Making choices about how we show love
In this activity pupils explore how some choices believers make to love other people, for example through engaging in community or Charity work, reflect certain beliefs. They consider what motivates them to want to love people and the different ways we can show love to others.
Understanding Christianity Links
| GOSPEL | Key Stage 1 | Unit 1.4 | What is the Good news Jesus brings? | Click here for specific details |
| KINGDOM OF GOD | Upper Key Stage 2 | Unit 2B.8 | What kind of king is Jesus? | Click here for specific details |
| PEOPLE OF GOD | Upper Key Stage 2 | Unit 2B.3 | How can following God bring freedom and justice? | Click here for specific details |
SIAMS and Global Neighbours: This activity also supports schools in meeting criteria for Christian Aid’s Global Neighbours Accreditation Scheme
Key Questions
- How do some charities, as well as the act of giving to charity, follow the example of the Good Samaritan in loving your neighbour?
- How would you show love to your neighbour, following Jesus’ example?
Learning Objectives
To understand how building relationships with our neighbours and examples of social action are expressions of faith and worship
Starter
Making choices about how we show love
Recap the previous lesson.
Have an introductory debate: Sir Winifred Pilkington Stanley has died and left £1 million to go to the charity which best displays loving your neighbour?
Which charity do you think it the money should go to? (see previous lesson)
Main activity
If you were organising a campaign to love your neighbour following Jesus’ example, how would you show love to your neighbour? (Think back to the inspiring people in lesson 1.)
What straplines would you include in your poster to inspire and motivate people to take action, in making choices to love?
Ask pupils to think about the idea that Christians are inspired to love other people as part of their worship and love for God.
How might this be expressed in the lives of individual believers and their churches links with the local community?
Brain shower ways in which believers might organise activities to help people in the local community.
Plenary
Gather key questions to ask representative from the church community (next activity) about what motivates them to care for others and the difference their actions make to people’s lives.
Learning outcomes
- Identify similarities and differences in the way in which ‘Love your neighbour’ has been interpreted by churches and believers
- Describe what the different community initiatives show about the beliefs and values of Christians
Resources and Points to Note
- Water Aid
- Christian Aid
- Tearfund
- The Red Cross
- The Fairtrade Foundation
- The Trussell Trust Food banks
