Key Question: U2.2 What would Jesus do? Can we live by the values of Jesus in the twenty-first century?

LO: I can express my own understanding of what Jesus would do in relation to a moral dilemma from the world today

Right and Wrong in Christianity
• Jesus’ teaching: ‘Whoever wants to be the first must be the last of all, must be the servant of all.’ Mark 9:35–37; not just speaking about justice but practising it, Luke 11:39–42.
Discuss the words of Mother Teresa’s prayer with pupils:
‘Make us worthy, Lord
To serve our fellow humans throughout the world
Who live and die in poverty or hunger.
Give them, through our hands
This day their daily bread,
And by our understanding love,
Give peace and joy.’
• A voiceover of Mother Teresa is a voiceover of Mother Teresa, saying this prayer with a simple piano backing. See: https://youtu.be/L7AyEcD3gAA It is worth watching as it is her original voice – a potential ‘primary source’. Ask pupils if they can see any connections between this prayer and the Lord’s Prayer, which includes the line ‘Give us this day our daily bread’. Ask: is it fair that every person one earth should have food, drink, a home and a chance in life?’
• Pick out the themes of love, the duty to serve, the idea that serving the poor is a privilege. From stories of Mother Teresa, consider: in what ways did Mother Teresa putting into action the teachings of Jesus? Someone once said, “God has no voice but ours, no hands but ours”: discuss with pupils what this might mean for Christians today. What does Mother Teresa’s prayer say about sharing, fairness and kindness?
Fairness for everyone matters because…
• Ask pupils to consider some sayings of Mother Teresa for themselves and explore their meaning. Six are provided below. Focus on how she was trying to follow the teaching and example of Jesus.
• The ‘Silent Discussion’ approach is good for this. The quotes are written on large sheets of paper, and pupils move from table to table looking at each quote and annotating them. They do not speak. First ask them to write what they think the quote means. Then, moving round, ask them to write what is hard to follow about the quote. Then, moving on again, ask pupils to write a question they would like to ask Mother Teresa. More ‘layers’ can be added if you wish. The annotated quote sheets can be the basis of excellent extended writing (link to the English curriculum)
Six sayings of Mother Teresa: did she follow Jesus well?