**Lesson Plan: God Shows Us Mercy**
**Grade Level: Primary 5**
**Subject: Christian Religious Studies**
**Duration: 60 minutes**
**Objective:**
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Understand the concept of mercy.
2. Recognize instances where God shows mercy in the Bible.
3. Reflect on how they can show mercy in their daily lives.
**Materials:**
- Bible
- Chart paper and markers
- Whiteboard and dry-erase markers
- Copies of a short Bible story about mercy (e.g. The Parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32)
- Worksheets and crayons for activities
- Interactive board or projector (if available)
**Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. Begin with a short prayer.
2. Engage students with an ice-breaking question: "Have you ever received forgiveness from someone? How did it make you feel?"
3. Write the word "Mercy" on the board and ask students what they think it means. Write their responses on the board.
**Lesson Development (20 minutes):**
1. Define Mercy:
- Explain that mercy is when someone forgives or shows kindness, even when the person doesn't deserve it.
2. Biblical Illustration:
- Introduce the Bible story: The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).
- Read the story aloud or have students take turns reading.
- Discuss the story with the following questions:
- Who showed mercy in the story?
- How did the father show mercy to his son?
- How did the son feel when he received mercy?
3. Explain to students how God shows mercy:
- Illustrate how God forgives us and loves us, even when we make mistakes.
- Provide other examples from the Bible where God showed mercy (e.g., Jonah and the Whale, The Good Samaritan).
**Activity (15 minutes):**
1. Mercy in Action:
- Divide students into small groups.
- Provide each group with chart paper and markers.
- Ask them to draw a picture or write a short skit showing an example of mercy they can perform in their daily lives (e.g., forgiving a friend, helping someone in need).
2. Presentation:
- Allow each group to share their drawing or perform their skit with the class.
**Reflection and Conclusion (10 minutes):**
1. Personal Reflection:
- Hand out worksheets with prompts such as, "Write about a time you showed mercy," or "Draw a picture of how you can show mercy today."
2. Class Discussion:
- Invite volunteers to share their reflections or drawings with the class.
- Summarize the lesson by reinforcing the key points about mercy and God's love.
3. Closing Prayer:
- Conclude with a prayer asking God to help everyone show mercy in their daily lives, just as He shows mercy to us.
**Assessment:**
- Observe student participation during discussions and activities.
- Review the worksheets to assess understanding of the lesson's key concepts.
**Homework:**
- Ask students to think of one act of mercy they can perform during the week and be prepared to share it in the next class.
**Extension Activity:**
- Create a "Mercy Tree" on the classroom wall where students can add leaves with their acts of mercy written on them throughout the term.
**Notes:**
- Adapt the lesson based on the specific needs and dynamics of the class.
- Ensure every student participates and understands the concept of mercy.