The Toronto Catholic District School Board

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1 The Toronto Catholic District School Board Course: Grade 9 Religion Discipleship and Culture Date/Lesson Number: Lesson 3 Unit: Scripture Lesson Topic: Literary Forms in the Bible Focus Question: The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the different literary forms in the Bible. Instructional Objective(s) 1) Students will be able to understand the different literary forms in the Bible. 2) Students will be able to give examples of the different literary forms using contemporary examples. 3) Students will be able to identify the different literary forms found in the Bible. New Evangelization Essential Element(s): Key Element I: Knowledge of the Faith: What We Believe. Key Vocabulary: Myth Prophecy Law Sermon History Proverbs Parables Psalm Legend Key Scriptural Passage(s): Key Catechism Reference(s): CCC , CCC 137, CCC , CCC

2 Key People: Internet Link(s): Prayer learned or reviewed: Father, anoint me with your Holy Spirit, so that as I read your eternal word, your word may penetrate my whole being and transform me. Grant me the blessing to be a faithful disciple in believing the Word of God and that I may be a light shining upon all who are in darkness. Amen. Materials required: 1) Sacred Scripture (NRSV) 2) Handout 1 3) Student Worksheet 1 Step by Step Procedures: Task 1: Distribute Handouts #1 and the student worksheet #1. Explain the handout asking students to provide their own examples. (20 minutes) Task 2: Students will use the Bible to complete the worksheet. (15 minutes)

3 Handout #1 Knowing the literary forms is important when we try to understand the passage in the Bible. For example, if we recognize a passage as a myth, parable, prophecy, poetry, sermon or legend, we warn ourselves not to take the passage literally but to read it contextually. Thus we would look for a religious or symbolic truth rather than scientific or historical fact. If we recognize the passage to be a list, letter, law or history, we are inclined to take the passage literally and perhaps recognize some historical or scientific truth. LITERARY FORMS IN THE BIBLE 1. Myth - a traditional story focusing on the deeds of gods or heroes, often in explanation of some natural phenomenon. 2. List - an itemized series of names, words, etc., usually recorded in a set order. 3. Prophecy - a prediction made under divine influence and direction 4. Law - a rule of conduct, moral principle, etc., derived from a generally recognize concept of universal justice. 5. Sermon - a speech of a serious or solemn kind of pronouncement. 6. History - a record or account usually written in chronological order of past events, especially those concerning a particular nation or people. 7. Letter - a written or printed message, usually of a personal nature or concerning a specific subject. 8. Proverbs - prose or poetic statements or maxims for instructions. 9. Parables - short allegorical stories told to bring out a moral or religious truth. 10. Psalm - a sacred song or poem. 11. Legend-A story about people s lives, including dialogue and interaction., legends tell the stories of important characters like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sampson, etc. while using dialogue and minimizing the inclusion of etiologies and etymologies and assigning God a minor role.

4 Worksheet #1 NAME THAT LITERARY FORM Using a Bible, look up the following passages and determine which literary form they represent. 1.1 John 5: Luke 15: Matthew 5: Isaiah 65: Genesis 3: Numbers 13: Leviticus 11: Kings 16:15 9. Ecclesiastes 5: Psalm 40:1-3

5 Thought Provoker Did you know that it is a well-known fact that the Bible is so replete with pieces of transcendent literary beauty that the greatest orators and writers of the last four centuries have most willingly turned to our sacred books as pre-eminently worthy of admiration, study, and imitation. Alternate Assignment: Writing Styles and Literary Genres Fill in the grid with examples of the different literary genres in the Bible. Type of writing Bible references Type of writing Bible references Stories Letters Prayers Historical accounts Hymns Proverbs Parables Prophetical texts Poetry Myths

6 Adaptations (for students with learning disabilities): Literary Genres Match each literary genre named in the left column with the description in the right column that fits best.. 1. History books A. likely to be written in an ornate style, with the emphasis as much on language as on the storyline 2. A short story is B. read as an account of the faith experiences of some of the disciples of Jesus. 3. The Song of Songs is C. circular letters to the first Christian communities 4. The Gospels are D. tend to be written in a direct, factual and concise manner. 5. The Epistles are E. a love poem Extensions (for gifted students): How would you respond? An eighth grader says to you, 'My dad is not a Catholic. He is a Christian and he says that the words in the Bible mean exactly what they say.' Illustrate your answer with an example from everyday life.