Encounter Christianity: In Questions about Jesus lesson plan 7

Lesson seven - The widow’s coin (pages 14-15)

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;

recognise the value of gifts both great and small;
consider the value of the gift of love and giving one’s self when material gifts and money are not available.

Text from the book

What is the greatest gift you could give?

Jesus watched rich people giving gifts of money to the Temple. A poor widow came along and dropped in two small copper coins. This was all the money she had. Jesus pointed out that the widow had given more than the rich people, for she had given all she had to live on.

Giving

It’s easy to give
When there’s no loss to bear –
A book we have read,
A shirt we don’t wear –
But a game that we love?
That’s a gift hard to spare!

It’s easy to help
Anytime, anywhere
When it’s someone we love
And it’s fun to be there -
But a job that’s no fun?
That’s harder to share!

It’s easy to know
That a gift always starts
In the fine secret places
Of heads and of hearts;
Yet which of us gives
That which cannot be bought:
Peace and love to the world
Through the power of thought?

Background

Much of Jesus’ teaching is concerned with wealth and riches. The implication is that money can obscure the wealth of riches that will come to one who is obedient to God’s will. The widow gave everything she had to God. She held nothing back, unlike the wealthy who only give part of themselves. Jesus criticizes those people who pretend – the wealthy and some religious teachers. They are more concerned with themselves than with God.

Ways of using the picture

Discuss whether it is possible to give up everything.
In the story, what was Jesus really talking about? Was it just money or what is in one’s heart?
It can be easy to give ‘things’. What would be most difficult for the pupils to give, including feelings and emotions?
Read Judith Nicholls’ poem carefully. Encourage the pupils to write their own poem on ‘Giving things up’.

Bible references

Luke 21.1-4, Mark 12.41-44

Key words

Gift
Love
Forgiveness
Friendship
Money
Wealth
Possessions
Cost
Sacrifice

Activity

Discuss the poem with the pupils (enlarged for whole class/group use) and record their understanding of it.

Write down the children’s key phrases/words or times when the children have given something important away or gave their time supporting someone else.

Discuss the amount the poor widow gave and talk about this in relation to the pupils’ own pocket money. i.e. if a child had £1 and gave it all away to do good for someone else, they would be giving away 100%. The rich people in Jesus’ story did not give away 100%. Is it always possible to do that? Why not? Why is that impossible sometimes? When are people in a position that requires them to give of their all?

Discuss times that the children offer. Prompt with examples of

Parents of a sick child;
Brothers and sisters helping each other e.g. siblings who give their bone marrow to help save a life, and thereby putting their own lives at risk;
The story of Ruth and Naomi from the Bible;
Acts of sacrifice and bravery, e.g. Grace Darling (see in Journeys about Jesus pages 22-23)
The commitment of aid workers, such as Medecins Sans Frontiers or Christian Aid.

Discuss the event of Jesus’ death and that Christians believe that this was the ultimate sacrifice for their salvation.

Discuss the work of all emergency services; police, ambulance, fire rescue, life guard, nurses, doctors, rescue workers. Discuss the ways in which they are seen to sacrifice their lives for the good of others. List these on a white board as each key feature is raised by the children.

Learning outcomes

Pupils will;

know about the ‘gift of giving’ of ourselves, and of material gifts;
know about the Christian story of Jesus’ sacrifice, his death on the Cross and that others have given their lives to help others;
be aware of the ‘gift of giving’ of one's life in a different way, (such as a charity worker, or the work of the emergency services).

Extension work

Write a poem about what you would give to a needy friend/sick relative/sick animal/ unhappy school mate. The poem might reflect what you would do to help them and the ways in which you would give.

Write a short piece about loving someone and what you would give them.

Research the activities of aid workers who are 'in the front line'. This could be done on the internet or you could invite an aid worker into school.

Web site links

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/goldlinecoins/widowsmite1.html
Did you realise that the 'widow's mite' mentioned in the bible references was an actual coin? This web site gives some background detail on this coin (but you might not wish to purchase the replica that is mentioned!). Another site with information on the widow's mite is http://www.ctkcda.org/Widow's%20Mite.html.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/bluepeter/
The Blue Peter site regularly provides details, including games and events to support giving for a particular cause. The many main charity sites include Christian Aid at http://www.christianaid.org.uk/ . Their site includes a learning zone specifically for schools based at http://www.christianaid.org.uk/learn/schools/index.htm .

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