YEAR 9 SYLLABUS
2. THE CHURCH (Christianity Today)
Aims:
To give a knowledge of and to gain a better understanding of the nature of the Church, its functions, teachings and practices and its influence.
'Implicit' Ideas:
People see things in different ways; community and group loyalty and allegiance; shared sense of purpose, history, outlook and world-view, traditions, customs, rituals, celebrations and initiations; authority - organisational structures etc.; spiritual experiences that give rise to awe and wonder and awareness of the mysterious.
Concepts:
Implicit: awe; belief; community; commitment; inspiration; order; sharing; transcendence; wonder; festival/celebration
Explicit: The Church; worship; prayer; ritual; sacredness; Creed; Christmas; Easter; Whitsun; Ascension; sacrament; baptism; Holy Communion; Eucharist; Mass; Eastern Orthodox; Trinity; Holy Spirit
Content and Suggestions:
- First impressions. What do pupils immediately associate with "Church"?
Imagination exercise: pupils to imagine they went to church last Sunday (some may well have done, but will be in the minority). They go inside just as the service is starting. Describe what happened, what they wore, what the other people wore, what sort of people were there, what the music was like, and what happened. How did they feel afterwards? What did they like and dislike?
- Watch scene from Mr Bean Video. Discuss.
- Watch series of taped slides from "Christianity" set entitled, "Open Up Them Pearly Gates" and then discuss whether a revision of first impressions is necessary.
- Find out how many different types of churches there are in Rayleigh. Where are they? What are they called? Why are there so many? Find out something about them.
- One Church - New Testament idea - 'ekklesia'... not a building but people. The ONE Body analogy of I Corinthians 12 and Romans 12.
- Research Project using project box of reference books (various levels of ability). Project on what Christians believe - use The Creed as a starting point - and what they do. Practices include the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, the celebration of festivals such as Christmas, Easter, Whitsun and Harvest, and Prayer and Worship. The role of the Bible and Leaders could also be included.
- Calendar of the Church Year and associated beliefs.
- Useful Video programmes to give an experience of celebration of sacraments or of styles of worship include Baptist, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Salvation Army, and Pentecostal. Compare and contrast Social concern and influence of the Church/ Christian Beliefs. Examples of how the Church is a caring community in its relationship with the local, national and world communities. Research the lives of some famous Christian people whose Christian faith motivated them to give their lives in the service of others. Booklets are available for Schweitzer, Borrelli, Theresa, Damien, Cruz and Barnardo.
- Pupils could also do their own research into the lives of some well known people in the news today, who are also practising Christians.
Time
10 weeks
Resources:
Religion Meets the New Age Books
The Christian Experience Books
Christian Belief and Practice Books
A Home for All Children (Barnardo) Books
Island of No Return (Damien) Books
Tiger of Naples (Borrelli) Books
Gangster Who Cried (Cruz) Books
Streets of Calcutta (Theresa) Books
The Great Doctor (Schweitzer) Books
Church Army (Wilson Carlile) Cassette Tape
Is Christianity True? Cassette Tape
Celebrating Easter Filmstrip
Christianity - Baptist and R.C. Video
Baptist II Video
Pentecostal Video
Eastern Orthodox Video
Church of England Video
Salvation Army Video
Caribbean Pentecostal Video
Methodist Church Video
Caribbean Roman Catholic Video
Cathedral School Choir Video
Taize Video
Christianity Through the Eyes of Chr. Children Video
Your Communion Video
Christmas Video
Easter Video
Altar Server in a R. Catholic Church Video
Christian in a Pentecostal Church Video
Christianity (Set of 4) Tape/slides
Christians in Britain Slides
Eucharist Slides
Christianity 57 slides
People at Worship - Communion C of E Set of 18 slides
People at Worship - Baptist Set of 18 slides
Christians Books 1,2 & 3 Books
Assorted Books in Resource Box Resource Box
Some Posters
Baptism cards Artefacts
Willow crosses Artefacts
Rosary Artefacts
Sources of Faith CD-ROM
Investigating Christianity CD-ROM
Aspects of Religion CD-ROM
Faith Quest CD-ROM
Assessment:
- Knowledge of different Church denominations (at least in surrounding area) and of reasons for some of the differences.
- Knowledge of baptismal and communion practices.
- Understanding of the nature of the church as seen in the NT.
- Understanding of the reasons and symbolism for baptism and communion, and for the differences between churches.
- Understanding of the meaning of these for believers (empathy).
- Similarly an understanding of the nature and role of festivals.
- Awareness and appreciation of the influence of the church for good in the lives of some famous people.
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