In this activity, pupils will consider the question ‘What motivates a Christian to love others? This will develop their understanding of Jesus’ commandment to ‘love God and your neighbour as yourself’ in Christian living. They do this by examining examples from the Gospels, including the parable of the Good Samaritan.
They will be able to answer questions about the example that Jesus showed in following these commandments, as it is recorded in the Bible, his role as a Saviour and servant to all mankind in Christian thinking. Pupils will investigate how this inspires Christians to follow Jesus, by interviewing a Christian leader e.g clergy or church member from the local church about how they participate in church life and share in loving other people in their local communities and overseas.
Understanding Christianity Links
| GOSPEL | Lower Key Stage 2 | Unit 2A.4 | What kind of world did Jesus want? | Click here for details. |
| KINGDOM OF GOD | Upper Key Stage 2 | Unit 2B.8 | What kind of king is Jesus? | Click here for details. |
SIAMS and Global Neighbours
Activities in this unit are designed to be adapted for use with any Diocesan Companion Link, to support schools in engaging with Global RE and Citizenship linked to SIAMS and Global Neighbours as well as Understanding Christianity
Key Questions
- What are the key beliefs in Christianity?
- What did Jesus say about rules?
- What motivates a Christian to love others?
Learning Objectives
- To understand the key beliefs in Christianity?
- To identify why Jesus is important to Christians today?
Starter
What are the key beliefs of Christianity? How many rules are there? (compare Judaism (366) and Islam(600+)
Place your bets – envelope on whiteboard. Guess how many?
N.B The Ten commandments are Old Testament(OT)– Old Mosaic Law pre Jesus. The Two commandments in the New Testament that Jesus quoted as being the rules of Christianity to guarantee eternal life, come from the Old Testament: Luke 10 v 25-28
Christians believe that Jesus said the two greatest of God’s commandments are: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as yourself’ . Jesus illustrated it with ‘The Parable of the Good Samaritan’ Luke 10 v 30-37 , which Christians believe is one example that they should follow. See the story illustrated in the windows of Chartres Cathedral.
Ask pupils if they had to have only two school rules, which would be the most important, ie make the greatest impact on people’s lives?
Main activity
A Christian believer is motivated to love God and love others because of the depth of divine love for people expressed in Jesus life and death on the cross, and the way it opens a spiritual path from despair to hope, from death to life.
What does it mean to believe in this salvation and follow Jesus teaching and example? How does it affect the worship, values and actions of a Christian believer?
Varied answers come from within the Christian community.
Invite a leader or representative from the local church to talk to the class about why Jesus is important to them and the difference that believing in Jesus makes to their life e.g. loving their neighbour in their street, local community or overseas.
How does the ‘Parable of the good Samaritan’ help them understand how to love others?
Point out how radical and counter cultural Jesus was eg. challenging religious leaders, healing on the Sabbath, eating with people from all walks of life. Students to ask questions to the visitor. If possible record these visits, with pupils as camera operators.
Plenary
Pupils re write the Parable of the Good Samaritan in a modern context, based on what the faith representative said about how the story could inspire people to follow Jesus example today. Pupils consider if anyone is as important to them, and discuss what makes a person matter to others in this kind of way.
Learning outcomes
- Identify the impact that believing Jesus is the saviour will have on a Christian’s life
- Ask important questions about religion and beliefs, making links between their own and other’s responses
- Describe what inspires and influences themselves and others
- Recognise where the two commandments come from and why Jesus mentioned these.
Resources and Points to note
- Two commandments for Christianity: Luke 10 v 25-28
- Resources to support background concept: ‘God so loved the world that he gave his son Jesus to die for the sins of the world:
- Narrated mime – man’s sin and Jesus’ salvation
- Useful Bible references: Gospel of John 3 v 16 ‘God so loved the world that he gave His son Jesus; Luke 10 v 30-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan’
