Christian Beliefs Forgiveness

Today’s Learning Intentions I can describe Christian beliefs about forgiveness I can reflect on my own views about forgiving people What are our success criteria?

Class Discussion When was the last time you had to forgive someone? Who were they and what did they do?

Class Discussion Is forgiving difficult or easy? Why? Does it make a difference who the person is?

The Parable of the Lost Son This is a very well known parable that you’ve probably heard before. However, we are going to try and find something ‘new’ in this story. At the end of the lesson, you’ll be asked for one ‘new’ thing you have found in this story. If it’s the first time you’ve heard it, then this will be easy!

Listen and read along to the story. We will stop at different points as we go through it. Vocabulary you will need for the story: Parable ‘share of the estate’ Compassion Fattened calf Listen Read

Jesus went on to say: ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” So he divided his property between them. ‘Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

STOP! What would happen if you asked your parents for half of their money, so you could run away to live however you wanted? Discuss in Pairs

After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the food that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. ‘When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” So he got up and went to his father.

STOP! Imagine you were the son. How do you think he felt at this point in his life? Imagine you are the parent – how do you think you would respond if your son came back to you like this? Discuss in Pairs

‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms round him and kissed him. ‘The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” ‘But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.

STOP! How do you feel about the way the father reacted? Angry? Happy? Surprised? Something else? Why do you feel that way? Discuss in Pairs

‘Meanwhile, the elder son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. “Your brother has come,” he replied, “and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.” ‘The elder brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your money on wild living comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!”

‘“My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”’

STOP! What do you think about the way the older son responds to what has happened? Was the father fair to both his sons? Discuss in Pairs

Class Discussion Are you surprised by the story? Is this what you expected?

Task Choose one of the following characters, and write a journal entry about story from the perspective of that person. The younger son The older son The father The person that gives the younger son the job of feeding the pigs Write Your entry should include a description of what happened, the feelings or opinions that person might have, and a judgement about what they think should have happened. We’ll then share our journal entries with the rest of the class.

Reflection Answer these questions: 1)What does this story teach us about Christian views on forgiveness? The story teaches that Christians think forgiveness is … 2) Do you think it is important to forgive? Why? I think it is / is not important to forgive because… 3) If you were the father, could you have forgiven your son? Why? If I were the father I would / would not have forgiven because… 4) If you were the older brother, could you have forgiven your brother? Why? If I were the brother I would / would not have forgiven because… Write

Did we achieve our learning intentions? I can describe Christian beliefs about forgiveness I can reflect on my own views about forgiving people

Extension Task Turn the story into a dramatised script. You may change the setting or modernise the story if you like. You may also choose to change the ending of the story, but you must explain why you have chosen to do so. Include character descriptions for the main characters. Write

Read Class Discussion Write Video Listen Think Discuss in PairsDiscuss in Groups Group Work