3rd Grade

“Made in His Image” is the theme for the 3rd-grade Sunday School as it reflects a core teaching of the Church that all individuals are created in the image and likeness of God. The lessons explore various aspects of Christian faith, teachings, and practices, emphasizing the importance of imitating Christ and growing spiritually to become more like Him. The title not only highlights the foundational belief in humanity’s inherent connection to God but also serves as a reminder of the purpose of our existence - to reflect His image through our thoughts, actions, and relationships.

Learning Outcomes

This list summarizes all the learning outcomes a child should know at the end of this Grade and at this age. For more information on this approach of "what a child should know?", we recommend reading "The Goals and Objectives of Education in the Orthodox Church", by Rev. Fr. Dr. Anton.

Final Judgment

G3.LO1 - Understand that Christ will come again (Second Coming). (Lesson 3)

G3.LO2 - Associate that when Christ comes again the Final Judgment occurs. (Lesson 3)

G3.LO3 - Explain that the Final Judgment is for the living and the departed. (Lesson 3)

G3.LO4 - Introduce that the Final Judgment is not a punishment but the consequence of our sinfulness and refusal to return to God. (Lesson 3)

Life after Death

G3.LO5 - Understand that death is our separation from this life and we continue to be alive with the God.

G3.LO6 - Recognize that the Christians who died are called the departed. Therefore, we pray for them so that we and they are praying together to be with God.

G3.LO7 - Understand that even after death the departed live because they have faith and so do we.

G3.LO8 - Learn the prayer: Oh! Merciful Lord, renew Your creation on the day of resurrection…

Holy Unction

G3.LO9 - Understand the Sacrament of Holy Unction. (Lesson 6)

G3.LO10 - Recognize the significance of the Oil of Anointing. (Lesson 6)

Presentation in the Temple (Ma'altho)

G3.LO11 - Tell the story of the Presentation of the Lord into the Temple. (Lesson 5)

G3.LO12 - Identify Saints Simeon, Anna, Mary and Joseph. (Lesson 5)

G3.LO13 - Explain the Temple and what it meant. (Lesson 5)

G3.LO14 - Know that Mayaltho is celebrated on February 2nd because it is 40 days after the Birth of Christ. (Lesson 5)

Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem (Ooshaino)

G3.LO15 - Understand that Hosanna and Palm Sunday are the same feast commemorating the entry of our Lord into Jerusalem.

G3.LO16 - Identify that Hosanna is the start of Holy Week.

G3.LO17 - Understand that Christ displays His humility when he rode on a donkey.

G3.LO18 - Define the word Ooshaino/Hosanna

G3.LO19 - Identify the significance of palm leaves/throwing flowers.

Passover (Pesaha)

G3.LO20 - Understand the story of Passover.

G3.LO21 - Know that the Passover falls on a Thursday.

G3.LO22 - Understand that the Passover was the Thursday before Good Friday and Feast of Holy Resurrection.

G3.LO23 - Identify the significance of the Feast of Passover to Holy Qurbana.

Great Friday (Arubtho Rabtho Dazqeephutho)

G3.LO24 - Explore the liturgy of Great Friday.

G3.LO25 - Listen to and learn some Hymns of Great Friday.

G3.LO26 - Express our submission and devotion by bowing before God and before the Holy Cross.

G3.LO27 - Learn the song in the Holy Week Kauma "Lok Mor Theshubahtho" "Glory to You Lord Glory".

Holy Saturday (Shabtho d'sbartho)

G3.LO28 - Identify that Holy Saturday is the day after Good Friday and before the Resurrection.

G3.LO29 - Understand that Holy Saturday is the day that Jesus went to Hades and preached to all the departed. (Lesson 4)

G3.LO30 - Recognize that this is a day when all the departed are remembered in the Church.

G3.LO31 - Explain why Holy Qurbana is celebrated on Holy Saturday.

Resurrection (Qyamtha)

G3.LO32 - Explain how Jesus defeated death by His death and Resurrection.

G3.LO33 - Connect the Incarnation (Christmas) to the Resurrection (Easter).

G3.LO34 - Understand that Jesus defeated death because He did not sin. (Lesson 4)

G3.LO35 - Understand parts of the Icon of the Resurrection.

Sin

G3.LO36 - Define Sin. (Lesson 2)

G3.LO37 - Illustrate why sin causes us to be in disunion with God and our neighbor. (Lesson 7)

Councils

G3.LO38 - Observe how we resolve disagreements in the church.

G3.LO39 - Discuss the role of a council, local and ecumenical in resolving issues in the Church.

G3.LO40 - Recognize the names of the councils of Nicea, Constantinople, and Ephesus.

Malankara Orthodox Church History

G3.LO41 - Know that St. Thomas came to India in AD 52 and established 8 churches. (Lesson 8)

G3.LO42 - Understand the Coonan Cross Oath. (Lesson 8)

G3.LO43 - Recognize that His Holiness the Catholicos (Bava Thirumeni) is successor to St. Thomas the Apostle. (Lesson 8)

G3.LO44 - Identify the saints of our Church.

Oriental Orthodox Church History

G3.LO45 - Introduce important fathers mentioned in the fifth (diptych) Thubden. (Lesson 1)

G3.LO46 - Name the members of the Oriental Orthodox family.

G3.LO47 - Understand that we are in communion with Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Holy Qurbana

G3.LO48 - Understand that Liturgy is the joyful "work of the people", and that together we prepare to join in communion with our Lord. (Lesson 1)

G3.LO49 - Model and practice the gestures of the Liturgy.

G3.LO50 - Understand the structure and order of the Liturgy.