Title: Joni Eareckson Tada: A Life of Faith and Service

Grade Level: 6-8

Objective: - Students will learn about Joni Eareckson Tada and her journey of faith, resilience, and service. - Students will understand the importance of having faith in God and obeying His call to serve others. - Students will reflect on their own lives and identify ways they can serve others in their community.

Materials: - Biography of Joni Eareckson Tada (e.g., “Joni: An Unforgettable Story” by Joni Eareckson Tada) - Video clips or audio recordings of Joni Eareckson Tada’s interviews or speeches - Chart paper and markers - Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, or crayons) - Index cards or small pieces of paper - Access to a computer or library for research (optional)

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes):
   • Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever heard of Joni Eareckson Tada. Allow a brief discussion.
   • Explain that Joni Eareckson Tada is an example of someone who has faith in God and obeyed His call to serve others.
   • Share a brief overview of Joni Eareckson Tada’s life, emphasizing her accident, her faith journey, and her commitment to serving others despite her physical limitations.
2. Reading and Discussion (20 minutes):
   • Distribute copies of the biography of Joni Eareckson Tada or project it on a screen for the whole class to read together.
   • Encourage students to take notes or highlight important details about Joni’s life, her faith, and her service.
   • After reading, facilitate a class discussion using the following questions:
     • What challenges did Joni face after her accident?
     • How did Joni’s faith in God help her overcome those challenges?
     • What are some examples of how Joni has served others?
     • Why do you think Joni’s story is inspiring?
3. Video/Audio Clips (15 minutes):
   • Show video clips or play audio recordings of Joni Eareckson Tada’s interviews or speeches.
   • Ask students to pay attention to Joni’s words and actions that reflect her faith and commitment to serving others.
   • After each clip, facilitate a brief discussion by asking students to share their observations and reflections.
4. Reflection Activity (15 minutes):
   • Divide students into small groups or pairs.
   • Provide each group with chart paper and markers.
   • Instruct students to create a visual representation (e.g., a mind map, a timeline, or a collage) of Joni Eareckson Tada’s life, faith, and service.
   • Encourage students to include key events, quotes, and images that capture the essence of Joni’s story.
   • After completing their visual representations, ask each group to present their work to the class, explaining their choices and interpretations.
5. Application and Action Plan (20 minutes):
   • Distribute index cards or small pieces of paper to each student.
   • Instruct students to reflect on Joni Eareckson Tada’s story and think about ways they can serve others in their own lives.
   • Ask students to write down at least three ideas or actions they can take to serve others in their community.
   • Collect the index cards or papers and review them to ensure students’ understanding and engagement.
6. Conclusion (5 minutes):
   • Summarize the main points discussed throughout the lesson, emphasizing the importance of having faith in God and obeying His call to serve others.
   • Encourage students to reflect on Joni Eareckson Tada’s story whenever they face challenges or opportunities to serve others.
   • Conclude the lesson by expressing gratitude for Joni Eareckson Tada’s example and encouraging students to apply the lessons learned in their own lives.

Extension Activities (optional): - Research other individuals who have demonstrated faith and service in their lives and create a class presentation or display. - Invite a guest speaker who has overcome challenges and serves others to share their story with the class. - Organize a service project in the community, inspired by Joni Eareckson Tada’s example.