Lesson 90: The Last Supper – Holy Thursday
Free Religion Lesson from Our Holy Faith, Book 1 Teacher’s Manual
Objectives
- To acquaint the children with the events of the Last Supper
- To foster the virtue of humility
Approach
Suppose you were moving to another city, what are some of the things you would do before leaving? Perhaps some of your neighbors would even have a little good-by party for you. And maybe you would give your little friends a gift so that they would not forget you. When it was time for Jesus to go away, He called His Apostles together to say good-by to them. He gave them a special gift so that they would always remember Him.
Presentation
Story of the Last Supper
It was the night before Christ’s death. Our Lord wanted to leave His disciples and us a parting gift of His love. He wanted to teach us that we should love one another just as He loves us. Since He knew that actions speak louder than words, He humbly went about washing the feet of His Apostles. (Discuss our Lord’s conversation with Peter.) He did this to show us how much we should respect our neighbors – this is, all men – and how we should imitate His humility. He then spoke to His Apostles, telling them of His great love for all men and of His great love for His heavenly Father. He told them that He and God the Father wanted all men to be united in love. He promised the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Love, who would come to help us be like Christ and join our hearts in love. (Discuss briefly the sad feeling that overcame Jesus when He thought of Judas and his plan to sell Jesus to the Jews.)
Organization
- Why did our Lord have the Last Supper with the Apostles?
- Why did He wash their feet?
- What happened to Peter?
- How did Judas become such a bad Apostle?
- Did Jesus know Judas would betray Him?
Virtues and Practices
- Do little tasks that are unpleasant to keep from becoming proud.
- Be kind and helpful toward one another.
- Be loyal to Christ to make up for Judas’ disloyalty.
Suggested Learning Activities
- Study the picture of the Last Supper and tell the story of Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles.
- Discuss little unpleasant things we can do because we want to imitate Jesus.
- Ejaculation: “O Sacrament most holy, etc.) (Raccolta, 136)
Teacher References
- S.N.D. Religious Teaching of Young Children, pp. 57-59
- Dennerle, Leading the Little Ones to Christ, pp. 184-186
- Sister Mary, et al., The Catholic Mother’s Helper, pp. 122-124