Using a musical analogy, this lesson holds up the beautiful “composition” Jesus wrote – one that has had lasting resonance, despite the fact that his followers have not always “played in tune” with his teachings.
It pulls together the good and the bad that the whole unit has explored by considering the challenge of living up to Jesus’ beautiful vision of the Kingdom.
Introduce
Class Discussion
As a class discuss whether or not its right to judge a religion or belief system based on the actions of its adherents? Students explain why or why not? (How to Judge the Church Slides)
In small groups students discuss their own experience with learning/playing a musical instrument. They share how well they played it to start with, after 1 month, and any experiences (good or bad) they had of performing on it.
Teacher leads a class discussion around whether we should judge the quality of a song based on a bad performance. Students may share their experience of witnessing a bad performance.
Engage
Watch & Respond
Watch the documentary excerpt ‘How to Judge the Church’ (7:42) then students compare and contrast the two performances. (How to Judge the Church Slides)
As a class discuss the previous lessons and the times that most stand out of when Christians played “out of tune” with Jesus, describing which lessons were most disturbing.
In contrast, students also identify some examples of when Christians have played Jesus’ tune well – lessons which were surprising and encouraging.
Discuss what things John Dickson might have been referencing when he said that Jesus’ “ethic of love has given us much of what we value most in the world today”.
Human Barometer Activity
Facilitate a Human Barometer activity where students indicate their perspective on the following statements:
- “Jesus Christ shouldn’t be dismissed on account of his followers’ sins”
- “Christianity loses credibility when Jesus’ followers behave badly”
- “Christians should behave better than non-Christians”
Bible Study
Students read Luke 6:27-31, Matthew 6:19-21, and Matthew 23:1-12 and summarise what these verses teach about the “composition” Jesus wrote. Students consider what it is about Jesus’ message that is both ‘beautiful’ and ‘controversial’.
As a class reflect on how the world would be different if more people ‘played in tune’ with Jesus’ teachings.
Respond
Reflective Composition
Display the comment from “Mitor the Bold”. Students compose a comment in response. Discuss the value of responding to these kinds of perspectives and the ideal tone for a meaningful response.
Students reflect on one thing they would like to learn more about in light of the material covered in the unit.
Extension 1
- Article: Does Religion Unite or Divide Us? (3 min)
Students read the article and make a list of ways in which Christianity both unites and divides society.
Extension 2
Students sample supplementary clips from one of the For the Love of God episodes or the Interviews, and write down three new things that stood out or they learnt.