Year 7 Bootcamp 2023

Welcome to the Faith, Love and Respect website! This is brand new for the new academic year, and is where you will find the form time prayer resources for each day. There are three activities each week, based on the idea of using our head, hearts and hands. They will focus on scripture and help us to understand more of the Bible and the lessons that can be found in it. Today we are going to have a slightly more detailed version of what you will be doing weekly, and you’ll be doing all three in one day rather than spread out.

DAY ONE – HEAD

On the first day, we think about our knowledge and what we can learn from the Bible. Each time, we will read a passage from the Bible and find out some more context as to where the passage comes from and what it means. Wherever the text is in bold, that means a student should read aloud and lead the reflection. Every time you lead a day’s prayer you will earn achievement points as a well done!

We begin our prayer this morning with the Sign of the Cross.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

This morning we are reading a passage from the book of Joshua. The book of Joshua is in the Old Testament, and picks up right after Moses has died, just before the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land. Moses had led these people out of slavery in Egypt, with the help of God, in order to reach a land where they would be free and have better lives (also known as The Promised Land). Today’s passage comes from the beginning of the book, and shows us God speaking to Joshua before he prepares to lead the people.

A reading from the book of Joshua

Just be determined, be confident; and make sure that you obey the whole Law that my servant Moses gave you. Do not neglect any part of it and you will succeed wherever you go. Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go.”

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Take a moment to talk to the person next to you. Why do you think that this passage has been chosen for us to read today? How does it relate to our situation on our first day at Trinity? Once you have shared your ideas in pairs, feedback together as a class.

We will now take a moment in quiet prayer, asking God to be with us just as He was with Joshua. Offer everything up to Him, and ask for His guidance and wisdom today.

Normally we would now finish with the Sign of the Cross, but as we are doing all of the activities at the same time, we are going to carry on and just make the Sign of the Cross at the end of all three!

Day 2 – Heart

On the second day, we take the knowledge from the scripture the day before, and we think about how it links to the world around us. Where does it sit in our hearts? What are the lessons that we can learn from it? We will also always start with a few quiz questions, to see what you can remember from the day before!

What was the name of the book in the Bible that yesterdays scripture was from?
Finish the line from the scripture: ‘Do not be…’
Was the scripture from the Old or New Testament?
Which people were being led to the Promised Land?

Now that we have reminded ourselves of the scripture, let us think more about the themes that we can draw from it. In the scripture, it talks about not being afraid, and says to remember that God is always with you. This might be something that you are familiar with, maybe you have grown up around faith and Church, or maybe religion is something that is new to you. But here’s a secret: God doesn’t mind where you are at in your faith journey, whether you believe in Him or not, he is still with you.

Starting at a new school is a nerve-wracking experience, whether you want to admit it or not! Taking a moment to remember that we are not alone can help to make us feel better and more calm. We are going to listen to a song called Don’t Be Afraid. During the song you may want to close your eyes or rest your head on the desk and listen carefully to the words. You might take this time to talk to God, and ask Him for some support. Whatever you do, use this time to realise that you are not alone.

Sometimes when we are afraid, it is useful to have things that we are familiar with, they help us to feel calmer and not as alone. In the Church, we often use the same prayers for the same reason. There are four prayers below, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be and our school prayer. Take a moment to read through them all in your heads, and then as a form choose one to pray out loud together.

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

To the Glory of God, we build our school on faith, love and respect. May our eyes focus on Christ’s cross, may our words witness to the Gospels, may our hearts offer forgiveness, and may our hands do your work, today and every day, Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for us.

Day 3 – Hands

On the third day, we think about putting the lessons that we have learnt into action! One way that we are going to do this is with a game. As a form, you need to line yourselves up in your classroom in alphabetical order by first name (e.g. Amy then Ben then Clara etc.). This will involve being brave and talking to one another, and not being afraid! There is a timer below, press start and then begin. Let us know how fast you were by commenting in the box afterwards.

Good work! We’re guessing anyway…hopefully you managed to get yourselves into alphabetical order. Well done for being brave and talking to each other. It’s not always easy to put yourselves out there, but small steps are a must if we are going to try.

Now we are going to think about God, and our relationship with Him. As we’ve said before, putting your faith into God can really help ease anxiety and worry. In the scripture that we read at the beginning, Joshua is being told to trust in God, and he goes on to do lots of things later in the book by trusting Him. We want you to take some time now to place your trust in God.

In your booklets, you have the piece of scripture that we have looked at, and some lines. Spend some time re-reading the scripture and thinking about what other things you might take from it. Once you have re-read it, we would like you to choose one of the two options below to write about:

Option One:

Write a letter to yourself at the end of Year 6. Tell them what your first day has been like so far, the people that you have met and the things you have done. Tell them how you are feeling, has that changed since you woke up this morning? Fill the lines with this letter to yourself, finishing with a positive message!

Option Two:

Write a letter to God. Tell Him how you are feeling, how your day has been so far, and perhaps ask Him to help guide you. Be open and honest with him, and tell him where you feel you might need Him to remind you not to be afraid. Finish with a positive message to God!