Interpreting the Good Samaritan today
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how the Good Samaritan Parable influences some Christians to stand up against injustice.
Key learning points
- Many Christians interpret the Good Samaritan to mean that they should speak up for those on the margins of society.
- Some Christians are inspired by the parable to campaign against unjust laws and challenge power.
- Oscar Romero was a Catholic Bishop in El Salvador. He stood up against unjust power in his country and was assassinated.
- Oscar Romero was made a saint by the Catholic Church and inspires many Catholics to protest against unjust power.
Keywords
Compassion - showing care and concern for the sufferings of others
Injustice - a lack of fairness
Parable - a short story that usually has a deeper meaning
Common misconception
Christians today would not challenge people in power or laws they feel are unjust.
Some Christians do campaign against unjust laws and have done so throughout history.
Teacher tip
There is a beautiful animation of the life of Oscar Romero for Key Stage 2 pupils on the Cafod website as part of their education resources. The website of the Church of St Nicolas of Tolentino in Bristol provides more information on the many activities for justice undertaken by the parish.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Put these parts of the Good Samaritan story in the correct order.
Q2.Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
Q3.What is the key message of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
Q4.What is the deeper meaning of the parable?
Q5.Where is the Parable of the Good Samaritan found?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Oscar Romero was a Catholic bishop who spoke out for the in El Salvador.
Q2.Why did Oscar Romero speak out against the government of El Salvador?
Q3.How did Oscar Romero follow the example of the Good Samaritan?
Q4.Do Christians today challenge unjust power?
Q5.Why was Oscar Romero assassinated?
To help you plan your 5 religious education lesson on: Interpreting the Good Samaritan today, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 religious education lesson on: Interpreting the Good Samaritan today, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 religious education lessons from the Jesus: how did he speak truth to power? unit, dive into the full primary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.