Universe, or any other
concept of the divine. It’s a way to communicate, seek guidance, and express gratitude.
• Seeking Guidance and Support: In times of uncertainty, distress, or decision-
making, prayer offers a channel to seek guidance and strength from something beyond oneself.
Many people turn to prayer for comfort and solace during challenging times.
• Self-Reflection and Introspection: Through prayer, individuals can engage in self-
reflection, examining their thoughts, feelings, and actions. It provides a space for introspection
and self-awareness, fostering personal growth and spiritual development.
• Gratitude and Appreciation: Prayer serves as a platform to express gratitude for
blessings, both big and small, in one’s life. It cultivates a mindset of appreciation and
acknowledgment of the goodness present in the world.
• Community and Unity: Prayer often takes place in communal settings, whether
it’s congregational worship or shared moments of devotion. It fosters a sense of unity and
solidarity among individuals who come together in prayer, reinforcing a shared faith or spiritual
connection.
• Cultural and Traditional Significance: In many cultures, prayer is deeply ingrained
in tradition and ritual, serving as a way to honor ancestors, mark significant milestones, and
uphold cultural identity. It provides a sense of continuity and connection to one’s heritage.
Overall, prayer fulfills a fundamental human need for spiritual connection, meaning-making, and
transcendence, offering individuals a sense of purpose, comfort, and guidance in navigating
life’s journey.
Here are some examples that relate to the various roles and significance of prayer in everyday
life:
• Example: A person might start their day with a few moments of prayer, setting
aside time to connect with God, ask for guidance, or express gratitude. This practice can create
a sense of purpose and calm, knowing they’ve reached out to a higher power.
• Explanation: By making time for prayer each day, individuals nurture a personal
relationship with the divine. This connection can provide a feeling of peace, stability, and
support, especially during difficult times.
• Example: Before making a big decision, such as choosing a new job or resolving
a family issue, someone may pray for wisdom and clarity. They may feel more confident
knowing they’ve sought guidance beyond their own understanding.
• Explanation: Prayer is often a source of strength, helping individuals feel less
alone in challenging moments. By asking for guidance, people can feel reassured and more
prepared to handle whatever comes their way.
• Example: At the end of the day, a person might pray and reflect on their actions,
considering whether they lived according to their values or treated others with kindness. They
might ask for help to improve in specific areas.
• Explanation: Prayer offers a structured time for self-reflection, allowing people to
think about their own actions and attitudes. This promotes self-awareness, helping individuals
grow and make conscious efforts to improve.
• Example: In Filipino culture, during Undas (All Saints’ Day), families pray
together at cemeteries to honor deceased relatives. This practice connects them to their
ancestors and reminds them of their heritage.
• Explanation: Many cultures have prayer traditions tied to their history, celebrating
milestones or commemorating important events. These practices help preserve cultural identity
and keep ancestral customs alive.
Overall:
Prayer serves as a means of spiritual fulfillment, offering comfort, meaning, and guidance in
life’s journey. By providing individuals and communities with a sense of purpose and
connection, prayer supports resilience and personal growth. Each of these examples illustrates
how prayer can deeply impact one’s inner life, relationships, and cultural roots.
4. The Saints and Their Lives
1. St. Teresa of Avila (October 15):
• Who She Was: St. Teresa was a 16th-century mystic and reformer of the
Carmelite order. She is known for her deep prayer life and her works on personal spirituality.
• Key Teachings: St. Teresa taught that prayer should be a deep, contemplative
connection with God, requiring mental focus and a genuine love for God.
• Relatable Lesson: St. Teresa’s life teaches the importance of focus and
persistence in developing one’s faith. In daily life, this can mean setting aside dedicated time for
personal reflection, prayer, or meditation, no matter how busy life gets. It encourages people to
pursue a strong spiritual foundation that helps in facing challenges.
• Who He Was: Known as the “Angelic Doctor,” St. Thomas Aquinas was a
philosopher and theologian who combined faith with reason. His works emphasize using
intellect to understand God and to live virtuously.
• Key Teachings: Aquinas believed that the pursuit of truth leads to God and that
faith and reason complement each other. He argued that a virtuous life, grounded in reason and
faith, aligns one closer to God.
• Relatable Lesson: St. Thomas encourages us to use our minds actively in
seeking truth and understanding our beliefs. In practical terms, this means not just accepting
things at face value but engaging in thoughtful reflection. For students, workers, or anyone
facing complex decisions, his teachings suggest that being informed and making choices
grounded in values can lead to personal integrity and fulfillment.
These saints offer valuable lessons in perseverance, prayer, and intellectual and spiritual
growth. By following their examples, individuals can learn to balance love, faith, and reason in
their own lives, developing virtues that help them and those around them.
5. Family Prayer and Mysteries of the Rosary
• Family Prayer: The practice of prayer within families enhances unity and spiritual
growth. It creates a sacred space for shared faith, where members can support one another and
grow together in their relationship with God. Family prayer can take various forms, including
prayer before meals, bedtime prayers, or dedicated time for reading scripture together.
• Mysteries of the Rosary: The Rosary is a traditional Catholic devotion that allows
families to meditate on key events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. The structured prayer format
fosters discipline and focus during prayer time, guiding families through meditations that instill
virtues of love, humility, and sacrifice.
• 1. The Annunciation: The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will
conceive the Son of God.
• Significance: This mystery highlights the theme of acceptance and trust in God’s
plan.
• Relatable Lesson: It encourages individuals to embrace life’s unexpected
changes and to have faith in their calling.
• 2. The Visitation: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the
Baptist.
• Significance: This mystery emphasizes the joy of sharing good news and
supporting one another.
• Relatable Lesson: It reflects the importance of community and service,
encouraging people to celebrate and uplift each other.
• 3. The Nativity: The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
• Significance: Celebrates the joy of new life and God’s love made manifest in the
world.
• Relatable Lesson: It teaches gratitude for family and the blessings of new
beginnings.
• 4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple: Mary and Joseph present Jesus to
the Lord, fulfilling Jewish law.
• Significance: Acknowledges the importance of tradition and the role of family in
faith.
• Relatable Lesson: It serves as a reminder to appreciate cultural and spiritual
traditions that shape one’s identity.
• 5. Finding Jesus in the Temple: Mary and Joseph find Jesus discussing with the
teachers in the Temple.
• Significance: Highlights the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding in
faith.
• Relatable Lesson: It encourages individuals to nurture their spiritual education
and seek deeper understanding of their beliefs.
• 1. The Agony in the Garden: Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane before
His arrest.
• Significance: Reflects the deep human emotion of fear and the struggle to accept
God’s will.
• Relatable Lesson: It encourages honesty in prayer and the importance of seeking
strength in difficult times.
• 2. The Scourging at the Pillar: Jesus is whipped and mocked.
• Significance: Represents suffering and the physical pain endured for humanity.
• Relatable Lesson: This mystery invites reflection on personal suffering and the
resilience that can emerge from it.
• 3. The Crowning with Thorns: Jesus is crowned with thorns, mocked as “King of
the Jews.”
• Significance: Highlights the humiliation Jesus faced and the contrast of earthly
power versus divine love.
• Relatable Lesson: It serves as a reminder to remain humble and compassionate,
especially toward those who suffer.
• 4. The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus carries His cross to Calvary.
• Significance: Emphasizes the burden of suffering and the weight of sin.
• Relatable Lesson: This mystery can inspire individuals to bear their own crosses
with grace and seek support from others.
• 5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus: Jesus is crucified and dies on the cross.
• Significance: The ultimate sacrifice for love and redemption.
• Relatable Lesson: Encourages reflection on the themes of sacrifice and love in
relationships and personal life.
Overall Reflection:
The Mysteries of the Rosary provide a structured way to meditate on significant events in the
lives of Jesus and Mary. Each mystery not only has spiritual significance but also offers practical
lessons that can be applied to everyday life. By reflecting on these mysteries, individuals can
deepen their faith, develop virtues, and enhance their understanding of personal and communal
values.
Lesson 3: I am a Prudent Person
1. Scriptural Foundation
Here are some relatable, everyday examples of how the Filipino family serves as a foundation
for values education, showing each key role in action:
1. Modeling Behavior:
• Example: If a child sees their parents being honest, such as returning extra
change they received by mistake, they learn to value honesty. This act demonstrates that doing
what is right, even when no one is watching, is an essential virtue.
• Explanation: By witnessing parents’ behavior, children understand honesty,
kindness, or perseverance in real-life contexts. This helps them absorb these values as part of
their own character.
2. Teaching and Guidance:
• Example: During a family discussion, a parent may talk about why it’s important
to help classmates who struggle in school rather than ignore them. This can lead to a
conversation on empathy and cooperation, allowing children to see the moral and social
reasons behind helping others.
• Explanation: Families often guide children in understanding right from wrong. By
discussing real-world scenarios, children learn how to handle ethical dilemmas with compassion
and integrity.
• Example: A parent might set a rule that children can’t use their phones during
meals so they can spend quality time as a family. This teaches them about the importance of
presence and attention, even in small interactions.
• Explanation: By setting boundaries like curfews, screen time limits, or daily
chores, parents help children learn responsibility, discipline, and respect for family time. Clear
expectations help kids understand the balance between freedom and accountability.
• Example: Parents might discuss news events at the dinner table, asking children
their opinions on social or environmental issues. They might ask questions like, “Why do you
think this happened?” or “What do you think would be a fair solution?”
• Explanation: These conversations encourage children to reflect on their values,
develop their opinions, and consider the broader impact of actions on society. Critical thinking
discussions help children understand the complexities of morality and foster a balanced
perspective on real-world issues.
These examples illustrate how the Filipino family, through everyday interactions, plays an
essential role in building values that support personal growth and contribute to society. Children
raised in such environments are more likely to carry these values forward, positively impacting
their communities.
• Meaning: The word “Madonna” comes from Italian, meaning “My Lady.” This title
often refers to depictions of Mary as the Mother of Jesus.
• Significance: The image of Our Lady of Madonna focuses on Mary’s role as a
mother and her nurturing qualities. It conveys maternal love, gentleness, and guidance.
• Meaning: This title is linked to Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, where the
Carmelite Order was founded. The Brown Scapular, a symbol of Mary’s protection, is
associated with this title.
• Significance: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel represents Mary’s guidance and protection
for those who seek her intercession. She is also connected to spiritual growth and the Carmelite
tradition of contemplative prayer.
• Meaning: This title refers to Mary being conceived without original sin, an
essential Catholic belief about her purity.
• Significance: The Immaculate Conception highlights Mary’s unique role in God’s
plan and her purity, making her a fitting mother for Jesus. She is the Patroness of the United
States.
• Meaning: Known as the “Queen of Cavite,” this title originates in Cavite City,
Philippines, where Mary is believed to have protected the city from pirate invasions.
• Significance: Our Lady of Porta Vaga represents Mary’s protection over
communities, particularly in times of danger. She is a source of local pride and devotion in
Cavite.
• Meaning: This title honors Mary’s promotion of the Rosary as a form of prayer
and meditation. It commemorates the Battle of Lepanto, where Christians triumphed against the
Ottoman Empire, attributed to the intercession of Mary through the Rosary.
• Significance: Our Lady of the Rosary emphasizes the power of prayer and Mary’s
role in interceding for peace. She invites the faithful to reflect on Christ’s life through the
mysteries of the Rosary.
Additional Titles
• Meaning: This title reflects Mary’s profound sorrow, particularly as she witnessed
the suffering and death of her son, Jesus.
• Significance: Our Lady of Sorrows is a source of comfort for those experiencing
grief or pain, as she is seen as a compassionate figure who understands suffering deeply.
• Meaning: This title is based on Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus, the King of
Heaven, acknowledging her exalted position in heaven.
• Significance: Queen of Heaven reflects Mary’s royal dignity and her role as an
intercessor for humanity, with devotion to her emphasizing her closeness to God.
• Meaning: This title portrays Mary as a guiding star for sailors and travelers.
• Significance: Stella Maris is often invoked by those traveling by sea or facing
difficult journeys, symbolizing Mary’s guidance and protection through life’s storms.
• Meaning: This title originated from an image of Mary that miraculously appeared
in Italy, providing comfort and advice to those seeking guidance.
• Significance: Our Lady of Good Counsel is considered a source of wisdom and
guidance, often prayed to by those making important life decisions.