Aim

To become familiar with Jesus' teaching about happiness
To contrast their understanding of happiness with Jesus' teaching

Lesson

Begin by revising what was taught in the previous lesson about happiness. Can the children identify people in / out of school who are happy? What makes them happy?

In the Bible, in Jesus‘ most famous sermon, he gives a list of people who are happy. This list is called the Beatitudes. Share with children the text of the Beatitudes.

Activity

Following discussion, groups of children could:

• write eight sentences of their own beginning, 'Happy are those who...'
• use different Bibles to compare various wordings of the Beatitudes.
• write down their response to the Beatitudes.
• design a symbol with eight sides / compartments to remind Christians of the Beatitudes.

Conclude by informing the children about the Maltese Cross, a symbol which reminds Christians of the Beatitudes.

A Primary Vision resource provided by Stockport Christians in Schools Trust