The parables of Jesus appear various times in an assortment of units throughout the Sydney CEO Year 3-6 units of work. The underlying messages of these parables also makes them suitable for integration into a number of units of work. Some of these units of work include:
The rationale behind the development of this resource kit is to locate and compile a number of interactive, engaging and relevant resources in relation to the teaching of Scripture, and in particular, the parables of the Synoptic Gospels. The significance and importance of parables is confirmed by Badenas. Badenas states, "about one third of Jesus’ teachings transmitted in the synoptic gospels have come to us in the form of parables" (2003). This is a significant amount of Jesus' teachings delivered to us in this manner through Scripture. Bandenas later goes on to suggest that the parables told by Jesus are relatable to the everyday lives of Christians, not only making them more meaningful and relevant, but their universal content allows the parables to transcend time and apply to Christians of all generations. Leitch describes parables as "the authentic words of Jesus" (2010) and therefore, it is significant that our students not only learn the messages being conveyed by Jesus' parables but appreciate their significance to our everyday lives. The sheer importance of these parables in relation to Scripture, the messages they convey and the significance they hold for Christians then and now provides the motivation for the creation of this resource kit.
Judd states that a study of Scripture, and in particular the parables of Jesus, brings one "bring you closer to the central purpose of life: to come unto Christ and live His gospel" (2003). This resource kit aims to keep these important Scriptural teachings alive and relevant to the lives of 21st Century students and hence bringing them closer to this central purpose of life proposed by Judd. This has been carried out by including a greater range of resources, outside of the traditional Scripture, to teach the parables including interactive approaches such as Godly Play as well as songs and images. The prayers provided could be used as a basis or stimulus, allowing students to create their own prayers relating to the messages of the parables similar to those provided.
As mentioned previously, the parables and their messages occur in a number of CEO Sydney units of work (including those listed above) and the universal concepts these parables address and teach allows them to be further integrated into a number of other units. These messages also transcend Key Learning Areas and could be included and linked to other learning areas including HSIE and English, making them a significant and valid component not only of the Religious Education curriculum but also to cross-curriculum learning areas.
Beyond the school context, the valuable life lessons taught through these parables and how the students choose to implement these into their own lives has greater impacts on both the life of the parish and the school community as they model the values and behaviours taught by Jesus in the parables, carrying out and contributing to the mission of the Church.
- Unit 3.6 Relationships: Sharing God's Love
- Unit 4.1 Living the Law of Love
- Unit 4.2 Lent: A Time to Make Choices
- Unit 5.7 We Celebrate the Sacraments Part I
- Unit 6.6 The Bible: Our Sacred Story
The rationale behind the development of this resource kit is to locate and compile a number of interactive, engaging and relevant resources in relation to the teaching of Scripture, and in particular, the parables of the Synoptic Gospels. The significance and importance of parables is confirmed by Badenas. Badenas states, "about one third of Jesus’ teachings transmitted in the synoptic gospels have come to us in the form of parables" (2003). This is a significant amount of Jesus' teachings delivered to us in this manner through Scripture. Bandenas later goes on to suggest that the parables told by Jesus are relatable to the everyday lives of Christians, not only making them more meaningful and relevant, but their universal content allows the parables to transcend time and apply to Christians of all generations. Leitch describes parables as "the authentic words of Jesus" (2010) and therefore, it is significant that our students not only learn the messages being conveyed by Jesus' parables but appreciate their significance to our everyday lives. The sheer importance of these parables in relation to Scripture, the messages they convey and the significance they hold for Christians then and now provides the motivation for the creation of this resource kit.
Judd states that a study of Scripture, and in particular the parables of Jesus, brings one "bring you closer to the central purpose of life: to come unto Christ and live His gospel" (2003). This resource kit aims to keep these important Scriptural teachings alive and relevant to the lives of 21st Century students and hence bringing them closer to this central purpose of life proposed by Judd. This has been carried out by including a greater range of resources, outside of the traditional Scripture, to teach the parables including interactive approaches such as Godly Play as well as songs and images. The prayers provided could be used as a basis or stimulus, allowing students to create their own prayers relating to the messages of the parables similar to those provided.
As mentioned previously, the parables and their messages occur in a number of CEO Sydney units of work (including those listed above) and the universal concepts these parables address and teach allows them to be further integrated into a number of other units. These messages also transcend Key Learning Areas and could be included and linked to other learning areas including HSIE and English, making them a significant and valid component not only of the Religious Education curriculum but also to cross-curriculum learning areas.
Beyond the school context, the valuable life lessons taught through these parables and how the students choose to implement these into their own lives has greater impacts on both the life of the parish and the school community as they model the values and behaviours taught by Jesus in the parables, carrying out and contributing to the mission of the Church.