Good Spiritists IV

         Class objectives: The study of the Spiritist Doctrine is important for our spiritual evolution; opening way for wisdom and love. Through its teachings, it’s possible to understand the value of leading by example. Being around and working with people is essential for our spiritual improvement. It allows us to lead by example through Christian attitudes and through the teachings received by the Spiritist Doctrine, promoting our moral transformation.

         Opening Prayer

         First: please ask what they think about a person who is extremely polite with strangers, acting with kindness, talking with peacefulness outside their home, taking part at the spiritist education class being a great student… But at home or in situations where his opinion is not accepted, he/she acts with brutality, screams, swears...

         Examples would be: when your team is loosing, when you are grounded because you have done something wrong, when you have to obey your parents’ orders, when you need to help with home duties, when you receive a bad answer or is mistreated by someone...

         Question: Some people say "we should just follow the crowd". Is this the best attitude? Is it right to act according to the environment we are at the present moment? The person, who acts like this, reacts; doesn’t act actively since the person who acts things, choosing the best attitude to follow.

         Second: tell the children the story called The Power of the Example.

         Third: analyze the story. Since ancient times, eminent founders of religions taught the truth, but only Jesus taught leading by example. Teach is important, but practicing what we teach by exemplifying is imperative. The example attracts people, guiding them to practice charity.

         This is the reason why there were thousands of people, in Christianity, who truly sanctified. They practiced goodness through centuries, as they were touched by Jesus’ examples.

         In our homes, at school, in the streets, at work, doing sports, wherever we are, let’s leaf by examples; be a good role model to be followed. We can show the power of the practice of charity, through small actions such as a smile, a friendly talk, a gesture or through donations of clothes, food or money to the ones in need.

         Fourth: work the group dynamics called Construction of the Good Spiritist.

         Fifth: conclude we all have many qualities, but also many imperfections. Therefore, we should make an effort to transform them into virtues. We should aim to study to achieve this goal. It will allow us to understand and carry out our inner transformation, putting these teachings into daily practice: at home with out family, in society; ultimately, everywhere as The true Spiritist can be recognized by their moral transformation and by the efforts they employ in order to overcome their bad instincts. (Allan Kardec, The Gospel According to Spiritism - Ch. 17, Item 4)

         Sixth: exposed dialogue based on AME-JF resources.

         Seventh: fixation and evaluation of the topic discussed. Split the questions individually to each child. Ask them to explain them in relation to the question. Wait for the children’s explanation, but also add any comments if necessary.

         Click here to find suggested questions.

         Click here to find resources for the spiritist teacher.

         Eighth: propose checkers game; one set of pieces should have virtues written on each of them. On the other set of pieces, please write imperfections on each colored disc.

         Please say before you start the game: the players who win the majority of pieces with virtues written on them will win the game.

         How to play: split the students into two teams. There should be one representative from each group that moves the pieces; the rest of the group members will help the group representative play. (When a piece is captured, it is removed from the board).

         After the game finished, conclude that our virtues (patience, charity, tolerance, resilience, meekness, etc) are acquired with a lot of effort. The Spiritist Doctrine will help us to make good choices, enabling us to progress spiritually. We should value the efforts we make to improve ourselves.

         Closing Prayer

         Class Suggested being suitable for: 3rd cycle (11 to 12 years old) and youth I (13 to 14 years old)

         Class suggested sent to us by the spiritist teacher Sandra Ramos Medeiros, Spiritist Centre Espírita Fé, Amor e Caridade - Campo Grande/MS.

         Translation: Carolina von Scharten, London, Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.