St. Barbara
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the Saints Module in first grade is to teach students about saints that were heroic. While all saints were heroic in nature, these specific saints demonstrate particular bravery through their trials and tribulations. In this lesson, we will focus on the courage of St. Barbara.
INTRODUCTION - 10 Minutes
Review the heroic saints you have talked about so far. Introduce St. Barbara.
HOLY SCRIPTURE - 2 Minutes
Memory Verse - For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12)
LIFE OF THE SAINT - 10 Minutes
The Roman Empire was in trouble; disease was spreading in every village and town. Dioscuros, who lived in Asia Minor, was a governor of a large, wealthy city located near the Persian border. He was a pagan who believed in many gods. He found a large tower near his palace and he wanted his daughter, Barbara to live there so no enemy, disease, or danger could ever get to her.
Barbara lived in the tower and was not allowed to leave because her father did not want any danger to happen to her. She didn't have any communication with the outside world. She only looked out the windows to see what was around her. Barbara's teachers taught her about the outside world and God's creations. She began to ask more and more questions and came to the conclusion that it was God who created all things.
One of her friends was a Christian and Barbara learned about Christianity from her and decided to become a Christian herself. Dioscuros was building a bathhouse for Barbara. One day, when he was away, she went to inspect the bathhouse. She told the builders to change a few things, such as the windows (instead of two she wanted three to represent the Holy Trinity). Barbara wrote a letter to a great teacher named Origen asking him to come baptize her. He taught her more about Our Lord Jesus Christ and about the faith. She was baptized a few days before her father returned.
When her father returned he noticed the changes in the bathhouse and Barbara told her father she had been baptized. He was furious and was about to kill her, but Barbara ran away to a nearby mountain and prayed to God for help. Dioscuros had soldiers find Barbara and take her to the main governor. The governor gave her two choices: believe in pagan gods or die. Barbara quickly answered and said, "I would rather die, for in this way I will witness my love for my Savior Jesus." The governor tortured her and threw her into jail where she met a friend named Juliana who took care of her. Around midnight, a bright light and Christ appeared to Barbara and told her, "Don't fear my child, for I will always be with you." After this, all of Barbara's wounds healed and Juliana wanted to accept Christ as well.
When Barbara stood in front of the governor the next morning, everyone was amazed because all of her wounds were healed. When he found out that Juliana was Christian, he ordered her to be tortured as well. As for Barbara, he ordered her to walk in the city naked. However, as she walked through the city without clothes, a light shone around her and no one could see her body; and her wounds healed. The imperial governor had grown tired and afraid of this young woman with so much power. He ordered his soldiers to have Barbara and Juliana beheaded at the same time. Immediately the earth shook and swallowed the bodies of the two martyrs. The governor, in terror, became insane and died.
ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes
Using pictures from magazines or printouts, have students create a collage of pictures that represent the story of St. Barbara. They could write words or phrases that represent the story as well.
DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes
Have students share their collages with the class.
RESOURCES
Show students pictures of the church and crypt of Saint Barbara in Old Cairo, Egypt.
PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK
Today we talked about St. Barbara and her bravery. She stood up to her father and was not afraid of the repercussions of being a Christian. She stood strong in her faith and was a hero because she defended her faith. Talk with your child about the importance of standing strong in their faith.