Jesus as a Model

Overview

This 30-minute lesson introduces Year 5-6 students in New Zealand to Jesus as a role model, focusing on his qualities of love, selflessness, and forgiveness. Students will explore how these qualities can inspire their own actions within their community, tying into the wider unit "Living God's Dream Together." The lesson incorporates teaching aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, particularly addressing the development of key competencies, values, and relevant capabilities in Religious Education.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Identify and explain key qualities of Jesus: love, selflessness, and forgiveness.
Understand how Jesus acts as a model for how people can live together harmoniously.
Reflect on personal actions and consider ways to emulate Jesus’ qualities in daily life.

Curriculum Links

Religious Education:

Explore models of living (Christian tradition) and their impact on communities (aligns with the learning area's focus on exploring beliefs and ways of living).

Key Competencies (NZ Curriculum pages 12-13):

Relating to others: understanding and empathising with others (Jesus’ qualities).
Managing self: setting personal goals to live out these qualities.
Participating and contributing: considering how to contribute positively in community settings.

Values (NZ Curriculum page 10):

Respect, Integrity, Community and Participation through discussing and applying Jesus' qualities.

Resources Needed

A child-friendly storybook or illustrated short video presenting the life of Jesus focusing on his love, selflessness, and forgiveness.
Whiteboard or chart paper and markers.
Paper and coloured pencils for drawing/reflection.
Prepared scenario cards illustrating everyday situations requiring love, selflessness, or forgiveness.
A heart-shaped "Jesus’ Qualities" poster or display chart.

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Begin with a circle time question: “What kind of person do you look up to or admire?” Collect a few examples briefly.
Introduce Jesus as a special person who is a model for how to live.
Show the "Jesus’ Qualities" heart poster highlighting love, selflessness, and forgiveness.

Curriculum focus: Activate prior knowledge and relate to students' experiences and identities, as recommended for engagement and inclusivity.

2. Story Sharing (8 minutes)

Read aloud or show an illustrated story/video suited for Years 5-6 about Jesus’ acts of love, selflessness, and forgiveness.
Pause during the story to highlight and discuss these moments.

Teaching Tip: Use expressive storytelling and ask prompting questions like “How do you think the people felt?” or “What would you do in this situation?” to build empathy and critical thinking .

3. Group Discussion and Scenario Role-Play (10 minutes)

Divide the class into small groups of 4-5 students.
Give each group a scenario card (e.g., forgiving a friend who hurt feelings, helping someone without expecting thanks).
Ask groups to discuss how Jesus’ qualities could help in that scenario and role-play a short response.
Each group shares their scenario and role-play with the class.

Competency focus:

Relating to others through empathy in role-play.
Using language, symbols, and texts by expressing ideas clearly in discussion and performance .

4. Reflective Drawing and Sharing (5 minutes)

Students individually draw a representation of one way they can show love, selflessness, or forgiveness in their lives.
Invite a few volunteers to share their drawings and ideas with the class.

Self-management focus: Encourages personal reflection and goal setting .

5. Conclusion and Prayer/Moment of Reflection (2 minutes)

Reinforce that Jesus is a model for all people because he shows love, selflessness, and forgiveness.
End with a simple class prayer or reflective moment focused on asking for help to live like Jesus.

Assessment and Next Steps

Formative assessment: Observe group discussions and role-plays for understanding of Jesus' qualities and application to real-life situations.
Review drawings and listen to student reflections to gauge personal connection to the lesson's ideas.
Plan to revisit these qualities in future lessons in the unit, progressively deepening understanding and linking with other values and community actions【4:0,12†Te Mataiaho English Single Page.pdf】.

Notes for Teachers

Be mindful to create a safe and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable sharing.
Encourage students to use precise vocabulary about emotions and qualities (love, forgiveness, selflessness) to develop language aligned with the curriculum's vocabulary goals .
Connect the discussion to students' own cultures and identities, recognising that Jesus’ qualities are universal and relevant to living well together.
Incorporate Māori perspectives as appropriate by relating qualities such as aroha (love) and manaakitanga (hospitality/kindness) to the discussion.

This lesson aligns with the broad aims of the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh by fostering key competencies in a real-world and culturally sensitive context, supporting the holistic development of Year 5-6 students within Religious Education.

If desired, I can also generate a PDF or printable version of this plan for immediate classroom use.

Teaching Instructions