Lesson 3: The Honest Heart: Lessons from Jesus on Truthfulness

Grade 5
Sena, John Randulf R.
Lagos, Earl Justin M.
BSA 2
 Lesson 3: The Honest Heart: Lessons from Jesus on Truthfulness
Grade 5

Objectives: After the discussion, the students are expected to learn the following:
Cognitive: Understand that Mary is a model of honesty.
Behavior: Be a faithful Disciple in the Family of God.
Psychomotor: Ask Mary for help to help us be honest, who is a Disciple in the Family of God.

Phase I: Life Situation

Importance: Be honest or truthful

Activity: Storytelling
“The Honest Woodcutter”
Once, there lived a woodcutter, Ramu, who lived a very simple life. He was poor but he was a
good man and worked hard. One day while chopping down a branch, Ramu’s axe slipped and
fell into the adjacent river. He tried searching for his axe but all in vain.
He sat down by the river bank and started weeping. Hearing his cries, an angel appeared and
promised to help him find his axe. She dove into the water and retrieved an axe completely made
of gold. Ramu said that this wasn’t his axe and refused to accept it. The angel dove again and
returned with a silver axe, Ramu refused again and said that his axe was made of steel. The angel
went into the water for one last time and returned with Ramu’s axe. Elated, Ramu thanked the
angel profusely.
Impressed by his simplicity and honesty, the angel decides to give Ramu the gold and silver axe
too. Ramu went home happily.
After the story-telling is done, the children will be asked if they really listened and understood
something.
Who are the characters in the story?
 Ramu
 Angel

What happened to Ramu’s axe?

 It fell into the river
Who helped Ramu getting his axe?
 The angel po
What did the angel did to Ramu?
 Ramu was tested by the angel if he would take gold or silver axes than his original steel
axe
Is it right to lie for better reward?
 It is not right to lie for better reward
What should you tell the angel if you were Ramu?
 To tell the truth to the angel that it does not belong to you and not expect rewards.

Phase II: Value

What do you see in the pictures?

 People looking at other people's papers.
 They are taking an exam.
Do you think, which of these two pictures shows honesty?
 The one on the left.
Why do you think the picture on the right does not show honesty?
 Because he was hiding answers for the examination in his hand.
Which of these two shows honesty?
 The picture on the right
How did you say that?
 Because he told the truth that he ate the cake.
 Great! The picture on the left does not show honesty because it shows who is at fault.

After you see these pictures, I have some questions to ask you:
Who should you be honest to?
 To my parents.
 To my friends.
 To my brothers.
 For the elderly.
Well done! These are some of the people we should be honest with.
Do you think we should only be honest when someone is around and looking at us?
 No, that's not right; honesty must be shown everywhere and at all times. Just because no
one can see us doesn't mean we can't be honest.
Do you know who we emulate when it comes to honesty?
 It's Jesus.
And, do you think, who taught Jesus honesty?
 None other than his mother, Maria.
Being honest with someone is a good behavior that we should learn and practice. It strengthens
your trust and relationship with that person. It is not always easy to be honest.
There are things that make it difficult and prevent us from being honest with others. We will
think that it is only a small thing and will not affect others too much. But is this what Mary wants
for us? Do you think he will be happy if we are not honest with each other? No! Because, like a
mother, He wants us to be good. He wants us to be faithful, like he was faithful to the Lord when
he brought Jesus as a person.

Phase III: Christian Message

A. Word of God
Luke 1:26-38 The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town
in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.
The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly
favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will
conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be
called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33
and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth
your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to
conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the
angel left her.
Question and Answer regarding the Word of God:

 Based on the story that we read, who are the characters in the story? Maria, Gabriel the
angel
 Where did God send Gabriel the angel? In Nazareth, a city of Galilee
 Who did Mary agree to Mary? It is Jose
 What will be the name of the person Mary is carrying? Jesus
 Was Mary scared? Yes, she was scared at first. But her faith in God remained strong
because she knows that He would not let anything bad happen to her.
 Describe the behavior that Mary has. Mary is a faithful disciple of God in a way that she
was ready to be His instrument. Mary has a strong conviction and great trust in God’s
plans and actions for her.

B. Church Teaching

Moral
Being a faithful disciple of God's family is important in every person's life. By being faithful to
the Lord, we will deepen our relationship with Him. In life, there are times when we lose or
weaken our belief and trust in the Lord. Just like in the story that was read, Maria was afraid and
confused about the future but God was there to cure their fears. But, the only one who will feel
relief is the one who trusts in the highest. There are times when we doubt Him but if we are only
honest with Him, we will better understand why we had to go through such trials. By being
faithful to God, we gain more strength and he strengthens us because we can ask Him for help.
Being faithful to God is a very important thing to deepen our relationship with Him and better
understand His plans for our lives.

Doctrine
Mary was a faithful and trusting disciple of God. God's word wants to convey that we obey, be
faithful and trust in his plans so that we do not lose our way. We must be honest with God that
we are struggling and he will not abandon us. According to the reading, Mary was confused and
afraid of what God would grant her because it seemed impossible. However, God is there to
bring good news to Mary and when she trusts God that Mary does not have to fear it but God
will guide Mary even in the impossible. Mary is one of the most amazing examples of true
disciples of God in her strong commitment to trust in the highest. Let us imitate Mary. Let's be
honest and trust not only God, but the people around us because we are brothers in God's eyes.
Let's be honest with our parents because they serve as God's main instrument to bring us
comfort.

Worship
Ave Maria or Hail Mary is a prayer that came from the Archangel Gabriel's greeting to Mary on
the Good News and Elizabeth's greeting on the arrival of the Virgin Mary in their household.
Here is the passage from the Bible where the Archangel Gabriel greeted Mary in the dream: The
angel approached the girl and greeted her, "Rejoice! You are well pleased with God. The Lord is
with you! (Luke 1:28 MBB) And here is the verse where Elizabeth greeted Mary. She cried out
in joy, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is that which you carry in your womb!"
(Luke 1:42 MBB) This prayer is also part of the rosary. In the prayer "Hail, Lord Mary", Mary is
not recognized or considered "male" rather, it is only "acknowledging" her status as a "holy".
Through this prayer, we are asking Mary for help to guide us on the right path because there is
no one who can be more righteous than her. We call Mary because we want to be like her who is
a faithful disciple of God's family

C. Witnessing to Faith and Life

Saint Philip Neri

Saint Philip Neri, an Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, lived in the
16th century. He is often remembered for his joyful spirit, humility, and sincerity. While he may
not be specifically designated as the patron saint of honesty, his life exemplified virtues such as
transparency, simplicity, and truthfulness. Saint Philip Neri was renowned for his sense of humor
and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His honesty and
straightforwardness, coupled with a deep spiritual insight, endeared him to many. His approach
to life reflected a commitment to truth and authenticity. It's important to note that while saints
may embody virtues such as honesty, humility, and integrity, the Catholic Church often
designates specific patron saints for various causes, professions, or situations. If you are looking
for a saint associated with honesty in a more direct manner, you might want to explore the lives
of other saints and their virtues.

PHASE IV: Faith Response

BELIEF: Who is our role model for honesty?

 Jesus.
 Mary

RESPONSE: How can you be a faithful disciple of God's family?

Jesus is the only one I will believe in and worship.
I will obey and respect my parents.
I will be helpful and kind to my neighbor.
I will do and follow the Ten Commandments of God.

FAITH: There will be some silence. Children will be encouraged to pray the provided prayer
*sign of the cross*
Father, You are the Source of all truth and wisdom, I come before You now seeking Your
guidance and direction.
I ask that You lead me into all truth, that I may know You more fully and follow You more
closely.
I confess that I often fall short in my pursuit of truth, relying on my own understanding and the
wisdom of this world.
Forgive me for my pride and our lack of trust in Your divine wisdom and guidance.
I ask that You would open my eyes to see the truth, to discern the lies and deceptions that
surround me, and to be filled with Your light and Your truth.
Help me to live a life that honors and pleases You and to be a faithful witness to Your truth in all
that I do.
I pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who is the way, the truth, and the
life.
Amen.