RELIGIOUS STUDIES CURRICULUM Topic: Sacraments Strands: Bible and Christian Belief; Story of the Church; Meditation Prayer and Worship Stage of Development: Late Adolescence (LA) Rationale: Students consider Sacraments at a much deeper level than in previous years, as they research a sacrament in depth, and consider how this sacrament is experienced in various Christian denominations. Students have the opportunity to see how current societal issues are dealt with in the administration of Sacraments. While the unit is mostly individual research, students will generally still need guidance and assistance in interpreting much of the information they find. Australian Curriculum: 1. General Capabilities Literacy, ITC Competence (Research), Critical & Creative, Ethical Behaviour, Personal & Social, Intercultural Understanding 2. Cross-Curricula Priorities not applicable Links to other Learning Areas: English, History Key Questions: What is a Sacrament and how is it an instrument of God s grace? What is the role of evangelism in the Church? What are some of the key issues facing the Church in contemporary society? Why do they generate tension and/or conflict? How does the Anglican Church respond to these tensions and/or conflicts?
Key Concepts: Sacrament Symbol Grace Ecumenism Spirituality Contemporary Issues Knowledge & Understanding: Build on previous knowledge and understanding of the Sacraments Understand why Baptism and Holy Communion are sacraments which are applicable to all and why there are five other sacraments not applicable to all Know that the Anglican Church has spiritual, pastoral, liturgical and teaching roles in American / Australian Society. Understand and reflect on what each of these entail Know that there are key issues facing the Church in contemporary society and know what these issues are / could include ordination of women, sexuality, divorce, same sex relationships, abortion, euthanasia) Understand why they are issues and why they generate tension and/or conflict in society and in some parts of the Church. Know what the Anglican response is to some of these key issues Understand that they require ongoing dialogue within the Church and between the Church and secular society Know how the Anglican and other Christian churches seek unity, that all may be one in Christ Attitudes and Values: The Church seeks to know and love God and to love our neighbours as ourselves: to uphold values of love, respect, equality, compassion and human dignity when responding to contemporary issues Skills: Explain what a Sacrament is. Describe the contemporary issues facing the Church Analyse the impact that they may have on the Church Evaluate the Church s response to them
TOPIC: Sacraments Lesson Lesson Structure Resources Notes & Assessment 1 Introduction to Sacraments Introduce the idea of Sacraments as an outward sign of an inward grace Discuss and name the seven sacraments Discuss/ Journal times of an awareness of God s presence Boyle 2 Baptism Discuss students experiences and understandings of Baptism Recall with students the Story of Jesus Baptism and of his commission to make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and.. Recognising that the Anglican Church s practice has included both infant and adult Baptism depending on the age of the person, students are encouraged to write a brief reflection piece on Baptism Such writings may assist the more in depth research to follow. 3 Eucharist Recall with students Jesus sharing of the Passover with his disciples, and of his command to do this in remembrance of me. Students share their experiences and understandings of celebrating the Eucharist, of receiving Communion. This is opportunity for them to write a brief reflective piece on the class discussion about the Eucharist. Matt 28.16-20 Boyle pp68-69 51-60 Lk 22.14-22 Boyle pp108-110 119-165
4 Other Sacraments 5 Introduce Assignment Explore with students the concept that during his earthly ministry Jesus poured blessings on a marriage, affirmed the faith of all manner of people, commissioned his disciples to continue his work, comforted and healed the sick or dying, and forgave sins. In light of this and the practice from the early Church till now, the following five Sacraments are also part of the Church s ministry to be researched in this unit: 1. Marriage 2. Confirmation 3. Ordination 4. Anointing the sick 5. Confession and absolution - Reconciliation Introduce and explain research assignment which students will complete over the next 6 lessons. Allow time for initial research and choice of sacrament. Some explanation of denominations may be required. One of the challenges for Christianity is that numbers of the sacraments are now in the secular sphere; e.g. naming ceremonies instead of Baptism, civil weddings instead of Marriage in a church. Teacher may also ask students to engage with the differences which can arise between denominations in terms of: are the Sacraments a source of common-unity, or of dis-unity? Boyle pp86-87, 657-676 (Marriage) 84-93 (Confirmation) 783-809 (Ordination) 679-706 (Anointing) 774-778 (Reconciliation) Create assignment, or use the sample given. Library http://www.anglican.org.au http://www.perthcathedral.org / http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/ religions/christianity/ Communion in Australian Churches, Gribben, Robert (ed). JBCE 1985 Ministry in Australian Churches, Tabbernee, William (ed), JBCE 1987 Life After Drowning: Making Waves Together, Sherlock & Williamson(eds) VCC 2000
6-10 Assignment Research lesson, students should focus on one denomination s understanding of their chosen Sacrament during each of the next three lessons. By the ninth week they should be drawing their research together and considering the selected Sacrament from their own perspective based on what they have learnt. Final submission by Week 10 Assessments: Research assignment