Collective Worship (S): Trinity

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AGE: Secondary

THEME: Trinity

AIM:

To help students to understand something of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.

RESOURCES:

Four students.
Recording of 'It's a Mystery' by Toyah Wilcox (early 1980s) or the Credo from a choral mass.
OHP transparencies, if possible, of any or all of the following:
- The Heavenly and Earthly Trinities by Murillo;
  (Image available at www.nationalgallery.org.uk/.)
- The Baptism of Christ by Piero della Francesca;
  (Image available from www.wga.hu.)
- a picture of a shamrock - enlarged on OHP;
  (Image provided.)
- the chemical symbol for water (H₂O) - on OHP.
  (Image provided.)

(The art gallery links take you to pages offering 'thumbnails': click on the relevant ones to obtain larger images. You could print the images directly from your browser, but you are likely to get better results if you save them to disc, load them into a paint or drawing package, and print them from there. 'The Heavenly and Earthly Trinities' image may benefit from approx 20% enlargement. 'The Baptism of Christ' image may look large on your screen, but will probably need enlarging by a factor of 300% for printing.)

DEVELOPMENT:

NARRATOR: Christians believe that God is a Trinity; that means God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in One 'Triune' God.

I find this too confusing. There is either one God or three Gods but you can't have your cake and eat it!

FIRST STUDENT: I was told St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, taught his people about the Trinity by using a shamrock. The shamrock has three leaves but they are all part of one leaf. It does look a bit like 3 in 1 but I can never find a real shamrock. And anyway, it seems a bit too easy to me.

SECOND STUDENT: I came up with the idea of H₂O. Sometimes it's water, sometimes it's ice and sometimes it's water vapour, so it's the same thing but takes on three different forms. I was really pleased with my idea, but our vicar said it wasn't quite right. God, he said, is always Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not one sometimes and another on a different occasion.

THIRD STUDENT: Well, I've cracked it! Because I'm three different things at the same time! I'm a son/daughter, sister/brother and a grandson/grandaughter.

I think this Trinity lark is all about relationships. God loves all of us and he cares for us as a perfect father should. He is also obedient to his father as a perfect son - so there is no difference between them.

FIRST AND SECOND STUDENTS: So what about this Holy Spirit then?

THIRD STUDENT: I think that's maybe to do with the feelings we have about each other. It gives life and energy to all our relationships - in our families, at school and everywhere. It's like the feeling you have when you feel easy, relaxed and happy with someone.

NARRATOR: Christians believe the Trinity really is a mystery and no one can fully understand how it works. That is why belief is important. Priests used to be ordained on Trinity Sunday. It was a way of setting them out on their new life as people committing their lives to Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

PRAYER AND REFLECTION:

FIRST STUDENT: Christians often use this prayer on Trinity Sunday. (Second student lights a candle) While the prayer is being read we could reflect on some of the mystery of belief, how difficult it can sometimes be, and how important faith is.

Almighty and eternal God,
you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
and live and reign in the perfect unity of love.
Hold us firm in this faith
that we may know you in all your ways
and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory,
who are three Persons in one God,
now and for ever.

Amen

MUSIC:

'It's a Mystery' - Toyah Wilcox, or a Credo from a choral mass. Examples can be found on Missa, (Philips Classics)

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES:

Paint a picture or create a collage titled 'Trinity'.
Look up the Alternative Service Book 1980 baptism service.
Parents and Godparents are asked:
Do you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world?
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed mankind?
Do you believe and trust in his Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God?
What do the parents and godparents reply?
What does the priest say next?
To discuss: What is the most mysterious belief you think Christians have?
What would be most difficult for you to believe in and to understand?

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