Restless Hearts · Week 4 · Grades 3–5
Guided Notes: St. Augustine
- Name
- Date
- Class
Follow along as your teacher presents. Fill in each section when its slide is on the screen.
St. Augustine
A clever boy in Africa
Augustine was born in the year 354 in blank 1, a town in North Africa. It was part of the Roman Empire.
His mother, blank 2, was a Christian who prayed every day. His father, Patricius, was not a Christian for most of his life.
Augustine was one of the best students in his school. But he did not follow his mother’s faith. He made selfish choices and looked for blank 3 in the wrong places.
Words to know
Write what each word means.
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Restless | Write your answer |
| Conversion | Write your answer |
| Baptism | Write your answer |
| Bishop | Write your answer |
| Doctor of the Church | Write your answer |
Tears, a garden and a new life
Augustine became a famous teacher and moved to blank 4. Monica followed him there. She prayed for him for many years and often cried for him.
In the city of blank 5, Augustine listened to a wise bishop named Ambrose. He began to see that the Christian faith was true.
One day in a garden, a child’s voice kept saying, “Take up and read,” so he opened the blank 6. At last he gave his heart to God.
Ambrose baptized him in 387. Later Augustine became the bishop of blank 7 in North Africa.
Quick check
What did Monica do for her son for many years? Circle one.
- A She paid for his school
- B She wrote books for him
- C She prayed for him
- D She hid the Bible from him
Restless or at rest?
Augustine learned that some things leave the heart restless. Sort each choice. Check one box for each.
| Item | Helps my heart rest | Leaves me restless |
|---|---|---|
| Saying a quiet prayer before bed | ||
| Watching one more video, then one more | ||
| Talking with my family at dinner | ||
| Checking a game every few minutes | ||
| Sitting still in church for a minute | ||
| Wanting what everyone else has online |
Quick check
What did Augustine do after hearing “Take up and read”? Circle one.
- A He opened the Bible
- B He wrote a long letter
- C He sailed back to Africa
- D He went to find his mother
Think, pair, share
Augustine prayed to God, “Our heart is restless until it rests in you.” When do screens make you feel restless? When do you feel most at peace?
Think: my idea before we talk
Sentence starters: “I feel restless when ...”“I feel most at peace when ...”“One way I could make quiet time for God is ...”
Pair: something my partner said
Let us pray
Lord, you made our hearts for you.
When we feel restless, help us turn to you.
St. Monica, pray for us.
St. Augustine, pray for us.
Amen.
My own prayer or intention:
Well done!
Augustine became one of the greatest teachers in the history of the Church. His feast day is August 28.
One thing I learned today:
One question I still have:
Challenge: Each day this week, spend two quiet minutes with God before you pick up a screen.