What did Jesus do to save human beings?

LO: Weigh up the value and impact of ideas of sacrifice in their own lives and the world today.

Ask pupils to come up with some reasons for who was responsible for Jesus’ death. You might use the ‘responsibility pies’ Resource Sheet 2 — take the pupils’ suggestions and combine/amend them with the ones suggested, and ask pupils to say how much responsibility for Jesus’ death lies with each group/individual (Pilate, Judas, the Romans, the Sanhedrin, the crowds, the soldier with the hammer, God, Jesus himself) and explain why.
•Ask the follow-up question: why did Jesus die? Collect pupils’ ideas. Ask if they can connect their answers to the ‘big story’ of the Bible.

Display this quote by Martin Luther King: If a man has not discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live. How far do pupils agree? Ask pupils to reflect on what sacrifices they would be prepared to make, and in what cause. To help someone in need, would they be prepared to give up their lunch, a favourite toy or gadget, their pocket money, a ticket to see their favourite pop group or sports team, six or more hours of hard work (gardening?), their blood for transfusion, or a kidney for transplant? How far would they go, and why?