Aim

To explore the concept of peace.

Preparation

Before the lesson prepare art materials, musical instruments.

Lesson

Revise what was taught and shared in the previous lesson about 'baggage'.

Continue the story of Christian's journey, beginning with his ascent of the Hill of Difficulty and finishing with his night's rest in the room of Peace. (Leave out his meeting with Formalist and Hypocrisy.)

During your telling of the story, invite children to share their experiences with the rest of the class.

• When have they climbed the Hill of Difficulty?
• When have they behaved like Timorous and Mistrust?
• When have they overcome their fear?

Lead into a discussion on peace. What is peace?

Allow five minutes for the children to 'brainstorm' the word in groups. Discuss their responses.

Christian had his room of Peace. In a period of quiet, ask the children to think about their very own room of Peace. It might be an actual place they have visited, or somewhere in their homes or a room of their imagination. Invite them to look around... To listen to the sounds / music / or silence within their room... To make themselves comfortable and to enjoy a few minutes peace.

Slowly bring them out of their chambers of Peace and back to the classroom. Conduct a debriefing session before encouraging children to respond creatively to the time they spent in their rooms of peace, through painting, writing or music.

Conclusion

Conclude by informing children that many Christians believe that real peace does not come from being in a certain place or from listening to certain music, but from knowing Jesus.

A Celtic Blessing

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you
Amen