10.    ZOROASTER.

Preparation.   Display table;  Picture books, maps of Iran and costume dolls of that country.    Read beforehand writings from the Zend-Avesta.   Creative work:-  Glue, brushes, crayons and a paper for each child as in Diagram 10.   Prepare the verse for this week.  

Prayers.

Song.     From the Three Wives of Abraham.

News Time and Birthdays.

Revision of the previous week, linking up with today's lesson.

INTRODUCTION. Zoroaster was a Messenger of God who lived in Persia (now called Iran).
Use the display table to give the children an idea of life in Iran at the time of Zoroaster.

Story.   Zoroaster was born a long time ago, so long that people cannot remember very much about Him.   People said that He was very special even when He was a child.  They said He had laughed at birth and glowed with a heavenly light and that the whole of nature had laughed with Him.  I do not know if that is true, but it shows how special people thought He was.  We do know that when He was still only a boy He was very clever and wise.

The people in Iran used to worship many different gods until Zoroaster explained that there was only One God who had made all things.   For many years the people did not believe Him until He met King Vishtaspa.   The King became a follower or Zoroaster and after that the people began to listen to Zoroaster.  He told them to lead good lives and to think about God.

The ordinary people, at that time, were farmers so Zoroaster told them things that would help them grow more food and be better farmers. For instance, on a farm dogs are very useful animals, especially if you have sheep.  Dogs can be trained to help man.   Can you think of some things that dogs could do ?   The people of Zoroaster's time did not treat their dogs very well so He told them to be kind to animals, especially dogs as they were helping men.   It is a hard life being a farmer, trying to grow food and hoping it will rain;   but not too heavily so as to drown the seeds.   When the people obeyed Zoroaster they found life was not so hard and they were happier.  God blessed them for obeying His Messenger.

Reading:-      "0 Maker of the material world, thou Holy One! Which is the first place where the earth feels most happy?   Ahura Mazda answered:-   It is the place whereon one of the faithful steps forward . . ."
Type or write out this verse for the children to stick in their books.
Explain the meaning.     Ahura Mazda is God.

Creative work:-   Diagram 10 shows four of the teachings of Zoroaster, with spaces to illustrate them either by drawing or pasting in pictures.     Search through magazines etc., to find suitable pictures.

 Last modified: May 17, 2001

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