48 - The Icons In The Church

References
Genesis 8:21, Psalm 141:2, Jeremiah 44:21, Revelation 5:8 & 8:3.

Notes for Servants
- If we want our childrento respect the churchand learnhowto behave init, we must set ourselves
as a model for them by coming early to the services, bowing before the sanctuary, praying before
the saints' icons ... etc.
- Also we should stand for the prayers in the proper way, and not to leave the church during the
service.

Objectives

General: The importance of the Icons, candles and incense in our church.

Specific:
The children will be able to
A. know the censer and why Abouna is using it.
B. know the use of the Icons in our church.
C. know the use of the candles.

Bible Verse

" Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense. "

(Psalm 141:2)

Teaching Aids
1. Some Icons.
2. Censer, incense, coal.

Instruction
(1) Review last week's lesson.
(2) Who remembers the verse?
(3) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week.
(4) Servant should train the children on the church system and the meaning of everythingwe have
in the church, that they may feel joy coming to the church and know the value of being in it.
(5) Servant should train the children on how to entre the church quietly, how to bow before the
Alter, howto kissthe Icons and how to get back to their places quietly with the complete respect

for the house of God.
(6) Servant should encourage the children to prepare a prayer corner in their rooms at home.
(7) Teacher should prepare the appropriate questions to emphasize the objectives during the
lesson.
Lesson Application
+ The Icons inthe churchmake usimagine the look ofthe saints and to remind us about them, their
lives, their good deeds, and their end that we myfollowtheir stepsto join them in the Kingdom of
God.
+ Censer is a symbol of Saint Mary who carried God the Son (Christ) in her womb.
+ Incense is one of the favourite things for God, and our faithful prayers is like a sweet smell of
incense before him.
+ Candles is a wayofhonouring the saints and reminding us that they where the light of the world
in their times.
+ Candlesis also expressing how those saints sacrifice there life like burning candle to light for us
and keep the faith.
+ There is a special prayers to consecrate the Icons and the other tools used in the church, this
prayer is held by the Pop or by a bishop who will anoint the Iconwiththe HolyOil(Miron). After
the prayer is completed the Iconbecome holy like any part inthe churchwhichshould be honoured
and respected.

Discussion
1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity.

Learning Activities
Activity Sheet.