SENIOR HIGH SEMINARS
Outcomes for Think Faith Stage 6 Seminars
UNDERSTANDING
Students will be able to:
• identify key questions people raise about Christianity
• explain why people have these questions
• describe key Christian beliefs about God, Jesus, the Bible and the doctrine of salvation
• show how Jesus’ life (as recorded in the Bible) was unlike that of anyone else before or since.
ACQUISTION
Students will learn that Christians believe that:
• the Bible presents God as a loving saviour who sent his Son on a rescue mission to become the saviour of the world
• Jesus is the saviour God promised.
SKILLS
Students will be able to:
• use critical thinking to reflect on the reasons Christians believe what they believe
• analyse reasons for popular objections to Christianity
• weigh up Christian responses to popular objections and assess the plausibility of these responses.
RELATING TO OTHERS
Students will understand that:
• Christians acknowledge that sin has broken human relationships
• Christians understand the importance of forgiveness and repentance in their relationships with God and others
• Christians are not perfect, make mistakes, and rely on forgiveness and God’s strength to be able to serve him.
RELATING TO THE WORLD
Students will understand that:
• Christians recognise that God is the creator of the world
• Christians acknowledge that the world is not the way it originally was at creation due to the effects of sin
• Christians find comfort in difficult situations in their own lives and the world around them by thinking about the future that has been secured for them through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Scope and sequence
Term 1A
Topic What is the meaning of life?
Duration One seminar
Learning Intentions
Term 2A
Seminar: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?
Students will learn: Christians find meaning in the creator who is revealed not only in his creation but also in the pages of the Bible.
Seminar: JESUS: FACT OR FICTION?
Topic Is the biblical story of Jesus historical fact, or is it a made-up narrative?
Duration One seminar
Learning Intentions
Term 3A
Students will learn:
Christians believe that the story of Jesus is true history because there is evidence inside and outside of the Bible that Jesus really did the things the Gospels say he did.
Seminar: JESUS: DEAD OR ALIVE?
Topic Why do Christians believe that Jesus is alive?
Duration One seminar
Learning Intentions
Term 4A
Students will learn:
Christians believe that the story of Jesus is true history and that there is sufficient evidence that Jesus not only died on the cross, but rose again from the dead.
Topic Is Jesus trustworthy?
Duration One seminar
Students will learn:
Learning Intentions
Seminar: JESUS: MYTH, MARTYR OR MADE-UP?
Christians believe that the story of Jesus is true history and that there is sufficient evidence for Jesus’ miracles. Christians believe that these miracles prove his claims to be God, and show that he cared for individuals. Yet, as we will see, there is space for questioning and doubt in the Christian life.
Scope and sequence
Term 1B Seminar: IS GOD GOOD?
Topic Why do Christians believe God is good when there is so much suffering in the world?
Duration One seminar
Learning Intentions
Students will learn:
Christians believe that suffering is hard and horrible. Yet, they also believe that God is good. The story of Jesus’ life and his death on the cross shows Christians where suffering and goodness meet hand-in-hand.
Seminar:
WHY
AREN’T CHRISTIANS PERFECT?
Topic Why do Christians sometimes not act like Jesus?
Duration One seminar
Learning Intentions
Students will learn:
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus offers forgiveness to everyone who asks: those who approach him with faith, rather than empty rule-keeping. Christians are also commanded to love their neighbours as they love themselves. Although not all Christians do this perfectly, many have changed the world by obeying this commandment.
Term 3B
Topic Why isn’t the Church perfect?
Seminar: WHY ISN’T THE CHURCH PERFECT?
Duration One seminar
Learning Intentions
Term 4B
Students will learn:
The Church isn’t perfect because the Bible teaches that Jesus welcomes and forgives all people who want to come to him.
Topic Is Jesus relevant today?
Seminar: WHAT DOES JESUS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?
Duration One seminar
Learning Intentions
Students will learn: Christians believe that he is God’s Son, their Saviour, and the centre of their lives. But your answer to this question is entirely up to you.
Term 2B