Encounter Christianity: In Questions about Jesus lesson plan 1

Lesson one - The Nativity (pages 2-3)

Aims for the book

To introduce pupils to key events from the life of Jesus and the way in which these raise questions about the person of Jesus.
To enable pupils to understand the importance of these events at the time of Jesus.
To enable pupils to reflect on the relevance of these events for Christians today.
To encourage pupils to raise questions about these events in the light of their own experience.

Learning objectives

Pupils will;

reflect on the joy and wonderment of birth and creation;
understand that for Christians the birth of Jesus is hugely significant;
know that Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

Text from the book

Why should a great king be born in a stable?

Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem. His parents were Mary and Joseph. Christians believe Jesus was a great king. He was a Messiah who would bring about God’s will on earth. In the Bible, the Angel Gabriel appeared to the shepherds and told them that the Messiah had been born in a stable nearby.

Background

There are three accounts of Jesus’ birth in the Gospels. Two, in Luke and Matthew, are told in story form, although they are very different; the third, in John’s Gospel, is different again. All the stories, however, make the point that Jesus is the Messiah, the ‘Anointed One’; who, in the promise given to the Jews by God, will come to bring about the Kingdom of God, a rule of peace and justice. That was God’s promise and the angel, or messenger, appearing to the shepherds was telling them that the time had come and the promise was fulfilled.

Ways of using the picture

Talk with pupils about events surrounding a birth. What happens? How are the preparations made? Are there any family stories?
Some births take place in remarkable circumstances. Why should the Messiah be born in a stable? Discuss Beryl Cook’s painting.

Bible references

Matthew 1.18-2.23, Luke 2.1-20, John 1.1-15

Key Words

Greeting
Fun
Joy
Gift
Delight
Creation
Wonder
Special
Mood

Activity: The Joy of Creation

You will need

A collection of musical instruments

Art materials

Ask pupils to reflect on the picture and describe in sound (using musical instruments), colour (paint) and gesture (hand or body movements), the mood of the picture.

Ask pupils to explain why the mood might be so.

Explore the Christmas activities that fully catch this mood, such as some carols and songs, lights and decorations. Make a display of these ideas, in drawings, words and paintings. Biblical texts might be used from Luke’s gospel expressing the wonderment of this birth for Christians.

Learning outcomes

Pupils will;

have had opportunities to experience and respond to feelings about birth and creation;
be aware of the significance of the Christmas story for Christians.

Extension work

Explore the wonder of birth and the 'specialness' of individuals. Each pupil can do a hand print or a digital photograph with other pupils making positive comments about their specialness. Challenge the pupils to compile one about Jesus.

Reflect and wonder about the ‘nativity’ story. Why were the lowly shepherds the first to hear the news of the birth of Jesus?.

Web site links

http://www.britannica.com

Yet again this comprehensive site provides a range of useful articles and resources, in this case on the Nativity.

http://www.crewsnest.vispa.com/christmas.htm

The Crews' Nest web site looks at ways Christmas is celebrated around the world and includes jokes, Christmas cards and much more.

Other child-friendly Christmas sites include http://www.holidays.net/christmas/ and http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/Yahooligans/xmas (a detailed listing of other useful sites).

http://www.berylcook.com/
Beryl Cook's painting of the Nativity, used on this double page spread in the book, is an unusual subject matter for her. The web site, dedicated to her paintings, offers a biography and numerous products to purchase.

Other paintings can be viewed at http://www.art-network.co.uk/banca/coober/ . The web site http://www.horne.demon.co.uk/beryl.html includes thumbnail images with links to the sites containing the full size versions.

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