Greetings and Opening Prayer
First: tell the children the story Charity, love in action.
Click here to find another story that could be used (received from Gisel Haddad / KSSF Kardecian Study Society of Florida - USA). There are several other options available here: Stories (Drawings).
Second: give them a copy of the text below and ask what do they think Jesus meant when he told this story.
“(...)For I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you cared for me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
(...) I tell you the truth, whatever you have done to one of the least of my brothers, you have done it to me. (...)”
Jesus in The Gospel According to Spiritism; chapter XV, Without charity there is no salvation.
Third: compare the teaching of Jesus with the story told:
Do you think Lady Mary practiced goodness with ulterior motives; thinking only about herself? It’s important to practice goodness with good intention.
Mary never chose who to help.
Who is our neighbour? The person who is close to us and needs our help at this moment.
Why do we have to practice goodness? We should practice goodness not to get something in return, but because it’s the right thing to do and it make us happy.
The goodness we practice will always return to us.
Fourth: talk about the following aspects of charity:
When can we practice charity?
Can anyone become charitable?
Charity in the big and small things;
Charity in small attitudes;
Silence can at times be a form of charity. Ex.: when one feels offended.
Charity can be done through a work of consolation;
Charity can be done through example: living our lives with dignity;
In doing honest work or creating for others a work opportunity;
In the dissemination of the Spiritist Doctrine;
In a prayer that is done from our hearts;
In giving a hug.
Resources for the spiritist teacher:
What is the true meaning of the word charity as employed by Jesus?
Benevolence (good will) for every one; indulgence (willingness to forgive) for the imperfections of others and forgiveness of injuries. The Spirits’ Book - Question 886.
"To love your neighbour as yourself: to do unto others as you would have them do unto you," expresses the most complete form of charity because it summarizes all of man's obligations towards his fellow men.”
The Gospel According to Spiritism – Chapter 11 (LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF); item 4.
Fifth – learning opportunities:
Word-hunt.
Word-hunt: answer sheet.
Find out about Jesus’ teaching.
Find out about Jesus’ teachings: answer sheet.
Sixth: Reinforcing the teachings with art.
What makes you really angry? (Ask the children to share their ideas.) Have them draw a picture of a person (or they could turn the person into an animal) doing something that made them angry. Then ask them to draw another with them forgiving the person who made them angry. What expression will the people have on their faces before being forgiven? How will they feel after forgiveness? What expression will they have on their faces? Remind them charity is also about forgiving, as employed by Jesus.
Suggestion sent by Carolina von Scharten, London, from Sir William Crookes Spiritist Society linked to BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
Closing Prayer
Suggested Class suitable for: 3rd cycle (11 to 12 years old).
Translation: Silvia Gibbons, London, BUSS - The British Union of Spiritist Societies.
