Christianity - Y5 - CONCEPTS WE FIND HARD (Spring 2)
Christianity - WHICH CONCEPTS DO WE FIND HARD TO UNDERSTAND IN CHRISTIANITY?
How are the concepts of sin and forgiveness developed in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe?
If time watch ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’ before this lesson.
Who has ever seen / read the ‘Lion, the witch and the wardrobe’? Who can tell us the basic story? We are going to watch some clips from it today to help us to understand some of the concepts which we will be covering over the next few weeks.
Aslan (Christ) has willingly humiliated himself and died for the sons of Adam (specifically Edmund) whom sin and death (the White Witch) have a right to take due to the “deep magic” (the Law) of Narnia. But Aslan rises again (resurrection), accompanied by an earthquake and discovered by two girls (the two Marys’). His resurrection destroys the power of the deep magic over mankind (nailing humanity’s sins to the cross). Aslan then goes on to breathe life into his warriors (the Holy Spirit coming on all disciples) so that they may wage war with him against the White Witch and her armies (spiritual warfare). Aslan ultimately wins, bringing in a re-created world (new heavens and earth).
Let’s look in particular about why Aslan died? What parallels are there between this and what Christians belief? What did Aslan dying achieve? What did Jesus dying achieve? What does the term ‘died for our sins’ mean, indeed what is sin? How was Aslan’s relationship with Edmund when they met again? How did Aslan’s death make Narnia better?
Quotes on forgiveness to be discussed in more detail with your adult.
Then be off home as quick as you can," said the Faun, "and – c-can you ever forgive me for what I meant to do?"
"Why, of course I can," said Lucy, shaking him heartily by the hand. "And I do hope you won't get into dreadful trouble on my account." (2.57-58)
Lucy is ready and willing to forgive anyone who is genuinely sorry. Mr. Tumnus feels the need to apologise for a transgression he hasn't even committed!
Both Edmund and Mr Tumnus make mistakes but are forgiven by others. How does this make them better people? Who helped this change to happen?
Let’s have a look at some Bible quotes about sin and forgiveness. Discuss in your groups what you think these mean and give me an example in your own words.
When we repent of our sins, Christ will forgive Christians, and they need not fear the condemnation they deserve.
(Matthew 20:25–28; 28:1–10; John 20:11–18; Romans 6:20–23; 8:1–11; Hebrews 9:11–15; 1 John 3:8)
Remember a time when you have wanted forgiveness. What did you do, how did it affect people, who did you want forgiveness from, how did you feel afterwards?
Finally what other stories in the Bible are involving sin and what happened. ( some examples are Adam and Eve, Noah, Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery etc.)
Can you act it with a partner/teddy for the teacher to try and guess.
What examples can you use to explain the concept of the Trinity to others?
How many different things are you, for example Mrs. Harrison-Smith - I am a mother, a friend, a sister, a teacher etc.
Can we go around the circle saying a way to describe ourselves?
I am a ….. I wonder how would you describe each other?
Today we are exploring how Christians view God.
I wonder how you can describe God....List ten words to describe God.
We are also looking at a concept called the Trinity.
I wonder what does ‘Tri’ mean?
This means three parts of one God, but to make it even more tricky, each of those parts is one whole, not just a third. These whole parts are called God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is very confusing, even for Christians as the Trinity is not 3 Gods joined into one, three people joined into one or even three parts of one God.
Look at some symbols and paintings to represent the trinity. Split the class into three teams and give them ten minutes to research God the Father, God the Son or God the Holy Spirit by searching for the Trinity.
Make a Trinity pyramid and decorate the three faces with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Decorate with key words or texts which you can find. The baseless pyramid is a good format.
God is a community or a team of three persons how could you show that in still movement?
So, who understands the Trinity? Don’t worry if you can’t, I can’t and the world would be a very boring place if we understood everything in it!
Can I describe the concepts of Saviour, Messiah and Emmanuel?
If you were God and could come to earth to sort some problems out;
- What would you look like?
- Where would you live?
- Who would you have as friends?
- What would your job be?
- How would you choose to communicate?
- Why did you come?
Pick two of the above and write or draw your answer on your wipe board, then discuss with your table group. So, do Christians believe God came to Earth? What happened? Can you answer the same questions about Jesus?
Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, but also God himself. Ask children to revise previous week’s session on the trinity with a buzz partner. Christians believe that to find out about God, you look to Jesus. Jesus is described as;
- The Christ
- The Saviour
- The King
- The Messiah
- God made flesh
- The Lamb of God
- Emmanuel (God with us)
Where in the Bible do we find out about the incarnation? Bring round to the Christmas story. Remind the children about the word ‘virgin’ in Christmas Carols like silent night. What does this mean? Why does it make this baby special? Review work on Holy Spirit and Immaculate Conception. Why is it important for Christians to believe that Jesus is God’s son, not Joseph’s Son? This whole story is seen as ‘Good News’, why?
Response. Complete a wordle about the Incarnation and decorate
https://www.truetube.co.uk/film/marys-lullaby
If time to follow up in a music lesson then look at Pentatonix’s Mary Did You Know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE
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Christianity Which concepts do we find hard to understand in Christianity? |
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1 |
How are the concepts of sin and forgiveness developed in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe? |
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2 |
What examples can you use to explain the concept of the Trinity to others? |
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3 |
Can I describe the concepts of Saviour, Messiah and Emmanuel? |
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4 |
How are the Stations of the Cross used as an aid to prayer and reflection? |
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5 |
How would you explain the resurrection to others? What is your view on the resurrection? |
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6 |
Is Salvation a gift? |