Rotation.org Writing Team

The Beatitudes

Hero Sandwich Workshop

Summary of Activities

The teacher will walk students through the construction of a "Beatitudes Hero Sandwich" whose parts represent and reinforce each Beatitude.

Scripture for the Lesson

Matthew 5:1-12, The Beatitudes

Lesson Objectives

See the Bible Background at rotation.org for this set's complete list of objectives. This lesson focuses heavily on remembering the eight beatitudes.

Preparation and Materials

• Read the Bible Background and scripture.
• Print the full size "Beatitudes Sandwich handout" (attached as a photo to this lesson) - one per student.
• Copy the "Ingredients Talking Points" found in the post below this one.
• Colored pencils or crayons. And pencils or pens (to fill out the handout)
• Sandwich ingredients (list below)
• Knives, forks, spoons, plates (one per student), and larger serving plates (or bowls) for sandwich ingredients  (Note: you will display each ingredient one at a time so have a plate or a bowl for each item.)
• Paper cereal-sized bowls - one per student (to make a sandwich stand; or use tin foil )
• Baggie to transport half of the sandwich home.
• Hand sanitizer

Each sandwich ingredient is keyed to the eight beatitudes. Substitute or supplement thoughtfully! Extra ingredients are needed because some children may not like some ingredients. See the next post in this topic for the Ingredients Talk and additional suggestions.

• "Pita" pocket bread (it's empty pocket is both functional and meaningful in the lesson).
• Mayo
• Mustard
• Lettuce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Ham and/or Hummus
• Hot Sauce (because "humble" doesn't mean weak!)
• Roast Beef 
• Tomato slices
• Pickles
• Pepper (both mild "hot" peppers, and ground/black)
• Pepperoni
• Long tooth picks and twist ties (to make them in the shape of a cross) 

Pita Pocket Bread Tips: Be sure to get real "pocket" bread so kids can stuff the ingredients in it. Give each student a bowl to stand their pocket sandwich in so that ingredients don't fall out as they switch between writing on their worksheet and adding ingredients. Alternately, students could make a "sandwich stand" out of tin foil. This lesson suggests that they make two halves of a sandwich, one for themselves, and one to share.

Lesson Plan

Overview:
After reading the Beatitudes, you will walk your students through the creation of a Beatitudes sandwich, taking time to introduce each ingredient and ask questions.  

Keep in mind that they will need room for 7 ingredients in the pocket bread. The bread is the first Beatitude ingredient. Overstuffing will cause the bread to tear —but the cross-toothpick will help with that!  (Jesus holds us together!)

As each ingredient is discussed and added, students pause to write their ingredient on their Beatitudes sandwich handout. As you know, each Beatitude has two parts. At this time, have them add the first part of the Beatitude (ex. "Blessed are the meek...") and leave the second half off the handout ("...for they shall inherit the earth"). They'll add that later.

Following the construction of the sandwich, place both halves in a baggie to go home. It will safely keep for up to 2 hours. Remember to write their name on the baggie and send it home with their handout.

Enjoy the Beatitude sandwiches and then play a matching game with the handout (deciding which second half of each Beatitudes goes where).

Open

Welcome your students and explain how today's lesson is going to unfold. See how much they already know about the Beatitudes and write it on the board.  

Open your Bibles to Matthew 5:1-12 and read the Beatitudes together. Compare and add to the list they put on the board.  (Note to teacher: don't get too deep into them now, as you will have plenty of time to explain and expound in the sandwich step.)

Note that each Beatitude seems to have two parts.

Take a moment for everyone to use some hand sanitizer.

Sandwich!

Re-read each Beatitude one at a time, and as you do, introduce an ingredient and explain how that ingredient represents that Beatitude. Suggestions are found on the "ingredients talking points" posted at rotation.org below this lesson post.

The idea is that the first letter of the ingredient matches the first letter of a key word or a key idea in the Beatitude.  For example: Meek = Mustard or Mayo. 

As they add their ingredient, have them list it on their Sandwich handout, and write down the first half of the Beatitude. (They'll write in the second half later. How much of the actual Beatitude you have them write on the handout is up to you and likely grade dependent.  Show non-writers how to write "mayo" and "meek" by writing them in big letters on a big piece of paper or the board.

As they add the ingredient and write on their handout, continue to talk about each Beatitude. 

Ingredient and Sandwich Tips:  

• Have two ingredient options for each Beatitude –as some students won't like some ingredients.
• If they don't like either ingredient, let them re-use one that they do, but come up with a way to remember how that ingredient matches that Beatitude. For example: If they don't like either mayo or mustard for "merciful" you can let them add extra "meat." If they don't like "peppers" for "persecuted," let them add just a tiny piece of pepper, or substitute black pepper.   Make it up as you go, or let them help you do it. Remembering is the thing.
• Display the ingredients one-by-one during the sandwich construction, as opposed to having them all available on the table. This will help them focus on each ingredient, rather than get too excited or picky about which to put on. 
• Don't overstuff the bread.

Pray* to be a Sandwich 

Ask:  If you went into a sandwich shop and ordered your sandwich, what might they call it on the menu?  (A "Hero" sandwich is what we're looking for, but they may answer, "Gyro" or "Sub" or "Pita." And yes, "Hero" is a way some sub shops spell/pronounce "Gyro" and doesn't  actually mean "superhero." We're simply creating a play on words to help them remember an important idea: Jesus wants us to be a certain type of hero in the world.)

Say and Pray: Jesus wants you to have all these ingredients in your life. That would make you a Hero Sandwich in his eyes, wouldn't it! In a moment, we're going to close our lesson with a fun prayer. When it's your turn I will point to you. When I point, I want you to repeat what everyone else is going to say, "Jesus, make me a Hero Sandwich in your Kingdom!"  ...but I want you to also pick one ingredient from your sandwich list that you especially  think you need, and add it to your prayer like this:  "And please, Jesus, give me extra ______."

"Dear Jesus, Make me a hero sandwich in your Kingdom,
and please give me extra __________."

*Humor is a great memory hook, and in this case, it is also a poignant and appropriate petition! If you have time, have your students draw a picture of themselves on the back of their sandwich handout —looking like a Beatitudes Sandwich.

Adaptations: 

Intergenerational: Invite groups to work at tables to come up with several different versions (menus) of the sandwich, and then present their sandwich and explain the meaning of its ingredients to the group.

Mission:  Make Beatitude Sandwiches for a local mission and include a printed copy of the Beatitudes with a "key."

Written by the Rotation.org Writing Team, based on a lesson idea posted by Neil MacQueen.
Copyright 2016, Rotation.org Inc.