UNIT
Youth & Schools Units For the Love of God
ACTIVITY

Holy War - The Crusades

Description

It’s a giant leap from Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” to the idea of “holy war”, yet Christian history is full of violence. At times Christians have been enthusiastic proponents of violence and war. How have the followers of a crucified leader managed to get things so wrong?

This lesson looks at one of the darkest events in Christian history: the Crusades. The reasons for the Crusades are complex and are not the focus of this segment. Instead, it focuses on the moral character of the Crusaders, and whether they followed the example of Jesus.

Holy War Slides
12.33 MB / pptx

Introduce

Human Barometer Activity

Facilitate a ‘Human Barometer’ activity where students indicate their perspective on the following statements:

  • “War is a necessary evil”
  • “Religion is responsible for most/all wars”
  • “Christians should never be pro-war”
Research & Discuss

Students search online for 3 images that they think represent the concept of “holy war”. Students explain to a partner why they chose their pictures.

Students make a list of possible justifications for invading someone else’s land. Facilitate a class discussion around the types of reasons which make it morally okay for one people group to invade another. Reference could be made to recent military conflicts where Australia and her allies have been the aggressors.

Students view and respond to 2 images that present an artistic portrayal of The Crusades. (Holy War Slides)

Engage

Clip Analysis

Watch the documentary excerpt ‘Holy War: The Crusades’ (8:50)

As a class summarise what happened in the massacre in Jerusalem on 15 July 1099. Students discuss how this event makes them feel, identifying the most surprising or shocking elements.

Read & Reflect

Using an online source, students summarise the core message of Pope Urban’s 1095 speech which effectively launched ‘The Crusades’. Students explain the appeal of his message for those who joined the First Crusade.

  • Extension: students can read the full account of the speech before completing their summary.
Compare & Contrast

Students fill out the table to compare and contrast the words and actions of the Crusaders with the words and actions of Jesus. (Holy War Slides)

Mini-debate

Hold a ‘Mini-Debate’ as a class on the question:

Were the Crusaders truly followers of Jesus?

Bible Study

Students read Luke 6:27-36 and answer the following questions.

  1. What does Jesus call his followers to do in this passage?
  2. What is difficult about Jesus’ teaching? What problems might come from obeying this?
  3. Did Jesus practice what he preached?
  4. v.31 is sometimes known as “The Golden Rule”.
    1. Do you think this is a good rule to follow? Why or why not?
    2. What do you think the world would be like if everyone followed this rule?
    3. Why do you think people don’t follow this?
  5. Do you have any further questions about this teaching of Jesus or its implications?

Respond

Reflect

Students use the following discussion questions to reflect on the content of the lesson.

  1. Do we have the right to judge the church today for historical events such as the Crusades?
  2. The church at the time of the Crusades was influenced by warrior culture. Are there ways in which you think the church today might be affected by cultural factors that pull it away from Jesus’ original teachings?
  3. Is loving your enemies something that you personally try to practice? What does that look like for you?
Extension 1

Using the earlier historical account of Pope Urban’s 1095 speech, students imagine that Jesus was present and write a follow-up speech from Jesus that addresses Urban’s argument.

Extension 2

Students watch the clip and list some of the similarities and differences between this crusade and what happened in Jerusalem in 1099.