📖

Freedom Riders and Sit-ins: Nonviolent Resistance

The Civil Rights Movement

Day 124of 180
Week 25of 36
35Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the concept of nonviolent resistance

2

Learn about young people's courage during the Civil Rights Movement

3

Recognize the power of peaceful protest

📖 Scripture Connection

Matthew 5:44

“But I tell you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,”

— Matthew 5:44 (WEB)

Jesus' teachings about loving others and responding to persecution with love directly relate to the nonviolent resistance of the Civil Rights Movement

📦 Materials Needed

  • White and colored construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Markers
  • Large poster board
  • Printed images of Freedom Riders
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Begin with a prayer asking God to help students understand courage and love. Ask students what they know about peaceful protests.

💭 Review Question: What does it mean to resist something peacefully?
2Teaching (15 min)

Explain the Freedom Riders and sit-in movement, highlighting how young people used nonviolent methods to challenge racial segregation.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Freedom Riders challenged segregation in bus terminals
  • Sit-ins were peaceful protests at segregated lunch counters
  • Protesters remained calm even when faced with violence
  • Their courage helped change unjust laws
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How did the Freedom Riders show courage?
  • Why is nonviolence powerful?
  • How can we stand up for what's right today?
3Activity: Nonviolent Protest Poster (10 min)
hands-on

Students create a poster depicting nonviolent resistance, using images and words that show courage and love.

📝 Instructions:
  1. Divide into small groups
  2. Use construction paper to create a poster
  3. Include images of Freedom Riders or sit-in protesters
  4. Write quotes about peace and justice
  5. Share posters with the class
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use pre-printed images and focus on coloring

Challenge: Research and include specific stories of individual protesters

4Closing (5 min)

Reflect on how Christians are called to stand up for justice with love and courage.

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about nonviolent resistance?
  • How can we show love to everyone?
  • What would you have done if you were a Freedom Rider?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to be brave and loving, just like the Freedom Riders who stood up for justice peacefully.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous 'I Have a Dream' speech

💎 Memory Verse

Romans 12:21

“Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

— Romans 12:21 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Create hand motions to help remember the verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The Civil Rights Movement was a critical time when African Americans nonviolently challenged racial segregation and discrimination.

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Discuss the importance of respecting all people
  • Help children understand historical context
  • Emphasize the power of peaceful change
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find it hard to understand the complexity of racial discrimination

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Empathy, understanding of nonviolent protest, respect for all people

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Watch age-appropriate documentaries about the Civil Rights Movement
  • Read biographies of Freedom Riders
  • Create a timeline of Civil Rights events

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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