The Our Father- teaching to little ones

myboysmommy · #1 Sep 25, '11, 9:47 pm

I have just started as a teacher's helper in my 6 yr olds religious education class and I'm bothered by something the teacher told the students. We were teaching the kids the Our Father and she told the kids that Mary taught this prayer to Jesus as a child. I know I'm new to religious education, but I'm fairly certain that Mary did not teach this to Jesus, that it was Jesus who taught it to the diciples. Can someone help me clarify- is this something taught to kids? If this is truly incorrect as I think it is, what should I do- I don't want to step on the teachers toes- I do have to work with her for the next year and she has been doing this for many years- I don't want to offend her but I also don't want the kids getting information that is incorrect!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

paperwight66 · #2 Sep 26, '11, 12:16 am

Well, I suppose ultimately we just don't know, as we weren't privileged to be there.

It is true that the sentiments expressed in the Lord's Prayer were already in various prayers used by the Jewish people - I read a very interesting article a long time ago, which pulled various phrases from Jewish prayers and writings already existing in the time of Jesus, and put them side by side with clauses of the Lord's Prayer.

But I understand your concern. Saying that Mary taught Jesus the Lord's Prayer would give the children the impression that as an adult, He was not the Great Teacher, just the Grear Pupil.

Hokomai · #3 Sep 26, '11, 2:43 am

As long as they don't say "Harold be thy name" it will be ok. Presumably Mary taught Jesus to talk, so has a hand in everything he said!

Te Deum · #4 Sep 26, '11, 2:52 am

I don't think one should be saying Our Lady taught Our Lord the Our Father.. if they want to teach the kiddies a prayer composed by Our Lady, you cannot go wrong with the Mangificant

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**puzzleannie** · #5 Sep 26, '11, 3:41 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by myboysmommy

I . We were teaching the kids the Our Father and she told the kids that Mary taught this prayer to Jesus as a child. I !

ask her about it, are you sure she did not say merely that Mary taught Jesus to pray? if she does insist gently explain why you disagree with her, and ask her to go with you to the DRE or pastor for enlightenment.

PJM · #6 Sep 26, '11, 1:51 pm

Quote:

=myboysmommy;8401260]I have just started as a teacher's helper in my 6 yr olds religious education class and I'm bothered by something the teacher told the students. We were teaching the kids the Our Father and she told the kids that Mary taught this prayer to Jesus as a child. I know I'm new to religious education, but I'm fairly certain that Mary did not teach this to Jesus, that it was Jesus who taught it to the diciples. Can someone help me clarify- is this something taught to kids? If this is truly incorrect as I think it is, what should I do- I don't want to step on the teachers toes- I do have to work with her for the next year and she has been doing this for many years- I don't want to offend her but I also don't want the kids getting information that is incorrect!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

The Teacher is WRONG; but it's not signifiant enough for "little ones" to make a difference. I suspect she was tying in [or trying to ] a moms role, as the kids would identify with the importance of that.

IF the occassion presents itself; you might ask her privately where she learned that as it was something you had not heard before. I would NOT make an issue of it; but GREAT job of paying attention.