YEAR 7 SYLLABUS
6. ABRAHAM AND MOSES (Part 1)
Abraham - Journey into the Unknown
Aims:
To explore and try to understand in relation to pupils' own experiences of life, the nature of acts of faith and trust - a model of Christian faith and obedience. To gain a basic knowledge and understanding of traditions regarding Abraham (Ibrahim) who is an example of faith and obedience in three major world religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
'Implicit' Ideas:
Life as a personal quest or spiritual journey; relationships of love, trust and obedience; the nature of challenge and sacrifice; spiritual experiences - revelation and faith. Compare with similar experiences in our lives - e.g. inspiration
Concepts:
Implicit: belief; commitment; hope; trust; obedience; inspiration.
Explicit: faith; sacrifice; revelation.
Content and Suggestions
- Discuss and write about pupils' own experiences of journeying into the unknown ... e.g. mystery trips, going abroad, starting school, going to hospital for the first time. Sense of adventure, a mixture of excitement and fear. Try to bring out the idea of trusting someone even though ignorant of the destination or outcome. cf. men and women of history such as Columbus, Pilgrim Fathers, Armstrong and Aldrin and so on ... (and what about sci-fi - Star Trek - "To boldly go..." etc.)
- Background to the Abraham story. When? Where? (briefly). Standard of civilisation in city states of 2000 BC. Religion - moon god cult in Ur. Compare with uncertain life of desert nomad.
- Call to leave this secure life, unsure of final destination. Journey into the Unknown - act of faith. In written work pupils could try to imagine how God spoke to Abraham and how his wife would have responded to the news ... e.g. Abraham's diary. Compare with ideas of revelation in religions and how the idea fits in with modern ideas and knowledge. cf. "secular" ideas of intuition, inspiration and so on.
- Could be scope here for building models of ziggurat or Bedouin type tent. David Kossoff's book of "Bible Stories" is a useful resource for telling some of these stories.
- Research other incidents from the Bible. Outline significance of God's promise and how Abraham's trust is evidenced in the stories. e.g.
- The Great Promise Gen. 12:1-3; 15:1-7;
- Hagar Gen. 16
- Three Special Visitors Gen. 18:1-15
- The Promised Son Gen. 21:1-8
- Trust tested Gen. 22:1-18
- From own experience:
What is trust?
In what ways do you trust?
i) your parents?
ii) your teachers?
iii) your friends?
Think of some situations in which that trust might be tested.
- Comparison with Islamic traditions
Time:
4 weeks
Resources:Journey into the Unknown FitzWimarc Workbook
In the Beginning Video
Animated Bible Stories Video
Bibles NEB; NIV
Bible Stories by David Kossoff Book
Abraham (SEN) 12 Ladybird books
Assessment:
- Knowledge of the life of Abraham and its relevance to Christians, Jews and Muslims.
- Understanding of the nature of acts of faith and trust.
- Ability to relate this to own experience of life.
- Ability to compare with modern ideas of faith and trust.
Variety of written tasks, research (Bibles, books, videos etc.), recounting and evaluating own experiences, discussion.
Comparing religious, secular and personal experiences of faith and trust.
|