Chana’s Anguish and Triumph, Part 2

Lesson objectives

The student will be able to:

1. Outline the story of Chapter 1 (review from Lesson 1).
2. Describe Chana’s prayer of thanks to God (2:1-10).
3. Express the deep sadness and subsequent joy of Chana.
4. Identify the main themes of Chana’s prayer.

Skills

Students will be able to:

1. Read Biblical text with understanding.
2. Link Biblical texts to (personal) human feeling and emotion.

Values

Students will appreciate:

1.  The importance of showing gratitude.
2. The importance of prayer in Jewish life.

Procedure

1. Review Samuel I 1-2:11 briefly.
2. Ask the class what they would expect to hear in a prayer of thanksgiving from Chana. Then read the prayer and explain.
3. Questions for discussion:
   – What are the feelings that are being expressed in the prayer?
   – Does this match the expectations of the class (see #2)?
   – When thanking God, is prayer enough, or is action needed (i.e. giving charity)?
   – What do Chana’s actions say about her? What type of person is she?
4.  Ask students to share prayer experiences when they have been in a similar frame of mind (i.e. extremely grateful). What would they say?
5. Ask students to identify themes of the prayer, including:
   – Praise and thanks – Love of God
   – Power of God – Submission of self
6. Homework: Students rewrite Chana’s prayer in modern-day language. The prayer should outline the story in Chapter 1 and include themes from Chana’s prayer.

 

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CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE TO PART 3.