After you and a few of the students have said some prayers, you can review with the children the prayer that they have been committing to memory over the last four lessons. You may also take the opportunity to review with them the other prayers they have learned to say by heart.
Source of Courage listen HERE.
CHORUS:
The source of courage and power
Is the promotion of the Word of God
The source of courage and power
Is steadfastness in His love
Forget about yourself
Stand up for what is right
Defend those in need
Rely upon His might
Teach the Word of God
Be courageous in your deeds
Follow His path
To happiness it leads
CHORUS
[Altnerative song:
This Little Light of Mine listen HERE
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine x 3
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Won’t let anyone put it out, I’m going to let it shine x 3
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under my hat? No! I’m going to let it shine x 3
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Take my light around the world, I’m going to let it shine x 3
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Make Me Fearless listen HERE
Make me fearless like a jungle lion, like a roaring ocean,
like an eagle in flight.
Make me fearless like Mulla Husayn, like Tahirih,
like ‘Abdu’l-Baha.]
‘Ali-‘Askar was a merchant in Persia. When he became a Bahá’í, he experienced much hardship at the hands of those who opposed the Faith. Within a short span of time, he had lost all he had. Even so, ‘Ali-‘Askar was not dispirited. Seeing that he would not be able to make a living in his homeland, he decided to move to Adrianople, a city in a neighboring country.
In Adrianople, though he still had little, he managed to acquire a small amount of merchandise. Before he was able to sell a single item, however, he was attacked by thieves who took everything he had in his possession, leaving him with nothing once again.
Not long after, the thieves were arrested, and the great fortune they had acquired was seized. One of the local authorities, dazzled by the riches, came up with an idea to keep the fortune for himself. He called ‘Ali-‘Askar to his office and explained.
“‘Ali-‘Askar,” he said, “these thieves are very rich. In my report to the Government, I wrote that the amount of the theft was great. Therefore you must attend the trial and testify conformably to what I wrote.” This way, the official thought, all of the money would be returned to ‘Ali-‘Askar, and the two would split it between themselves.
‘Ali-‘Askar knew that he could never go along with such a plan. “Your Honor Khan,” he replied, “the stolen goods amounted to very little. How can I report something that is not true? When they question me, I will give the facts exactly as they are. I consider this my duty, and only this.”
The official tried again to convince ‘Ali-‘Askar. “We have a golden opportunity here,” the official said, “you and I can both profit by it. Don’t let such a once-in-a-lifetime chance slip through your hands!”
But ‘Ali-‘Askar again refused, saying, “Khan, how would I square it with God? Let me be. I shall tell the truth and nothing but the truth.”
Now the official became angry. If ‘Ali-‘Askar did not go along with his scheme, all his planning would come to naught and he would lose the great fortune now within his grasp. And so he began to threaten ‘Ali-‘Askar, hoping he could frighten him into cooperating. “I will jail you,” he said. “I will have you banished; there is not a torment I will spare you.” Then he told ‘Ali-‘Askar that, if he did not agree, he would send him back to Persia.
‘Ali-‘Askar only smiled. “’Jinab-i-Khan,” he said, “do with me as you please; I will not turn my back on what is right.”
Stories re: Tahirih, Badi, Ruhu'llah would also be quite adaptable to this lesson.
To introduce the quotation that the children will commit to memory today, you can use the statement below.
To have courage means to stand for what is right, to defend those who need our help, even if this will put us in danger. It takes courage to go to unknown places, to face new situations, to do things that others before us have never done. We draw courage from our love of God and our desire to please Him above all others. To help us remember that we should face every situation in life with courage, let us memorize the following quotation:
“The source of courage and power is the promotion of the Word of God, and steadfastness in His Love.” listen HERE or HERE.
Source
1. Kyongmi lives in a village in a valley. The water of the village comes from the melted snow on top of nearby mountains. The source of the village water is the snow on the mountains.
2. Mrs. Putters has three loving and well-behaved children. Her children are a source of joy and happiness to her.
Promotion
1. Two of Shoa’s friends started an argument and became angry with each other. Shoa helped each to see the other’s point of view and make peace. Shoa always promotes peace and understanding among his friends.
2. As Haley was going to school, she heard an announcement on the radio about a new film that was being shown in the city. The owners of the movie theater were promoting the film on the radio.
Steadfastness
1. Promilla knew that she wanted to be doctor. She always studied hard in school and volunteered at the hospital in her free time. She showed steadfastness in her decision to become a doctor.
2. Zvondai went to a very remote village to help start a school. Although he missed his family and faced many difficulties, he showed steadfastness and stayed in the village for many years, training teachers and working with children.
[Alternative quote:
"Armed with the power of Thy name nothing can ever hurt me, and with Thy love in my heart all the world's afflictions can in no wise alarm me." Baha'u'llah -> activities that can be done with this is for younger children, having an envelope with the letters for "Baha'u'llah" that the children have to reassemble in the right order, or to cut out big copies of the letters for Baha'u'llah, and make a collaborative piece of His name. From HERE.]
[From the Bible: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9]
Begin the game today by asking the children to stand in a line, side by side. Now make a statement about a subject with which the children are well familiar. If the statement is correct, they should hop one step forward. If the statement is false, they should hop one step back. Make several more statements, each time letting the children choose between “true” and “false”.
Could do a bunch of spontaneity games to "improve courage":
- 1. Sound Ball — Have the group stand in a circle. One person makes a sound—any sound—while also making a throwing gesture towards another person in the group. That second person then ‘receives’ the sound with a physical motion like catching a ball or a sack or a ray of light and—importantly—repeats the sound sent to them. Then, without hesitation, the first receiver sends a new sound with a new gesture to another person in the circle. Keep the sound moving quickly and boldly to get everyone involved. Make sure to get the body involved and not just the voice. An active, athletic stance—like you would need if you were prepared to catch a real ball—helps loosen up the mind. Encourage kids not to predict or plan what sound they’ll make if the ball comes their way. Better to receive the one sent and then send a new one that emerges of its own accord.
- 2. I Am A Tree - One person starts the scene on stage saying “I am a tree.” Another person joins them, choosing something or someone to interact with the tree. They might say “I am the blue jay calling from the tree branch” and clasp the tree person’s arm. Or maybe they say “I am the water running beneath the roots of the tree” and lie down on the floor to wriggle beneath the tree person’s feet. A third person then joins the first two, choosing their own related identity and action: “I am the lovers’ carving in the bark on the tree” while forming a heart on the tree person’s torso. Dismantle the scene, child by child, possibly in reverse as each child restates what their character is.
- 3. What Are You Doing?—One person stands in the middle of a circle so everyone can see and begins pantomiming an action. Another comes up to the first and gently asks “What are you doing?” The first person continues doing their activity until they come up with something to say that is anything but the activity they’re doing. If I was pantomiming starting a lawnmower, for example, I might say “solving a Rubik’s cube.” The second person then takes on that activity and the first person rejoins the outer circle. Soon thereafter, a third person comes in to ask “What are you doing?” and the game continues. The children can go around in a circle. Can play for elimination i.e. when they respond too slowly, or answer with a true answer...
- Space Walk—This super-adaptable exercise gets kids moving and thinking with their bodies. It also makes a great warm-up for writing. Invite students to walk comfortably through the space paying attention to their own experience. suggest different modes of “walking.” Walk as if the floor is covered with jello, glue, peanut butter, or sand. Walk as if they were wading through ankle-deep, knee-deep, or chest-deep water. Move as if they were on ice. Or try different types of “clothes.” Walk as if you had on boots or Mercury’s winged shoes or wheelies. Try different ages, from toddler to geezer, or different emotions, from eager or anxious to dreary or jealous. Etc.
- Mirror Dance--This game also needs students to find a single partner. Partners should face each other and establish a boundary line between them. That boundary serves as the surface plane of the mirror. At your signal, students should do their best to exactly match the movement of the other in the mirror. Have one student (student A) start leading and then, after a few minutes, switch leadership to student B. Switch back and forth a few times with diminishing periods and eventually let them share leadership.
lesson17courage.pdf |
Courage - From the Family Virtues Guide
What Is Courage?
Courage is personal bravery in the face of fear. It is doing what needs to be done even when it is really hard or scary. Courage is going ahead even when you feel like giving up and quitting. Sometimes courage means recognizing a danger and standing firm. It doesn't mean taking unnecessary chances just to look brave.
Courage is needed in trying new things, in facing difficult situations, and in picking yourself up after a mistake and trying again. It is doing what you know is right even if other people laugh at you or call you names.
Courage is a quality of the heart. Courage comes from what you feel in your heart rather than just what you think. It comes from knowing yourself and knowing down deep that you can and should do something. Courage comes from knowing that God is there to help and that you can count on God always.
Love can give us courage. It gives us strength and helps us do the right thing without letting our fears stop us.
Why Practice Courage?
Courage is the best thing you can have when you are scared or unsure. There are times when you are not sure that you can do something. You might feel alone, facing what seems to be an impossible situation. Courage helps you do great things.
Without courage everyone would do only what is easy. No one would try new things that seem hard. Everyone would do only what is easy. No one would try new things that seem hard. Everyone would do what everyone else is doing, to avoid standing out - even if they knew it was wrong. Fear would be in charge. People would avoid anything that seemed hard.
How Do You Practice It?
You do what you know is right even when it is hard or scary. You face your mistakes with courage, learn from them, and keep trying. You try new things, like learning to ride a bike, even if it feels like you'll never learn.
You work it understand something which you are afraid of and decide if it real or just imagined. Remember that you can ask for help when you need it. You can count on God and others to give you strength and help.
You stand up for what you know is right even if all your friends are doing something wrong. You let courage fill your heart even if others laugh at you or call you names.
When you feel afraid, go ahead and feel your fear. Name it, then let it go. Decide what is the wise and courageous thing to do. Go ahead and do it even if you still feel afraid.
What would courage look like if...
- You are asked to speak in front of your class in school?
- All your friends want you to try something, like stealing or smoking, and you feel it is wrong?
- You see another child being teased and hurt by a group of children?
- You do something you are sorry for, like breaking one of your mother's favourite plates? No one knows who did it.
- You feel scared of the dark when you're trying to go to sleep? (What help do you need?)
Signs of Success
Congratulations! You are practising courage when you...
| Keep trying! You need more practice when you...
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I have the courage to try new things. I admit my mistakes and learn from them. I listen to my heart. I have the courage to do what is right.
courage_-_virtue_card_printout.pdf |