📖

Gladiators and the Colosseum

Life in the Roman Empire

Day 42of 180
Week 9of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand Roman entertainment practices

2

Recognize how cultural practices differ from Christian values

3

Learn about historical context of New Testament era

📖 Scripture Connection

Romans 12:17-18

“Don't repay anyone evil for evil. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.”

— Romans 12:17-18 (WEB)

Contrasting Roman entertainment violence with Christian principles of peace

📦 Materials Needed

  • Colosseum diagram
  • Gladiator costume pieces
  • World English Bible
  • Colored paper
  • Scissors
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Show images of Colosseum, discuss what students know about ancient Roman entertainment

💭 Review Question: What do you think people did for fun in ancient times?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain gladiatorial games, social structure of entertainment in Rome, emphasizing historical context

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Gladiators were often slaves or prisoners
  • Games were popular public events
  • Colosseum could hold 50,000 people
  • Most games were violent and cruel
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why do you think people enjoyed watching fighting?
  • How are modern entertainment and ancient Roman games different?
  • What does Jesus teach about treating others?
3Activity: Design a Peace Banner (10 min)
hands-on

Students create banners showing Christian alternatives to violence

📝 Instructions:
  1. Fold colored paper in half
  2. Draw images of peace and friendship
  3. Write memory verse on banner
  4. Share designs with class
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-draw peace symbols for students to color

Challenge: Research historical Christian responses to Roman violence

4Closing (5 min)

Summarize lesson about Roman culture and Christian values

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did Romans do for entertainment?
  • How do Christian values differ from Roman practices?
  • What does it mean to be a peacemaker?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us choose kindness and peace in our actions and entertainment.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about the Latin language!

💎 Memory Verse

Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

— Matthew 5:9 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Peace Sign Hand Motion

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Roman entertainment often involved extreme violence, contrasting with Christian principles

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use age-appropriate language about historical practices
  • Emphasize empathy and respect for human life
  • Connect historical context to biblical teachings
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find historical violence disturbing

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Understanding of cultural differences and Christian values

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Research modern sporting events
  • Compare ancient and modern entertainment
  • Create a timeline of Roman history

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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