ForgivenessAnd Reconciliation

‘Forgiveness liberates the soul, it removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.’ Nelson Mandela

Learn

ing

Ob

jectiv

es

Know: What is meant by forgiveness and reconciliation

Understand: Why Christians should forgive

Be able to: Link a case study to Christian teaching, and form a personal opinion on the topic

Key skills being looked at:

Group work/Research/Debate/Exam Practice

Your favourite CD is borrowed and comes back scratched

You’re tripped up accidentally in the corridor

Your boyfriend/girlfriend says they no longer like you and ends the relationship

You break a plate in the canteen and everyone laughs at you

Your best friend decides to be friends with someone else instead of you

Your brother/sister plays a trick on you and puts salt in the sugar

You friends lie to you

Someone accidentally runs over your pet dog on the road

Someone runs over your pet dog on purpose

Someone spreads embarrassing rumours about you at school

Your friend borrows your best top and ruins it.

Your parents forget to pick you up so you have to walk home in the rain.

Your parents split up

Your brother/sister reads your diary

You’re bullied

Your mum forgets to record your favourite TV programme

Your parents won’t let you go to a party

Mr Hollingsworth gives you a DT for something you didn’t do.

Your exam paper is lost by your teacher.

Forgiveness definition:Nice and easy one this…

‘the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven’

Reconciliation definition:‘Restore relations, settle a difference, coexist in harmony…’

What do Christians think About forgiveness?

2 minute discussion

What do Christians think About reconciliation?

2 minute discussion

BIBLE WARS!

•Micah 7:18-19•Matthew 5:24•Matthew 5:44-45•Matthew 6:9-15•Matthew 18:21-35•Thomas 16:4-8 Luke 6:35-38;42

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17-18

If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him

something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his

head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:20-21

Is it possible to forgive?And is it fair that Christians should?

Class discussion

Anthony Walker

Read

Page 104 (remove this if not using text

books)

Hyperlink to Youtube clip on

the picture

‘Unforgiveness makes you a victim and why should I be a victim? Anthony spent his life forgiving. His life stood for peace, love and forgiveness and I brought him up that way.’

Gee Walker

‘Seventy times seven we must forgive, that’s what we were taught, that’s what the Bible said, that’s what we have to do. It’s an everyday thing. It is hard, it is so hard, but you get through it. It eases the bitterness and the anger if you can wake up in the morning and think ’forgive, forgive, forgive. It is a life sentence. What does bitterness do? It eats you up inside, it’s like a cancer. We don’t want to serve a life sentence with those people. Q: Has your faith been tested by Anthony’s death?Has my faith been tested? Lord, yes. My name’s Gee, not Jesus! It’s been hard, so hard, but I have to follow what the Lord teaches. It is easy to say those things, but when it is you who must do them, it is hard.

Could you do this? FORGIVENESS

Class discussion

SummariseThe Anthony Walker story and Gee Walker’s response.

In your books

Exam Focus

Page 113 (if using the OCR Ethics text books – if not – remove this bullet point):

Explain how Christians’ beliefs about forgiveness and reconciliation may affect the way they treat others.

6 marks. Two different viewpoints shown.

Reflection A Christian response and challenge to forgiveness.

Homework:Discuss with teacher prior to lesson to determine this.