As someone who grew up in a fire and brimstone church, I found that teaching “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards hit a little too close to home. Even without the vivid imagery and detailed descriptions, I can picture exactly what it would be like to sit in a pew and hear this historical Puritan sermon. I can also now appreciate just how much there is to learn from different perspectives and tones. For many English teachers, planning “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” activities can be a daunting task. However, with the right approach, you can engage your students and expand their perspectives. Let’s explore some creative ideas to make this classic text relevant for modern high school students!
Hook Student with a Motivation Simulation
If you can hook students from the start, teaching “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” becomes a whole lot easier. Begin your lesson with an exciting activity that taps into the core theme of the sermon—motivation. Conduct a simulation where students discuss what motivates them in various scenarios. You can create scenarios around fear, power, and people-pleasing. For instance, ask students how they would react to an endurance challenge in gym class. What would motivate them to participate?
To add movement in your ELA classroom, you can turn this into a “Scatter Simulation” where you scatter the scenarios around the room and allow students to visit each one and discuss their reaction. This activity not only grabs their attention but also sets the stage for understanding Edwards’ use of fear as a motivator. If you would like to use a premade motivation simulation, you can find that in this Early American Literature Unit.
Do a Guided Reading of “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
Now that you’ve piqued their interest, it’s time to dive into the text. A guided reading session can help students grasp the complex language and vivid imagery used by Edwards. Chunk the sermon into manageable sections, read aloud with your class, and pause frequently to discuss the meaning and significance of key passages.
Consider using a “what good readers do” close reading approach to help students unpack the language, symbolism, and meaning of “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” This involves breaking down the sermon into smaller parts, using annotation and highlighting to identify important details, and encouraging students to ask questions and make connections as they read. If you need a close reading guide to “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” you can download that in this Early American Literature Unit.
Explore Different Religious Beliefs of America
To broaden students’ perspectives, engage them in a rapid research activity on the diverse religious beliefs represented in America. Assign small groups to research different religions and present their findings to the class. This will help students appreciate the variety of religious perspectives and understand the historical context of the sermon.
Since religion is such a broad topic, have students focus on finding key beliefs, afterlife beliefs, and beliefs in “the golden rule.” This is where students will make a connection that many of the religions represented in America have at least one thing in common. If you would like a graphic organizer to conduct the religious rapid research activity, you can find that in this Early American Literature Unit.
Read a Perspective Pairing
The key to making your Early American Literature unit more engaging is to focus on perspective pairings. With every Colonial speech, sermon, story, or poem, there are always different perspectives to be considered. Not only will creating text sets make your lesson plans more balanced, but they’ll also make students think.
For a pairing with “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards, consider introducing students to “Freedom of Religion” by Sagoyewatha. This speech offers a contrasting perspective on religion and freedom, providing a rich opportunity for comparison with Edwards’ sermon.
Guide students through a reading of Sagoyewatha’s speech. Discuss the main points and how Sagoyewatha advocates for religious freedom and tolerance. Compare his tone and approach to that of Edwards. If you would like guided reading and discussion of this text set, you can find that in this Early American Literature Unit.
Create an Artistic Expression of Different Perspectives
Close the lesson with a creative activity where students draw how different perspectives view higher power. Provide art supplies and encourage them to visually express their understanding of Edwards’ and Sagoyewatha’s viewpoints.
Ask students to create visual representations of the sermon’s imagery and themes. They can use drawings or digital art to convey their interpretations. This artistic expression will help reinforce their understanding of the text and compare different perspectives.
Conclusion
Teaching “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” doesn’t have to be intimidating. By incorporating these engaging activities, you can help your students connect with the text and its themes on a deeper level. From analyzing rhetorical strategies to exploring diverse religious perspectives, these ideas will make your lessons dynamic and memorable.
Remember, the goal is to make literature come alive for your students. By fostering a love for learning and encouraging critical thinking, you’re helping them develop essential skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Happy teaching!
