Lesson twelve - Icon of the Ascension (pages 24-25)

Text from the book

What gives you confidence to do things on your own? The Bible tells that Jesus went to heaven. He promised his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them follow in his footsteps.

Learning Objectives

Pupils will:

• explore the Christian belief that Jesus promised to send his followers the Holy Spirit;
  
• know Christians believe that Jesus went to heaven 40 days after he rose from the dead;
  
• have reflected on the story of the Christian festival of Pentecost.

Background

Christians believe that Jesus was taken into heaven after he had risen from the dead and appeared to his disciples. By leaving his disciples, he gave them authority as well as responsibility to spread his teaching about him. He said he would send the Holy Spirit to give his disciples power and authority. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit ‘the Comforter’, which means that the spirit will urge his followers on, giving them guidance and strength. In the language of the Bible, ‘spirit’ can mean ‘breath’ or ‘wind’ or even ‘life’.

Ways of using the picture

• When do the pupils believe they were given responsibility to do things?
• How do the pupils think the disciples felt when Jesus left them?
• When Jesus went away, his disciples couldn’t lean on him in the same old way. Was this a good thing? Are the pupils left to do things for themselves? When do they ask for guidance?
• Think about why icons are described as ‘windows on heaven’.

Bible references

The Acts of the Apostles 1.6-11, Mark 16.19

Key words

• Ascension
• Holy Spirit
• Jesus
• Heaven
• Guidance
• Comforter
• Authority
• Responsibility

Activity

You will need

Large sheets of paper
Pens for drawing
A Children’s Bible

Begin by discussing promises.

What is a promise? Where do we keep it?

Why do we keep it? To whom do we make promises?

Read the account of the Ascension in the Acts of the Apostles 1. 6 –11.

Look at the picture in the book, what do the pupils think of the artist’s impression?

What did Jesus promise his disciples? When and how did he keep that promise?

Ask the pupils to be Bible detectives to find the answers to these questions in the story.

Tell the story of Pentecost in your own words; explore what the pupils think of this story.

The Holy Spirit is often called the "Helper", or "Comforter." What does the word ‘help’ mean?

Who helps or comforts the pupils? How? Who do the pupils help? How? They can discuss this in pairs.

The word ‘Comfort’ can mean ‘to urge forward’, or ’give courage and support’. Would this change the opinions of the pupils? Discuss with them who encourages them and urges them forward.

Christians believe that the Holy Spirit helps them to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Jesus was no longer with them so they had to ‘grow up’ and manage without seeing him everyday. They matured, took responsibility, became confident of what they had to do. How have the pupils ‘grown up’, or taken responsibility over the last few years? How do the pupils think that the Holy Spirit might help Christians?

Ask the pupils to write an account of Ascension Day and Pentecost from the point of view of a disciple who was there. They should include descriptions of feelings and how the Holy Spirit has helped them after Jesus had gone back to heaven.

Assessment opportunities

Pupils will have:

• identified the key aspects of the stories;
• used their imaginative and creative skills;
• demonstrated the ability to empathise.

Learning outcomes

Pupils will have:

• acquired knowledge of the stories of Ascension and Pentecost;
  
• developed an understanding of the concept of the Holy Spirit as the ‘helper’;
  
• explored key concepts in the Christian religion.

Extension work

Ask the pupils to write questions they would like to ask a Christian about who or what helps them to follow Jesus. Invite a Christian to school to respond to them.

Play some reflective music and read the story of Pentecost in The Acts of the Apostles. The pupils could then paint what they felt the music and the story says to them. They could write a poem using some of the key words in the shape of a flame.

Web site links

http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/orthodox-faith/worship/icons.html
'In the Orthodox Church the icons bear witness to the reality of God's presence with us in the mystery of faith. The icons are not just human pictures or visual aids to contemplation and prayer.' This site, from the Orthodox Church of America, includes an explanation of how icons are used in worship.

http://www.culham.ac.uk/Ascension/
A very detailed site about Ascension, including activities and links to further sites.
Further information on ascension can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/index.shtml

www.ethio-stmichael.org/ Visit/visit.html
Download other icons and images from the Orthodox church in Ethiopia.

© Alan Brown and Alison Seaman, 2002

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