The Toronto Catholic District School Board. The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the nature of God as revealed in Scripture.

Transcription

1 The Toronto Catholic District School Board Course: Grade 10 Religion Living As a Disciple of Jesus Christ in Society Date/Lesson Number: Lesson 3 Unit: Profession of Faith Sin and its Social Dimension Lesson Topic: God s Revelation Through the Language of Scripture Focus Question: The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the nature of God as revealed in Scripture. Instructional Objective(s): 1) Students will examine different the different literary devices used in Scripture to describe the nature of God. 2) Students will learn that Jesus is revealed as the Son of God, the Christ (Anointed one of God) and the Messiah, foretold by God through the prophets of Israel. 3) Students will learn that Jesus identifies himself as God s Son and addresses God as Father. New Evangelization Essential Element(s): Key Element I: Knowledge of the Faith: What We Believe Key Element VI: Evangelization and Apostolic Life: How We, as Individuals and Community, Live in Service to the World Key Vocabulary: Abba Christ Jesus Kingdom of God Lord Messiah Parable Son of God

2 Key Scriptural Passage(s): Exodus 19:4 Deuteronomy 32:11-12 Psalm 18 Isaiah 17:10 Matthew 23:27 Luke 31:34 John 6:33-35 John 8:12. Key Catechism Reference(s): CCC Key People: Jesus Christ Internet Link(s): Materials required: 1) Sacred Scripture (NRSV) 2) Student Work Sheet 1 Prayer Learned or Recited: Jesus, you taught us how to pray to God as Father. With confidence we turn to the Father saying: Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

3 Step by step procedures: Task 1: Metaphors As a class, discuss the definition of a metaphor. Illustrate using examples. After allowing time for students to share their answers with the class, underline the following: Definition- Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech. When using a metaphor the writer illustrates something about the nature of one article by relating it to another article. Share the following with the class: Scripture provides us with rich and expansive metaphors (images) to describe God. In small groups (2 to 3) ask students to read the following passages from Scripture: Exodus 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:11-12, Psalm 18, Isaiah 17:10, Matthew 23:27, Luke 31:34, John 6:33-35, John 8:12. With the help of the biblical texts, students should answer the following questions: What metaphors are used to describe God? What do these images reveal about the nature of God? As a class, review some of the points raised in the small group discussions. Allow students time to update Student Worksheet 1. Exodus 19:4 and Deuteronomy 32:11-12 speak of God as an eagle. The use of the eagle denotes strength. Psalm 18 and Isaiah 17:10 describes God as a rock, steadfast and unwavering. Psalm 23 describes God as a shepherd; caring and protective, always keeping vigil of His flock. In Matthew 23:27 and Luke 31:34, Jesus describes himself as a hen, an image used to describe the protective nature of God. In John 6:33-35 Jesus speaks of himself as the bread of life. The metaphor is reminiscent of the bread (manna) that God provided the people of Israel in the Exodus from Egypt. In John 8:12 Jesus speaks of himself as the light of the world. The image of light is in sharp contrast with all that is dark. That which is light is good. That which is dark is bad. Jesus as light is good news to the world. (10 minutes)

4 Task 2: Parables As a class, discuss the definition of a parable. After allowing time for students to share their answers with the class, underline the following: Definition- Parable: A parable is a story that compares something we don t know with something that we do know. Jesus used parables to give us a glimpse of the kingdom of God. Definition- Kingdom of God: The kingdom of God is a symbol used by Jesus to speak about God and God s actions among us. In small groups (2 to 3) ask students to read the following passages from Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, 24-30, 31-34; 21:28-32, 33-46; Mark 4:26-29, With the help of the biblical texts, students should answer the following question: What metaphors are used to describe the kingdom of God? What do these images reveal about the nature of God? As a class, review some of the points raised in the small group discussions. Allow students time to update Student Worksheet 1. Task 3: Abba (10 minutes) As a class, discuss the following: What name did God reveal to Moses? After allowing time for students to share their answers with the class, underline the following: God revealed to Moses the name I am. It is no coincidence that Jesus uses this same phasing to refer to himself. However, Jesus also reveals a new formula by which people can address the God. I am In the Gospel of John, Jesus is often quoted with using I am statements in reference to himself. These statements did not go unnoticed by Jesus Hebrew contemporaries, nor the successive Hebrew-Christian communities of the first century C.E.. The statements were a purposeful way to reveal Jesus as God. As a class, read the following passage from Scripture: He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. He said to them, When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial. (Luke 11:1-4)

5 With the help of the biblical text, students should answer the following question What name did Jesus use to refer to God? After allowing time for students to share their answers with the class, underline the following: Jesus revealed a new name for God- Abba (father). Jesus use of Abba designates the relationship that Jesus had with God, a relationship that we are also called to enter in. Definition- Abba: Aramaic word meaning father used by Jesus to refer to God. Task 4: Names for Jesus Share the following with the class: Each of the titles used to refer to Second Person of Trinity reveals something about God. (5 minutes) In small groups (2 to 3) ask students to scan the New Testament, noting the different titles used to refer the Second Person of the Trinity. What do each of these names/titles reveal about God? Given As by a the class, angel review Gabriel some at of the the time points of the raised Annunciation, in the small the group name discussions. Jesus means God saves. The name expresses his identity and his mission for he will save his people from their sins (Mathew 1:2). Peter proclaimed that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). (Compendium CCC 81) Christ in Greek, Messiah in Hebrew, means the anointed one. Jesus is the Christ because he is consecrated by God and anointed by the Holy Spirit for his redeeming mission. He is the Messiah foretold by the prophets and awaited by Israel, sent into the world by the Father. Jesus accepted the title of Messiah, as articulated by Peter in answer to Jesus question Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:16; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20). However, Jesus clarified the meaning of the term: come down from heaven (John 3:13), crucified and then risen, he is the suffering Servant who gives his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). From the name Christ comes our name Christian. (Compendium CCC 82) The title Son of God illustrates the unique relationship of Jesus to God his Father. Jesus is the Son of God in a perfect way. At the time of his Baptism (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34) Definition- and his Transfiguration Jesus: Hebrew (Matthew name meaning 17:1-13; God Mark saves. 9:3-13; Luke 9:28-36), the voice of the Father designated Jesus as his beloved Son. In presenting himself as the Son who knows the Father Definition- Christ: Christos meaning anointed one is the Greek translation of Messiah. Applied (Matthew 11:27), Jesus affirmed his singular and eternal relationship with God his Father. He is the to Jesus it was originally a title (John 7. 41, Acts 3. 20), but the forms Christ Jesus, Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son of God (1 John 4:9), the Second person of the Trinity. (Compendium 83) and Christ became used indifferently by Christians as proper names for Jesus. In the Bible the title Lord regularly designates God as Sovereign. Jesus ascribed this title to himself and Definition- Messiah: Messiah is the Hebrew word meaning anointed one. Christians believe revealed his divine sovereignty by his power over nature, over demons, over sin, and over death, that Jesus is the Messiah of the Hebrew prophecies and the saviour of humankind above all by his own Resurrection. The first Christian creeds proclaimed that the power, the honour, and the glory that are due to God the Father also belong to Jesus: God has given him the name which is above every other name (Philippians 2:9). He is the Lord of the world and of history, the only One to whom we must completely submit our personal freedom. (Compendium CCC 84)

6 Definition- Lord: the title Lord is used both in the Old and New Testament. In the Old Testament Lord is used to translate Hebrew words for God, as well as to denote authority (Moses was addressed as Lord- Numbers 32:25). In the New Testament it is used to refer to Jesus. For Paul Lord and Christ are almost synonymous (1 Cor. 8: 6; 1 Thess. 4: 17; 5: 12). Assessment Assignment: (15 minutes) The Gospels use rich metaphors for understanding Jesus (Example: I am the vine or I am the light of the world ). These metaphors describe something about Jesus in ways that fact statements cannot. Write a word journal entry that addresses the following: Conceive three (3) modern day metaphors to describe Jesus. In your journal entry describe what each metaphor says about Jesus and the nature of God? Thought Provoker Did you know that Jesus is a form of the name Joshua? Alternate Assignment: Jesus uses parables to describe the kingdom of God. Write your own unique parable to describe the kingdom of God, using contemporary language and images, Adaptations (for students with learning disabilities): The Gospels use rich metaphors for understanding Jesus (Example: I am the vine or I am the light of the world ). These metaphors describe something about Jesus in ways that fact statements cannot. Using pictures from newspapers or magazines create an 8 ½ x 11 collage that illustrates several modern-day metaphors to describe Jesus. Share your collage with the class. Extensions (for gifted students): In the gospels Jesus speaks repeatedly on the kingdom of God. Sadly, our world today does not always reflect that kingdom. Create a diamonte poem to compare and contrast the ideal kingdom of God versus today s reality. Share your poem with the class.

7 The Structure of a Diamonte Poem. Line one contains the subject Line two contains two adjectives that describe the subject. Line three contains three participles that describe the subject. Line four contains four nouns. The first two are qualities of the subject; the second two are qualities that describe the subject s antithesis. Line five contains three participles that describe the subject s antithesis. Line six contains to adjectives that describe the subject s antithesis. Line seven contains the subject s antithesis. Example Right Honest, Good Loving, Caring, Sharing Justice, Mercy, Cruelty, violence Biting, ignoring, Hoarding Indifferent, Malicious Wrong

8 Name: Date: Unit: Profession of Faith Sin and its Social Dimension Lesson Topic: God s Revelation in the Language of Scripture Student Work Sheet 1. Instructions: Complete the following questions, throughout the course of today s lesson. 1a) Definition- Metaphor: 2a) Read the following passages from Scripture: Exodus 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:11-12, Psalm 18, Isaiah 17:10, Matthew 23:27, Luke 31:34, John 6:33-35, John 8:12. 2b) What metaphors are used to describe God? 2c) What do these images reveal about the nature of God? 3a) Definition- Parable: 3b) Definition- Kingdom of God:

9 4a) Read the following passages from Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, 24-30, 31-34; 21:28-32, 33-46; Mark 4:26-29, b) What metaphors are used to describe the kingdom of God? 4c) What do these images reveal about the nature of God? 5) What name did God reveal to Moses? 5b) Read Luke 11:1-4 5c) What name did Jesus use to refer to God? 6a) Scan the New Testament, noting the different titles used to refer the Second Person of the Trinity. 6b) What do each of these names/titles reveal about God?