Heaven and hell suppose two distinct species of men, the good and the bad. But the greatest part of mankind float betwixt vice and virtue. —David Hume Having examined the nature of virtue and sin in previous sessions, participants in the fourth session confront the fact that the line between good...

Long ago in Japan, a samurai—a warrior of those ancient times—went to visit a monk named Hakuin. The samurai was elaborately dressed in armor, and by his side swung a gleaming, sharp sword. He was a big, proud fellow, used to getting whatever he wanted. "Hakuin!" The samurai bellowed at the...

Activity time: 20 minutes Preparation for Activity Decide how to divide the youth into skit groups. Description of Activity Ask participants to act out their ideas of heaven and hell. Say they should divide into two teams (or three or four if your numbers are large) and talk about how to act out...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Description of Activity Invite participants to create a group covenant to guide them in their work. Ask the group to work together to construct a group covenant. Inform participants that a covenant is a promise, an...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Two signs on newsprint, one saying NONE OR NEARLY NONE and the other saying AS MUCH AS THEY WANT Optional: Painter's tape or tacks to attach the signs Preparation for Activity Hang or place one sign on one wall and the other sign on the opposite wall.

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Two dice (extra large, if possible) of different colors Ethics Play role nametags Ethics Play Scenarios (Session 1, Leader Resources 2-7) Optional: Masks, costumes, and wigs for roles Preparation for Activity If you are or your group is new to Ethi...

Activity time: 12 minutes Materials for Activity Cardboard sword in Conundrum Corner (see Opening) Story 1, "Heaven and Hell" Preparation for Activity Read through the story "Heaven and Hell" Photocopy Story 1, "Heaven and Hell," one for each participant. Description of Activity Youth react to a...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Drawing paper, two sheets for each youth Oil pastels Cleanup supplies Music player and recordings of background music Optional: Tacks, painter's tape, or other supplies needed to display completed paintings Preparation for Activity Gather supplies ...

Dawkins, Richard. The God Delusion (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006). Says that all religions are equally bad and absurd. Harris, Sam. The End of Faith: Religion, Terror and the Future of Reason (New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2005). Warns against the threats of modern religions and calls...

Meet with your co-leaders after the session to reflect on how it went. How was your mix of discussion and action? Have you talked about religious concepts such as heaven and hell without giving youth the impression that you are telling them what to believe? If not, how can you correct that? What...

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Taking It Home, one for each participant Preparation for Activity Create a handout from Taking It Home that is specific to the activities used in this session. Description of Activity Briefly summarize what you have done in this session....

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Any material your group needs for continuing Faith in Action projects Twenty-five small sticks, wooden craft sticks, or pencils Preparation for Activity Collect and bring in any information that may be helpful to the gro...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Conundrum Corner poster/banner A cardboard sword Chalice and matches Recording of "Amazing Grace" and music player Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Optional: Nametags and markers Optional: Decorative cloth for Conundrum Corner Preparation for...

In the days before you present this session, think about heaven and hell. When and how did you first hear about them? Did you ever believe in them as real, potential destinations after death? Do you believe in them now? How have your ideas about heaven and hell changed through the years? When did...

The third session of Amazing Grace: Exploring Right and Wrong asks youth to consider the nature of virtuous and sinful lives. It begins with the youth concocting a story of a personal day made awful by the presence of sin. They then try to conceive of pure virtue and pure sin, and make abstract...

Print each sin and virtue on an index card to make a set. Make a set for each team. Teams may not have more than seven participants. You will need to estimate how many teams you will have. Keep the sets of virtues separate from the sets of sins. Sins Lust Gluttony Greed Sloth Wrath Envy Pride...

Match the sin or virtue with its definition. Write on the index card the letter below that matches the sin or virtue it describes. Sins A. Laziness B. Trying to get everything for yourself C. Being jealous D. Anger E. Uncontrolled desire for something F. Too much eating or drinking G....

Activity time: 5 minutes Description of Activity Lead a group discussion about curiosity. Is curiosity in children a virtue or not? Start things off with questions like these: Has anybody here ever gotten in trouble because of curiosity? What about birthday presents or Christmas presents-have you...