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Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Christian Education

2019CreativeFestivalsLessonPlan:MiddleSchool/HighSchool

Theme:AntiochianVillage:Past,Present,andFuture“IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme.”(Philippians4:13)Goal:Tohelpthestudentsunderstandthethemewellenoughtoexpressitinart,photography,poetry,andcreativewriting.LessonObjectives:Thestudentswillbeableto:

• DescribetheconditionsinwhichSt.PauliswritingtheLettertothePhilippians.

• ExplainintheirownwordswhatgivesPaulstrengthinthemidstofthosecircumstances.

• NamewaysthatChristcouldhelpthemovercomeanychallengesorobstaclestheymayface.

• Relatethepassage“IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme”toourchurch’sestablishmentofAntiochianVillage,itspreservation,anditsfuture.

Time:40minutesMaterials:• PhotoofthearchattheentrancetoAntiochianVillageCamp• OrthodoxStudyBibles• IconoftheApostlePaul[FromSt.JohnChrysostomOrthodoxChurch,York,PA]

(Attached.)• Article“IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme,”byFr.Stavros

(Attached.Printonecopyforeachstudent.)http://myocn.net/daily-devotion-i-can-do-all-things-through-christ-who-strengthens-me/

• Smartphones• PaperandPencils• Copyof“APrayerBeforeCommencingAnyTask”(Attached.Printonecopyof

theprayerforeachstudent.)OpeningPrayer: ForJoyandGladness(Aprayerfromtheearlychurchtakenfrom“TheClementineLiturgy”)

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“Blessedartthou,OLord,whohastnourishedmefrommyyouthup,whogivesfoodtoallflesh.Fillourheartswithjoyandgladness,thatwe,alwayshavingasufficiencyinallthings,mayaboundtoeveryworkinChristJesusourLord,throughwhomtoTheebeglory,honor,might,majesty,anddominion,foreverandever.Amen.”IntroductiontotheTheme:ExplaintothestudentsthattheCreativeFestivalthemehastwopartsthisyear-theBiblicalquotefromPhilippians4:13,“IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme”andAntiochianVillage:Past,Present,andFuture.Askifanyoneknowshowthesetwoideasarerelated.(TheBiblicalquoteisonthearchattheentrancetoAntiochianVillageCamp.)Showthestudentsthephotoofthearch.Philippians4:10-13HavethestudentsreadaloudthebackgroundinformationintheOrthodoxStudyBibleforTheBookofPhilippians.ShowthemtheiconofSt.Paul.HavethemreadaloudPhilippians4:10-13. Discussion:

• WhereisSt.PaulatthewritingofPhilippians?(Romeunderhousearrest.)• Whopaysforhishousingandfood?(St.Paul’shousingandsupportarepaid

forbycontributionsfromthechurchesandfromhisownsavings.TheChurchatPhilippijustsentsomemoney.)

• HowisSt.Paulheld?(Inchains.)• Whoguardshim?Whatwassospecialaboutthem?(PraetorianGuard,the

eliteguardoftheRomanEmperor.)• St.Paulwrites,“IcandoallthingsthroughChrist,whostrengthensme.”

Whatdoeshemeanbythisstatement?Doeshereallymeanthathecandoallthings?(ThroughprayerandfaithinChrist,St.Paulhaslearnedthat“…inwhateverstateIamtobecontent.”Hehassuffered,buthassurvivedbecausehetrustsChristtogivehimthepatience,wisdom,andstrengthtoovercomethesedifficulttimes.)Howdoyouthinkthisverseappliestoourlivestoday?(Obtainresponses.)

Handoutcopiesofthearticle,“IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme.”Havestudentstaketurnsreadingaloudtotheclass.HavethemdiscussthingstheyfeelChristmighthelpthemwith,includinganyobstaclesorchallengesHecouldhelpthemovercome.EmphasizethatweneedtounderstandthatwemustfollowGod’splanforus.Sometimeswhatwe’reprayingformaynotcometopassbecauseit’snotGod’swill.ButGodisalwaystheretohelpuscopewithanythingthathappens.HewillgiveusstrengthtoovercomeanyobstacleswhenwefollowHisplanforus.

AntiochianVillage:Past,Present,andFutureHaveastudentreadaloudtheAntiochianVillageCampMissionStatement:

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“AntiochianVillageCamptransformsthelivesofyoungpeopleandfamiliesandnurturestheirfaithinJesusChristthroughOrthodoxChristiancommunityliving,worship,education,fellowshipandlove.”HaveastudentreadaloudthededicationstatementoftheMetropolitanatthetimeAntiochianVillagewasestablished:“Idonotdreamimpossibledreams,Imerelyinterpretthedreamandaspirationsofmyflock.TheAntiochianVillagewasthedreamofmypeople,Ihaveonlystriventotranslatethesedreamsintoreality.Eachachievementpresentsuswithanotherbeginning.Thereisnosummit,onlyheight,indoingtheworkofJesusChrist.”Discussion:

• AskthestudentsifanyofthemhaveattendedAntiochianVillageCamp(orifyouliveinanotherpartofthecountry,oneofourotherAntiochianCamps.)

• Askthemtosharetheirexperiencesaboutattendingcamp.Whatdidtheylikeaboutit?Whatdidtheydislike?Didtheyfeelanydifferentafterattendingcamp?DidattendingcampbringthemclosertoGod?

• Didtheyfeelthecampfulfilleditsstatedmission?• Whatismeantbystatement,“Thereisnosummit,onlyheight,indoingthe

workofJesusChrist”?(Ourworkisnevercompleted;wemustalwaysstrivetodomore.)

ExploringCreatively:Breakuptheclassintothreegroups.GiveeachgroupanaspectofAntiochianVillagetoresearchanddiscuss.(Past,Present,andFuture.)Allowthemtousesmartphonesintheirgroups.Givethempaperandpencilsandhavesomeoneineachgrouptakenotes.Attheendofthisexercise,haveeachgroupsharetheirfindingswiththeclass.

• Past:GiveabriefhistoryofAntiochianVillage.Whenwasitestablished?By

whichMetropolitan?Doyouthinkittookalotofcouragetodothis?Couldyouhavemadethedecisiontopurchasethegroundsandestablishthecampandconferencecenter?WhatsaintisburiedonthegroundsofAntiochianVillage?(St.Raphael)

• Present:HowisAntiochianVillagecurrentlyused?Whataresomethingsthatcanbefoundthere?(TellalittlebitabouttheCamp,ConferenceCenter,Museum,Library,etc.)Whataresomeeventsthattakeplacethere?(ParishLifeConferences,SacredMusicInstitute,ClergySymposium,etc.)

• Future:WhatdoyouseeasthefutureofAntiochianVillage?ForwhatotherpurposescouldtheVillagebeused?InwhatwaysdoyouthinktheCampand/orConferenceCentercouldbeimproved?HowdoyouseeAntiochian

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VillageservingChristandHisflockinthefuture?DoyouthinkMetropolitanPhillip’stranslationofhispeoples’dreamisfinishedorinthemidstofanewbeginning?

Haveeachgroupsharetheinformationthey’velearnedwiththeclass.Conclusion:TheestablishmentofAntiochianVillagehaschangedthousandsoflives.LikeSt.Paul’sstatement,“IcandothingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme,”thedreamofAntiochianVillagelivesonbeyondthelifeofMetropolitanPHILLIPandthosewhohelpedfoundit.Letuslooktothefutureandhelpitgrow.

Closing Prayer:

Give each student a copy of the following prayer. Tell them they can say this prayer whenever they need God’s help to do something. Say the prayer together.

A PRAYER BEFORE COMMENCING ANY TASK Almighty God, our Help and Refuge, Fountain of wisdom and Tower of strength, who knowest that I can do nothing without thy guidance and help; assist me, I pray thee, and direct me to divine wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task, and whatever I may undertake to do, faithfully and diligently, according to thy will, so that it may be profitable to myself and others, and to the glory of thy Holy Name. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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Philippians4:13

IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme.Philippians4:13

I

WhoamI?IamcreatedintheimageandlikenessofGod.IhavetheLightofChristinme.IhavegiftsandtalentsthatwillallowmetomakeapositivecontributiontoSocietyaswellastomakeapositivewitnessforChristIamuniqueandspecialbecauseGodmademethatway.IwasnotcreatedwithflawsbutIhaveflawsbecauseIliveinaflawedworld.Myflawscontributetomybeingasinfulperson.Iamnotalostcause.IcanfindmywaytoParadisethroughfaith,works,repentanceandGod’sgrace.

Can

Canisapositiveword.Itfocusesonwhatispossible,notimpossible.WithGodallthingsarepossible.(Matthew19:26)EverygoodandperfectgiftisfromAbove.(James1:17)ApartfromGodwecandonothing.(John15:5)Christ,faith,hope,salvation-theseareallpositivethings,AllthingsthatweCANhave.Thisisamindsetwemustcreate-apositivemindsetthatseesthegoodinthings,seestheglasshalf-full,findsJoyandChristinallthings.

Do

Thereisadifferencebetween“hearing”and“doing”.BeingaChristian,havingfaithisnotonlyastateof“being”,andisnotonlybasedonwhatwe“hear”butonwhatwedo.Butbedoersoftheword,andnothearersonly,deceivingyourselves.James1:22

All

TheHolySpiritiseverywhereandfillsallthings.Thereisn’tagoodworkthatweundertakewhereChristcan’tbeinvolved.NorisChristianitysomethingthatweshouldcompartmentalize-itissomethingthatshouldbeever-presentinourlives.

Things

WhatarethethingsthatChristhelpsusdo?HehelpsusachievethepositivethingsthatSt.Paulspeaksabout-thethingsthataretrue,noble,just,pure,lovely,ofgoodreport,thepraiseworthythingsthatglorifyGod.Hehelpsusovercomethingsthatchallenge-beingabased,beinghungry,beinginneed.

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Through

Withtheassistanceof,intandemwith,inunionwith,withChristastheheadofOurlives.Christiswithus,inus,andweshouldallowHimtoleadus.

Christ

OurLord,God,Savior,ourHope,ourRock,ourSalvation.

Who

ChristisfullyGodandbecamefullyman.HeisatthesametimeourCreatorandourredeemer.HehasthestrengthofGodbutunderstandstheweaknessofman.HeexperiencedalsotheneedforGod.

Strengthens

Christgivesthestrengthtoovercomechallengesthatcanbeovercome,HegivesStrengthtobepatientwiththechallengesthatcannotbeovercome,HeGivesuswisdomtoknowwhentosurrenderandwhentofight.HeistheComfortingFatherwhoconsolesHischildrenwhentheyaresad.HeistheEncouragingFatherwhodirectsHischildrenwhentheyhavelosttheirway.

Me

IaminthemiddleofGod’sgrandplan.Ihavealreadybeenborn.IhaveyettoDie.I’mworkingmywaythroughlife,inthehopeofeverlastinglife.Ihaveconstantchallengesandobstaclesinmypath.Ican’tmakeitbymyself.IneedHishelp,whichcomesbothdirectlyfromHim,andthroughotherpeople.ThisiswhyIampartofthechurch-tobearoundotherpeoplewhocanhelpmethroughlife,tocommunewithChristwhileonmyjourney.MyrelationshipwithChristisatthesametimecommunal-Ibelongtoacommunityofpeople,joinedwiththesaintsandangels.Butatthesametime,faithispersonaltome.IhaveapersonalrelationshipwithJesusChrist.

Haveagreatday!

+Fr.Stavros

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A PRAYER BEFORE COMMENCING ANY TASK Almighty God, our Help and Refuge, Fountain of wisdom and Tower of strength, who knowest that I can do nothing without thy guidance and help; assist me, I pray thee, and direct me to divine wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task, and whatever I may undertake to do, faithfully and diligently, according to thy will, so that it may be profitable to myself and others, and to the glory of thy Holy Name. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A PRAYER BEFORE COMMENCING ANY TASK Almighty God, our Help and Refuge, Fountain of wisdom and Tower of strength, who knowest that I can do nothing without thy guidance and help; assist me, I pray thee, and direct me to divine wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task, and whatever I may undertake to do, faithfully and diligently, according to thy will, so that it may be profitable to myself and others, and to the glory of thy Holy Name. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A PRAYER BEFORE COMMENCING ANY TASK Almighty God, our Help and Refuge, Fountain of wisdom and Tower of strength, who knowest that I can do nothing without thy guidance and help; assist me, I pray thee, and direct me to divine wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task, and whatever I may undertake to do, faithfully and diligently, according to thy will, so that it may be profitable to myself and others, and to the glory of thy Holy Name. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A PRAYER BEFORE COMMENCING ANY TASK Almighty God, our Help and Refuge, Fountain of wisdom and Tower of strength, who knowest that I can do nothing without thy guidance and help; assist me, I pray thee, and direct me to divine wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task, and whatever I may undertake to do, faithfully and diligently, according to thy will, so that it may be profitable to myself and others, and to the glory of thy Holy Name. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------