Lord S Prayer Confirmation Unit

Lord’s Prayer Confirmation Unit

Unit: A series of four lessons based on the Lord’s Prayer. The unit is meant for confirmation students (around 7th-9th grades). Objectives are:

 To discuss the origins, history, context, purpose, and meaning of the Lord’s Prayer

 To discuss every petition of the Lord’s Prayer in detail through Luther’s Small Catechism

 To experience the Lord’s Prayer in real life through worship, service, community, prayer,

teaching, and song

 To provide students and adult leaders opportunities to take leadership roles throughout

the unit

General Materials: Materials will vary based on leadership planning decisions. However, these materials will be necessary for the proposed activities.

 Bibles

 Pens, Pencils, Paper, Scissors

 A copy of “Luther’s Small Catechism” or at least a copy of the section on the Lord’s Prayer

 Guitar/Guitarist (or another instrument suitable for group singing)

 Communion elements and materials

 Candles, Fire-making equipment, and materials

Unit Layout: The unit will be divided into four lessons.

 Lesson 1: Overview, Introduction (Initial Address), and First Petition  Lesson 2: Second and Third Petitions

 Lesson 3: Fourth and Fifth Petitions

 Lesson 4: Sixth and Seventh Petitions and Conclusion

Lesson 1: Overview, Introduction (Initial Address), and First Petition

This lesson will largely focus on the history and context of the Lord’s Prayer while also presenting the Introduction and First Petition.

 Begin with a prayer

 Introduce the Lord’s Prayer by reading Matthew 6: 9-13 verse by verse with a different student reader for each verse.

 Explain the context of the Lord’s Prayer as it is found in the Gospel of Matthew verses 5-8. Discuss why it is important to not pray “like the hypocrites.” What “reward” did the Pharisees already receive? What does it mean for us that “The Father knows what you need before you ask him?” Develop related questions and guide student responses. Encourage students to ask their own questions.

 Activity: Lord’s Prayer Memory- Make small cards and write partial sentences of the Lord’s Prayer on each card. (Try to splice the sentences in a way that students can make connections from one fragment to the next, i.e. Card 1: Give us this day Card 2: Our Daily Bread. Divide students into small groups and have each group attempt to match cards (like the game Memory)

 Use Luther’s Small Catechism to discuss the Introduction of the Lord’s Prayer. Discuss the “what does this mean” portion. (It may be beneficial to have a powerpoint slide presentation with the Catechism information on it, or at the very least make copies for all students to take notes on)  In the same manner, discuss the First Petition and the Luther’s explanation.

 Sing some songs that pertain to the Holiness of God and God’s name. Examples: “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,” “You are Holy,” Perhaps some students are musicians and can help in planning and leading songs for each lesson.

 Close in Prayer

Lesson 2: Second and Third Petitions

This lesson will have a brief lecture/discussion on the second and third petitions of the Lord’s Prayer. The lesson also allows for a service opportunity for students to “live out” the meaning of “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

 Read and discuss the second petition. Specifically discuss Luther’s mention of leading “a godly life, here in time.” As always, guide student responses and encourage them to ask questions of their own.

 Read and discuss the third petition. Discuss what it would look like for God’s will to be done on earth as it is done in heaven.

 Activity: Service Project- We, with God’s help, are called to do God’s will here on earth. A service project would be an excellent way to reinforce student learning about bringing about God’s kingdom on earth and doing God’s will. Planning for a service project should be done prior to the unit’s beginning. Any service project will be a great learning experience regardless of scope and size. Encourage both students and adult leaders together to plan, develop, and implement a fun, unique, and special service project.

 If time allows, as a group, sing songs relating to service or doing God’s will. Examples: “Servant Song,” “Pass it On,” “I’ll Do My Best”

 Close in Prayer

Lesson 3: Fourth and Fifth Petitions:

This lesson will have a brief lecture/discussion on the fourth and fifth petitions of the Lord’s Prayer. The lesson also will feature a student-led worship service with communion.

 Read and discuss the fourth petition. Discuss Luther’s argument that daily bread is “everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body.” In addition, specifically discuss the correlation between daily bread and communion. How is communion like our daily bread? How can Jesus be our daily bread (I am the bread of Life)?

 Read and discuss the fifth petition. Specifically discuss what it means to be forgiven of “trespasses” or sins. How should our forgiveness from God guide us in how we go about forgiving others? Make sure to make connections between communion (daily bread) and how the sacrament of communion professes that our sins have been forgiven through the body and blood of Jesus Christ.  Activity: Communion Worship- This is an excellent opportunity for the students to help plan a worship service. At the very least, students should be given leadership opportunities. Examples: reading a prayer, reading scripture, communion assistant, song leader, etc. Plan to use songs that pertain to our forgiveness or ones that have a communion theme. Examples: “Amazing Love,” “We are Hungry,” “You are My All in All.” Close worship with prayer.

Lesson 4: Sixth and Seventh Petitions/Conclusion:

This lesson will have a brief lecture/discussion on the sixth and seventh petitions of the Lord’s Prayer as well as a lecture/discussion on the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer. The lesson will feature an activity/worship time based on the theme of Light.

 Read and discuss the sixth petition. Make sure to focus on Luther’s statement that God does not tempt anyone, but guards and keeps us “so that the devil, the world, and our flesh” may not tempt us.

 Read and discuss the seventh petition. Along with the previous petition, make sure to note that God saves us from evil here on earth, and through the Cross, God has given us the ultimate saving grace.

 Read and discuss the conclusion. Discuss what the word ‘amen’ means. (So be it; It will be so)

 Activity: Light and Darkness- The themes of the final petitions bring to mind a struggle between good (God) and evil (Devil, world, sin). Jesus said that he was the light of the world- the light no darkness could overcome. These themes of good and evil can be seen in terms of light and darkness. NOTE: this activity will only be effective when done at night. During the discussion of the petitions and conclusion, have a few adult leaders (with experience) build a campfire in an ideal location. (ALWAYS PRACTICE FIRE SAFETY- AND NEVER LEAVE A FIRE UNATTENDED) Give each student an unlit candle and lead them through the darkness to the campfire. While there, use your best discretion to foster a meaningful conversation about darkness and light in the student’s lives. This can be a wonderful opportunity for adult leaders to share faith stories. During your time at the campfire, plan to sing songs that are related to the concept of light. Examples: “You are the Light of the World,” “Light the Fire.” Discuss how like the difficult walk through the darkness to the fire, our lives’ walks can seem treacherous and dark. Discuss the warmth and light of the campfire and how is like the light of Christ. Read John 8:12 and John 1:5. Using a candle lit by an adult, light the students’ candles. Make a connection between the lit candles and the idea that the students carry the light of Christ with them always. As you begin to leave the campfire with lit candles, be sure to make the connection to carrying the light of Christ into the world to share with all people as we are called to do as Christians. As you reach the building or the place where you normally meet, circle up and close with a prayer with candles still lit.