Faith and Vision

Grade 6 | Duration: 20 minutes | Class size: 10 students

Subject: Other (Religious Studies / Values Education)
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) – Transdisciplinary Theme: How We Express Ourselves

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Learning Objectives

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

• Understand how God uses prophets to communicate messages to His people (IB PYP ATL: Communication Skills, Thinking Skills)
• Summarize Ellen White’s first vision and reflect on its meaning (IB PYP Learner Profile Attributes: Reflective, Open-minded)
• Answer specific questions demonstrating comprehension of spiritual concepts in the vision (144,000, the Midnight Cry, New Earth activities) (National Standard Curriculum of Jamaica: Contextual Religious Education for Primary Grades)
• Express personal connections and contemporary relevance to the message as young Pathfinders

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Standards & Competencies Alignment

• IB PYP Transdisciplinary Skills:
  • Communication: Listening, speaking, summarizing
  • Self-management: Reflection on faith and identity
  • Social: Empathy for others through understanding experience of trials and hope
• National Standards, Jamaica:
  • Spiritual development and understanding of religious beliefs
  • Developing appreciation for faith through storytelling and reflection

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Materials Needed

• Copies or excerpts of Early Writings, pp. 13-20 (Ellen White’s First Vision summary)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Large paper and colored pencils/crayons (for summarizing activity)
• Sticky notes
• Optional: Audio of a simple song about faith or perseverance (tune familiar to students)

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction and Engagement (4 minutes)

• Begin with a short welcoming song related to faith and courage (to energize and focus the class).
• Briefly ask students:
  • “Have you ever received an important message from someone?”
  • “Why is it important to listen carefully to those who guide us?”
• Introduce Ellen White’s First Vision from Early Writings as an example of how God sends prophets to guide the church.
• Highlight how this vision brought a message of hope after sadness (the Great Disappointment).

Differentiation: Read a paragraph aloud slowly for dyslexic students and provide printed text for follow-along. Assign a buddy to help with reading as needed.

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2. Guided Reading & Discussion (7 minutes)

• Distribute the passage excerpts or summarize key points focusing on:

  • The Midnight Cry and the straight narrow path
  • The 144,000 and their characteristics
  • The New Earth and joyful activities
  • Ellen’s feelings at the end of her vision

• Read aloud together or in pairs.

• Teacher-led Q&A, using the students’ questions below to scaffold understanding:

Question	Suggested Key Points From Text
1. What does "Midnight Cry" mean to the Seventh-day Adventists Church?	A bright light guiding the Advent people on their path; a message of hope and readiness for Jesus' return.
2. What does Ellen's vision tell us about the 144,000? List three.	They are sealed with God's name, united perfectly, shine with glory, stand faithful to truth.
3. Who were two persons identified as saved, though not alive then? Why?	Brethren Fitch and Stockman, who preached the gospel and died but are saved to join the heavenly city.
4. List some activities on the New Earth Ellen saw.	Playing harps of gold, sitting under the tree of life, enjoying the beautiful city and river of life.
5. What was Ellen's reaction and how did she feel at the end?	Joyful but humbled; she praised God's glory and felt peace after seeing everything.
6. What did God say to Pathfinders in the vision?	To keep faithful, hold fast to truth, and look forward to the joy prepared for them.

Differentiation: For dyslexic students, encourage drawing symbols or using bullet points to answer instead of long sentences.

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3. Hands-on Summary Activity (6 minutes)

• Students work in pairs or small groups to create a vibrant, illustrated summary poster answering the question:

  “How does God use prophets to guide us and what message did Ellen’s vision give us?”

• Encourage them to include at least 3 important points and one drawing (e.g., the bright path, the 144,000, or the New Earth).

• Teacher circulates, supporting students needing help with spelling or ideas.

• One or two pairs briefly present their posters to the class (1 minute each).

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4. Reflective Closing and Connection (3 minutes)

• Circle time reflection: Ask each student to say one thing they learned or felt during the lesson.
• Read a short reflective prayer or positive affirmation encouraging students to be brave and faithful like those in the vision.
• Remind the students that, as Pathfinders today, the same message encourages them to be strong in truth and hope.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through:

  • Participation in Q&A with clear, thoughtful answers
  • Completion and content of the illustrated summary poster
  • Personal reflection sharing at closing

• Teacher to note:

  • Concepts grasped about prophets and their role
  • Understanding of key vision symbols and meanings
  • Ability to connect vision messages to their own spiritual journey

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Extension / Further Differentiation Options

• Create a simple song or chant based on the "Midnight Cry" to reinforce message via music.
• Use a story circle to dramatize parts of the vision for kinesthetic learners.
• Provide sentence starters or graphic organizers for students needing help structuring written content.

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Reflection Notes for Teacher

• The use of storytelling aligns with IB’s focus on inquiry and communication.
• Hands-on creation boosts engagement and aids memory retention, especially for diverse learners.
• Encouraging relating historical visions to current Pathfinders nurtures learner identity within a global context, supporting IB Learner Profiles and local cultural values.
• Using multiple modalities (oral, visual, artistic) comforts dyslexic students and enriches the entire class experience.

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Celebrate your students’ curiosity and courage to explore these rich, spiritual narratives!