Second Station of the Cross Lesson

Subject Matter: Second Station of the Cross ~ Jesus Takes His Cross

Free Religion Lesson from Our Holy Faith, Book 1 Teacher’s Manual

Objectives:

• To increase the children’s knowledge of our Lord’s Passion
• To stimulate the children to keep away from sin, which is the cause of Jesus’ suffering

Approach

It is not easy for your father to work hard every day so that he could buy the things you need, but he does it willingly because he loves you. Jesus loves us and He, too, was anxious and willing to suffer many cruel things so that we could go to heaven. (Show picture of Station)

Presentation

Jesus Accepts the Cross

Jesus was innocent of any crime, yet He took the cross for us. He knew that He was going to die a terrible death, yet He loved His Father so much that He willingly carried His cross in order to redeem us.

Why Jesus’ Cross was Heavy

Jesus’ cross was terribly hard to carry. It weighed down on Him and hurt the sores caused by the terrible scourging. The reason Jesus’ cross was so heavy was that it represented the sins of men. Our own sins made up the cross, and it was our sins which crushed the back of Jesus.

What We Should Do

If we love Jesus, we will try to make His cross lighter by keeping away from sin. Instead, we will try to help Him by carrying a part of it ourselves. We can, if we accept the sorrows we meet in life for love of Jesus. Don’t you want to be good and help Jesus? Can you think of ways of carrying the cross?

Organization

1. How did Jesus act when the cross was placed upon His shoulder?
2. Why was He glad to carry the cross?
3. What should we do to make up for our sins?
4. Why should we try not to commit sin?

Virtues and Practices

• Bear our daily crosses willingly.
• Try to make Jesus’ cross lighter by not committing sin.

Suggested Learning Activities

• Discuss daily annoyances that we can put up with, to imitate Jesus.
• Study the picture of the second Station.
• Compose and chart a prayer to be said at the second Station.
• Poem: “Jesus Takes His Cross,” Belger, Sing a Song of Holy Things, p. 62