📖

Handel and the Messiah

Music History: The Baroque Period

Day 53of 180
Week 11of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Learn about George Frideric Handel's life and musical contributions

2

Understand the significance of the 'Messiah' oratorio

3

Develop appreciation for music that glorifies God

📖 Scripture Connection

Psalm 150:3-5

“Praise him with the sound of the trumpet. Praise him with the psaltery and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and pipe! Praise him with loud cymbals. Praise him with resounding cymbals!”

— Psalm 150:3-5 (WEB)

Demonstrates how music can be used to praise and worship God, just as Handel did through his compositions

📦 Materials Needed

  • Computer or music player
  • Handel biography printout (from BibleMouse Printables Library)
  • Notebook and pencil
  • World English Bible
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Recap yesterday's lesson about Bach and introduce today's focus on Handel

💭 Review Question: What did we learn about music being created to glorify God?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explore Handel's life and the story behind the 'Messiah' oratorio

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Handel was born in Germany but became famous in England
  • He composed 'Messiah' in just 24 days
  • The oratorio tells the story of Jesus Christ through music
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How might Handel have used his musical talents to honor God?
  • Why do you think music can be a powerful way to share God's message?
3Activity: Handel's Hallelujah Chorus Exploration (12 min)
listening

Listen to the 'Hallelujah Chorus' and discuss its biblical connections

📝 Instructions:
  1. Listen to the full 'Hallelujah Chorus'
  2. Read the lyrics and compare to Scripture
  3. Draw or write about what the music makes you feel
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Listen to a shorter excerpt

Challenge: Research the biblical texts used in the 'Messiah'

4Closing (3 min)

Reflect on how music can be a form of worship

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about Handel today?
  • How can music tell God's story?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore more Baroque music with Bach's 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring'

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Handel's 'Messiah' is a significant work that sets biblical texts to music

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use the BibleMouse Resource Guide for additional context
  • Encourage children to listen actively and reflect
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find classical music challenging to engage with

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Excitement about music's ability to tell stories and praise God

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a timeline of Handel's life
  • Learn to sing a portion of the 'Hallelujah Chorus'
  • Research other famous religious musical works

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 54 →Back to Music