If EGC Lesson 3 was not taught last year (2024-2025) the Formation Director/DRE should reach out to [email protected] to establish a plan of action with the EIM Office. We are here to help you!

Teaching Empowering God’s Children Lesson 4 - Secrets, Surprises, and Promises

This year (2025-2026), all grade levels will be taught Empowering God’s Children, Lesson 4. The Diocese of Austin prefers that this 1-hour lesson be taught within the first 3 weeks of the school/religious education year. The lesson leader script, lesson PowerPoint, and student workbook are found under Step 2 below and are grade-level specific. This training for children is a requirement within the Diocese of Austin.

Once a date is determined to teach this 1-hour lesson:

Step 1: Read over all materials.

• Read the Program Overview of the Teaching Safety – Empowering God’s Children Program.
• Read through the Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide.
• OPTIONAL: Request to be assigned and complete the Lesson Leader Orientation and Certification Module. This training teaches you what to do and how to react if a child discloses abuse.
  • Request this training by emailing [email protected].
• Review the lesson materials provided under Step 2. The general lessons (non-formatted) can be found on VIRTUS under the Children's Program Tab. 

• Click here to view pre-made lesson plans that include lesson leader scripts, PowerPoints, and workbooks for the kids. These materials can be edited or used as the Formation Director/DRE sees fit.
• This lesson is very customizable. If you would like help to format your lesson, please contact [email protected].

Step 3: Two weeks before the lesson, email the parents the following documents (can be printed if necessary):

• The Program Overview of the Teaching Safety – Empowering God’s Children Program.
• The Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide.
• The Lesson4 lesson materials that correlate to the child's grade level.
• Informational letter to parents (English & Spanish). 
• The Opt-out form. Formation Directors/DREs should download and edit the red parts of the provided Opt-Out Form prior to distributing it to parents. (English & Spanish Opt-Out Forms)
  • If parents choose to opt out of the lesson, please have them fill this form out and give it back to you. Please provide these parents with the applicable Lesson Materials for their child from the link in Step 2.
  • If parents choose to opt out, they are choosing to use the lesson plan and the Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide to teach their children Lesson 4 at home. Opting out does not mean a child does not learn the lesson that year, it means the parents would prefer to teach it themselves at home.
  • Please scan a copy of any opt-out forms and email them to [email protected] for our records. 
  • DREs/Formation Directors should keep records of the opt-out forms for at least three years.
• OPTIONAL: Let parents know that if they would like to be assigned the Lesson Leader Orientation and Certification Module, they are more than welcome to request it by emailing [email protected]. This lesson helps teach what to do if a child discloses abuse.

Step 4: Teach the 1-hour lesson to the children. Teaching this program helps children stay safer; thank you for your dedication to the well-being and safety of the children within our diocese.

• Give each catechist/in-classroom teacher the following form to fill out and turn into the Formation Director/DRE to ensure the number of children taught is properly recorded. Link: EGC Attendance Record Form

Step 5: Formation Directors/DREs - Record the training as soon as possible once Attendance Record Forms have been reviewed (see step 4 above). 

• Login to VIRTUS.org and go to the Children’s Program Tab.
• Click “Record Training” on the left.
• Click “Add a new training record.”
• Fill out the blanks accordingly.
  • 
• Click “Create Acknowledgement and Continue” and save the document within your records (either virtual or printed).
• Click “Record Training” (ensure the below screen shows after clicking Record Training to ensure the training record was saved correctly!)
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