Winter 2017 ~ Religious Instruction Lesson #3
Life in the Monestary/Convent
This lesson is historical in nature and therefore the only Bible reference used is the memory verse itself.
Learning Objectives
1. The children will explore life in Christian cloisters.
2. The children will recognize the importance of making time for God in their lives.
Memory Verse:
“Be still, and know that I am God…”
--Psalm 46:10 (NIRV)
Getting Started
(Choose One Activity)
What’s Your Schedule Like?
Have the children make a schedule of a typical day in their life. They should start at the time
they wake up and list everything they would do all the way until they go to bed in the evening.
Example:
6:30am wake up & shower, get ready for school
7:00am breakfast
7:15am
bus for school
Give them 10 minutes to do their schedules, having them be as detailed as possible. Then proceed with
the lesson. You will come back to this schedule at the end of the lesson.
Bible Activity
Start by having the children sit down and start copying the Bible. Give them each a specific book of the
Bible to copy, along with a Bible, paper, and a pen. Try to keep a straight face and be serious about the
activity. Tell the children: “Today we are going to work on copying the Bible so that we can really know
and understand it.” Then assign them each a book of the Bible to copy. Let the children work for about
10 minutes. Then have them stop and explain to them that this is part of the life of monks or nuns living
in monasteries or cloisters.
Lesson
Message:
Teacher Background Information:
Make time for God.
(From “God’s Ways – Volume 3)
TEACHER NOTE: The following information is for YOU to read as you prepare for your lesson. This will
give you the background information to help you understand and answer questions. This information
is NOT to be read word for word or analyzed in detail during class. Refer to the section below entitled:
“WHAT DO THEY NEED TO KNOW?” for the main points the children should understand. Teach the
lesson using the “Activity” section and “Real Life Application” section. They will guide you as to how
to teach the key ideas from this historical information.
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Lesson - Continued
Remember to try and make it as fun and interesting as possible. Food/Snacks to enjoy during the
lesson may help keep your student interest up as well, and you are encouraged to bring them in each
week (or have a volunteer do so) as we explore the history of the church.
Eremitic monasticism
The earliest form of Christian monasticism chosen by some was a life as a hermit. They sought
solitude in order to live a life of abstinence, perceiving this way of life as a prerequisite for reflecting
upon the substance of their faith and following Christ without being distracted. The first hermit
mentioned by name is Anthony (251-356). He had with drawn into the Egyptian desert. Egypt is
therefore considered the birthplace of monasticism.
Orders
The best-known form of Christian monasticism was men or women living in a secluded
community according to precise rules. The place where they lived together was called a cloister (from
the Latin claustrum, meaning an enclosed place).
Monte Cassino is one of the most important monasteries. It dates back to Benedict of Nursia
(480-547). He had a decisive forming influence on occidental monasticism by establishing the following
rules for monastic life, which he founded on the Bible:
 Relinquishing all possessions,
 Celibacy
 Absolute obedience to the abbot, the head of the monastery
 Prayer on behalf of mankind, and
 Work.
In the course of time, a series of monasteries were established in the Occident in accordance
with the Benedictine Rule. They were joined together under the so-called Benedictine Order.
Besides the Benedictine Rule, several other orders existed or were established, which more or
less diverged from the Rules of Benedict. Pope Gregory I (540-604) strove to make the Benedictine Rule
mandatory for all orders throughout the Occident. Henceforth, the rules of the Benedictine Order
indeed supplanted the others more and more, so that eventually—from about the 10th century
onward—the Benedictine Rule was almost the exclusive basis for monastic life.
Life in a cloister
The typical day of a monk (i.e., a member of a monastery) or a nun (i.e., a member of a convent)
followed a strict schedule. Prayer and divine services carried special weight. In addition, a large part of
the day was filled with physical and intellectual work.
Significance of the cloisters
Cloisters had great cultural and economic significance in the Middle Ages. For this reason, they
were long held in high esteem. In many regions they offered the only opportunity for an academic
education. The furtherance and development of science and literature was also a matter of concern for
the cloisters. Furthermore, monks developed new techniques and methods for trades, agriculture and
livestock breeding. Thereby they contributed to progress in general, since the peasants and craftsmen
in their surroundings benefited from their know-how.
Naturally, the cloister was perceived as a place of special intimacy with God, since the monks
had to dedicate a large part of their time to reflect on matters of faith.
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Lesson - Continued
Reforms in the 10th Century
During the course of time, scientific successes and other influences led monks and nuns in many
places to gradually relax their strict adherence to the Benedictine Rule. In the 10th century a reform
movement began, originating principally in the monastery of Cluny, in present-day France. Its goal was
primarily to re-establish monastic life in accordance with the original rules. Above all, monks, and nuns
were to practice intense spiritualization once again. The Cistercian Order originated from this
development.
What do they need to know?:
Monks – live in a monastery
Nuns – live in a convent
When? During the Middle Ages, a.k.a. the “Dark Ages”.
Rules they followed:
- Had to Relinquish all possessions,
- Must remain celibate
- Must have absolute obedience to the abbot, the head of the monastery/convent, followed a
strict daily schedule.
- Must engage in prayer on behalf of mankind, prayer and divine services were very important.
- Must work, a large part of the day was filled with physical and intellectual work.
Why were cloisters important?
- Cloisters had great cultural and economic significance in the time period of the Middle Ages.
- In many regions they offered the only opportunity for an academic education.
- Helped to further and develop science and literature.
- Monks developed new techniques and methods for trades, agriculture and livestock breeding.
Therefore they contributed to progress in general, since the peasants and craftsmen in their
surroundings benefited from their know-how.
- Naturally, the cloister was perceived as a place of special intimacy with God, since the monks
had to dedicate a large part of their time to reflect on matters regarding their faith.
Application to Real Life
“Lots of Stuff”
See: www.teensundayschool.com  Activities  “Lots of Stuff”
You will need to print out the activity sheet, one for each child. Please see the website above. The
children will need to fill out the sheet quietly before having a chance to share their thoughts. Refer to
the website for a guide to the discussion questions.
“What’s My Schedule” Conclusion
Have the children go back and look over their daily schedule to see if there is any “prayer time” or “God
time” on their schedule. When do they find to reflect, or read their Bible, or talk to God? Let them take
a few moments to look over their schedules and try to find the time for prayer, Bible reading, and/or
“God time” in their schedule. Encourage the children to find and make time for God in their lives each
day. Challenge them to find 15 minutes in their schedule for solitude and “God time” and write it in on
their schedule.
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Memory Work Suggestions
5 minutes
1. Recite the memory verse. What does it mean to “be still or make time for God?”
2. Practice finding the memory verse and/or Bible text in their Bible!
3. Play a game to review an article of faith (toss the bean bag/stuffed animal, the person who
catches it says the next word…try to go faster and faster).
4. Allow a volunteer (child) to lead the class in an opening/closing prayer.
Activity Ideas with Discussion Questions
General Discussion Questions
- Can you remember a time when you were alone?
- How did you feel?
- Do you think that people look at being alone as a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
- Can you ever remember your being alone as a positive thing?
Often, we look at being alone as a bad thing. We assume it would make us “lonely,” or we
equate it with being lost. But it’s not always a bad thing. Today, we’re going to talk about solitude.
Simply put, that means being alone on purpose so that you can connect with God at a deeper level.
Read Matthew 14:23
23
After he had sent them away, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came,
he was there alone.
Here, we read that Jesus modeled being alone. It wasn’t the only time He did so. In fact, several
of the verses we’ll look at today show that Jesus made a habit of going off by Himself.
Read Luke 5:16
16
But Jesus often went away to be by himself and pray.
1. Why do you think Jesus did this?
2. Look at the context around these verses. What prompted Jesus’ retreat? (in both cases, it was
the multitudes pressing around Him, His popularity spreading, that pushed Him into retreat)
3. In what ways does life press on you?
4. How often are you able to get alone time?
5. What benefit do you sense from having this time?
Jesus practiced solitude; that much is certain. Equally true, He made sure His followers did the same.
Read Mark 6:31
31
But many people were coming and going. So they did not even have a chance to eat.
Then Jesus said to his apostles, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place. You need to get some
rest."
1. What does Jesus tell His disciples to do? (“come away and rest”)
2. Why did He say this? (They were so busy they didn’t even have time to eat because of all the
people.)
3. What had they just finished doing? (see Mark 6:7-12…they had been preaching, teaching, and
casting out demons)
The Bible tells us to find time to be alone, to rest, to experience solitude.
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Activity Ideas with Discussion Questions - Continued
Read Psalm 46:10
10
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be honored among the nations. I will be honored in the
earth."
This verse is in the context of talking about the power and might of God. But we’re not using it out
of context. Many of us find being alone difficult. But we are disconnecting from a world that holds much
trouble for us and re-connecting with a God who is more powerful than it all!
1. How can disconnecting from the world and experiencing solitude be a good thing?
2. How can having time that is exclusively devoted to God be good for us?
3. In what times of life do we need solitude most?
Read John 8:29
29
The One who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him."
1. Who is “He who sent me” to Jesus?
2. What do you think it means, “He has not left me alone?”
3. Are we ever really alone? Why do you think that?
The truth is, even in our solitude, we’re not really alone. We are communing with God. By tuning out the
noise and busyness of the world around us, we can hear Him more clearly, experience Him more fully,
and re-prioritize our lives to include Him more completely. It is the process of connecting with God that
makes solitude so important.
Journal Reflection Question
-
Why do you think finding time for God each day (praying, talking, learning about Him) is
important? Write about it.
Homework Ideas
-
-
Read at home the lesson titled: The Reformation.
Learn the memory verse:
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly
things."
--Colossians 3:2 (NIRV)
Work on memorizing Article of Faith #_____.
How many church denominations can you name? (Lutheran, Methodist, etc.) Look around as
you go about your week. Make a list and see how many you can come up with.
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