1. True Greatness 24th September 2010
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
State the meaning of true greatness
Explain how:
the costs of discipleship are shown in true greatness
this teaching causes problems for some Christians today

2. Copy out the word ‘GREAT’
Copy out the word ‘GREAT’. Working in pairs come up with a quality, beginning with each letter of the word, that you would see in a truly ‘great’ person
G -
R -
E -
A -
T -
EXT: Can you think of anyone you know, or someone famous who has the qualities of a truly great person? Why are they so great?

3. Jesus’ ideas of true greatness are very different from some modern day ideas about true greatness. Use the key terms on Page 10 to define what Jesus means by the following: true greatness; and self sacrifice.

4. If you had to give up one thing which would it be?
Your luxuries
Your bed
Your social life
THERE IS SOMEONE WHO GAVE UP ALL OF THESE THINGS, DO YOU KNOW WHO IT WAS?
Choose one from the list above and explain the reasons for your choice
EXT: What would your life be like without any of them in your life?

5. Mother Teresa
On September 5th 1997, Mother Teresa died. All her life she had been inspired by Jesus' words 'Love one another as I have loved you.' These words are carved on her grave.
EXT: Christians think that Jesus showed his love for us by.....
How did Mother Teresa show true greatness?
Do you think Mother Teresa enjoyed her life?
What do you think Mother Teresa found hard in her life?

6. Let’s read about what Jesus said about true greatness – Page 10
Copy and complete: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be ______________________________ ” If you were going to explain to a younger person what Jesus meant when he said this, what would you tell them?
EXT: Why would some Christians find it hard to put into practice Jesus teaching? If the younger person asked you for a modern day example to help them understand how someone might put Jesus message into practice, what might you say?

7. Homework
‘There are lots of ways to serve other people, you don’t necessarily have to live like Mother Teresa’
Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
‘Religion in the news task’ – Find a newspaper article that is related to religion to stick up on our ‘Religion in the news’ board!
You are the first to do this, but it will be easy for you because the Pope has visited Great Britain so there will be lots of articles to choose from. At the beginning of the lesson next Monday, you will explain why you picked it and start the lesson with a thought or prayer related to the article.

8. Students discuss the parable of the tenants and explore the costs of discipleship shown in it (the work that Christians are expected to do, and the reward they expect to receive). Students write a speech as if they were giving a sermon to a group of new Christians, explaining what the parable means about Christian life today and what they should expect as Christians.
We must realize that the parables have layers...there is a surface layer and a deeper layer.