📖

Jonathan Edwards: Preacher of Revival

The Great Awakening and Colonial Culture

Day 42of 180
Week 9of 36
35Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Learn about Jonathan Edwards and his role in the Great Awakening

2

Understand how powerful preaching can spread God's message

3

Explore how faith can inspire personal and social change

📖 Scripture Connection

Romans 10:14

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?”

— Romans 10:14 (WEB)

Demonstrates the importance of sharing God's message, just as Jonathan Edwards did during the Great Awakening

📦 Materials Needed

  • Biographical card about Jonathan Edwards
  • Large paper or poster board
  • Colored markers
  • Map of New England colonies
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and ask what they know about preachers and how people learn about God

💭 Review Question: Who can tell me about someone who has shared an important message?
2Teaching (15 min)

Introduction to Jonathan Edwards, a Puritan preacher who lived in Massachusetts during the early 1700s. He was known for powerful sermons that helped spark the Great Awakening, a time of spiritual renewal in the American colonies.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Edwards believed in the power of God's love
  • He preached about personal relationship with God
  • His most famous sermon was 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God'
  • He helped people understand God's grace and mercy
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why do you think people were moved by Edwards' preaching?
  • How can words help people understand God's love?
  • What makes a message powerful?
3Activity: Revival Map Maker (10 min)
hands-on

Students create a visual representation of Jonathan Edwards' ministry in New England

📝 Instructions:
  1. Use the map of New England
  2. Mark locations where Edwards preached
  3. Draw small illustrations representing his message
  4. Write key quotes or ideas from his sermons
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use pre-printed stickers and simple drawings

Challenge: Research additional details about specific towns and churches

4Closing (5 min)

Recap Jonathan Edwards' importance in spreading God's message

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about Jonathan Edwards today?
  • How can we share God's love with others?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for people like Jonathan Edwards who help others understand Your love. Help us be brave in sharing Your message. Amen.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about George Whitefield and how he traveled to spread the Gospel

💎 Memory Verse

Romans 10:14

“How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?”

— Romans 10:14 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Pass the Word Relay: Students pass a Bible and when the music stops, the student holding it reads the verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The Great Awakening was a significant religious revival that emphasized personal faith and direct connection with God

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Discuss the importance of sharing faith respectfully
  • Encourage children to think about their own spiritual journey
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find historical language difficult to understand

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Signs of engagement and curiosity about spiritual topics

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Read a child-friendly version of 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God'
  • Write a letter imagining attending one of Edwards' sermons
  • Create a dramatic reading of a sermon excerpt

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 43 →Back to History & Social Studies