Aim

To consider the divided nature of the contemporary Christian church.

Preparation

Before the lesson obtain map of local area with names of local churches. Obtain parachute if possible.

Lesson

Begin lesson by discussing the success of the children's efforts in overcoming the divisions which may have existed within the class. What is the main cause of division?

Inform them that a helpful way to overcome division is to stop thinking of themselves as 30 plus individuals and to begin functioning as one class.

To enhance their sense of unity, play some co-operative games (see Notes below)

Draw the children's attention to the fact that although each of them may have had a different role within a game, they worked together as one.

Paul taught that this is how Christian groups should be - different parts of the one body.

"The body is a unit, though it is made up many parts and though all of its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we are all baptised by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or non-Jews, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.'

Yet right from the beginning there have been divisions within the Christian church. Jesus often criticized the twelve apostles for arguing amongst themselves. And Paul spent a lot of his time and wasted a lot of ink, urging his churches not to be divided.

What about the Christian church today? Is it divided or united?

Ask the children to tell you the whereabouts of all the church buildings in the local area. Do they know to which denominations these churches belong? If not, either tell them or ask them to find out with the use of a map?

How many different denominations are represented? How come there are so many divisions within the same religion?

Inform the children that the different denominations are the result of disputes over a whole number of questions. These include; Should babies be baptised? Should women be allowed to be ministers? Should churches have ministers?

Many Christians are saddened by all this division within their religion, but believe that it can be resolved if Christians were to put aside their own ideas and desires and instead allow themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

Conclude lesson by playing another co-operative game.