Bethany Lutheran Primary School

Class Teacher/s: Jenny Schiller and Caitlyn

Hughes

Prep Christian Studies

Unit Title: How do we follow and trust God?

Term 2, 2016
Duration: 11 weeks

Commented [CH1]: Christian Church 1.1

Unit outline
Stories are significant means of communicating and transmitting truths held by communities from one generation to the next. The Bible is Christians authoritative
source on matters of faith, belief and life. Biblical stories tell people who God is, what he is like and what he does. The relationship Christians have with God is
expressed in their worship practices. Christians join together to hear and respond to Gods loving acts. Prayer is a way that Christians can tell God their
appreciation and share their needs.

Commented [CH2]: Christian Church 1.3

Guiding Questions

What does it mean to trust in the Lord?

What is the Bible?
Why is the Bible important?
Why do we pray?
Does God answer prayer?
What is the Lords Prayer?
Who were some Old Testament characters who followed and trusted God?
Why did God give us the 10 commandments?
How does God help us in our life?
What is baptism?
What is Holy Communion?

Achievement Standard
Students identify stories about Jesus and discuss what Jesus said and did. They can share what they have learnt about God and His stories in the Bible. They can
share their experiences of Christian prayer, worship and celebrations. They can describe ways God cares for individual people. They have heard stories about
Gods helpers and can discuss ways they are helped and can help others. They make connections between their actions and consequences for themselves and
others.
Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning
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Relevant prior curriculum

Curriculum working towards

Students come to Prep with a vast array of experiences and

understandings of the Christian faith. For some, Prep is their first
introduction to the Christian faith. Christian Studies aims to bring
them the Good News that Jesus lived and died for them, and
teaches how this is relevant in their lives.

Students investigate and explain significant features of the Bible and its importance for
Christians. Students research and describe key Christian practices and celebrations.

Links to other learning areas

Children are given the opportunity to develop their Christian faith everyday through class devotions, chapel services, God space, individual activities, small group
work and general daily conversations. This unit links to other curriculum areas and units from English, The Arts, Health and Physical Education, Geography,
History, ICT, Science and the You Can Do It behaviour program within the school.
Bridging content
Gaps may occur for students who have not been brought up in a Christian home. By beginning with Who is God and how does He relate to me and the world, and
the emergence of faith, students will be given some knowledge to start to grasp how amazing God is and how much He cares for us. Students will have the
opportunity to ask questions as they share new knowledge and have it reinforced by singing and doing craft activities.

Identifying the Curriculum

STRAND: Christian Beliefs/Christian Church/Christian Living/Christianity in the World
Key Idea
CC Key idea 1: Christians
believe the Bible is Gods
Word

Outcome
CC 1.1:Children tell what they learn about
God and His story in the Bible
Stories are significant means of
communicating and transmitting truths held
by communities from one generation to the
next. The Bible is Christians authoritative
source on matters of faith, belief and life.
Biblical stories tell people who God is, what
He is like and what He does.

Students know/can
Students know:

CC Key idea 3: Christians

pray, worship and
celebrate the sacraments

CC 1.3: Children share their experiences of

Christian prayer, worship and celebrations
The relationship Christians have with God
is expressed in their worship practices.
Christians join together to hear and
responds to Gods loving acts. Prayer is a
way that Christians can tell God their
appreciation and share their needs.

The Bible has many stories telling

people that God loves them and all
people and that God made the world
and cares for it
The Bible is Gods Word
Christians believe the Bible reveals the
truth about God
The Bible is Gods way of telling people
about Him
God gave the Bible to people
What the Bible says about God is true
The Bible is set in a time and place
different to today

Students can:
Identify a Bible using some familiar
characteristics (eg. pictures, the word
Bible)

General capabilities and

cross-curriculum priorities
Identify and describe the general
capabilities and cross-curriculum
priorities that will be targeted in
the unit.

Literacy

Numeracy

ICT competence

Critical and creative

thinking

Ethical behaviour

Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning

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Name and relate some information

about people in the Bible (eg. Jesus,
Mary, Noah, Abraham, Joseph)
Retell some Bible stories
Sequence pictures of Bible stories
Observe and explore a range of
different Bible formats (eg. childrens
Bibles, different languages, size,
covers)
Compare and contrast Bible times to
here and now
Experience and talk about various
worship forms (eg. devotion, Sunday
church service, chapel)
Listen to and talk about people praying
Participate in preparations for prayer
and worship
Talk about rituals such as lighting and
blowing out the candles and what they
mean
Talk about and demonstrate prayer
postures such as folding hands, closing
eyes and why people do them
Talk about how people pray at different
times and occasions and in different
ways
Prepare for celebrations meaningfully
and discuss what is happening and why
Describe why people night worship
Illustrate or describe a personal worship
experience

Personal and social

competence

Intercultural
understanding

Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander
histories and cultures

ASIA Asia and Australias

engagement with Asia

SUST Sustainability

Lifelong Qualities
Learning provides an important context for nurturing the holistic development of students identity both at a personal and communal
level. As students grow to understand themselves as learners and interact with others in the classroom context, this sense of identity is
nurtured.

Attributes and Abilities

How it will be demonstrated / explored

Where possible link to unit. Rewrite to link to actual tasks. Highlight those being explored in this unit.
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Self-directed, insightful
investigators and learners

Discerning, resourceful
problem solvers and
implementers

Adept, creative producers and

contributors

Am responsible: want to learn, make good choices and decisions about my learning, can work without someone telling me to
Investigate: ask interesting questions, find out answers to questions, share the things I know about
Think about my learning: talk about what I have learned, think about how I can learn
Use resources: use books, computers and people to find things out
Look at the problem: think and talk about problems in the classroom and playground, look carefully at what is happening and find out
why
Think and choose: share ideas about how a problem could be solved, talk about consequences of different ideas, talk about what
needs to be done (and the steps needed), make a decision about how to solve a problem
Do something: try to solve problems, try different ways to solve problems, ask for help if I cant solve a problem myself
Think Back: think about whether I solved the problem, talk about what worked well and what could have been done differently, decide
what to do next
Do my best: practice and improve the things I can do, describe things Im good at, feel proud of things I do and make
Use my imagination: use different materials to create things, am creative, make suggestions and share ideas
Make a contribution: join in, work by myself and with others, offer to help with a job or task

Open, responsive
communicators and facilitators

Listen to others, try to understand, let others have a turn, solve problems by talking and listening, talk with others in a friendly way,
tell about my experiences and feelings, ask questions so I can understand, read or hear about how others live and think, write or draw
about things that are important to me

Principled, resilient leaders and

collaborators

Help: look out for people who need help, think of what I can do to make things better
Do what is right: follow school and class rules, say sorry to someone I have hurt or upset and try to make friends again, think about
whats right and wrong
Cooperate: help the team work well together, take on roles and jobs in the class, share, work and play cooperatively

Caring, steadfast supporters

and advocates

Look after things: take care of myself, keep the environment clean and dont waste things, help people when they are hurt or having
difficulties, work and play safely
Support others: encourage people, respect differences, listen to and take an interest in people
Speak up: say no to bullying and putdowns, talk about ways I can be a good example to others, remind people of how they should
treat others

Core Values
How it will be demonstrated / explored

Value

Where possible link to unit. Rewrite to link to actual tasks.

Love
Justice
Compassion

Co-operating with each other group work, sharing ideas, sharing resources.
Understanding what is fair.
We encourage and show kindness by what we say and do and by supporting and serving others.
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Forgiveness We show forgiveness by giving others another chance and saying sorry. We forgive as God forgives.
Service

Helping others within the classroom and in the wider community.

Humility

Being humble understanding that each other is different.

Courage

Not giving up, taking on challenges and new experiences.

Hope
Quality

Seeing possibilities and trusting in what we cannot see.

Students strive for excellence in their work, set goals, reflect on themselves as learners and recognise the gifts
and talents of themselves and others in this area

Appreciation We appreciate others gifts and talents, uniqueness.

Moderation
How it will take place list strategies

o
o

Teachers meet to collaboratively plan the teaching, learning and assessment to meet the needs of all learners in each unit.
Teachers create opportunities for discussion about levels of achievement to develop shared understandings;
o co-mark or cross mark at key points to ensure consistency of judgments
o participate in moderating samples of student work at school or cluster level to reach consensus and consistency.

Teachers meet to collaboratively plan the teaching, learning and assessment to

meet the needs of all learners in each unit.
Teachers create opportunities for discussion about levels of achievement to
develop shared understandings;
Shared understanding of the learning outcomes
Collaborative planning

o
o
o
o

Both classes are taught by the same teacher

Both classes receive same activities and common assessment tasks
Participate in moderating samples of student work at school or cluster level to
reach consensus and consistency.
Take part in regular discussions to ensure consistency

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Special Considerations/Adaptations / Differentiation

Measures taken to see that individual needs are being considered
Individual teachers know individual needs of students and moderate accordingly. Individual students are given one-on-one assistance with written work and
refocusing where necessary. Individual activities may be scribed for certain students where appropriate.

Teaching and Learning

Week

Learning
Intention

Curriculum Strategies for

Resources
Links
Differentiation

Teaching strategies and learning experiences

Arrange a date for Pastor Ben to come in Week 6 to talk to both classes about The 10
Commandments. This varies each year.

Students will
learn what it
means to trust
in God

What does it mean to trust in the Lord? Believing in God takes faith.
What is something you are afraid of? You could be afraid of the dark, being alone, clowns, bugs,
or the fear of something happening to someone you love. When I was younger, I used to be
afraid of ___________. Share a story in which you were fearful as a child.
Trusting God Plan A - Trust in the Lord with all your heart Prov 3: 5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
What does it mean to trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding? It means that we completely trust God, that we rely not on anything that we
can do on our own strength, and that we give all of the strength we possess, both physically and
mentally, to the will of the Holy Spirit. We do not seek our own gain but desire GOD to receive
all the glory. We get to enjoy what GOD does for himself. God is with us no matter what fearful
time we are going through.
To lean not on our own understanding means we are not seeking to figure the problem out
logically. This is not ours to do. If GOD is truly the centre of our lives, we live for him and him
alone. Do we really believe that he lives? Then we should also believe that we can trust him with
all our hearts.

CC 1.1
Visual arts
IT
Literacy
History

Individual
students given
extra time to
complete tasks
Students with
physical needs
given assistance

Theme songs:
Use for Church
service, Wk 6
Commented [CH3]: Learning intentions what will the
1.Trust in the
Lord with all your students know by the end of the lesson?
heart Colin
Buchanan

Explanations
simplified and
repeated for
students with
processing
needs.

2.Be strong
3.Our God is an Commented [CH4]: Within one plan, Jenny has several
different activities that students may complete. Depending on
awesome God
number of students that have repeated and the needs of the
children in the class an activity will be chosen.

Make a lions
mane with
verse from
Daniel on paper

In all your ways acknowledge him this is to fear GOD in all we do. To fear the Lord is to
be wise. We should fear GOD when we get up in the morning, we should fear GOD when we
Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning
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start to talk, think, eat, listen, and act. When we are around people we should fear GOD. This
keeps us wise, and most importantly keeps us from sinning (Proverbs 1:7; Exodus 20:20).
Jesus love for us is perfect. He showed us that by dying on the cross to rescue us from our
sins.
Heres the blessing: HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT. Why? Because they are no
longer our paths but his. Since he is perfect, he cant have any fault in him. So the paths must
lead to fullfilling his work, his perfect will, in and through the life he has given.
Jesus told many while He walked the earth that through their own faith and trust in Him, they
were healed. If you trust in God, then you must also believe and or have faith that God is able to
accomplish whatever it is you trust him to do.
Anyone can believe God is capable of doing something. But believing God is capable of doing
something and putting yourself in a position so that you must trust God to do something you
cant do for yourself, is more than just believing in God.
Talk about the power of prayer and trusting God.
Make a cup/pen holder with the verse - Trust in the Lord with all your heart Prov 3: 5-6
Trusting God Plan B Daniel and the lions den
See story of Daniel & King Darius.
Use DVD or PP on-line: Very good story
http://bibleforchildren.org/PDFs/english/Daniel%20and%20the%20Lions%20Den%20English.pdf
Talk about the power of prayer and trusting God.

DVD Story:
Read & Share
Bible Vol 4 #5.
Commented [CH5]: Bible stories are used to teach about the
set topic and key idea.
Song : Daniel
and the lions
(from God & Me
CD#9)
Commented [CH6]: A range of media is used during lessons
to engage students.

Sing song. Draw pictures of story.

Cut & make lion & lions mane with Bible verse.
Games: Daniel Says
"Daniel Says" is an activity that is geared towards children. The story tells how Daniel was
thrown into the den of hungry lions and one of the reasons that Daniel was not eaten by the
lions is because Daniel had a relationship with God. When you have a relationship with God,
you stand in the authority of God in the earth. Life and death was in the power of Daniel's
tongue. In the game of Daniel Says, have all of the children create lion faces out of paper plates.
Attach a Popsicle stick to each paper plate so that the plate can be held in front of the face as a
mask. Choose a child to represent Daniel. Place Daniel in the presence of all of the Lions, with
the masks on their faces. Whenever the child chosen as Daniel gives the command, "Daniel
Says" followed by an action, the lions must obey and do whatever Daniel tells them to do. If one
of the lions perform an action that was not preceded by the words, "Daniel Says," then they are
out of the game. The last child standing in the game gets to play the role of Daniel the next time
Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning
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around.
The Lions Ring
"The Lion's Ring" is another children's activity that will remind the participants of how the lions
ended up sleeping in the den instead of harming Daniel. In order to play this game, there must
be a group of lions connecting hands to form a circle. Daniel must stand in the centre of the
circle. Daniel's goal is to break through the arms of the lions by finding a weak link in the circle.
The child who is the weak link has to lay down and go to sleep in the den. Every time Daniel
finds a weak link, that lion has to go to sleep. The last two lions standing must answer a trivia
question pertaining to the story of Daniel. Whoever answers the question properly gets to play
the role of Daniel the next time around. If you like, you can make lion masks to place on the
faces of the lions.
2

Students will
learn what the
Bible is and how
it is important

What is the Bible? Why is the Bible important?

Teaching children the Word of God is the only way of preparing them to make the most
important decision of their liveswhere they will spend eternity. A wise man, through
observation and the Holy Spirit's inspiration, came to understand this important truth: Train a
child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it Proverbs 22:6.
Because it is so important to shape and guide children, God has given them the capacity to
receive and understand spiritual truths from an early age.
Children are trusting by nature and will believe whatever adults tell thembe it fairy tales, facts
or Bible stories. They believe the miracles in the Bible without question and find it easy to talk to
their unseen friend Jesus. Children are also keen to discover and learn new things. They easily
learn new songs and Bible verses and they love to listen to stories.

CC 1.1
Visual arts
IT
Literacy
History

Individual
students given
extra time to
complete tasks
Students with
physical needs
given assistance

Many different
childrens
Bibles

Explanations
simplified and
repeated for
students with
processing
needs.

Little Book
The Life of
Jesus

Song: Jesus
loves the little
children

A child is never too young to hear about creation, about God's love, about Jesus, and about the
many wonderful Bible stories. There is no specific order in which stories need to be told. Every
story helps us to get to know what God is like, what we are like, and the way God wants us to
live.
At a young age when children are not yet able to differentiate between fact and fiction. It is
important to let them know that everything they hear from the Bible actually happened. The
Bible is trueit is not just another story book.
The importance of making the Bible exciting and real to a child cannot be overemphasized.
Unless the Bible is relevant to the everyday life of a child and unless the child develops a
meaningful relationship with God, the Bible stories he or she has been taught may eventually be
equated with fables and childhood stories.
Learning about the Bible should include:
Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning
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Facts - what new facts have I learnt? This leads to Bible knowledge.
Truths - what lessons have I learnt? This leads to spiritual understanding.
Application - how can I apply this to my life? This leads to spiritual growth.
Show different childrens Bibles. Invite children to bring theirs in. Tell children where/how they
can get a childrens Bible.
Talk about the Bible as a storybook, history, Gods will and plan, those who trusted in God, how
God helped people in OT.
Make a little book The Life of Jesus
3

Students will
learn what
prayer is

Why do we pray? Does God answer prayer? Introduction to Prayer & Worship
We pray because God wants us to tell him what is on our minds. Even though he sees and
understands our situations better than we do, he still wants to hear from us in our own words.
There are five basic types of prayer:
The first type is the prayer of telling God, "thank you". We thank God for all the wonderful
things he does for us. He gives us life; he gives us food, clothing and shelter; he gives us good
people in our lives to help us and to take care of us. The simple prayer of giving thanks for our
food is called grace.
The second type is the prayer is asking for help. We ask God to keep us safe, to give us
courage in tough times, or to give us the things we need to be strong and healthy. God always
wants to hear from us when we are afraid or in trouble and need help.
The third type is telling God that we are sorry for what we have done. We tell God we are sorry
either when we have hurt one of the people God has created or when we have done some sort
of damage to God's beautiful creation. We tell God what we have done and that we are sorry
that we did it.
The fourth type of prayer is asking God to forgive us for the wrong things we do. Part of being
sorry is asking God to forgive us. We always need to pray for the people we dont get along with
so well, as well as for our friends.
The fifth type is the prayer of praise, the WOW! prayer (God may like this one best). We
praise God when we tell him how wonderful he is, how much we appreciate his creation, how
much we love Him.
God promises to hear & answer prayer
Prayer is a response to Gods love
Prayer is talking to God

Commented [CH7]: Children love this segment because

they are able to bring in their own bibles and share something
that belongs to them.

CC 1.3
Visual arts
Literacy
History
Maths

Individual
students given
extra time to
complete tasks
Students with
physical needs
given assistance
Explanations
simplified and
repeated for
students with
processing
needs.

Song: Behold I
stand at the
door and
knockand the
door will be
opened
single
wooden tone
block
DVD: Read and
Share Bible Vol
4, No 2 a 3
minute story
Prayer picture
books
A3 Prayer hand
laminated to fill
in with
whiteboard
marker
Prayer puzzle to
make of Hannah
and Samuel
Book about
Samuel

Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning

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Commented [CH8]: These prayers are then illustrated and

used as part of our Prep Chapel presentation.

People can talk to God anytime, anywhere

Worship is a time when people hear about and respond to Jesus love
Worship/chapel/devotion is special time with God
Christmas, Easter and specific events (eg. end-of-term service, marriage, baptism, birthdays)
are celebrations
DVD story - Hannah praying to God
Discuss how we can talk to God. God can answer prayer in many ways, not always how we
think. Show how to pray. Talk about prayer bear on our devotion table.
Show illustrated prayer picture books
Talk about Prayer hand and different prayers of Thank you, Help me, Im sorry, Forgive me
and WOW!
Make prayer puzzle of Hannah and Samuel. Use crayons and cut out. Put in envelope.
Make a little book about Samuel
4

Students will
learn about the
Lords Prayer

What is the Lords Prayer?

We find this prayer in the Bible, its given to us by Jesus, and we use it in Chapel. What does it
mean? Explain each section of the Lords Prayer,
Our Father in heaven,
This is saying who our prayer is going to. God tells us He is Our Father and we are His
children. Talk about where God is and where He lives.
Hallowed be your Name,
Hallowed is a big word that means "Holy". By saying, "hallowed be thy Name", we are saying
that God's name is holy.
Your kingdom come,
We are asking that God allow us to share in His Home for our eternal lives
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
What God wants us to do is what we should do. He is perfect and what He wants is perfect. By
saying this, we are asking to do God's will (what He wants us to do) so that earth will be as
perfect as heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
This means that we trust God to give us what we need.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Sin means to do a bad thing. We don't want to hurt God by sinning. By asking God to forgive

CC 1.3
Visual arts
IT
Literacy
History

Individual
students given
extra time to
complete tasks
Students with
physical needs
given assistance
Explanations
simplified and
repeated for
students with
processing
needs.

Songs: God
gives XX
CD 100 Bible Commented [CH9]: This prayer is said by the whole school
songs - #35.
during Chapel. Children are then invited to participate when
saying the Lords Prayer.
God hears our
prayers (spoken)
Song: #36. Ask,
seek & knock.
Hes got the
whole world in
His hands.
Heaven is a
wonderful place
You-Tube:
Music video with
actions Lords
Prayer
You-Tube : 2
year old Zoe
sings Lords
Prayer
Paint A3 series
of pictures for
classroom
Make a little

Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning

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book of the
Lords Prayer.

our sins we also promise to forgive people that have hurt us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Pretend there are two roads. One is hate and anger. The other is love and peace and joy.
Which would you take? Of course, the one with love and peace and joy.
When we are tempted to do the wrong thing, it leads to anger and hate. That is evil. When we
do the right thing, and stay with God, that is love and peace and joy.
When we pray, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," we are asking God to
keep us on the right road. The road to Him.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever
This simply is a way of closing the prayer while again declaring Gods holiness and sovereignty.
We pray for Gods kingdom and power and glory to be lifted up and made more beautiful in the
eyes of all people.
Amen
This means that you are certain that God hears your prayers and will answer them.
Amen is an expression that means So be it or Make it so.
Paint A3 series of pictures for classroom
Make a little book of the Lords Prayer. Use LLL book of Lords Prayer and fill in. Learn to recite
it for chapel from PP for Chapel.
Teach Lords Prayer songs
5

Students will
learn about
some Old
Testament
character who
followed and
trusted God like
Joshua

Who were some Old Testament characters who followed and trusted God?
Joshua and the walls of Jericho DVD story or story below
Joshua led the march around the city walls 10 x
The Story:
The Israelites were now in the land that the Lord had promised to them. Joshua was happy that
they were in the land but he knew that his job was not over. The people in the new land did not
believe in God. They did not want Gods people to live there. Joshua knew he must fight the
people before the Israelites could live there. The first big city was Jericho. There were tall walls
around the whole city. The walls were strong and the only way to get into the city was through
the city gates. The people in Jericho would never open the gates to the Israelites!
As Joshua was thinking about how he would conquer the city of Jericho, he noticed a man
standing nearby. The man had a sword drawn as if he was ready to fight.
Or you on our side or on our enemies side? Joshua asked.

Commented [CH10]: The posters provide visual cues about

the prayer for children to follow.

CC 1.1
Visual arts
IT
Literacy
History

Individual
students given
extra time to
complete tasks
Students with
physical needs
given assistance
Explanations
simplified and
repeated for
students with
processing
needs.

DVD: Read &

Share Bible Vol
3 #1 story - The
Promised Land
Picture book of
Joshua and the
walls of Jericho
Song : Joshua
fought the battle
of Jericho
Make a horn or
House of
popsticks As for
me and my
house we will

Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning

| 11

Commented [CH11]: Helps to bring the Bible to life!

I am not for the enemy or for you. I am on the Lords side! The man told Joshua to take off his
shoes because he was on holy ground. Joshua knew that this was not just a man. This was the
voice of the Lord! The Lord gave Joshua special instructions on how to win the battle of Jericho.
The instructions were very unusual but Joshua listened and then he left and did exactly as the
Lord commanded.

serve the Lord

Joshua 24:15

First, Joshua told all of the army to line up. Then he told the priests to pick up the ark of the
covenant and carry it behind the army. Seven priests were to walk in front of the ark of the
covenant with big trumpet horns. Joshua told all of the people and some more fighting men to
follow last, behind the ark.
So everyone lined up. First the army, then the seven priests blowing trumpets, then the priests
who carried the ark of the covenant, then the people and a guard of fighting men. All of them
marched one time around the city of Jericho. The army and the people did not make any sound.
The people inside the city of Jericho must have laughed at the Israelites! They probably thought
the Israelites were crazy. Why were they marching around the city? They would never win any
battles that way. Even though it seemed an odd thing, Joshua and the people did exactly what
the Lord commanded. They marched around the city one time, every day, for six days.
On the seventh day, the Lord commanded the Israelites to march around the city seven times,
not just once. The people knew that after the seventh time, when they heard the trumpets, they
were supposed to shout as loud as they could. That is exactly what they did. When the priests
blew the trumpets, the people shouted at the top of their voices. Guess what happened? All of
the strong walls of Jericho broke into small pieces and fell down!
The people must have been very excited. Now they could enter Jericho and win the battle!
There were many rich things in Jericho. There were gold and silver and other riches. Joshua
told the Israelites not to keep anything for themselves. Any riches that were found would belong
to the Lord. They put it into the treasury in the tabernacle of the Lord.
Joshua remembered that the woman, Rahab, had protected the spies when they had come to
Jericho. She had put a red cord in her window just as the spies had told her. When the Israelites
saw the cord, they let Rahab and her family leave the city safely. They were the only people to
escape Jericho alive.
top
Review Questions:
1. Who told Joshua how to win the battle of Jericho? The Lorda man with a sword appeared
to Joshua.
2. Why was Jericho so hard to fight? A strong wall surrounded the city
3. How many days did the Israelites march around Jericho? Seven
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4. On the seventh day what did the Israelites do? Marched around 7 times, blew trumpet, and
shouted.
5. What happened to the walls of Jericho? They broke into pieces and fell down
6. What did the Israelites do with the riches from Jericho? They put it in the treasury of the
tabernacle of the Lord.
7. Who was saved in the city of Jericho? Rahab and her family
Teach song of Joshua fought the battle of Jericho
Show broad landscape poster of current Jericho. Display.
Show photos of current Jericho, Jerusalem & Bethlehem
6

Students will
learn about the
10
Commandments
and the life of
Moses

Commented [CH12]: Helps children to recall bible story

through songs and actions.

Why did God give us the 10 commandments? How does God help us in our life?
The 10 Commandments summarise the moral law God gave to his covenant people. This was
to set them apart from the pagan nations around them, to show the world the difference
between them and doing things God's way. God always deals with people in covenant
relationships.
But the Israelites could never keep God's perfect law which was intended to show them the
need for sinners to receive forgiveness from God. It was designed to point them to the coming
Messiah who would be, in himself, the once-for-all-time perfect sacrifice to take away the sin of
the world. That's why Jesus kept the Law perfectly (he was a perfect man, without sin).
God gave us the Ten Commandments as a guide for happy, abundant living (Proverbs 3:1-2;
29:18), to show the difference between right and wrong. God's law is like a mirror (James 1:2325). It points out wrongdoing in one's life as a mirror points out dirt on one's face (Rom.7:7). The
only possible way for a person to know if he is sinning is for him to carefully check his life by the
mirror of God's law (Rom.3:20). The fact that the Ten Commandments give a knowledge of sin
(Rom.3:20) is proof that the Law is still binding on Christians.
Moses as a baby
Read story of Moses as a baby in the bulrushes. Mother Jochebed, sister Miriam.
Talk about rules of the king and the land.
PP story of Moses
Make Moses in the basket paper craft with memory verse.

CC 1.1
Visual arts
Literacy
History
Maths

Individual
students given
extra time to
complete tasks
Students with
physical needs
given assistance
Explanations
simplified and
repeated for
students with
processing
needs.

PP story of
Moses
DVD: Read &
Share Bible Vol
2 #5-6 stories
Make Moses in
the basket, cut
and paste
Moses as a
man DVD: Read
& Share Bible
Vol 2 #7-9
stories
Activity: Make
10
Commandments
Song: 12345
(about the
Commandments)
by Colin
[CH13]: Relates to relationships and real life
Buchanan, under Commented
stories.
Many in my
music files

Moses as a man
Leads the children of Israel through the desert for 40 years and through the Red Sea. Moses
goes up on Mt Sinai to receive the 10 commandments
Watch DVD of story
Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning
| 13

Discuss sin, rules, obedience to God, the Israelites walk through the desert, prayer and how it
relates to us now
Make the 10 commandments. Talk about what to draw in the small spaces around the words
eg. love, parents, children, being happy, a church.. positive side of commandments.
(Demonstrate draw & cutting) Then cut out neatly, write name on back, take home.
Fill in missing words for Assessment sheet about Bible stories
7

Students will
learn about
baptism and
Holy
Communion

What is baptism?
Invite the Pastors to come and talk to the children and take children into church to show
font. Explain other items and parts of the Church eg. altar, crosses, niches, church
symbols, Bible, lecturn, banners, musical instruments etc
Baptism is the action of God. God uses human hands to perform baptism. For Lutherans
baptism is a means of grace through which God claims the baptised as his own and gives them
his gifts. Water is sprinkled or poured on the persons head in the name of the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. Baptism gives us eternal life. All you need is water and the Word of God to be
baptised. Baptism is also the introduction of a person into the Church community.

CC 1.3
Visual arts
Literacy

Individual
students given
extra time to
complete tasks
Students with
physical needs
given assistance

Song: Mmmmm
Miracle song
Activity: Jesus
is baptised
Commented [CH14]: Brings real life and hands on
experiences to CS. Allows children to understand what baptism
moving dove
is and why there is a baptismal font in the church.
picture

Explanations
simplified and
repeated for
students with
processing
needs.

Where Does it Take Place?

A baptism take place in a church, mostly during the Sunday service so that the congregation
can take part in welcoming the baptized into the church. Water is a crucial component.
The Pastor will make the sign of the cross on the forehead to symbolize that you are now united
with Christ. The Pastor will pour water on your head. The water symbolizes the washing away of
sins and the beginning of a new life with God. The church congregation will then welcome you
with a few words to acknowledge your baptism and a candle may be lit for you in the church to
represent the light which has now entered into your life. You take home the candle and a Faith
chest to remember your baptism.
What is Holy Communion?
Communion is receiving bread and wine in the church. This gives us forgiveness of sins, life
and salvation. Lutherans believe Christ gives his true body and blood, in, with and under the
bread and wine. Christ is truly present. Those who receive the sacrament receive the body and
blood of Christ. This is a mystery based on Scripture. Jesus said: Do this in remembrance of
me. (1 Cor 11:23-26) Lutheran believe we are simply to trust what God is doing through the
bread and wine. We do not have to be worthy. It is Christs invitation to come and receive his
gifts.
8

Students will
learn about the
trust story of

Who were some Old Testament characters who followed and trusted God?
David and Goliath
To trust in the Lord means we need to let go of our own abilities and surrender our thoughts and

CC 1.1
Visual arts
IT

Individual
students given
extra time to

Cut badges with

TRUST GOD on
them to hand out

Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning

| 14

David and
Goliath

actions to be guided by Him.

Literacy
History

A good example of complete trust and confidence in God is portrayed in 1 Samuel 17 as David
is facing off with Goliath, the Philistine champion.

complete tasks
Students with
physical needs
given assistance
Explanations
simplified and
repeated for
students with
processing
needs.

1Samuel 17:45-7
45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I
come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you
have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off
your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the
beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those
gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the
LORDS, and he will give all of you into our hands."
In this story David is completely outmatched in size and experience. From an external
perspective, there is no chance of victory for David. But David had an immeasurable faith in his
Lord, and he put that faith in action as he charged forward into victory against the giant.

to others.
Paint David and
Goliath puzzle
and cut out. Put
in envelope.
Make a rock
covered in
TRUST GOD
circle
Write David and
Goliath on
picture with
verse from David
and Goliath
story.

We can have faith in our own abilities, belief in ourselves to be able to accomplish certain tasks.
But faith in God should stretch beyond anything we have of ourselves.
Story from childrens Bible
Re-tell story and children enact by stomping etc. See p38 from Super Simple Bible Lessons
Write David and Goliath on picture and verse from David and Goliath story.
Cut out badges with TRUST GOD on them to hand out to others. Paint David and Goliath
puzzle and cut out. Put in envelope.
Make a rock covered in TRUST GOD circle

Students will
learn about a
trust story of
Jonah and the
whale

Who were some Old Testament characters who followed and trusted God?
Jonah and the Whale - Story Summary:
The story of Jonah and the Whale, one of the oddest accounts in the Bible, opens with God
speaking to Jonah commanding him to preach repentance to the city of Nineveh.
Jonah found this order unbearable. Not only was Nineveh known for its wickedness, but it was
also the capital of the Assyrian empire, one of Israel's fiercest enemies. Jonah, a stubborn
fellow, did just the opposite of what he was told. He went down to the seaport of Joppa and
booked passage on a ship to Tarshish, heading directly away from Nineveh. The Bible tells us
Jonah "ran away from the Lord."

CC 1.1
Visual arts
IT
Literacy
History

Individual
students given
extra time to
complete tasks
Students with
physical needs
given assistance
Explanations
simplified and
repeated for
students with

DVD story #4,

No 6 Read and
Share Bible
Song: Jonah,
Jonah, his story
is quite a tale
(tape)
Paper craft:
Make a whale
from a paper

Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning

| 15

processing
needs.

In response, God sent a violent storm, which threatened to break the ship to pieces. The
terrified crew cast lots, determining that Jonah was responsible for the storm. Jonah told them to
throw him overboard. First they tried rowing to shore, but the waves got even higher. Afraid of
God, the sailors finally tossed Jonah into the sea, and the water immediately grew calm. The
crew made a sacrifice to God, swearing vows to him.

bag. Add tag

Pray at all
times.

Instead of drowning, Jonah was swallowed by a great fish, which God provided. In the belly of
the whale, Jonah repented and cried out to God in prayer. He praised God, ending with the
eerily prophetic statement, "Salvation comes from the Lord." (Jonah 2:9, NIV)
Jonah was in the giant fish three days. God commanded the whale, and it vomited the reluctant
prophet onto dry land. This time Jonah obeyed God. He walked through Nineveh proclaiming
that in forty days the city would be destroyed. Surprisingly, the Ninevites believed Jonah's
message and repented, wearing sackcloth and covering themselves in ashes. God had
compassion on them and did not destroy them.
Again Jonah questioned God, because Jonah was angry that Israel's enemies had been spared.
When Jonah stopped outside the city to rest, God provided a vine to shelter him from the hot
sun. Jonah was happy with the vine, but the next day God provided a worm that ate the vine,
making it wither. Growing faint in the sun, Jonah complained again.
God scolded Jonah for being concerned about a vine, but not about Nineveh, which had
120,000 lost people. The story ends with God expressing concern even about the wicked.
Jonah's story teaches us about obedience, willingness of spirit, gratitude, compassion
and God's patience and mercy.
As Jonah is sinking into the sea, a big fish (whale) swallows him. (Jonah 1:17) Here we see
God's great mercy. He could have let Jonah suffer the consequences of his actions and drown.
Yet, God intervenes and spares Jonah's life. We often complain to God about the
consequences of our sins but do we ever wonder how often He has spared us from our own
consequences?
DVD story
Song about Jonah with actions
Make a whale with Pray at all times or Trust in the Lord verse. Stuffed paper bag whale,
painted in advance, or dark blue paper for water and whale cut out of white paper.
10

Students will
learn about how
Elijah trusted

Who were some Old Testament characters who followed and trusted God?
Elijah and the ravens - Story about Elijah trusting God
This story is about a prophet named Elijah. Elijah was a regular man who made mistakes, who

CC 1.1
Visual arts
IT

Individual
students given
extra time to

Make raven
mask with
headband

Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning

| 16

Commented [CH15]: Each week children completed a

hands on activity based on the bible story.

God

was afraid sometimes, yet when it really mattered he trusted God. Elijah did amazing things
with God's help and God did amazing things for Elijah.
A few things you should know before we start the story is that the land of Israel where Elijah was
going was very evil. There was a king named Ahab who believed in a god named Baal (the
weather god). He and most of the people worshipped this god and did many things that the
Bible says we shouldn't do.
King Ahab also had a wife named Jezebel. The king and his wife both came from very evil
families. Together they helped make Israel a place that God did not like. That's why God sent
Elijah, he would show the people that God was more powerful and the one they should be
worshipping instead.
It all started when Elijah was told by God to deliver a message to King Ahab. Elijah went to
Ahab and told him, "My God has told me that there will be no rain or even dew in the next three
years until I tell it to." I'm going to guess that Ahab didn't believe this would happen because he
worshipped Baal who was the lord of the weather and he should've been able to give rain
whenever the people prayed for it.
Now just think for a second if you had no rain, snow, or even dew for three years. Rivers and
lakes would get very small or dry up completely. Since that's where we get our water from we
probably wouldn't be able to have baths or flush toilets anymore. Getting a drink of
water wouldn't be as easy anymore, we might only be allowed to have one cup of water a day.
After Elijah told King Ahab what would happen the Lord told Elijah to go and hide. And while
there would be no rain and not much food in the land, God made sure Elijah had what he
needed. He stayed by a brook where there was water for him to drink and a type of bird called
the raven, brought him bread and meat for breakfast and supper everyday. Neat, huh?!
After some time passed, the brook that Elijah was drinking from dried up and there was no more
water to drink. So God told Elijah to go to a place called Zarephath, there he would find a lady
who would give him food and water to drink.
So Elijah trusted God and did just what he said. When Elijah got to the entrance of the town he
saw a woman there gathering wood. He asked her, "Would you please bring me a little water in
a cup so I can drink and a small piece of bread?"
She replied, "I believe in God as you do, but I don't have any bread to eat, just a small amount
of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I was just going to go home and make the rest of the food
for me and my son and then we will probably die because we will have no food left."
Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid! Go home and make the food for you and your son, but first
make a small loaf of bread for me, and bring it to me. The Lord has told me that if you do this
your jar of flour will never go empty and the jug of oil will not go dry until the day the Lord gives
rain on the land."
So, she went home and did as Elijah had told her and everyday there was food for Elijah, the
woman and her son. Imagine trying to empty a glass of water and it never goes empty. This
was another of God's amazing miracles.
Everything was going fine until the woman's son got sick and died. She went to Elijah for help,
she thought God was punishing her for all the mistakes she had made. So Elijah rushed over to
her house and said, "Give me your son." He took the boy in his arms to the room upstairs
where he was staying. Then he cried out to the Lord, "O Lord my God, please let this boy live

Literacy
History

complete tasks
Students with
physical needs
given assistance
Explanations
simplified and
repeated for
students with
processing
needs.

Complete
picture of Elijah
with the ravens
bringing him
bread and meat.
Glue textured
cloth pieces.

Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning

| 17

again!"
Elijah spread his hands over the boy and cried out to God like this three times. The Lord heard
his cry and the boy began to breath. Elijah picked up the boy and took him back downstairs to
his mother and said, "Look, God answered my prayer, your son is alive!"
As the woman hugged and kissed her son she said to Elijah, "Thank-you! I know that the Lord
is with you and whatever you say is true."
Now, if you think that is a cool story, that's only the first half! God has much more in store for
Elijah. Elijah still has to show the people of Israel, King Ahab and Jezebel that Baal isn't
God. Elijah doesn't know how he's going to do this, but God has it all planned out.
Over three years had gone by without a drop of water from the sky. Animals were starting to die
because they had no water or food.
Also during this time the evil Jezebel was trying to get rid of all the prophets of God like Elijah (a
prophet is like a mailman, they send messages from God so we can know what he wants us to
do). What Jezebel didn't know was that one of the king's servants named Obadiah, who was in
charge of the palace, was hiding the Lord's prophets in caves to keep them safe.
God spoke to Elijah and told him, "Go to Ahab and I will send rain." So Elijah went to find
Ahab. When Ahab was told that Elijah wanted to see him he said in an an angry voice, "Is that
you Elijah, the troublemaker of Israel?"
Elijah quickly replied, "I am not the troublemaker. First your father and now you have disobeyed
God over and over again. You stopped following his commandments and have followed
Baal. Now send for all the people of Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. Bring all the prophets
of Baal and the false prophets of Jezebel."
None of us should disobey God, but God was especially mad because Ahab and his father were
both kings. Kings had a lot of responsibility like presidents and prime ministers. They made
laws and people listened to them, and when the King and Jezebel ruled Israel they didn't
worship God they worshipped Baal, and unfortunately a lot of the people turned to Baal like they
did.
All the people gathered on Mount Carmel. Elijah stood before the people and said, "How long
will you keep changing your mind? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow
him." The people just stood there and said nothing.
Then Elijah said to them, "This is what we're going to do. I am the only prophet of the Lord left
and Baal has over four hundred. Get two bulls, let them choose the one they want and I will
take the other one. Cut it up and place it on wood, but do not start the wood on fire. I will do the
same. Then you call out to Baal and I will call out to the Lord. The god who listens and starts
the fire is the real God."
All the people nodded and agreed. So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Get a head start and
get your bull ready first. Call on Baal, but do not start the fire yourself."
So they picked the best bull and set it on the wood. Then they began calling on Baal to start the
fire. They shouted and danced around the altar yelling to Baal to start the fire. They shouted
and shouted from morning till noon with no answer.
Around noon Elijah was getting bored but he said to the prophets of Baal, "Maybe you're not
shouting loud enough. Maybe your god is busy or sleeping and he can't hear you, you better
shout louder."
Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning
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So some of the people ran around screaming to Baal, others were bowing and crying to
Baal. They just couldn't seem to do enough, but nothing happened.
The people who believed in Baal had done this all day long and they were very tired. Finally,
Elijah called the people over to his altar. He began to make his altar. He took some stones and
put them around his altar. Then he built a trench around his altar to hold about a bath tub full of
water. Then Elijah did something very strange. He asked the people to pour water over his bull,
the wood and enough water to fill the trenches below the altar.
How was God going to start a fire when the whole altar was soaking wet? The people started to
giggle and thought for sure that Elijah's God would never be able to start a fire now.
After the entire altar was completely soaked Elijah stepped forward and simply prayed: "O Lord,
God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, show us today that you are the real God of Israel and that all
I have done is obeyed you. Answer me Lord, so that these people can believe in you once
again."
Just as Elijah finished his prayer and everyone stood silently watching, fire burst out of the altar
and everything was covered in flames. Every single thing was burnt down to nothing, and all the
water was gone.
As the people watched completely amazed they began to fall on their knees and cry out, "The
Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is the real God!"
Then all the prophets of Baal were taken away and Elijah told Ahab to watch because now that
the people didn't worship Baal anymore, the Lord would let it rain.
Then Elijah went back to Mount Carmel and prayed to God that the curse would be over and
that rain would come. While he was praying he asked his servant to go look towards the sea for
a rain cloud. The servant came back and said, "There is nothing in the sky Elijah."
Elijah asked him seven times to keep looking, and the seventh time the servant came back and
said, "This time when I went to look there was a very small cloud, as small as a man's fist
coming this way."
Elijah said to the servant, "Run to Ahab and tell him if he wants to get to his palace in Jezreel
he'll have to leave now, the rain is coming."
Meanwhile, the little cloud grew bigger and bigger and the sky got darker and darker. The wind
started to blow and it began to pour and pour and pour... and the drought was over.

Game: Ravens and Rattlesnakes

Have the children pretend to act like animals when you call them out. Be sure to include ravenspossibly last for effect and to remind them of this mornings story. Make sure they understand
that God takes care of us, too!

Story Review
Let the children who want to retell the story, and act it out if they want to. Let every child help as
they want to do soeven if it means retelling the story 10 times!
Make raven mask with headband
Complete picture of Elijah with the ravens bringing him bread and meat. Glue textured
cloth
Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning
| 19

Assessment
Strategy

Strands / Assessment and Reporting Criteria

Christian
Beliefs

Written Task

Christian
Living

Christian
Church

Conditions / Details

Christianity
& the World
Week 7: Assessment sheet about Bible stories.
Children to fill in word gaps.

Written Test

Oral Task

Work Sample

Week 4: Verbal assessment of chorus of Trust in

the Lord with all your heart song
Week 6: Make a house of pop sticks with As for
me and my house we will serve the Lord

Media
presentation
Other

Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning

| 20

Evaluation
Reflection on the Unit Plan
Identify what worked well during and at the end of the unit, including:
activities that worked well include
activities that could be improved include.. by.
assessment that worked well includes.
assessment that could be improved includes. by
common student misconceptions that need, or needed, to be clarified include.

Activities that worked well Most units

Activities that could be improved: 10 Commandments song was too hard and complicated for the kids, so not used. For older children.
On back of commandments draw Moses. Add tag to the whale of Pray at all times forgotten, but important for the message of making the
whale.
Assessment: Fine
Common misconceptions: Some children thought they had to love God more than they love their parents and divide their love.
There were many variations to the song words of: Trust in the Lord with all your heart. These included:

Instead of: And lean not on your own understanding.

Leave on your own understanding / And DONT lean on your own understanding / Lean on your heart !!!!
Instead of: (In all your ways) acknowledge him

Acknowledge kids / In holy chin !!!!!!!!!!! (Say it out loud to yourself !!! It was so funny !! It was more than one child !!!)
Instead of: And He will make your paths straight.

Make your palms straight / Make your heart straight.

New ideas have been added to the planning as the term went by after implementation of lesson plan

Bethany Lutheran Primary School Christian Studies Planning

| 21

Commented [CH16]: Its interesting what children perceive

the words in songs to be!

Commented [CH17]: Jenny adds in new ideas and changes

the plan based on childrens needs after each lesson is taught.