Grades 6-12

2006 Creative Festivals Lesson Plan:
Grades 6-12

THEME:
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”  JOEL 2:28

GOALS:

  1. To prepare students for participation in the Creative Arts Festival.
  2. To help students understand its theme well enough to express it in art, poetry, prose, or photography.
  3. To encourage teens to become more aware of and to participate in the Holy Mysteries (sacraments) of the Orthodox Church.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. To identify Joel as an Old Testament prophet and to locate his book in the Bible.
  2. To review what happened at Pentecost in the Early Church.
  3. To learn that the Holy Spirit is given at Pentecost to all people, not just to the elect of the Old Testament.
  4. To learn that Jesus Christ comes to fulfill the “law and the prophets.”
  5. To review the meanings of Chrismation and “the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
  6. To begin to understand that by the Power of the Holy Spirit we are given “power” to live a new life in Christ.  
  7. To consider what “the gift of the Holy Spirit” means for one’s personal life.
  8. To discuss what the Holy Spirit does “to make all things new.”

TIME:            45 Minutes

MATERIALS NEEDED:

  • Icon of Christ
  • Icon of the Feast of Pentecost
  • Candle or votive for your Icon Corner
  • Text of prayer “O Heavenly King” and Troparion for Pentecost
  • Bible   (Old Testament and New Testament)
  • Orthodox Study Bible as reference
  • Large sheets of newsprint to be used either with an easel or to be taped on wall
  • Masking tape
  • Different colored heavy markers

For Students:

  • Take-home sheet announcing the theme from Joel
  • Desk-size sheets of writing paper and manila paper or newsprint
  • Pencils and markers
  • Individual Bibles
  • Sheets with quotations from Scripture

Optional Materials:

  • Icon of the Holy Trinity
  • Placards showing the words prophet, prophecy (noun), prophesy (verb) and definitions

FOR THE CATECHIST:

This theme is about the Holy Spirit. 

The prophet Joel foretells the wonderful potential available to humankind by the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets through Jesus Christ and the sending of His Spirit, The Comforter, The Spirit of Truth.

The sentence used for this year’s theme comes from the Book of Joel in the Old Testament.  The Prophecy of Joel is one of the Old Testament readings during Vespers of Pentecost.  We hear from Joel 2:23-32.

  • We hear this reference to Joel again in Acts 2:16-18.
  • The Gospel reading for Matins of Pentecost is John 20:19-23.
  • The Epistle reading for the Feast of Pentecost is Acts 2:1-11.
  • The Gospel reading for Pentecost is John 7:37-52; 8:12.          

Themes to present include

  • Promise of the Father
  • Review of what happened at Pentecost
  • Restoration of unity:  Tower of Babel versus tongues of fire at Pentecost
  • The Spirit given to all flesh, not just to the elect
  • The Holy Spirit given to each baptized  person in Chrismation
  • The Holy Spirit given to the Church and, therefore, to the entire world.

Depending on what your students already know, you may present instruction about all the themes as an overview or focus on parts of what is suggested in Content.

It will be helpful to read Acts of the Apostles, chapters 1 and 2, so rich in their telling about the Coming of the Holy Spirit—and the reference to the Prophecy of Joel.

As you present concrete facts to your students, speak with the conviction expressed by the Prophet Joel that indeed with the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world, we all have the potential given by God to transform this world, our very lives, to be all that God desired when He created the world and its people and said, “it is good.” 

However, it is important to keep in mind that we proclaim the Holy Trinity.  The Holy Spirit does not exist in isolation.  God sent His Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into the world.  Christ is resurrected and ascended to His Father.  Then the Spirit is sent into the world.

“…He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.  John 7:37-39.

Christ did all He said He would.  Christ preached the Kingdom of Heaven.  He was crucified, died, was buried, and rose again.  He said He would send His Spirit, and so He did.  We are not left alone.  As Luke writes, Christ commanded His disciples not to depart from Jerusalem

“…but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, you have heard from Me;” for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now...”  Acts 1:4-5

And the Spirit came on Pentecost, the same Spirit prophesied by the Prophet Joel.

You’ll need to review what happened on Pentecost, emphasizing that God’s Holy Spirit is given to all God’s people, not just a few chosen ones as happened in Old Testament times.  This is the crux of Joel’s prophecy:  Now sons and daughters of future generations are given the potential to become blessed and holy; the young and the old can share in the vision of the Eighth Day, the parousia, the Kingdom of Heaven. 

The Old Testament preached “the law and the prophets.”  The New Testament—Christ—preaches fulfillment with the coming of the Spirit.  “Behold I make all things new.” 

The prophet Joel foretold that God’s Spirit would be poured out onto all flesh (scholars say flesh here means to all Jews, not just to a few chosen elect among the Jews).  Peter, when he quotes the prophet Joel at Pentecost, means all people, not just the Jews!  Perhaps you could impart to your students something about this vision of new times, the new life in Christ.  With the coming of the Holy Spirit to all people in the Church, the world enjoys the potential for so much good.  What visions and dreams can our young sons and daughters foresee for the future of God’s Kingdom on earth?

Because Pentecost refers to the sending—and receiving—of the Holy Spirit, you might talk about the sacrament of Chrismation when we receive the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Yes, you could mention the Sacrament of Baptism, but here is an opportunity to provide specific information about Chrismation, which is less well known among the faithful.  We sometimes forget about the importance of Chrismation because it follows right after Baptism and the faithful tend to lump together these separate sacraments and call them simply Baptism.  More correct, would be to use the word mystery when talking about the grace given by the Holy Spirit, rather than sacrament. Your students are probably more  familiar with the term sacrament, however.  Hopefully, your students already know something about Chrismation so that you do not have to spend too much time reviewing information about this personal “Pentecost.”

You might need to explain that chrism is used to anoint the person during Chrismation.  Chrism, the visible sign of the “mystery,” is prepared only by a bishop from olive oil mixed with certain spices. Each time the priest anoints a part of the body, he says, “the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  As your students hear this phrase over and over, they might begin to realize that the Holy Spirit is a gift and that we are sealed with this gift.

In your discussion with your students, you might consider that the gift of the Holy Spirit begs a response.  What do we do with this gift given in Chrismation?

For this age group, you can also analyze the meaning of key words in the text of Joel’s prophecy.  Suggestions for doing this are given in the Content of the lesson.

As you prepare your lesson, consider what the Holy Spirit means for you personally, for others, for the Orthodox Church.

SUGGESTED READINGS:

  • Acts Chapters 1 and 2
  • Orthodox Study Bible, “Chrismation,” p. 274.  See also notes for Acts 1-2. 
  • Gospel of John 7:37-52; 8:12.  See notes in Orthodox Study Bible, p. 232; p. 234.
  • “O Heavenly King”

THE LESSON PLAN

OPENING:

Say or sing “O Heavenly King.”

INTRODUCTION:

Refer to the prayer, “O Heavenly King” which we say before any meeting or gathering of Orthodox Christians.  The priest says the prayer at the altar before starting Divine Liturgy. 

Find out what students know about this “Heavenly King.”  Be certain that all understand that this prayer is said to the Holy Spirit.  Emphasize the descriptive phrase “Spirit of Truth Who is in all places and fills all things. 

(When you discuss the theme, you’ll be talking about how the Spirit pours itself on all flesh, as stated by the Prophet Joel.  This aspect of “all flesh” is important, because as promised by the Father (Acts 1:4), the Holy Spirit is sent to all God’s people, not just to the patriarchs, prophets, and some judges of the Old Testament.  Christ came to make all things new.  This is fulfilled by the Holy Spirit.)

CONTENT:

1.  Tell students that this theme is about the Holy Spirit.  Ask one of your students to read the theme aloud while the others follow along with a printed text of the theme.  Ask if anyone knows who Joel is.

2.  Discuss that Joel is a prophet who wrote a Book of the Old Testament.  Have students locate the Book of Joel.  Ask student(s) to locate the sentence being used as the theme and read it aloud.  Joel 2:28.

3.  Be sure your students are familiar with the terms prophet, prophecy, and prophesy.

Note that the word prophecy (noun) is spelled with the letter C.  The word prophesy (verb) has the letter S and is pronounced “pro-fe SIE.”  You might use placards that show these words with their definitions.

The prophet foretells what will happen to God’s people. He prophesies.  Emphasize that the prophet is not a fortune teller but one who is inspired by the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s truth and plans for His chosen people. 

The message told by the prophet, whether good news or bad, is the prophecy.  Most prophecies refer to the coming of the Messiah, the Christ, and of His saving             mission to the world.

4.  Discuss the connection of Joel’s prophecy with Pentecost.

Explain that we hear this prophecy when we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. Review that Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter.  The Orthodox Church calls this feast “The Descent of the Holy Spirit.”  Remind them that “pente” means fifty, and that this is where we get the name Pentecost for the feast day.

Display an icon of the Feast of Pentecost and have students note the tongues of fire over the apostles and explain that this was a manifestation (showing) of the Holy Spirit over these men. 

Have students read aloud Acts 2:1-4, which describes the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples gathered in the Upper Room. 

Next, read aloud Acts 2:16-17 in which the Apostle Peter refers to what was spoken of by the prophet Joel.  Have students note that what is written here is the same text as the theme for the Creative Arts Festival.  This happening at Pentecost is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy concerning the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit to the disciples, and He did so—on Pentecost.  You might also point out that the disciple Peter speaks for the group of disciples—“Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said…”  (Acts 2:14). 

Discuss the significance of people being able to understand one another’s languages when the Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples.  Contrast this with the pride of the people who built the Tower of Babel. See Genesis 11:1-9.  Elicit responses to show the contrast between prideful people who built the tower and could no longer understand one another’s language versus the tongues of fire on Pentecost in which all men could understand one another’s language!  As the Church sings at Vespers of Pentecost,

“The arrogance of those who built the tower caused the tongues to be confused, but now the tongues have been made wise through the glory of the knowledge of God.
There the impious were condemned,
Now Christ has enlightened the fishermen with His Spirit!
There the confusion of tongues was done in retribution;
Now harmony is restored for the salvation of our souls.

Aposticha, Vespers of Pentecost, Tone 8                   

5.  Discuss the Promise of the Father (Acts 1:4) and fulfillment through the Holy Spirit.

Joel’s message, given centuries before Christ, tells that God promised to pour out His Spirit on all flesh, not just to the elect of the Old Testament.  In the Old Testament, the Spirit was given to only the patriarchs, the prophets (such as Joel), and some judges.  Biblical commentary says that Joel meant the Spirit would go to all the Jews, not just to the elect among the Jews.  How more significant is Peter’s reference to Joel at Pentecost!  Now the Spirit is poured out not only to the Apostles and those other Jews standing nearby.  Now through the work of the Apostles guided by the Spirit, God’s Spirit is poured out truly on all flesh—all those generations to come who will have been baptized and anointed in Chrismation and become members of the Church.

Jesus many times told his disciples that the Spirit would come.  In Acts 1:4, have students note that Christ says to wait for the Promise of the Father

“which…you have heard from Me.”

Refer students also to John 7:37-39.  Emphasize 1) Jesus tells that the Holy Spirit will be given; 2) the Spirit will be given after Christ is glorified (ascended to His Father). 

God has promised the Spirit; Christ has told His disciples about it, and after His resurrection and ascension, allows for the Spirit to be given (poured out) not only to the disciples gathered in the Upper Room but to all people there present.

And likewise, through the Apostles, the Spirit can be given to the entire world.

You might want to point to the words of the Troparion for Pentecost where the image of apostles as fishers of men is carried through:

“...Who has made the fishermen as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit Thou has drawn the world into Thy net….”

The Holy Spirit has touched the disciples, now called apostles, and with that grace the apostles go out into the entire world in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  With the grace of the Holy Spirit all future generations, old and young, can be holy—and maybe they will be so filled with God’s Spirit that they might even prophesy.

You will also want to point out that Acts tells us how the disciple Peter talks about the fulfillment of that Promise.  When those people gathered at Pentecost asked what they should do, Peter mentioned three actions: 

“Then Peter said to them, “(1) Repent and let everyone of you

(2) be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;

(3) and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord Our God will call.” 

                                                Acts 2:38-39

6.  Discuss the Mystery of Chrismation in which the baptized Orthodox Christian receives the gift of the Holy Spirit.  (Tie this in with Peter’s exhortation of what people should do.).

Briefly explain that when we are baptized, we become Christians and are united in Christ. (die and rise with Christ)  (It is enough for students to hear the words the Church uses.  As they grow in spiritual understanding, they will know better what it means to be united in Christ.). 

For Orthodox Christians, there is an additional Mystery (sacrament) called Chrismation given to the newly baptized, usually right after baptism in the same service. Ask students if they recall hearing the phrase “of water and the Spirit.”  You might draw on the board or on large paper: 

  • Baptism            with water
  • Chrismation     with chrism–specially prepared olive oil with spices.

The person is anointed with Holy Chrism (hence, Chrismation) on various parts of the body.  The priest traces the Sign of the Cross on the forehead, eyes, nostrils, lips, both ears, the breast, the hands and feet, each time saying, “the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  For older students, you might point out that Sign of the Cross includes all three Persons of the Holy Trinity, emphasizing that the Spirit does not work in isolation from the Father and the Son because the Trinity is “One in essence and undivided.”

Baptism and Chrismation are two separate Mysteries (sacraments), both given by the power of the Holy Spirit, each manifested by a different symbol, e.g., water, and chrism.  Some have said that Baptism and Chrismation are inseparably related in the Christian message, just as Easter and Pentecost are inseparably related.  Baptism is the personal Easter for each person in the Church; Chrismation is the personal Pentecost.

Once the person is chrismated, he or she is a member of the Orthodox Christian Church and able to receive the other mysteries—even an infant can receive the Eucharist (Holy Communion).

7.  Ask students to analyze what the phrases in Joel’s prophecy mean.  Write key phrases on a blackboard or large sheets of paper displayed on an easel or wall:

pour out                                 all flesh
dream                                      visions
sons and daughters                old men
young men.

Note the contrasts in this prophecy:

  • Sons and daughters vs. old men
  • Old men dreams vs. Young men visions.

What does this mean? 

We usually think of the old as seeing visions, and the young as being dreamers. Joel is telling us that amazingly, the old will now dream of the future, and the young will be wise visionaries. You might refer to Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech to bring home the idea of a “dream” which is also a conviction, and how that can change the world.

And again, in the Old Testament, only a few were chosen.

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is poured out on all flesh.

In the Old Testament, only the chosen could prophesy.

In the New Testament, all flesh (sons and daughters) can prophesy by virtue of receiving the grace of the Holy Spirit.   (You might refer to St. Seraphim of Sarov and his “acquisition of the Holy Spirit.)

8.  You might ask students to consider what the Holy Spirit means for their lives.

Possible responses include:

  • The Holy Spirit helps us to know the Truth about Christ.
  • The Holy Spirit offers grace to each person in the mysteries.
  • We call upon the Holy Spirit when we say, “O Heavenly King….before meetings, before church, in our daily prayer.  Notice that when we start the Trisagion Prayers, we start with “O Heavenly King,” not Our Father! 
  • We can pray anytime to the Holy Spirit to help us in our decision-making, or to know what to do in our lives.

ACTIVITY:

Provide each student with a study sheet of questions and various Scriptural citations that pertain to the themes of Promise and Fulfillment; to Chrismation and to other biblical references to the Holy Spirit.  Suggest that they answer the questions posed, use the citations and quotes as inspiration, and try to think of different references to the Holy Spirit in their church life and personal life. You might also ask students to work in pairs to either discuss or share answers.

Before students begin working with the study sheet, ask them to turn the sheets over and listen carefully to what you say next:

Impart to students an image of the POTENTIAL given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  For younger students, you might want to use the phrase, WHAT IS POSSIBLE.  You will be asking students to do their own work now.  Remind them of key words already displayed from previous discussion.  See No. 7 under Content.

CLOSING:

Gather students around the icon corner for a prayer customary for your parish.  Many parishes sing “It Is Truly Meet” at the close of a gathering.

You might inform students that you would not normally sing a hymn to the Holy Spirit at the end of a session, since we ask for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit before we begin a task or worship service.

ADDITIONAL FILES: