‘Pay it Forward’
Lesson 3
Learning Objectives:
To be able to:
• Explain the religious messages in Pay It
Forward
• To make links between Trevor’s idea and the
actions of Jesus
What does Nelson Mandela mean
by the quote below?
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest
fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not
our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I
to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are
you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't
serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so
that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to
make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in
some of us: it's in everyone. And when we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As
we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically
liberates others."
• How does this idea link to the actions of
Jesus and Trevor?
What is a parable?
• Parable = A story with a meaning which was
told by Jesus
• How many parables can you think of?
• Talk to a partner for 2 mins and you will feed
your suggestions back to the class
The Parables of Jesus
The parable of the Good
Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
• You need to consider the
links between the parable
and the concept of paying
it forward.
• After looking at the example on the parables grid
sheet you will be divided into groups to read and
interpret some of the other parables.
Parables and stories to be researched:
Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:1-9 and 18-23
Parable of the Mustard Seed
Matthew 13:31-32
Parable of the Sheep and Goats
Matthew 25: 31-46
The Vine and the Branches
John 15:1-17
The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5:1-12
Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:14-30
Once you have read your
parable, you need to
summarise it in the grid
and try and make links to
Pay It Forward.
You will be expected to
present your work back to
the class so everyone can
complete the whole table.
Plenary:
• Why might Pay It Forward be considered a
modern parable?
• What would the message of this parable be?