The Tree of Life

Note to the Teacher

The key phrase in this scripture for this lesson is “Don’t be troubled or afraid.” The icebreaker invites youth to experience sudden peace. The discussion encourages students to discuss current events in war and peace. The activity helps youth understand how people of various abilities interact with their church building and nature. Times are based on a fifty-five-minute lesson period but may be adjusted.

Icebreaker (5 minutes)

Audible rainstorm - Have the youth sit in a circle with you. Ask the students not to speak or make noise other than following the actions you are about to do. The actions should go around the circle, one person after another. You will change actions when the previous action comes back to you in the circle.

You will start with rubbing your hands together, then snapping, then clapping, then patting your thighs, then stomping, and then back through the actions to stillness. A great video explaining this activity/that can be played to help do the activity (muted) can be found here.

Let the room sit in silence for a moment before starting the next section.

Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Today’s scripture reading involves the idea of “peace.” Read John 14:23-29 (CEB preferred, but multiple translations welcome).

Discussion (15 minutes)

• Who can define peace? (Take a few definitions. In case none are suggested, offer some definitions from the bible, a dictionary, or quotations from world leaders and ask how the youth feel about those.)
• What does peace look like between people/groups? Within yourself?
• What do you think Jesus’ peace entails?
• Jesus tells us that we shouldn’t “be afraid.” Have you ever felt peace within yourself that kept fear away? What were you doing and who were you with at the time?
• We made a rainstorm - there’s a story of Jesus calming a rainstorm. Where do we find peace in nature? Do you find nature to be peaceful?

Activity and Discussion (30 minutes)

Take this lesson to the next level by learning and practicing skills of dialogue.

Over the last few years, we’ve heard a lot about wars overseas. We have also heard about peace talks and how successful or unsuccessful they are. Today, we’ll learn and practice a peace-building exercise to help us be peacemakers on small and large scales.

Download and print Dialogo! which can be found here. (You will need to give your name and email address to access the game, but it is otherwise free to download.)

Play the game as directed in the rules. (Read the rules ahead of time.)

Points for discussion:

• What does dialogue feel like?
• What types of conflict do you think you could help solve with this skill?
• Do you think this kind of dialogue would help bring Jesus-peace to more people?
• Would dialogue help in the fight to resist climate change?

TOTAL TIME: 55 min.

NEEDED RESOURCES:

• Download and print Dialogo! which can be found here. (You will need to give your name and email address to access the game, but it is otherwise free to download.)