Grade 2 Lesson 1

Grade 2 Lesson 1: You are Special

Learning Outcomes

Sanctity of Life

• G2.LO43 - Understand that human life is holy and precious.
• G2.LO44 - Explain that all people are made in the image and likeness of God.
• G2.LO45 - Understand that all life comes from God.

Textbook Lesson

• USA & Canada: Lesson 1 Textbook PDF
• UEA: Lesson 1 Textbook PDF

Expanding Thoughts on Lesson

• Made In His Image and Likeness
  • The Symbol of Faith:Man, The Orthodox Faith (Orthodox Church of America)
  • We Are Icons (Images) of God, Fr. Stavros Akrotirianakis (Orthodox Christian Network)

Lesson Resources

• Vocabulary
  • An "image" is a picture or a copy of something that looks exactly the same as what is being copied. It is like a photograph or a drawing that shows what something looks like.
  • "Likeness" means that something or someone is very similar to something else. It means they act or behave in almost the same way.
  • "Theosis" is when we try our best to be like Jesus and do what Jesus would do. It means becoming more and more like God and doing things that Jesus would do. Just like Jesus always loved everyone, even those who were different or didn't like Him, we can choose to do the right things to become like Him. It's like growing closer to God and becoming more like Him in our thoughts, words, and actions.
• Bible Stories
  • (Matthew 8:1-4) Jesus healed many people from their sickness. One day he even healed a man who had leprosy. Leprosy was a terrible skin disease that could make people very sick and disfigured. It was also contagious, so people were scared of going near those who had leprosy because they could catch it too. People who had leprosy had to stay away from everyone else in the community and live separately. However, Jesus had compassion for the leper who came to him, asking to be healed. Jesus went near him and even touched him, healing him of his disease.
  • (Matthew 19:13-14) One day, many children came to Jesus. The disciples saw the children with Jesus and told them to go away because they thought they were bothering him. But Jesus told the disciples to let them stay. He spent time with them because he loved them.

Connecting Materials

• Videos
  • Made for Goodness, Steven Christoforou (Be the Bee # 83, Y2AM, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)