Love and Compassion

Lesson Details

• Subject: Religious Education
• Year Group: 7
• Lesson Duration: 35 minutes
• Class Size: 28 pupils
• Curriculum Area: UK Key Stage 3 Religious Studies
• Focus: New Testament teachings, the Greatest Commandment, and the Good Samaritan

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

1. Understand the concept of the Greatest Commandment.
2. Recognise how Jesus simplified the 10 Commandments into two core principles.
3. Explore the parable of the Good Samaritan and its meaning in today’s world.

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Resources Required

• Bibles or printed copies of Matthew 22:36-40 and Luke 10:25-37
• Whiteboard & markers
• Printed worksheet (discussion prompts and key questions)
• Sticky notes (for plenary)

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Task: Pupils copy out Matthew 22:36-40:

  "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’"

• Class Discussion:

  • What does it mean to love the Lord? (Personal devotion, prayer, kindness)
  • How do we show this in daily life?
  • Brief mention of the 10 Commandments and their role in the Old Testament.
  • Link to "Love your neighbour" – ask pupils, Who is our neighbour?

2. Lesson Development (20 minutes)

A. Understanding the Greatest Commandment (8 minutes)

• Explain: Jesus summarises the 10 Commandments into two principles:
  • Loving God (First four commandments = devotion to God).
  • Loving Others (Last six commandments = treatment of others).
• Discussion Prompts:
  • Does loving others mean only being nice to friends?
  • Can we love people we don’t like?

B. The Good Samaritan Parable (12 minutes)

• Read Together: Luke 10:25-37 (or summarise aloud).

• Key Questions:

  • Why did others ignore the injured man?
  • Why was the Samaritan’s kindness shocking at the time?
  • How does this parable link to the Greatest Commandment?
  • How can we show love like the Good Samaritan today?

• Small Group Activity:

  • Each group receives real-world scenarios (e.g. bullying, homelessness, a new student in school).
  • They discuss & act out how the Good Samaritan message applies.

3. Plenary (10 minutes)

• Sticky Note Reflection:

  • Pupils write one way they will show love to their “neighbour” this week.
  • Stick them on a “Be a Good Samaritan” Wall in class.

• Final Discussion: Teacher randomly selects a few statements to discuss.

• Exit Question: Why do you think Jesus focused on love in his teachings?

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Assessment & Homework

• Formative Assessment:

  • Listening for engagement in the class discussion.
  • Responses in the small group activity.
  • Quality of their sticky note pledges.

• Optional Homework:

  • Pupils write a short diary entry imagining they are the Good Samaritan.
  • How did they feel? Why did they help?

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Teacher Reflection

• Which aspects did pupils engage with most?
• Did the parable role-play help reinforce understanding?
• Were pupils able to connect the Greatest Commandment to modern life?

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This engaging, discussion-driven lesson ensures pupils not only understand the Greatest Commandment but also apply it to real life, making it both thought-provoking and practical. 🚀