Directions

1. Read the Gospel passage aloud to your students as they follow along. Then discuss the focus questions with them as a class.
2. Lead your students in a discussion about the painting Holy Trinity by Hendrick van Balen using the questions below:
   • What do you first notice about this painting? Why? Accept reasoned answers.
   • Where is Jesus in this painting? On the left side.
   • Where is the Father in this painting? On the right side.
   • Where is the Holy Spirit in this painting? In the top center (as a dove with rays of light surrounding Him.)
   • What is Jesus holding? What do you think this represents? A flag of victory, representing His victory over sin and death.
   • What is the Father holding? What do you think this represents? A scepter, representing His authority over all things. Kings hold scepters. God is king of the universe.
   • What are Jesus and the Father standing on? What do you think this represents? They are standing on a globe, or the earth. This represents their shared authority over all of creation.
   • What do you notice about Jesus’ hands and feet? Why do you think the artist chose to paint Jesus in this way? Jesus’ hands and feet bear the wounds of His crucifixion. The artist likely chose to paint Jesus in this way to show that Jesus ascended bodily into Heaven, where He sits in His glorified body at the Father’s right hand.
   • Do you think this is a good artistic representation of the Trinity? Why or why not? Accept reasoned answers.
   • If you could change on thing about the painting to make it better, what would it be? Why? Accept reasoned answers.
   • If you could ask the artist one question about this painting, what would it be? Accept reasoned answers.

Answer Key

Focus Questions

1. They worship Him.
2. All power in heaven and on earth.
3. Make disciples.
4. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
5. All that He has commanded them. 
6. Always (to the end of the age.)

Directions

1. Have students read the Gospel passage, or read it aloud to your students, and then answer the focus questions. You may have students answer them on their own, or you may discuss them together as a class.
2. Review and discuss the correct answers when finished.
3. Arrange your students into groups. Give them copies of the sacred art from The Trinity and the discussion questions and have them discuss together the painting. When they have finished, call on groups to share their answers.

Answer Key

Focus Questions

1. They worship Him.
2. All power in heaven and on earth.
3. Make disciples of all the nations, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that He commanded,
4. He will be with them always.

The Trinity

1. Accept reasoned answers.
2. God the Father (on the right), God the Son (on the left), God the Holy Spirit (top center), and angels surrounding them.
3. As a dove surrounded by rays of light.
4. A flag of victory, representing His victory over sin and death.
5. A scepter, representing His authority over all things.
6. They are standing on a globe, or the earth. This represents their shared authority over all of creation.
7. Jesus’ hands and feet bear the wounds of His crucifixion. The artist likely chose to paint Jesus in this way to show that Jesus ascended bodily into Heaven, where He sits in His glorified body at the Father’s right hand.
8. Accept reasoned answers.
9. Accept reasoned answers.
10. Accept reasoned answers.