📖

Horatio Spafford's Tragedy

Hymn Study: Stories Behind the Songs

Day 101of 180
Week 21of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the personal tragedy behind the hymn 'It Is Well With My Soul'

2

Recognize how faith can provide comfort during difficult times

3

Develop empathy and emotional resilience

📖 Scripture Connection

Psalm 34:18

“Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.”

— Psalm 34:18 (WEB)

Reflects Spafford's experience of finding hope through deep personal loss

📦 Materials Needed

  • BibleMouse Resource Guide
  • Hymnal
  • Tissue paper
  • Watercolor paper
  • Watercolors
  • Pencil
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Recall last week's lesson about 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' and introduce today's special story about a hymn

💭 Review Question: What did we learn about telling stories through music?
2Teaching (8 min)

Share Horatio Spafford's heartbreaking story of losing his children at sea

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Spafford lost four daughters in a shipwreck
  • He wrote 'It Is Well With My Soul' after this tragedy
  • His faith remained strong despite immense suffering
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How do you think Spafford felt?
  • What helps people stay strong during hard times?
3Activity: Healing Through Art (10 min)
art

Create a watercolor painting representing emotions of loss and hope

📝 Instructions:
  1. Use blue watercolors to represent the ocean
  2. Add tissue paper to create texture symbolizing tears and healing
  3. Draw a small boat or heart to represent Spafford's journey
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use pre-drawn outline for guidance

Challenge: Write a short poem to accompany artwork

4Closing (3 min)

Reflect on the story and how music can express deep emotions

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did we learn about Horatio Spafford?
  • How can music help us during difficult times?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore how faith helps us through suffering

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Sensitive topic of child loss requires gentle handling

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Be prepared for emotional responses
  • Focus on hope and resilience
  • Use age-appropriate language
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might feel scared or confused by the story

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Empathy, understanding of emotional complexity

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Listen to a child-friendly recording of 'It Is Well With My Soul'
  • Create a prayer journal inspired by the lesson

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 102 →Back to Music