Lesson Objective:
- Narrate the story of the healing of the hunchback woman
- Enable the children to identify with the hunchback and her physical state
- The purpose is to have the children comprehend the physical difficulties experienced by the woman and bring them to a state of empathy
- Reinforce the story of the hunchback through various arts and crafts activities
- This portion consists of a variety of activities including a crossword puzzle, coloring sheets, handcrafts, among others.
- Facilitate a session of soul-searching where the children examine their actions towards others
- Being a Lenten Retreat, the purpose is to encourage the children to participate in the Sacrament of Holy Confession. Since this is the primary class, the session will be less intensive than other classes. For example, a question to ask might be, “Have you ever made fun of someone with a physical disability?”
Downloads
Class 1 Lesson Guide (PDF)
Also see overall downloads on the main retreat page.
See craft related downloads in the craft section below.
Session 1 (1 hour)
Story Overview – 10min
The aim of this portion is to introduce the story of the healing of the hunchback woman to the children through auditory and visual means. The instructor should have read the passage thoroughly prior to the story telling portion.
Materials needed: Projector and Projector Screen
Story Telling (5-7 mins)
The instructor should use this time to give a quick but spirited summary of the healing of the hunchback woman while incorporating actions (e.g. bending over while walking)
Visual Aid (3 mins)
This short video can be shown to give the children an engaging presentation of what was just explained to them. This will help them visualize and reinforce the story. (video duration = 2.35 mins)
Discussion – 10min
This part is meant to be a small discussion that encourages the children to share their reactions to the story. The initial part of the discussion should focus on comprehending the plot, characters, setting, etc. The second part should be more introspective.
Possible Questions:
- What is happening in this story?
- Characters, Setting, Plot
- What are the characters feeling in the beginning?
- Jesus, Hunchback Woman, Pharisee
- How do the characters feel after the woman is healed?
Empathetic Portion: Being a Hunchback!
The intention of this activity is to help the children identify with the hunchback and put themselves in her shoes.
Materials needed: Pillows and Strings
How it works:
- Ask for a few volunteers or select a few children to participate in the activity
- Place a pillow on the back of each child and use the string to tie it to their backs
- Have them bend forward and imitate a hunchback
- If there is enough time, have other children participate in the role play
- Ask the children how they felt being in the role of a hunchback and the difficulties they faced
Song – 10 min
Materials needed: Projector and Projector Screen
From the retreat songs that are provided, the instructor can teach the children one song and have them sing it aloud. The second song should be kept for Session 2.
Introspection – 15 mins
This portion aims to encourage the children to become comfortable with partaking in Holy Confession. These questions and discussion are meant to get their minds going and have them reflect on what they have done wrong and encourage them to confess them to a priest.
Highlight: Jesus’ love and willingness to heal the woman AND us
Possible Questions: Have you ever ________?
- Made fun of someone with a physical disability
- Lied
- Gotten angry
- Wanted someone else’s things
To maintain a positive and cheerful environment, it is advised that the instructor ask the students to reflect internally without sharing with the group.
In an encouraging and loving manner, make the children aware that as Christ healed the hunchback woman, Christ can heal us and forgive us. Through His love, we who are crippled, like the hunchback, are healed and can stand up straight.
Through confessing and telling our sins to a priest, who is an intermediary between God and us, He heals and forgives us.
Take Away
The instructor should state the take away point and ask the children to share their thoughts.
Christ showed His love to the hunchback and us, so we need to do the same for others. How? Possible Answers:
- Helping and praying for those who are disabled
- Being a friend to someone who seems to be alone often
- Helping someone when they are in a difficult situation
Session 2 (1 hour)
This session is geared towards arts and crafts activities. There are an assortment of activities available. Based on the age range and class size, the instructor can choose the appropriate activities from those that are provided. This is left to the discretion of the instructor.
Arts & Crafts Options (30-35 mins)
- Jesus Set Me Free on the Sabbath Paper Activity
- The instructions can be found in the this handout
- Materials needed: Scissors
- Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Decoder (More for Older Children)
- Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Word Puzzle
- Jesus Healed A Woman With a Crooked Back: Bible Craft
- The instructions can be found in the this handout
- Materials needed: Ribbon, Construction Paper, Crayons, Glue
- Jesus Healed a Woman With a Crooked Back: Coloring Sheet
- Jesus Healed a Woman With a Crooked Back: Spot the Differences!
- Jesus Healed a Woman With a Crooked Back: Word Tiles
- Materials needed: Scissors
- Write the Bible Phrase
Song (10-15 mins)
Teach the song that was not used in Session 1.
Wrap-Up (10 mins)
The purpose of this final portion is to review what the class has learned through
the retreat.
Review Items:
- General Theme Verse (Jeremiah 17:14)
- Story of the Healing of the Hunchback Woman
- We fail sometimes, but Christ loves and forgives us!
- Take Away: Jesus Christ showed His love to the hunchback and us, so we need to do the same for others!
Select a few students to present during theme presentation. The points that were covered in the review should be what is presented in the general session. Make sure to outline the activities: Empathetic Portion, Introspection, and Arts & Crafts