antiochian orthodox archdiocese department of christian...

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AntiochianOrthodoxArchdioceseDepartmentofChristianEducation

2018CreativeFestivalsLessonPlan:MiddleSchool/HighSchool

Theme:“Theycontinuedsteadfastlyintheapostles’doctrineandfellowship,inthebreakingofbread,andinprayers.”(Acts2:42)Goal:Tohelpthestudentsunderstandthethemewellenoughtoexpressitinart,photography,poetry,andcreativewriting.LessonObjectives:Thestudentswillbeableto:

•ExplainintheirownwordstheActsoftheApostlesaccountoflifeintheearlyChurch.

•ExplainintheirownwordsMark14:12-26andhowitrelatestotheiconofTheMysticalSupper.

•NametheactivitiesoftheearliestChurchcommunitygatheringsanddescribehowtheseactivitiescommendedtheChurchtothosearoundthem.

Time:40minutesMaterials:

•Bibles•IconofTheMysticalSupper(attached)•ServiceBooks•Dictionarydefinitionofthetheologicalterm“koinonia”(attached)

OpeningPrayer:HymnoftheMysticalSupper

Letmethisday,SonofGod,beapartakerofYourMysticalSupper,forIwillnotrevealYourMysterytoYourenemies,norwillIbetrayYouwithakissasdidJudas,butliketherepentantthiefIopenlyprofessYou:remembermeOLord,inYourkingdom.Introduction:HavethestudentsreadaloudthepassagesfromMark14:12-26andActs2:42.HolduptheiconofTheMysticalSupper.

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Questions/Discussion:

• WhateventstookplaceinMark14:12-26?(PreparationofthePassoverlambandsupper;fellowship,breakingofbread,andprayers.)

• WhateventstookplaceinthegatheringofthefirstChristiansinActs?(InstructionintheApostles’doctrine,fellowship,breakingofbread,andprayers.)

• ReadActs2:46-47.Wheredidthebreakingofbreadtakeplace?(Housetohouse.)

• WhatcharacterizedtheattitudeofthefirstChristiansduringthebreakingofbread?(Gladness,simplicityofheart.)

• WhatcommendedtheearlyChristiancommunitytotheirneighbors?(Thecommunities’loveforoneanotherandtothoseoutsidetheircommunity.)

• WhatcausedtheearlyChristiancommunitytogrowrapidly?(TheypraisedGodandwerelovingtooneanother.)

ExploringCreatively:Breakuptheclassintogroupsof3or4.GiveeachgroupaServiceBookandBible.AssigneachgrouponeoftheearlyChurch’sactivities.AskthegroupstofindtheirearlyChurchactivityintheServiceBook:

• FortheServiceofPreparation,havethestudentslookatOrthros.• FortheteachingofDoctrine,havethestudentslookattheServiceofthe

Catechumens.• Forthebreakingofbread,havethestudentslookattheServiceofthe

Eucharist.

AskthestudentstodiscusshowtheiractivityrelatesbacktotheearlyChurchandtotheIconofTheMysticalSupper.AskthemtodiscussthefeelingstheearlyChurchhadwhentheseactivitiestookplace.(Feelingsofgladness,thankfulness,andsimplicityofheart.)HowdowefeelduringtheseeventsatLiturgy?Haveeachgrouptakenotesandpresenttheirfindingstotheclass.Conclusion:“IntheOrthodoxChurch,whenthefaithfulgathertogetherforthebreakingofbreadandthecelebrationofEucharistthereisaspecialword.IntheGreeklanguage,theworddescribesthespecialunitingofbelieverstooneanotherandtoChristduringCommunion.Itisaworddescribingtheloveandfellowshipthatflowbetweenus.ThereisnowordintheEnglishlanguagethatcanfullyexpressthedepthandrichnessofthiscommunalrelationship.Pleaselookuptheword“koinonia.”(Studentsmaylookupthedefinitionontheirphones.Thedefinitionisalsoprovidedonpage4.)“HowdoesthissingleGreektheologicaltermdescribethefeelingatTheMysticalSupper,thegatheringsoftheearlyChurchwiththebreakingofbread,andourDivineLiturgytoday?”

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Obtainanswersfromtheclass.ClosingPrayer:

TheCreed

IbelieveinoneGod,theFatherAlmighty,Makerofheavenandearth,andofallthingsvisibleandinvisible;

AndinoneLord,JesusChrist,theSonofGod,theOnly-begotten,BegottenoftheFatherbeforeallworlds,LightofLight,VeryGodofVeryGod,Begotten,notmade;ofoneessencewiththeFather,bywhomallthingsweremade:

Whoforusmenandforoursalvationcamedownfromheaven,andwasincarnateoftheHolySpiritandtheVirginMary,andwasmademan;

AndwascrucifiedalsoforusunderPontiusPilate,andsufferedandwasburied;AndthethirddayHeroseagain,accordingtotheScriptures;Andascendedintoheaven,andsittethattherighthandoftheFather;AndHeshallcomeagainwithglorytojudgethequickandthedead,Whose

kingdomshallhavenoend.AndIbelieveintheHolySpirit,theLord,andGiverofLife,Whoproceedeth

fromtheFather,WhowiththeFatherandtheSontogetherisworshippedandglorified,WhospakebytheProphets;

AndIbelieveinOneHolyCatholicandApostolicChurch.IacknowledgeoneBaptismfortheremissionofsins.IlookfortheResurrectionofthedead.AndtheLifeoftheworldtocome.Amen.

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Merriam-WebsterDictionaryDefinition of KOINONIA

1: the Christian fellowship or body of believers 2: intimate spiritual communion and participative sharing in a common religious commitment and spiritual community “The koinonia of the disciples with each other and with their Lord.”