Encounter Christianity: To Change the World lesson plan 10

Lesson ten - pages 20-21 Transforming lives

Text from the book

Mother Teresa changed lives.
How can we change the lives of others?

Mother Teresa is one of the best-known Christians who transformed the lives of many through her actions. What was her motivation?

Learning objectives

Pupils will:

become familiar with some events in the life of Mother Teresa;
develop skills of research through ICT.

Bible reference

Matthew 5.38-45

Background

During her lifetime, Mother Teresa was referred to as a ‘living saint’. Already the Roman Catholic Church is moving to make her a saint. Why? Like many saints, Mother Teresa was single-minded and, no doubt, difficult to live with, but she wanted to ‘do something beautiful for God’. She created an order of nuns who worked with and for people in the depths of poverty. Mother Teresa did not claim to be perfect but she tried to put everything she had into loving God and her fellow human beings, particularly the poor.

Ways of using the pictures

Much is written about Mother Teresa. The class could make a collage of her sayings, together with photographs and a time-line.
Make a collection of people, known to the pupils, who are trying to make a difference.
Do the pupils agree that it is better to make mistakes in kindness rather than work miracles in unkindness?

Key words

Sacrifice
Motivation
Humility
Dedication
Determined
Commitment
Intervention
Support
Dignity

Activity

Search the web for information on Mother Teresa. What sort of person was she? Create a profile of her selecting pieces from some bibliographies.

In class reflect on ways in which we can give dignity to people, change their lives.

The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians 5.22-23 says there are fruits that form part of the Christian life. These are; love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Look up the meanings of the words. Which apply most closely to Mother Teresa?

Learning outcome

Pupils will:

be familiar with the life and qualities of Mother Teresa;
be aware of the importance of giving dignity to people;
have developed some critical faculties as applied to evaluating Christian values.

Extension work

Look up the definition of a saint in the dictionary. Write a letter to the Pope saying why you think Mother Teresa should/should not be made a saint.

Web sites

http://www.cnn.com
‘The other day I dreamed that I was at the gates of heaven....And St. Peter said, 'Go back to Earth, there are no slums up here.' These are the words of Mother Teresa, one person whose life had a profound impact upon the world. Another site dedicated to her is: http://www.galegroup.com

The lives of other influential Christians can be explored at the following sites:

Desmond Tutu: http://www.nobel.se/peace/laureates/1984/tutu-bio.html

Saint Francis of Assisi: http://www.travel.it/relig/saints/francis.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/earth/virtual/

What would you do if you ruled the world? Would you ban bloodsports, animal testing or cars? Each week the BBC’s web site is updated with new information on environmental issues and opinions of the famous. Pupils can fill in a survey or contribute their own opinions to the message board.

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