After students have arrived, begin discussion by asking about their prized possessions
- Think about your most prized possessions. What would be the most difficult things to give up if you were suddenly torn from your home? (Answers may include cell phones, cars, clothes, or sentimental items.)
Since 2011, armed conflict between government supporters, rebels, and the Islamic State in Syria has resulted in one of the deadliest civil wars in modern history. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost in the fighting, and millions of families have been displaced from their homes. Refugees have fled to all corners of the continent with some able to seek sustainable sanctuary in Western Europe.
Over the years, millions of Syrians have fled the country to escape the war and protect their families. Many have fled to the Bekaa Valley, a freezing passageway connecting Damascus and Beirut, to construct makeshift cities in an effort to wait out the fighting before returning home.
Play the following video [5:18; stop at 3:58].
What you need to know about the Syrian refugee crisis in photos and video
- In order to flee to safety, families had to leave behind their homes, jobs, and possessions. Do you think it would be easy to make such a sacrifice for the sake of your family? Why or why not? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
- What if you had to choose between keeping your possessions or your relationships? Would you be willing to live in a situation like the one in the video in order to maintain your relationships with your family and friends? (Instruct your students to ponder this question internally rather than responding aloud.)
Often, we allow our possessions to become more important than the people we love. In today’s lesson, we will learn about one man who had to make a difficult choice between his possessions and relationships. Let’s take a look.
