UNIT 3
The Faithful Nonviolence of Jesus
Lesson Aim:
•	Exposure to the teaching/the way of Jesus.
•	Understand what Jesus would have us do in a violent world.

Critical Awareness Task:
In summary, here is what Jesus would have us do in a violent world: What do you think?

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•	Love your enemies,
•	Do not resist evildoers with violence,
•	Give food and drink to your enemies,
•	Do good to those who hate you,
•	Pray for your persecutors and abusers,
•	Bless your persecutors and cursers,
•	Do not avenge yourself,
•	Do not repay evil for evil,
•	Overcome evil with good,
•	Be compassionate and merciful,
•	Forgive others,
•	Live in harmony with others,
•	Live peaceably with all.

Gospel story:
Matthew 14; 22-33 (New American Bible)
Then he made the disciples get into the boat
And precede to him to the other side.
After doing so,
He went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there (all) alone.
Meanwhile the boat, 
Already a few miles off shore,
Was being tossed about by the waves,
For the wind was against it.
Between three a.m. and six a.m.
He came toward them, walking on the water,
When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified.
‘ It’s a ghost,’ they said, and then cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them,
‘Take courage, it is I; do not afraid,’
Peter said to him in reply,
‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’
(And) He said, ‘Come.’
Peter got out of the boat
And began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how )strong) the wind was 
He became frightened;
And beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
And said to him,
‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’
After they got onto the boat, 
The wind died down.

Life narrative:
Violent storms in our lives
When asked about storms, they can be named and discussed.
The sources of violence come from many levels-within the individual (for example, a history of emotional difficulties), from relationships (that may be abusive or violent), from experiences in school (such as reactions to physical punishment or bullying), from problems in the community (such as unemployment or drug trafficking), and from the larger society (for example, widely held beliefs that violence is acceptable, or that men should dominate women).

Taking action can also occur on these different levels:
Individual: a young person can decide to reveal abuse to someone who is able to help.
Relationship: a young person can stop a bully from hurting a weaker child.
Community: young people can work with adults to start programmes (such as recreation or conflict resolution programmes) that will help to prevent violence.
Society: young people can work for laws that will end harmful traditional practices against girls, or stop child labour.
Within each of these levels, young people are influenced by the people they interact with.

What types of violence take place in the home and family?
Violence against very young children:  This can cause long-term health problems and even death.  For example, people may not realise that shaking a baby can lead to brain injury or death.
Physical violence: Most physical violence against children does not lead to death or long-term injury.  It is often used to try to make children behave.  Harsh treatment and punishment occurs all over the world.  But children say they would rather be disciplined without physical or humiliating punishment.
Emotional violence:  Often families use emotional violence as well as physical violence to punish children.  Insults, name-calling, threats, isolating or rejecting a child are all forms of violence.
Neglect: This means that families do not make sure that children have everything they need to grow up safely and healthy, and do not protect them from dangers.
Domestic violence:  Many children witness domestic violence in their homes, usually violence from parents.  Such violence can affect how children feel, how they develop and how they deal with other people throughout their lives.  Where there is violence against women in a family, there is violence against the children.

What types of violence take place in schools?
Physical violence from teachers:  Teachers may beat children and young people as punishment, for example, when they have not done their work properly.
Cruel treatment and humiliation by teachers:  Teachers may shout at students or call them names.
Physical and mental violence from other students:  Students might beat up a child or bully them.
Gang violence:  In many schools, children and young people are members of gangs that fight each other.

Violence through the media and the Internet
Children and young people see all types of violence on television, films, video games and the Internet, which are often presented as normal or even fun.
Children themselves can use mobile phones, e-mails or the Internet to threaten, humiliate or bully other children and young people.

Prayer/Meditation: 
Reflective listening to Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon. (resource disk)

Other Resource: Seven principles of Christian Nonviolence.