Refreshing your RE

Curriculum EurECA Conference

Lisbon May 2016

Introductions

Associate Professor of Education, Dana Hanesová

Katedra teológie a katechetiky, Pedagogická fakulta,

Univerzity Mateja Bela

dana.hanesova@umb.sk

Brenda Lord, BA (London)

Teacher of History & RE; Youth worker

brenda.lord@virgin.net www.soulspace1014.com

Our aims today:

• To share some insights

• To help you step back and review your RE.

• To hear from you

Pace of change

Never/none =

• stale

• out of date

• loss of passion &

enthusiasm

Too much / too often =

• stressful

• exhausts time &

energy

How often do you review your curriculum?

How much change & how often?

Jesus as a teacher was

• Interesting & Humorous

• Good planner

• Challenging

• Relevant

Jesus Our Role Model

Structure

Firm but flexible: Allow room to move / adjust

Overview

story

Why?

Why do you teach RE?

• It may feel obvious to you but it can help to write it down

• There is a wide range of possible reasons

• Which aims do you want to focus on at present?

• Be selective. You can’t do everything

“Let us strip off every weight that slows us down and keep

our eyes on Jesus.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Who? Children are not adults!

Children are:

• Physical beings

• Spiritual beings

• Emotional beings

• Social beings

• Intellectual beings

What questions are they asking?

About 200 students aged 12-13 were asked to submit ‘Difficult

Questions’ for a lesson from a visiting Christian team.

The main themes that occurred were:

• Suffering

• Life after death

• The universe: how was it made; are we alone

• Purpose of life / why are we here?

• Is God real?

• Full details in the appendix

What questions are they asking?

What issues are they facing?

A few of the top ones would include:

• Fear

• Guilt

• Insecurity

• Weak self-image

• Identity

• Anger

What? There have been many approaches to RE

(especially in the UK)

• Traditional: Journey through the Bible, alternating Old &

New Testaments

• Catechism

• Moral Issues

• Faith + different aspects of life

• Faith + contemporary issues

• Interfaith

• Beliefs and values

• Philosophy of RE

Details of these are available to those interested.

What?

Areas you may wish to include in a curriculum:

1. All key Bible stories

2. Doctrines (creed / catechism)

3. Questions that children ask

4. Issues that children face

A blend of all of these?

5. Church History

6. Contemporary topics

7. Other major religions

RE can be holistic

The Bible is designed to bless every aspect of life.

• Intellectual / apologetics & doctrine

• Spiritual

• Emotional / pastoral

• Lifestyle = how to treat others

as Yourself.

with all your Heart,

with all your Soul

with all your Strength

and with all your Mind.

And Love your

Neighbour

Luke 10:27

Intellectual

Lifestyle Pastoral

Love the Lord your God

Plus

Do we just teach from the Bible or do we sometimes look at

other areas but from a Christian perspective?

Church history Denominations & Christian heroes

Contemporary issues (not already included in main content)

Other religions

Church History

• Why?

• The value of role models, old and new

• Who would you pick from your culture and from the

international scene?

Contemporary Issues

We need to remember current issues – but can we often

link them to our existing programme?

Other Religions

Other Religions

Should we study them?

No

• We don’t need to as we don’t have anyone from other

religions in our country.

• Our students might become confused in their own

beliefs.

Yes

• To understand & love our neighbour better

• To promote respect and understanding for those of

different faiths, especially Islam at this time.

How much detail / time on each?

Other Religions

How?

• A strong Christian foundation. Bible stories such as the

Good Samaritan, Ruth, Naaman encourage a tolerant

attitude.

• One major religion each year. Otherwise they cannot

distinguish between different faiths.

• Content could include:

Foundation / History; Key figures; Main beliefs & writings;

Main duties & festivals;

Main differences & similarities with us

Other Religions

Our attitude:

• Study other faiths in a spirit of love not criticism.

• Look for both the similarities and the differences. There

is some truth in all.

• To compare Christianity with other faiths can help

Christians to better understand their own beliefs.

• See what you can learn from other faiths.

So What’s the Difference?: Fritz Ridenour is a good introduction.

The Vicar of Baghdad: Andrew White

A New Look at Old Stories

Single parents

Ishmael Rejection

Forgiveness

Solomon

Joseph

Fear; self-image

Parents

Temptation David & Saul

Jesus

Adam & Eve

Lifestyle -

Loving other people

We are quite good at teaching this on the whole.

e.g. Ten commandments

How can we vary the approach?

Yet relationship problems are one of our biggest

challenges.

How can we help them to understand people better?

• Behind the Masks

Pastoral -

Emotional Literacy

What are our main emotional needs?

• To love & be loved

• Security

• Self-worth

• Significance

• Identity & belonging

Problem areas

• Fear

• Guilt

• Anger

Pastoral -

Emotional Literacy

Value – Reflecting on our image

Value: Is My Self-Image Built on Sand?

Dealing with Fear

The Battle for the Mind

For younger children the ‘Inside Out’ film has been used as

a focus for teaching material on emotions:

http://www.thehelpfulcounselor.com/20-inside-out-clips-to-help-teach-children-about-feelings/

http://www.childrens-ministry-deals.com/products/emotions-5-week

-childrens-ministry-curriculum

Spiritual

We teach about spiritual matters.

Can we also help their spiritual development?

Are there any opportunities outside the classroom?

Prayer spaces

How to Set Up a Prayer Space

Prayer+Room+Resource

www.prayerspacesinschools.com

24-7 Prayer International | Origins: Youth Prayer Course

Apologetics & Doctrine

To understand what we believe and why.

Traditionally we are good at teaching doctrine

• Do you include apologetics?

• Do you assume that all your students believe in

- God

- the resurrection

- the authority of the Bible…?

• How do we equip them to share/retain their faith?

Different Christian viewpoints

Fact: Christians hold different beliefs over certain key issues

• How do we feel about this?

• What attitude do we hold/encourage towards Christians

with whom we disagree?

• How do you deal with controversial issues e.g. evolution

• Do you present one view point or several?

• What questions may they face after they leave school?

Romans 15:7 Accept each other just as Christ has accepted

us so that God will be given glory

Call My Bluff!

All

Christians believe in evolution

Some

Christians believe in evolution

No

Christians believe in evolution

5. Do Christians believe in evolution?

What do Christians believe about

Evolution?

1. God made everything instantly. Nothing evolved.

2. There was evolution within species e.g. the first dogs had the gene pool for every type of dog.

3. Unsure. God created everything somehow.

4. God triggered evolution from one species to another at various stages of creation. He created Man separately.

5. Everything evolved

• Many Christians believe this.

• Many Christians believe this

• Many Christians believe this

• Many Christians believe this

• Many Christians believe this

Spirit Fall

You breathe life, You restore.

Awaken my soul, I know that I've been made for more.

You speak truth, You renew.

When I'm in Your presence, You show me the glory of You.

Spirit fall. Spirit fall.

Fall on us for we are Yours. Fall on us for we are Yours.

You will make, all things new.

Until you return all creation cries out for you.

There is power in Your presence,

Hope and healing in your presence,

There is freedom in Your presence.

Spirit fall

Web Links & Resources

Subscription

• http://www.energize.uk.net/ Urban Saints have a wide range of resources for

many age groups. They offer a 30 day free trial.

Shops

• http://www.barnabasinchurches.org.uk/

• www.barnabusinschools.org.uk

• https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/products/children-youth/

• http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/Shop/Childrensandyouthwork

• http://www.curbsproject.org.uk/

Free

• www.soulspace.com – offers plans and leaders’ notes for some of the topics

mentioned on this PowerPoint.

• www.reinspired.org.uk

• http://www.max7.org/pt - in different languages

Text books

Top educational publishers include:

• Hodder: www.hoddereducation.co.uk/Religious-Education-Philosophy

• Nelson Thornes – now part of Oxford University Press

• www.educationumbrella.com/nelson-thornes/nelson-thornes-religious-studies

• https://global.oup.com/education/secondary/subjects/re/?region=uk

Every UK GCSE curriculum now has books that are written by the examiners.

The main examination boards are AQA and OCR.

Their books can be found easily on Amazon as well as the web sites above.

Extra / appendix

The following slides contain extra

information relating to this workshop

Questions Children Ask

• How do we know there is a

God?

• Who made God?

• Where did God come from?

• How old is he?

• What race is He?

• What is he like?

• Where does he live?

• Does God live in the sky?

• What does he look like?

• Are there 3 Gods or just one?

• Has God ever made a mistake?

• What is God’s real name?

• How big is God?

• What do we mean by the word

god?

• Is our God the only god?

• Does God ever get cross?

• Would God forgive a murderer?

• Is God a man?

• Why did God make people?

• How do you know God is your

friend?

• Does God ever go to bed?

• Does God have feelings?

Questions from a Church youth group

• Who goes to heaven?

• Why should a bad Christian go to heaven when a good non-Christian

won’t?

• Do you still go to heaven if you backslide/rebel/go away from God?

• Why do bad things happen to good people?

• Why do we have so many wars?

• What are the main differences between Christianity and the other

Religions?

• Do we pray to God the Father or Jesus?

• What is the role of the Holy Spirit in prayer?

• How do you know if God is speaking to you?

Top Spiritual Questions of Adults:

UK survey in 2000

1. Destiny – what happens when we die?

2. Purpose – why are we here?

3. Universe – accident or design?

4. Is there a God?

5. What about the supernatural?

6. Why is there so much suffering?

‘REinspired’ collected questions from about 200 students

aged 12-13 in preparation for a guest lesson from a visiting

Christian team on the theme of ‘Difficult Questions’.

(UK state school)

The main themes that occurred were:

• Suffering

• Life after death

• The universe: how was it made; are we alone

• Purpose of life

Full details in the next 4 slides

http://www.reinspired.org.uk

Questions Teenagers Ask

Age 12-13: Difficult Questions List

1. If God is real and supposed to be good, then how come

so many bad things happen in our world today?

2. Why do bad things always happen to good people?

3. Where was God on 9/11?

4. Why does violence exist?

5. Will the universe ever end?

6. Is God real?

7. Do spirits exist?

Age 12-13: Difficult Questions List

8. Do Christians believe in the Big Bang Theory?

9. Did God make the world in 6 days?

10.Do Christians believe in evolution?

11.Did humans evolve from apes?

12.What is the reason for us living/existing?

13. Are we alone in the universe?

14. Are there other universes and if so do they have their

own God?

15. Which religion is real? Why can’t we just have one?

Age 12-13: Difficult Questions List

16. What do Christians believe happens after you die?

17. Will people go to heaven if they commit suicide?

18. Is heaven actually real as there is no proof it exists?

19. Why do some people think they are better than you?

20. Do all humans have emotions and how do we know that

we’re human?

21. Why does God not speak to us? (from a Muslim student)

Age 12-13: Difficult Questions List

22. If Jesus is the Son of God, who is God’s wife?

23. When Jesus was buried after he died, how come he

came back to life?

Unusual questions:

24. Is the weather God’s emotions?

25. Is it ever acceptable to murder a wanted murderer?

26. Is animal testing right?

27. Was Hitler a good person?

Some questions from our Year 8’s

1. Is God real?

2. Do spirits exist?

3. If God is supposed to be good, then how come so many bad things happen in our world today?

4. Where was God on 9/11?

5. Will the universe ever end?

6. Do Christians believe in the Big Bang Theory / evolution ?

7. What is the reason for us living/existing?

8. Are there other universes and if so do they have their own God?

9. Which religion is real? Why can’t we just have one?

10. What do Christians believe happens after you die?

11. Will people go to heaven if they commit suicide?

12. Is heaven actually real as there is no proof it exists?

Why? RE can be used to teach:

Skills

• Enquiry

• Reasoning

• Interpretation

• Empathy

• Reflection

• Evaluation

• Analysis

• Meditation

Attitudes

• Tolerance

• Open-mindedness

• Appreciation

• Self-worth

• Morality

• Curiosity

• Respect

• Fairness/justice

• Commitment

• A critical mind

Why do we teach RE? The UK Journey in RE

The UK is unusual in that RE is compulsory in all schools.

It is interesting to look at how the approach to RE has changed in the UK over the last

few decades

• Until the 1960’s, the aim was to help children understand their faith - which was

assumed to be Christian.

• By the end of 1960s: there was an increasing emphasis on moral problems.

• By 1980s: multi-faith teaching had been introduced

• By 1990s: Many people began to be interested in the philosophy of religion.

With the emphasis on ‘learning about RE’ and ‘learning from RE’ since the late

1990s, RE teachers began to realise that something needed to be done to make

bridges with children who were highly secular in their outlook.

“Self-understanding or ‘emotional intelligence’—whichever phrase you use—has

never been more urgently needed than today.” Cavan Wood: ‘Emotionally Intelligent

RE: Learning About Our Emotions from Bible Stories’

• An RE text book showing

the approach to RE in UK

in 1980’s & 90’s.

• Christianity: Joe Jenkins

1989

• An RE text book showing

the approach to RE in UK

in 1980’s & 90’s.

• Contemporary Moral Issues:

Joe Jenkins 1989

A UK GCSE Example

AQA GCSE: schools choose 2 units of 6 topics from:

• Unit 1 Religion and Citizenship

• Unit 2 Religion and Life Issues

• Unit 3 Religion and Morality

• Unit 4 Religious Philosophy and Ultimate Questions

• Unit 5 Religious Expression in Society

• Unit 6 Worship and Key Beliefs

They spend one year on each unit.

The next few slides show a short summary of each unit.

Full details available on: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-b-4055/spec-at-a-glance

AQA Religious Studies Specification B

Ethics, Philosophy and Religion in Society

3.1 Unit 1 Religion and Citizenship – summary

• Topic 1 Religion and Relationships

• Topic 2 Religion, Sport and Leisure

• Topic 3 Religion and Work

• Topic 4 Religion and the Multicultural Society

• Topic 5 Religion and Identity

• Topic 6 Religion and Human Rights

AQA Religious Studies Specification B

Ethics, Philosophy and Religion in Society

3.2 Unit 2 Religion and Life Issues – summary

• Topic 1 Religion and Animal Rights

• Topic 2 Religion and Planet Earth

• Topic 3 Religion and Prejudice

• Topic 4 Religion and Early Life

• Topic 5 Religion, War and Peace

• Topic 6 Religion and Young People

AQA Religious Studies Specification B

Ethics, Philosophy and Religion in Society

3.3 Unit 3 Religion and Morality – summary

• Topic 1 Religious Attitudes to Matters of Life (Medical Ethics)

• Topic 2 Religious Attitudes to the Elderly and Death

• Topic 3 Religious Attitudes to Drug Abuse

• Topic 4 Religious Attitudes to Crime and Punishment

• Topic 5 Religious Attitudes to Rich & Poor in British Society

• Topic 6 Religious Attitudes to World Poverty

AQA Religious Studies Specification B

Ethics, Philosophy and Religion in Society

3.4 Unit 4 Religious Philosophy and Ultimate Questions

• Topic 1 The Existence of God

• Topic 2 Revelation

• Topic 3 the Problems of Evil and Suffering

• Topic 4 Immortality

• Topic 5 Miracles

• Topic 6 Science and Religion

AQA Religious Studies Specification B

Ethics, Philosophy and Religion in Society

3.5 Unit 5 Religious Expression in Society – summary

• Topic 1 Religion and Art

• Topic 2 Religion and Architecture

• Topic 3 Religion and Literature

• Topic 4 Religion and Media

• Topic 5 Religion and Music

• Topic 6 Religion in Contemporary Society

AQA Religious Studies Specification B

Ethics, Philosophy and Religion in Society

3.6 Unit 6 Worship and Key Beliefs – summary

• Topic 1 Places of Worship

• Topic 2 Worship

• Topic 3 Pilgrimage

• Topic 4 Origins and Beliefs

• Topic 5 Practices and Belonging

• Topic 6 Authority