How can God bring peace into a broken world? · 2010. 12. 9. · Chapter 5-15:21: This section...

How can God bring peace into a broken world? Interact Teacher Manual DevotionsYears 5-8

By Helen Pearson

© 2010 Interact Curriculum Press

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in written form from the publisher.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Cover photography © Andresr | Shutterstock.com, © Zoom-zoom | Dreamstime.com

Interact Curriculum PressP.O. Box 757Whangaparaoa, 0943New Zealand

www.interactcurriculum.comPrinted and bound by CM Digital, Albany, New Zealand

ISBN 978-1-877532-70-2

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ContentsOverview for this Term

Introduction

Pre-planner Guide

Background Information

Key Competencies, Habit of Mind, Habit of Character

Big Idea, Key Understanding, Focus Question

New Zealand Curriculum Requirements

Key Areas of Investigation

Firing Up

Finding Out Further

Focusing Forward

Scriptures Relevant to this Unit

Understanding Interact

The Interact Resources

Options for Using this Interact Teacher Manual

Planning With Interact

The Interact Learning Process

Key Learning Intentions

Acknowledgements

Bibliography

Year 1-4

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overview for tHis termThis Teacher Manual is for one subject of an integrated unit based around the theme of God is Peace. The subject of this particular Teacher Manual is shaded grey. Further information about the supplementary books and teaching resources mentioned below are available from www.interactcurriculum.com

Year 5-8

Health

What can I do when I am angry?

How can we help to resolve conflicts?

Science

How does sound reach our ears?

How can we work with electrical energy?

Social Science

Why is respecting people important?

How have people dealt with conflict in our nation’s history?

Art

Enlightened by Kowhaiwhai The Art of Reuben Paterson

Devotions

How can God bring peace to us when we are angry?

How can God bring peace into a broken world?

How do people express different points of view?

What’s so funny?

Language

© 2010 Interact Curriculum

© 2010 Interact Curriculum 3

introDUCtionGod is peace. The peace of God, or shalom is defined by Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance as well, happy, complete, in good health, prosperous, to be whole, and wholly. God is Peace - complete and happy in every way. God’s desire is for us to know the fullness, happiness and wholeness that is God’s nature, and which is offered to us.

God is also a peacemaking God. The stories throughout the Bible show God’s plan to bring about a just and lasting peace between rebellious people and God, resulting in a peace within people, between people, and with our environment. From the time Adam and Eve’s choice destroyed the wholeness they once knew, God has been showing the way back to relationship with God, and peace in our lives. The story of the world climaxes in the death and resurrection of Jesus, who brought God’s peace in a new way. Ephesians 2:14 explains: “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” Jesus is our peace, our wholeness, the one who completes us, and restores relationships.

This term we will investigate the peace of God, and grow to appreciate that God offers peace to us through our Saviour, Jesus.

Our focus on Exodus will reveal how God saved the Israelites from a harsh regime and took them towards a promised land, where they could know peace - completeness, prosperity and wholeness - in a new way.

Our focus on Mark will show how God saved the world from the consequences of sin and leads us through Jesus to peace with God, within ourselves, with others and with our environment in a new way.

We have peace within ourselves when we are at peace with God; we understand that God has created us for a specific purpose, and seek to live in harmony with God’s purpose for our lives. We have peace with each other by respecting ourselves, and others, and seeking to be peacemakers. We can be at peace with our environment when we respect it as God’s creation, and understand that we are to care for it and work with God in the world. If we have been saved by God’s grace, and submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s work of peace in our lives, we will begin to fulfil God’s mission of bringing peace to all creation.

if you are new to interact resources we invite you to turn to Appendix i-- to learn about the interact Learning Path on which this

teacher manual is based, and to gain additional planning help.

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HOW CAN GOD BRING PEACE INTO A BROKEN WORLD?

4 © 2010 Interact Curriculum

Pre-PLAnner GUiDeResource People

•Parents,pastorsandotherswholoveexplainingbiblicalpassages

•Peacemakers

•Counsellors

Special Features could include:

• Identifyingasmanywaysaspossible that youcancreateapeace-filled classroomenvironment, that creatively expresses all that you learn about peace this term. Consider symbols, music, colours, sounds and displays that reflect the idea of peace. Include a Peaceful Place, a quiet space where people can reflect on verses and thoughts about God, and restore their relationship with God, themselves, others and their environment

•A Peace Walk, where all the classrooms will be opened at the conclusion of the term for parents, students and invited guests to walk around, view your displays, slideshows and presentations, and discuss the ideas with you



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BACKGroUnD informAtionWhat is peace and how does it reflect God’s character?

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines shalom as well, happy, complete, in good health, prosperous, to be whole, and wholly. God is Peace. God is a peacemaking God. The stories throughout the Bible, climaxing in the death and resurrection of Jesus, show God’s plan to bring about a just and lasting peace between rebellious people and God, resulting in a peace within people, between people, and with our environment. Ephesians 2: 14 explains how this is possible. “He is our Shalom, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” Jesus is our peace, our wholeness, the one who completes us.

How has God brought peace to the world in each era of the biblical narrative?

The ‘big story’ of the Bible is about how God created with perfection, how sin destroyed relationships with God, ourselves, others and the environment; how we can be redeemed, saved or restored to peace through Jesus, and the promise of a fully established kingdom of God in which God’s will is finally done again on earth as it is in heaven.

How did God’s original creation demonstrate peace with God, with self, with others and with the environment?

All God’s creation was originally completely at peace with God, with itself and with each other.

What happened to peace at the Fall?

Peace was lost between God and people, within people, between people and with the created world.

How did God teach the Israelites to have peace with God, with themselves, with each other and with their environment?

God is a just God. God was teaching people in early history that people and their property were valuable and to be respected, and that God was to be respected and loved in order to live in a peaceful community. Laws were given to help establish a community of believers who could live in peace. Sacrifices were commanded in order to help people who had sinned have relationship with God restored (see Leviticus 1-7).



Background Information continued

How did Jesus restore us to peace with God, with ourselves, with others and with our environment?

God promised the Jews a Messiah who would restore peace and wholeness to them as a people. They expected this Messiah in a military way that would overthrow the government. However, Jesus came as a humble man, saying that he was God and that he would ‘give peace’ to people and bring in a new kingdom of God, which was based on love and peace.

How has the Holy Spirit brought peace to believers in the world ever since Jesus left this earth?

When Jesus left this earth, he sent the Holy Spirit to be everywhere for everyone.

One of the fruits of the Spirit is peace. As a result of the Spirit coming, peace has come. It is not gained through power but through the release of God’s Spirit and through the kingdom of God being ushered in. What Jesus could not do as one man, the Spirit does for all believers.

How is God’s peace expressed in the books of Exodus 1-18 and Mark?

Both Exodus and Mark are books that teach about God as our Saviour, the one who rescues us from the sin that separates us from God, and restores us to wholeness, completeness and peace.

How does the book of Exodus 1-18 demonstrate God’s saving peace?

Exodus 1-18 is the epic story of the Israelites escaping from Egypt. The emphasis of the book is God’s miraculous rescue of Israel from Egypt through Moses, saving them from their sin and from the tyrannical rule of Pharoah.

The layout is in three parts:1. Chapters 1-4: It begins with Israel’s enslavement in Egypt followed by Moses’

birth, his hiding and call and return to Egypt.

2. Chapter 5-15:21: This section covers Israel’s forced labour, Yahweh’s conflict with Pharaoh in a holy war of ten plagues.

3. Chapters 15-19:25: God leads the Israelites to Sinai where they receive the law.



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The highlight of this part of the story is God’s miraculous deliverance of his people from slavery. The two key verses are Exodus 3:14 and 5:1. The Exodus story is also captured in Psalms 78, 105, 106 and 136. The story of the Passover Lamb saving God’s people continues in the New Testament, where we see the fulfilment of God’s restorative peace through Jesus, our Saviour (John 1:29,1 Corinthians 5: 1-8).

How does the book of Mark help us understand how Jesus brought peace into the world?

In the book of Mark, we see Jesus facing conflicts within himself, with Satan, with demons, with others, and with creation. We see Jesus coming to the earth as the Saviour, the long-awaited Messiah, who did not come with military might, but with humility as a human.

Mark was the first gospel to be written. The audience was the Christians in Rome in AD 60 who were experiencing persecution and martyrdom. One of the reasons for Mark’s Gospel may have been to encourage Christians living in the face of horrendous suffering. Many believers had been burned alive at Nero’s garden parties and two of the early church’s more important figures, Paul and Peter, had been executed.

This is the most action-packed story of Jesus with 40% focusing on the last week of Jesus’ life. This is because the Jews of Mark’s day could not accept a suffering Messiah. They expected a king who would come with military power. Even though the Old Testament prophets had spoken of a suffering servant coming from God, and even after Jesus had told his disciples three times that he was going to be executed, they still expected a powerful ruler and asked to sit at his side after he became king (Mark 10:37-41).

The early part of the book focuses on the pain Jesus, experienced from the beginning of his ministry, confronting hostile spiritual forces with human beings intent on humiliating him. He even suffered the rejection of his family and his lifelong friends.

The primary message of Mark is the kingdom of God. The kingdom has arrived in Jesus, and therefore people must respond and turn from sin and believe the good news (Mark 1:14-15). Jesus brings in this new kingdom, and all hopes of a Davidic messiah have been fulfilled. The kingdom is here because the king is here.




The emphasis of Mark is that this is the time of God’s rule. God’s kingdom has come with Jesus (Mark 1:1-15). The story of the kingdom then unfolds in four parts:

1. Mark 1:16- 3:6 - Jesus goes public with the announcement of the kingdom with rapid fire action – He calls the disciples, drives out demons, heals sick and announces that this has all to do with the coming of God’s rule. Jesus draws crowds and opposition from the religious and political leaders who plot his death.

2. Mark 3:7- 8:21 - the response of the crowds, disciples and the opposition of political and religious leaders to Jesus’ miracles and teaching.

3. Mark 8:22-10:45 - Jesus directs his attention to the disciples. He explains the nature of his kingship and that discipleship is going the way of the cross (8:3-38). He explains that he is Isaiah’s suffering servant (Mark 10:45). Three times the disciples miss what he is saying.

4. Mark 10:46 -15:47 - brings the story to climax. The king enters Jerusalem, and the crowds go wild with excitement, but the religious and political opposition wins the day and Jesus is put on trial. He is found guilty and turned over to the Romans for execution on a cross as King of the Jews (15:2). Mark concludes with a brief epilogue (16:1-8) reminding his readers that Jesus has risen from the dead.

What are the similarities and difference between Moses and Jesus?

Moses spoke of Jesus without naming him in Deuteronomy 18:15-22 and 34:10. After Moses’ time the Jews were always looking for a super prophet who would be far greater than Moses. There were many similarities between what happened in the time of the Exodus, and what was happening in Israel when Jesus came to earth. The mission of Jesus is referred to as The Second Exodus. The story of the Old Testament ended with Israel being exiled in its own land after a period of exile in Babylon. Jesus came to a nation that was waiting for a deliverer who would restore the Kingdom of God to Israel as in the good old days of Moses when Egypt had been defeated, or of David or Solomon. Israel was waiting for new exodus. Jesus came as The Prophet and showed an unusual kingdom, an unwelcome God, and an unexpected end to the mission.


How can we have peace with God, with ourselves, with each other and with our environment?

We have peace (completeness, wholeness) with God through Jesus. We have peace within ourselves when we are at peace with God; we understand that God has created us for a specific purpose, and seek to live in harmony with God’s purpose for our lives. We have peace with each other by respecting ourselves, and others, and seeking to be peacemakers. We can be at peace with our environment when we respect it as God’s creation, and understand that we are to care for it and work with God in the world. If we have been saved by God’s grace, and submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s work of peace in our lives, we will begin to fulfil God’s mission of bringing peace to all creation.


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KEY COMPETENCIES | HABIT OF CHARACTER | HABIT OF MIND

Kthe key competencies are:

relating to others

Mthe habit of mind focus is:

finding Humour

Cthe habit of character focus is:

Diplomacy


BIG IDEA | KEY UNDERSTANDING | FOCUS QUESTION

IQthe focus question is:

How can God bring peace into a broken world?

Uthe key understanding is:

God is peace and wants us to know

peace with God, with ourselves, with each other and with our

environment

Plan

ningthe big idea is:

God is Peace and wants us to be peacemakers


New Zealand Curriculum requirements

students will:Vision: Be connected in living and learning

Principles: Learn in accordance with the Treaty of Waitangi

Demonstrate inclusion of others in living and learning

Values: Appreciate respect, equity, community and participation

Key Competencies: Develop skills in relating to others

Devotions

English: Level 3-4Integrate sources of information, processes, and strategies with developing confidence to identify, form, and express ideas/confidently to identify, form, and express ideas

Show a developing/increasing understanding of how texts are shaped for different purposes and audiences

Show a developing/increasing understanding of ideas within, across, and beyond texts

Show a developing/increasing understanding of text structures

Integrate sources of information, processes, and strategies confidently to identify, form, and express ideasSelect, develop, and communicate ideas on a range of topics

Health: Level 3Identify and compare ways of establishing relationships and managing changing relationships

Identify ways in which people discriminate and ways to act responsibly to support themselves and other peopleIdentify the pressures that can influence interactions with other people and demonstrate basic assertiveness strategies to manage these

Health: Level 4Identify the effects of changing situations, roles, and responsibilities on relationships and describe appropriate responses

Recognise instances of discrimination and act responsibly to support their own rights and feelings and those of other people

Describe and demonstrate a range of assertive communication skills and processes that enable them to interact appropriately with other people




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For a list of Key Learning Intentions to select from as a skill focus, please refer to the Appendix

Kkey areas of investigation

we are investigating:What is peace and how does it reflect God’s character?




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Interact Learning Path | Phase 1

firing UpFire Up imaginations and learning desires and gain knowledge in the following ways:

relateBe connected, in engaging ways, with the topic to get ‘hooked’ into learningThe exclamation mark reminds us to get enthused

recallRecall prior knowledge of this topic The arrows remind us to consider all we have experienced, learnt and felt about this topic

raise questions and recognise problemsConsider what questions we have about this topic that we need to or would like to know the answers to. Identify possible problems. Some of these questions may be springboards into the topic study. Others may become the basis for further research later in the unitThe question mark reminds us to question

research (initial)Initiate research in the key areas of investigation, seeking to answer questions as you go The magnifying glass reminds us to go searching

Focusing Forward

Finding OutFurther

Firing UP

RelateRaise

questionsRecall

Review and record Rejoice!

Research

Respond

Reason

Reflect

Resolve

© 2010 Interact Curriculum16

HOW CAN GOD BRING PEACE INTO A BROKEN WORLD? | FIRING UP

relatequestions and activities

Provide an interesting, information-rich environment that engages the students in their learning. The following is a range of suggested ideas:

Write up the Big Idea on a noticeboard, and the four Key Areas of Investigation:

1. What is peace and how does it reflect God’s character?

2. How has God brought peace to the world in each era of the biblical narrative?

3. How is God’s peace expressed in the books of Exodus 1-18 and Mark?

4. How can we have peace with God, with ourselves, with each other and with our environment?

Discuss ideas and further questions that come to mind

Identify as many ways as possible that you can create a peace-filled classroom environment that creatively expresses all that you learn about ‘peace’ this term. At the conclusion of the term, open the classrooms for a Peace Walk, in which parents, students and invited guests walk around, view your displays, slideshows and presentations, and discuss the ideas with you. Consider symbols, music, colours, sounds and displays that reflect the idea of peace. Include a Peaceful Place as a quiet space for people to reflect on verses and thoughts about God, and restore their relationship with God, with themselves, with others and with their environment

Discuss synonyms and antonyms for the words peace and peacemaker and describe what they look like, sound like, or feel like

Read about the meaning of the word shalom. Find pictures that symbolise or describe peace or peacefulness. Listen to recordings of sounds from nature and choose sounds that you associate with peacefulness. Listen to music and choose some that might tend to promote peaceful feelings. Discuss

Do a word search on the word peace in the Bible, ask questions and draw conclusions about what you learn from what the Bible says about peace. Group scriptures under the headings ‘Peace with God’, ‘Peace with Self’, ‘Peace with Others’, ‘Peace with our Environment’

indicators of achievement

•Engageswiththetopicofstudy

•Contributestodiscussion

Peace

SynonymS and antonymSFind the synonyms for:

Peace

Peacefulness

Peacemaker

Write your own definition for peace

Write down what you think it means to be a peacemaker

Find the antonyms of:

Peace

Peacefulness

Peacemaker

What do we have if we do not have peace?

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First Thoughts About Peace

This term we are learning about Peace. Begin your study by thinking about what you know already by discussing

these questions in groups, and writing notes, and questions that arise.

What does peace look like?What is a memory you have of a

time you were the happiest?

When someone is at peace with themselves and their world,

what does that mean?

If we say we have had a peaceful day, what does that look like?

What does it mean to have “peace with God”?

What does a peaceful day look like/sound like/feel like to you?

What does the term “Rest in Peace” (RIP) mean and why is it commonly used for

people who have died?

What was the Peace movement of the 1960s, and what were people searching for? Why? What conflicts

were they reacting to?

Do people in all cultures want peace? Do animals have peace?

What do the greetings “Shalom” and “Peace, bro” mean?

If we are made in the image of a God of peace, and we all want to be at peace with God, ourselves, others and our environment,

what does that tell us about our Creator?

What are some synonyms for the word ‘peace’?

What are some antonyms for the word ‘peace’?

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Peace Study

Cut out the headings below and paste each one onto a separate page.

Read the verses below and write some ideas under each heading.

Genesis 45:24; Leviticus 26:6;

Job 5:23, 24; 22:21;

Psalms 34:14; 85:8; 119:165, 120:6,7; 133:1;

Proverbs 12:20; 16:7;

Isaiah 2:4; Is 9:6, Is 26:3,12, Is 32:17, Is 53:5; Is 54:10;

Ezra 34:25; Hosea 2:18; Malachi 2:5;

Matthew 5:9; 9:5; Mark 9:50; Luke 1:79; 2:14;

John 14:27; 16:33; Acts 10:36

Romans 5:1; 8:6; 12:18; 14:17,19; 15:13, 33;

1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Corinthians 13:11;

Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:14,15, 17; 4:3;

Philippians 4:7; Colossians 1:20; 3:15;

1 Thessalonians 5:13, 23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16;

2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 12:14; 13:20;

James 3:17,18; 1 Peter 3:10,11

PEACE wITH God

PEACE wITH EACH oTHER

PEACE wITH THE EnvIRonMEnT

PEACE wITH sELf

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relate continuedquestions and activities

Explore ideas and questions related to peace, such as:•Whatdoespeacelooklike?•When someone is at peace with themselves and their world, what

does that mean?•Ifwesaywehavehadapeacefulday,whatdoesthatlooklike?•Whatdoesitmeantohave“peacewithGod”?Apeacefulday?•Whatdoestheterm“RestinPeace”(RIP)meanandwhyisitcommonly

used for people who have died?•WhatwasthePeacemovementofthe1960s,andwhatwerepeople

searching for? Why? What conflicts were they reacting to? •Isthedesireforpeaceuniversalacrossallcultures?•IfwearemadeintheimageofaGodofpeace,andweallwanttobe

at peace with God, ourselves, others and our environment, what does that tell us about our Creator?

•Doanimalshavepeace?•Whatdothegreetings“Shalom”and“Peace,bro”mean?

Create a table with the four headings below. Read from verses below and write key ideas that relate to each heading:

1. Peace with God

2. Peace with self

3. Peace with each other

4. Peace with the worldAfter this, create your own definition of peace for each strand above, write an overall definition of biblical peace. Find a good dictionary definition and compare with what you have created. As a class, form a big statement about biblical peace for a display for the entire study:

•Genesis45:24;Leviticus26:6;•Job5:23,24;22:21;•Psalms34:14;85:8;119:165,120:6,7;133:1;•Proverbs12:20;16:7;•Isaiah2:4;Is9:6,Is26:3,12,Is32:17,Is53:5;Is54:10;•Ezra34:25;Hosea2:18;Malachi2:5;•Matthew5:9;9:5;Mark9:50;Luke1:79;2:14;•John14:27;16:33;Acts10:36•Romans5:1;8:6;12:18;14:17,19;15:13,33;•1Corinthians14:33;2Corinthians13:11;•Galatians5:22;Ephesians2:14,15,17;4:3;•Philippians4:7;Colossians1:20;3:15;•1Thessalonians5:13,23;2Thessalonians3:16;•2Timothy2:22;Hebrews12:14;13:20;•James3:17,18;1Peter3:10,11

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relate continuedquestions and activities

Begin to read the books of Exodus 1-18 and Mark and jot down thoughts that come to mind. (Note that less able readers could read stories from a children’s Bible, or be focused to specific parts of the Bible, while more able readers could read whole books.) When reading each chapter, choose a thought or event that relates to conflict or peace in relation to one or more of the following:

1. Conflict or Peace with God

2. Conflict or Peace with Self

3. Conflict or Peace with others

4. Conflict or Peace with the Environment

Look at your local newspaper and find situations of conflict, peace or peacemakers in your community. Complete a graphic organiser to show the causes and effects of actions taken. Identify any common threads between the stories. Discuss:

• What do the stories reflect about human nature?

•What is the ‘bigproblem’orconflict intheworld? (Wedonothavepeace with God or others or ourselves. We try to get things or pretend things or do things to make ourselves feel better). How is it reflected in‘smallerproblems’?(jealousy,selfishnessetc)

•How do people try to solve their problems? (e.g. spending money,gossiping to put other people down, violence, theft )

Bible Study

ConfliCt or PeaCe with eaCh other

ConfliCt or PeaCe with God

ConfliCt or PeaCe with the environment

ConfliCt or PeaCe with self

As you read the book of Exodus or Mark, choose a thought or event about conflict or peace for each box below.

For you to do:

• Write your own definition for peace

• Write a dictionary definition for peace

• Write what you understand God’s peace to be

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recall questions and activities

Assist the students to consider what they already know and to build on that knowledge by asking further questions as they learn. The following is a range of suggested ideas:

Think about the very best times you have ever had in your life. Consider:•Whatmadeyoufeelsogood?

•Whatelsegivesyouthe‘warmfuzzies’?

•Whatmakesyousmile,laugh,andfeelcompleteandgoodallover?

Some people, when they want to feel really good, bring good memories and thoughts to mind. Talk about your ‘happy place’:

•Whereareyouwhenyouareatyourhappiest?

•Isanyonewithyou?

•Whatareyouthinkingabout?

Consider that God IS Peace, Shalom, Wholeness and Completeness and Fullness. God is the one who gives us those feelings. Thank God for all the happy, peaceful, harmonious, joyful experiences you can think of

Brainstorm all the things you can think of that cause those good feelings of wholeness, completeness, peace and joy to be destroyed. Consider: What went wrong in the world?


•Identifiespriorlearningandexperiences

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raise questionsquestions and activities

As a class, identify questions you would like to know the answers to in relation to this topic. The following is a range of suggested ideas:

Before the Fall, God, people, animals and the environment were at peace together. What might a completely harmonious environment have been like? Brainstorm a list of words that might describe feelings, actions and states of being during this time

At the Fall we lost relationship with God, with ourselves, each other with the environment. What questions do you have about the effects of the Fall on God, on ourselves, on others or on the environment? List under the four headings what may have been lost in these four areas. Read the account of the Creation and Fall in Genesis 1-3 and consider how Jesus’ life on earth restored peace, joy and wholeness to people. Discuss:

•Whydobadthingshappentogoodpeople?

•HowcanwefindoutabouttheimpactJesushadonrestoringwhathad been lost and broken?

•Whatquestionsdoyouhaveabouthowtheproblemscanbesolved?

•HowcanwefindoutwhatitwillbelikeattheendoftimewhenJesus’return brings complete shalom again and we have relationship with God, ourselves, others and the environment in a whole new way?

The word, shalom is used in the Old Testament, meaning to be complete, perfect and full. Discuss:

•Whereisthere‘shalom’intheworldtoday?

•What is special about those places and people where ‘shalom’ isexperienced?

Jesus said that there were only two commandments: to love God and to love others as we love ourselves. Discuss:

•Whatisthemostimportantgoalofourrelationshipswithpeople?

•Whatattitudes,thoughts,wordsandactionspromotepeacefulandloving relationships?

Begin your initial answers and add to them during the term


•Writesopen-endedquestions•Contributestodiscussion



research questions and activities

Immerse yourself in ideas and information about the topic as you develop those skills outlined in the Key Learning Intentions. As you research, try to:

•takenotesasindividualsorasaclass•identifygroupsofideasandsortunderheadings•notetitlesofinterestingorhelpfulresources•identifynewquestionsyouwouldliketoinvestigate

The following is a range of activities, based on the Key Areas of Investigation:

What is peace and how does it reflect God’s character?

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines shalom as well, happy, complete, in good health, prosperous, to be whole, and wholly. God is Peace. God is a peacemaking God. The stories throughout the Bible, climaxing in the death and resurrection of Jesus, show God’s plan to bring about a just and lasting peace between rebellious people and God, within people, between people, and with our environment. Ephesians 2: 14 explains how this is possible: “He is our Shalom, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” Jesus is our peace, our wholeness, the one who completes us.

Look back on your synonyms for peace, and use a thesaurus to further extend your idea of the meaning of the word. Use a Bible dictionary to learn more about shalom. Find pictures that exemplify peace or rest or harmony. Create a wall display that expresses what you have learnt

Read verses about God being the author of peace or the God of peace, such as: Ps147:14;Rom15:33;1Cor14:33;2Cor13:11;1Thess5:23;2Thess3:16;Heb 13:20

Read verses about Jesus being our peace, such as: Is9:6;Lk1:7;Eph2:14;2Thess 3:16

Find out how much peace God wants us to have. See Ps 72:7; Ps 119:165;Is 54:13, Jer 33:6, Phil 4:7. Create an image or symbol to express the idea of maximum peace

Think back to your reflections on your ‘happy place’. Discuss:•If God is Peace, in what ways has God made you to reflect God’s

nature and character?•Whydon’twefeelwholeandperfectandhappyandpeacefulallthe

time?


•Usesarangeofsourcestoresearch

•Identifiesmeaningofwordsand phrases in Bible verses

•SummarisesaspectsofGod’snature

•LocatesreferencesintheBible

•Identifiesmainideas




•Identifiesmainideas•Investigatessymbolsand

pictures to depict an idea

•Sharesideas•Considerspersonal

application of biblical teaching

God of Peace

Read the verses below and make comments on what they tell us about what God is like

Scripture God/Jesus/Holy/Spirit What God Is Like

2 Thess 3:16

Rom 15:33

2 Cor 13:11

1 Cor 14:33

1 Thess 5:23

Heb 13:20

Ps 147:14

Is 9:6

Lk 1:7

Eph 2:14

Rom 14:17

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research continuedquestions and activities


The ‘big story’ of the Bible is about how God created with perfection, how sin destroyed relationships with God, ourselves, others and the environment; how we can be redeemed or saved or restored to peace through Jesus, and the promise of a fully established kingdom of God in which God’s will is finally done again on earth as it is in heaven.

2.1 How did God’s original creation demonstrate peace with God, with self, with others and with the environment?All God’s creation was originally completely at peace with God, with itself and with each other.

Find verses/stories in the Bible that speak about the ‘goodness’ of creation, such as: Gen1;Ps19:1;Ps96:10-13;Ps104:24-30;Ne9:6,1Chr16:2934;Ro1:20. Consider: What might it have been like with no sickness, no thorns, no death, no scary animals?

2.2 What happened to peace at the Fall?Peace was lost between God and people, within people, between people and with the created world.Read the verses below that describe what was lost in the Garden of Eden, and the effect this has had on our peace with God, with ourselves, with others, and with our environment. Gen3:8-10;Rom5:12;Rom6:23;Rom8:22

Look in Genesis 3 at the way God treated Adam and Eve when God found that they had sinned and had caused conflict within themselves (3:7-8), with God, with each other (8:12) and with creation (8:14-15). Notice that in this conflict, God asked questions first about where, who and what happened, and then gave the consequences that Adam and Eve had chosen by their actions. Discuss:

•Whatdoyoulearnfromthisaboutthenatureandcharacterofpeople?•WhatdoyoulearnfromthisaboutthenatureandcharacterofGod?

2.3 How did God teach the Israelites to have peace with God, with themselves, with each other and with their environment?God is a just God. God was teaching people in early history that people and their property were valuable and to be respected, and that God was to be respected and loved in order to live in a peaceful community. Laws were given to help establish a community of believers who could live in peace. Sacrifices were commanded in order to help people who had sinned have relationship with God restored (Lev 1-7).


•Readsorlistenstosignificantportions of the Bible



•Sortsideas•Identifiesmainideas


•Identifiesmainideas•Sharesideas

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Read about people from the list below, or your own list, who were in conflict with God’s plan:

•Abrahamlaughingatthesuggestionofason•TheIsraeliteswhodisobeyedGod’slaws,orwhogrumbledatGod’s

provision•JonahrunningfromobeyingGod’sinstruction

Find examples of the ways that God offered a way to restore peace between God and these people

Read the Bible stories about the people below and select activities and responses:People

•AdamandEve•CainandAbel•JacobandEsau•Moses,e.g.whentheEgyptiansweremistreatingthepeople,Moses

dealing with the people complaining in the wilderness, selecting judges

•Joseph•David,e.g.facingGoliath•Daniel,e.g.inconflictwiththegovernmentoftheday•Gideon(see Judges 3-6) •Ruth•Esther,e.g.inconflictwithanotherculture•Amos

Activities•Dramatisethestory,oramodern-dayequivalent•Interviewapersonwho ispretending tobeoneof thecharacters

about his thoughts, feelings and actions

Questions:•Whatwaslifebeforeandaftertheconflictwasresolved?•Whatwasthesituationthatcausedtheconflicts?Whatwasthereal

reason for the conflict? (e.g. jealousy, greed, dishonesty, differingideas of what is right, misunderstanding, revenge)

•Whichofthecharacterscanyourelatetointhisstory?Why?•Whatisanexampleofasimilarconflictyouhavehad?•WherewasGodduringtheconflicts?•DidthesecharactersknowsomethingofGod’spresenceandpromises

to bring them peace?

Find examples of laws God gave to help teach the Israelites how to live in peace with God, with themselves, with others and with their environment. Discuss the power of choice – to leave at peace with God, ourselves, others and our environment or to live to please ourselves only and lose that peace



•Meditatesonscripture•Sharesideas


•Usesdramatoinvestigatebiblical stories and concepts

•Conductsinterviewsandsurveys






Conflict & Peace Through History 1

Adam and Eve Cain Abel Jacob Esau Abraham Lot Joseph David Daniel Gideon Ruth Esther Amos

Where in the Bible I read about this person ________________________________________________

The conflict I am investigating _____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

What life was like before the conflict _______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

How the conflict was resolved, if at all _____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

What life was like after the conflict was resolved ___________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

The Story of the BibleThe story of the Bible is the best story ever because it tells us abouthow God loves us and works with people in the world. Think about

the story of the Bible and fill in the spaces.

Listen to the story of Genesis 1-3.

Thank God for the happy ending for the story of people in the world. Be thankful thatGod loves us and offers us life with God forever.

Now think of another story you have read and see if you can find the goody, the baddy, the other characters, the place, the problem and the happy ending.

Who is the maingoody in this

story?

What words could describe the place in this story?

Read John 3:16 and talk about how who Jesus is and what he did.

What is God’s answer to the big problem people have?

What is the big problem that happens in this story?

What is the happy ending for people in this story?

Who is the mainbaddy in this

story?

Who are theother people in

the story?

The people in Bible stories are ordinary people who were learning

about what God was like and what God wanted them to do.

Conflicts arose often between people then, as they do now.

Some people solved their problems well and others did not.

Choose a person from the list below and

describe a conflict he or she had with God or

with others, and any resolution. Name of the person

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What kinds of conflicts happen today that are similar?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Is there an example of a similar conflict you have had, or happens between children?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Which of the characters can you relate to in this story and why?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

What can you learn from this story about God?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

What can you learn from this story about what people are like?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Think about a situation of conflict in the Bible

and what you can learn from it.

Name of the person in conflict

Conflict & Peace Through History 2

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2.4 How did Jesus restore us to peace with God, with ourselves, with others and with our environment?God promised the Jews a Messiah who would restore peace and wholeness to them as a people. They expected this Messiah in a military way that would overthrow the government. However, Jesus came as a humble man, saying that he was the son of God and that he would ‘give peace’ to people and bring in a new kingdom of God, which was based on love and peace. Jesus restored what was lost in the garden of Eden.

Read Romans 5:12-19 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. Discuss:•Whatdoyouseeasthelinkbetweenthesepassagesandwhatwas

lost in the Garden of Eden?Read Romans 5:15. Discuss:

•What is grace, and how has Jesus shown God’s grace to a brokenworld?

Create a chart to compare the first Adam in Genesis and the second Adam, Jesus, as portrayed in Mark. Consider:

•HowwasJesuslikeAdaminhisrelationshipwithGod,withhimself,with others and with the world?

•HowwasJesusdifferentfromAdaminhisrelationshipwithGod,withhimself, with others and with the world?

Read Romans 5:1 and Colossians 1:20. Discuss:•HowdidJesusbringpeacetotheworld?

2.5 How has the Holy Spirit brought peace to believers in the world ever since Jesus left this earth?When Jesus left this earth, he sent the Holy Spirit to be everywhere for everyone. One of the fruits of the Spirit is peace. As a result of the Spirit coming, peace has come. It is not gained through power but through the release of God’s Spirit and through the kingdom of God being ushered in. What Jesus could not do as one man, the Spirit continues to do.

The Holy Spirit is often called The Comforter. Find verses that speak of the Holy Spirit’s peace. Pray that God will fill you with God’s Holy Spirit



•DrawslinksbetweenOldandNew Testament teaching

•Sharesideas

•Drawsatableordiagramtoshow connections


•Sharesideas



•Considerspersonalapplication of biblical teaching





Both Exodus and Mark are books that teach about God as our Saviour, the one who rescues us from the sin that separates us from God, and restores us to wholeness, completeness and peace.

3.1 How does the book of Exodus 1-18 demonstrate God’s saving peace?Exodus 1-18 is the epic story of the Israelites escaping from Egypt. The emphasis of the book is God’s miraculous rescue of Israel from Egypt through Moses, saving them from their sin and from the tyrannical rule of Pharaoh.

Read about the background of Exodus. Investigate Egyptian life and times, and what we know of Pharaoh and Moses

Read Exodus 1 and identify Pharaoh’s fear that resulted in a conflict with the Israelites. Find as many examples as you can of bullying, controlling and injustice in this chapter. Consider:

•Howwouldyouhavefeltifthishappenedtoyou?•DoyouthinkthatGodcaresaboutinjusticeintheworld?•Whatotherexamplesofinjusticecanyouthinkofintheworld?

Debate: “Powerful governments should be obeyed without question”

Read Exodus 2:1-10 and imagine what kinds of thoughts, worries, concerns and conflicts would have gone through Moses’ mother’s mind when Moses was a baby. Write a poem or lullaby she might have sung about her internal conflict. Do you think God cared for the internal conflicts felt by the Israelite mothers?

Read Exodus 2:11-25. Find examples in the newspaper of people today who have become violent because they perceive an injustice has been done. Discuss the feelings that are commonly felt when injustice is done. Consider:

•WhatdoyouthinkGodmighthavethoughtaboutMoses’actions?Why? What makes you think this?

On a class continuum, move to stand at one end of a line if you think that anger is wrong, the middle if you think that anger is neutral, and the opposite end if you think that anger is a healthy emotion. In groups, explain your reasons and debate the topic “Anger is good”

Read Exodus 3. Find verses that tell about God’s presence with Moses, and verses that tell of God’s promise. Find a verse that describes a ‘peace-filled’ environment

Read Exodus 4. Identify the inner turmoil felt by Moses. Find all the arguments he had with God and match them with God’s response to him. Dramatise the conversation






•Sharesideas•Considerspersonalapplication

of biblical teaching


•Meditatesonscripture•Sharesideas


•Identifiesmainideas•Usesarangeofsourcesto

research •Sharesideas•Investigatessymbolsand

pictures to depict an idea




•Sortsideas•Usesdramatoinvestigate

biblical stories and concepts

Reading Books of the Bible

AIM: To read through a book of the Bible for understanding and meaning as a group

PROCEDURE: 1. Gather various Bible translations, children’s Bibles, a study Bible, a dictionary, and an atlas

2. Select one group member to act as the teacher. This person’s role is to:

(a) TELL the group how many verses to read.

“We will start reading at verse __________ and finish at verse____________.”

At this point everyone will read the passage, either together or on their own.

(b) HELP CLARIFY the meaning of any difficult words or phrases.

“Does anyone have any words they would like to clarify? Let’s look

them up in the dictionary.”

“What questions could you ask a younger child to see whether they

have understood the story?”

“We need to think of questions that can be answered by reading

the text.”

“Now we will try to answer our own questions together.”

(c) SUMMARISE what the group has just read, giving the main idea, and then

inviting other group members to add to the comment.

“These verses told me that….”

“Does anyone want to add to that?”

“From what we know of God being our source, do any of these verses

confirm what you have learnt from the book of Joshua?”

“Do any verses add any new information?”

“Does what you have read raise any questions?”

(d) PREDICT what the next part of the passage will be about.

“I predict that the next part will be about…”

(e) CHOOSE the leader for the next passage. This leader will then follow steps (a) to (e)

3. In conclusion, summarise the book in any of the following ways:

Powerpoint/slideshow, drama, blog, pictures or symbols, website, timeline, written summary,

song, dance, collaborative piece of artwork

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The Bible is God’s word. Although the stories, letters and psalms were written to particular people in history, they still speak powerfully to us today.

The place in which we live is very different to the places in Bible times. People are still basically the same – they laugh and cry, joke and play, argue and work just as they always have - but the things we consider to be important have changed over time, and so have the way things are done.

Putting ourselves in ‘others’ shoes’ enables us to understand their thoughts, feelings and actions better, and helps us to understand why God was speaking to them in a particular way at the time.

Compare the place in which you live with the place in which the author or readers of the Bible book lived.

Comparing Our Towns

In our town, we... In their town, they...

In our town, God... In their town, God...

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Learning From Exodus

Read the verses below and make comments on the conflicts people faced in the book of Exodus what they tell us about what God is like.

EXODUS CONFLICT WhaT GOD IS LIkE

1

2:1-10

2:11-25

3

4

5:6-13

7-11

12-13

15-18

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Conflict & Peace in Exodus

ConfliCt or PeaCe with others




Write under the headings examples of how conflict or peace

were evident in the story of Exodus 1-18.

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Read Exodus 5-6:13. Sometimes things just do not go right. They seem to keep getting worse. Find verses that show that God planned for his people to be at peace

Read about the plagues in Exodus 7-11, and the obedience required of the people in Exodus 12-13. How important do you think obeying God was for knowing God’s peace in a difficult situation?

Read Exodus 14 about the exciting deliverance of the Israelites across the Red Sea. What do you think verses 13 and 14 tell you about God’s character? What is the connection between salvation and peace?

Read Exodus 15-18. Find as many examples of you can of evidence of shalom (wholeness, completeness, peace, perfection, fullness) that God provided for the people of Israel

3.2 How does the book of Mark help us understand how Jesus brought peace into the world?In the book of Mark, we see Jesus facing conflicts within himself, with Satan, with demons, with others, and with creation. We see Jesus coming to the earth as the Saviour, the long-awaited Messiah, who did not come with military might, but with humility as a human.

Find out what you can about Mark, and what life was like under Roman rule

Read through the book of Mark and highlight verses which speak about Jesus in conflict with Satan and evil spirits (1:13, 1:23, 9:25), in conflict with religious people (2:7, 2:16, 2:24, 3:2, 3:21-25:2,2, 8:11, 8:31, 11:18, 14:43-65, 15:1-37), in conflict with his disciples (8:32-33, 10:13-16) in conflict with people who were disrespecting a house created for prayer (11:15-17)

Find examples in Mark of times that Jesus was threatened by the elements of creation (4:37, 6:51), and draw up a table to identify what the threat was, and what Jesus said or did in response

Read through the book of Mark to find times Jesus felt anger (3:5), distress and grief (14:32-44)

“A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand”, Jesus said, in Mark 3:24. Think of examples today in which division results in destruction





•Sharesideas


•Identifiesmeaningofwordsand phrases in Bible verses


•Sharesideas


•Sortsideas•SummarisesaspectsofGod’s

nature



•Sortsideas


•Sortsideas•Drawsatableordiagramto

show connections


•Sortsideas


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Conflict & Peace in Mark

ConfliCt or PeaCe with others




Write under the headings examples of how conflict or peace

were evident in the stories about Jesus in the book of Mark.

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Mark 12:28-40 indicates that the Pharisees would argue over what the most important commandments were, probably because they all wanted to look good and have peace with God by obeying those commandments. Jesus cut across those arguments and gave the ultimate recipe for peace with God. Explain in your own words what Jesus told them and discuss how it is relevant for us today

In Mark 13, Jesus prepared his disciples for conflict. Find examples of predictions Jesus gave of valuable things being destroyed, people trying to deceive them, wars, earthquakes, persecution, unjust arrests, family violence, hatred. What did Jesus say would help them have peace in the middle of such hardship? God’s presence with us brings us peace (13:11, 13:29)

In Mark 16:14-20, Jesus promises restoration of relationship with God (16:16), victory in conflict with evil spirits (16:17), safety in conflict with creation (16:18). Jesus said to ‘preach the gospel to all creation’ (16:15). Discuss:

•Isthegospelpurelyforsavingpeople?•IsGodconcernedabouttheenvironment?Animals?Plants?•In John 3:16 Jesus said that God loved the world (kosmos) that

he gave his only son. How does the gospel of Jesus bring peace to people? To the world? To all creation?

3.4 What are the similarities and difference between Moses and Jesus?Moses spoke of Jesus without naming him in Deuteronomy 18:15-22 and 34:10. After Moses’ time the Jews were always looking for a super prophet who would be far greater than Moses. There were many similarities between what happened in the time of Exodus, and what was happening in Israel when Jesus came to earth. The mission of Jesus is referred to as The Second Exodus. The story of the Old Testament ended with Israel being exiled in its own land after a period of exile in Babylon. Jesus came to a nation that was waiting for a deliverer who would restore the Kingdom of God to Israel as in the good old days of Moses when Egypt had been defeated, or of David or Solomon. Israel was waiting for the new exodus. Jesus came as The Prophet and showed an unusual kingdom, an unwelcome God, and an unexpected end to the mission.


•Summarisesideas•Considerspersonal



•Gathersinformation•Identifiesmainideas•Sortsideas


•Sortsideas•Meditatesonscripture•Sharesideas

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Look up the following texts and identify some of the similarities between the life of Jesus and Moses. Consider why these connections may have been important for Jesus and the nation of Israel:

•Exodus 2 and Matthew 2:13-23•Philippians 2:5-8 and Hebrews 11:24 -27•Numbers 27:17 and Matthew 9:36•Deuteronomy 9:18 and Hebrews 7:25•Exodus 34: 29-30 and 2 Corinthians 3:7•Deuteronomy 29:1 and Hebrews 8:6-7

Look at the first 15 verses of Mark. What two events in these verses might people who knew the story of Israel relate to? Read the following texts from the time of Christ and create a role play that reflects what must have been going on in the minds of the Jewish people at this time regarding Jesus and Moses: John1:21-25;43-45;6:14;7:40-41;Acts3:24-27;7:35-37

Read Mark 6:14-29 and 6:30-44. Compare these two kings in action. Consider location, attitude, promises, audience, power, etc

Read Mark 11. Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey. Discuss:•WhatmessagesdoesthisstorytellaboutJesustheKing?•WhydidhegototheTempleandwhatwashisbehavioursymbolising?

(Judgement on Israel rather than the nations who were oppressing them. Israel was looking for a king to judge and destroy the nations and vindicate Israel). Think about the story of the fig tree

•IfthefigtreerepresentsIsrael,whatisthemessageheisgivingthenation of Israel? (Both these events are presenting God’s judgement on the nation of Israel for failing to produce the kind of society God had intended them to be. In Jesus, God came to Israel, but Jesus didn’t do what Israel wanted him to do, and therefore he was an unwelcome God)

Read Mark 14. How and why did Jesus use the Passover meal to sum up his mission? (The bread and wine reminded Israel of God’s great act of deliverance.) Consider:

•Whatwastheirnewmeaninghere?•WhatisJesusdeliveringthemfrom?•Whatwillconquerthroughhisdeath?•What is the new Exodus he is offering? (Jesus offered freedom from

sin, death and the separation from God that caused these things. These were the real enemy! Jesus began to restore what was lost in the garden by giving all humans a ‘way out’, an ‘exodus’ to a ‘promised land’ and a new peace)














? ??

??

??

???

Comparing Moses & Jesus

Recall what you can about the stories of Moses and Jesus

by marking the sentences True or False.

Moses and Jesus were both chosen by God to lead peopleMoses and Jesus both communicated directly with GodJesus was liked by the Roman leaders of the dayMoses was liked by the Egyptian rulers of the dayMoses and Jesus both gave laws from God to the peopleMoses and Jesus both died a natural deathMoses and Jesus both chose 12 leaders to work withMoses and Jesus both worked miraclesMoses and Jesus chose people to continue their workMoses and Jesus both healed peopleMoses and Jesus both escaped persecution from the rulers of their dayMoses and Jesus both lead their followers to a ‘promised land’Moses and Jesus both saved people from their sins

Now write some questions that you have about Moses and/or Jesus.

True/False

True/False

True/FalseTrue/False

True/False

True/FalseTrue/False

True/False

True/False

True/False

True/False

True/False

True/False

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We have peace (completeness, wholeness) with God through Jesus. We have peace within ourselves when we are at peace with God, understand that God has created us for a specific purpose, and seek to live in harmony with God’s purpose for our lives. We have peace with each other by respecting ourselves and others, and seeking to be peacemakers. We can be at peace with our environment when we respect it as God’s creation, and understand that we are to care for it and work with God in the world. If we have been saved by God’s grace, and submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s work of peace in our lives, we will begin to fulfil God’s mission of bringing peace to all creation.

We have peace with God through Jesus. Read the following verses and discuss what they tell us about how we can have peace: Ps37:11,119:165;Is26:3,32:17,57:2;Heb12:11;Phil4:6-7. Ask God to forgive you your sin and give you peace

We have peace within ourselves when we are at peace with God, understand that God has created us for a specific purpose, and seek to live in harmony with God’s purpose for our lives. Pray and ask God to show you how you have been designed uniquely, and ask God to help you to live in harmony with God’s purpose purpose. Find verses that tell us about how we re to treat each other and to solve problems, and then prepare a short drama to illustrate one or more of them

We have peace with each other by respecting ourselves and others, and seeking to be peacemakers. For further resources about this topic, see the Health Teacher Manual entitled, How can we help to resolve conflicts?

We can be at peace with our environment when we respect it as God’s creation, and understand that we are to care for it and work with God in the world. Identify ways that people demonstrate that they are at peace within their environment, or destroying God’s creation






How Can I Have Peace?Read the verse given in each box and complete the sentences below:

By trusting God

By accepting discipline and training

By loving God’s law

By being righteous

By walking uprightly

By being meek

By not being anxious, and by talking to God

Isaiah 57:2 saysWe can have peace by

Psalm 119:165 saysWe can have peace by

Psalm 37:11 saysWe can have peace by


Philippians 4:6-7 saysWe can have peace by

Hebrews 12:11 saysWe can have peace by

I'M LEARNING TO TALK MORE TO GOD. NOW I

DON'T WORRY SO MUCH !


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Doing What the Bible Says

The cards below can be used to prepare and present a short drama based on a principle from the Bible, about how we should treat each other.In small groups, prepare a short drama that illustrates the importance of the

Scripture on the card. Show how we are to treat each other and how we are to solve problems, using what the Bible says, as a guide.

PROVERBS 25:21-22If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

MATTHEW 5:41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

LUKE 6:27-28But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

PHILIPPIANS 2:4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

ROMANS 12:18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

PROVERBS 11:13A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

PHILIPPIANS 2:14Do everything without complaining or arguing.

ROMANS 12:13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality.

EPHESIANS 4:29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

EPHESIANS 4:32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

EPHESIANS 4:25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully with his neighbour.

EPHESIANS 4:26In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.

ROMANS 12:17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

Being a Conductor

The picture shows God’s Holy Spirit flowing through a person to others, bringing them God’s joy, power and light. Consider the attributes of a person

who can be a conductor of God’s Spirit and write these inside the person.

Are you insulated from God or are you a conductor (open channel) for God’s Spirit to flow through? Pray that God will make you the kind of person that the Holy Spirit can flow through to others.

POWER

LOVE

JOY

PEACE

LIGHT

GOD'S HOL

Y SPIRIT

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Focusing Forward

Finding OutFurther

Firing UP

RelateRaise

questionsRecall


Research

Respond

Reason

Reflect

Resolve

findi

ng o

ut

furt

her


finding out furtherFind Out Further and gain understanding in one of two ways:1. Individual or group investigation2. Whole class investigation

During this phase the students will gain understanding:

research (further)Find answers to other questions generated at the beginning of, or during, the study The magnifying glass reminds us to go searching

reasonApply, analyse, interpret, compare and contrast findingsThe arrows remind us to pull apart (analyse) and draw comparisons (compare)


HOW CAN GOD BRING PEACE INTO A BROKEN WORLD?FINDING OUT FURTHER

further researchquestions and activities

1. Identify an issue or topic which you would like to investigate further, based on what you have learned so far

2. Make a plan3. Research4. Organise your notes and plan ways to communicate your

understandings

The following is a range of suggestions for you to consider:

Investigate further about well-known Christians who sought to live at peace with others, and at peace with their environment. For example:

•FrancisofAssisiseekingpeacewithanimals•TheTruthandReconciliationCommissioninSouthAfrica•EarlymissionariestoNewZealand•MaoripeacemakerssuchasTeWhitiandTohu

Brainstorm Bible characters whose names begin with each letter of the alphabet. Sort them into groups of people with different types of conflict, e.g. Conflicts people have with God, Conflicts people have with others, Conflicts people have within themselves

Consider a time in the past in which you had a conflict with someone when you think you solved it quite well and made peace with your friend or family member. Write your memories and thoughts about an event:

•Whatwastheproblemordisagreementabout?•Whatdidyoudoorsaythatseemedtohelpsolvetheproblem?•Howdoyoufeelaboutthatsituationnow?•Whatmighthavehappenedifyouhadcontinuedtheargumentand

stayed angry?Investigate what the Bible says about how God wants us to respond to other people

Think of times you have seen bullying happening, and, without giving names, describe what you saw, why you think it happened, and what, if anything, was done about it

Write down, in confidence, experiences you have had or observed, of bullying at school, e.g. who was bullying, who was bullied. Hand to the teacher or answer a staff-produced questionnaire using www.surveymonkey.com. Pray that the teachers and students will be able to create a more peace-filled environment at school in which everyone feels safe to be the person God made them to be

Research names of missionaries who are working to show God’s peace to other people. Investigate how you can pray for them and organise for your class to do this regularly




•Identifiesmainideas•Sortsideas




•Conductsinterviewsandsurveys

•Gathersinformation•Sortsideas•Summarisesideas

•Usesarangeofsourcetoresearch


Responding to Others

Write down the key word or point from each passage that tells about how God wants you to respond to other people.

Remembering what you wrote about the verses above, ask yourself:

How should I respond...

•whensomeonehurtsme?

•whensomeonestealsfromme?

•whensomeoneliesaboutme?

•whensomeonecallsmebadnames?

•whensomeonemakesfunofme?

Leviticus 19:17-18 Matthew 5:7

Matthew 5:44 Matthew 18:21-22

Luke 6:35-36 Romans 12:17

Romans 12:21 1 Corinthians 4:12

29Further ResearchName:

Praying for Missionaries

If we keep a record of how we pray for people, it helps us to remember to pray and to know what prayers are answered.

Use the prayer log below to keep a record of the way you are praying for missionaries.

Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. Always be thankful no matter what happens, for that is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 (TLB)

3030 Name: Further Research

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HOW CAN GOD BRING PEACE INTO A BROKEN WORLD?FINDING OUT FURTHER

reason questions and activities

Consider ways you can apply your ability to reason to your study.The following are a range of ideas, but students and teachers may come up with their own as a result of their research:

Read Psalm 34:14, Hebrew 12:14 and Romans 12:18. Discuss:•Whatisthedifferencebetweenapeacemakerandapeacekeeper?•Shouldwealwaystrytoavoidarguments?Whyorwhynot?•What kinds of behaviour do people exhibit when they are avoiding

conflict? When they are facing conflict badly? When they are facing conflict well?

Discuss:•Whatmighttheworldbe like ifwewereneverallowedtoargueor

disagree?•Isarguingevergood?

Consider some of the passages you read in Exodus. With Jesus coming, what has he done to change or bring new to these situations that were not there before? Compare the way God dealt with injustice in Egyptian times with how Jesus did it in Roman times. Compare the way your parents dealt with sibling fights when you were young with the way they deal with sibling fights now you are older and understand more

Discuss your ideas about agreements between people. Brainstorm different types of agreements, treaties and covenants you are familiar with. Include agreements or covenants in the Bible between people or between God and people, agreements in families, in businesses, between governments, and treaties between groups of people. Separate them into two lists:

•Agreementsbetweenindividuals•Agreementsbetweengroupsofpeople

Discuss why you think agreements and treaties help with making or maintaining peace


•Identifiesarelationshipbetween ideas

•Expressesanopinionconfidently and provides reasons for it









focusing forwardFocus Forward to develop wisdom in the following ways:

reflectThink deeply about the value and purpose of the subject, consider ethical issues, reflect on findings The arrows remind us to think from a higher perspective, and a deeper perspective

resolveChoose. The benefit of our learning is evidenced by what we do more than what we can repeat. We consider how what we have learnt might impact who we are and what we do. De Bono’s Thinking Hats can help in the decision-making process. The ‘thumbs up’ remind us that we can say ‘yes’ to a response of some kind Our learning may have impacted our thinking, our attitudes, our actions, our communication on this topic, or where we stand on an issue

respondTake action. We apply our understanding The symbols remind us to consider our thinking, our attitudes, our actions, our communication on this topic, or where we stand on an issue

review and recordReview the Big Idea, the Key Understanding, the Focus Question, the Habits of Character, the Habits of Mind and the Competencies or Skills you have focused on. Evaluate. Consider what we have done well and how we could have improved. Identify what our next steps are in developing values, habits and skillsThe arrows remind us that we need to look back in order to move forward

rejoice!Celebrate! We celebrate what we have learnt. We celebrate our gifts and talents and developing skills We celebrate a future and a hopeThe smiling face remindsustoenjoy!

Focusing Forward

Finding OutFurther

Firing UP

RelateRaise

questionsRecall


Research

Respond

Reason

Reflect

Resolve

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© 2010 Interact Curriculum36

HOW CAN GOD BRING PEACE INTO A BROKEN WORLD? | FOCUSING FORWARD

reflectquestions and activities

Reflect on what is valuable, important or conclusive about your topic of study by considering one or more of the following. Share your ideas:

Discuss:•Whatistheeffectofthefallonhumanrelationships?•WhatistheimpactthatJesus’teaching,life,deathandresurrection

has had on relationships?•WhatisGod’sviewoninjustice?•Whatinjusticesarethereintheworldtoday?•What might Jesus do if he was on earth today and saw these

injustices?•AswehavetheHolySpiritwithinus,whatshouldourresponsebeto

injusticeintheworld?

Read scriptures about God’s peace and peacemaking which you find helpful, from the section at the back of this manual and write, decorate, display and memorise


•Identifiesanimplicationof biblical teaching on life today

•Identifiesanimplicationof biblical teaching on life today



resolve questions and activities

Identify how what you have personally learnt might impact who you are and what you do. Consider how this study might affect your actions in the future:

Heart•Yourattitudetowardconflictandresolutionresolution,andGod’s

plan of peace for all of creation

Head•Yourthinkingabouttheroleofthegospelinourcountry’shistory

and the peace you feel in your own life

Hands•Youractionsinsituationsofconflictorinjustice

Mouth•Howyoumight communicateabout conflict resolutionandGod’s

plan of peace

Feet•Whereyoustandonanissuelikebullying,stealing,speedingaround

the school


•Makesdecisionsaboutpossible actions



respondquestions and activities

Take individual or group action:

Change your attitudesConsider how you personally can know God’s peace. Ask God to fill you with peace and to make you a peacemaker in the world around you

Change your thinkingRecognise that everyone in the world is made in God’s image, and everyone in the world faces troubles and sins. Choose to be gracious and to seek ways to live in peace with others

Take actionWork through the Health Teacher Manual entitled, How can we help to resolve conflicts? Make a plan for addressing bullying in your school environment

Communicate your learningIdentify as many ways as possible that you can communicate the ideas you have learnt about peace in your classroom environment, so that others can have a Peace Walk through your classroom and experience peace as well as learn from your displays. Consider symbols, music, colours, sounds and displays that reflect the idea of peace. Include a Peaceful Place – a quiet space for people to reflect on verses and thoughts about God, and restore their relationship with God

Create a simple way of outlining steps towards conflict resolution, e.g. Red Beach School, New Zealand, has a saying: Mucked Up, Own Up, Put it Right, Move On. What could you come up with?

Create a play to express the important action and ideas from Exodus 1-18 or Mark

Create an artwork that expresses ideas about God’s peace

Create a slideshow or a short movie to express important ideas about God and our response to God in the world

Stand for what is rightChoose an issue of injustice or conflict and pray about how you can contribute to bringing healing and peace to the problem


•Activelyrespondstobiblicaltext

•Appliesabiblicalworldviewto personal life

•Makesaplanforcharacterdevelopment



•Makesaplanforcharacterdevelopment





•Creativelycommunicatesbiblical understanding




•Makesastandforjusticeonan ethical issue


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review and record questions and activities

Consider what you have learned and the skills you have developed:

Identify the main ideas in Exodus 1-18 or Mark

Explain to a younger class what you have learnt about the God of peace and about how we can have God’s peace and bring peace to the world around us

Review the Big Idea, Key Understanding and Focus Question, and identify what you have learnt

Record in a journal over the next term, times in which you felt troubled or peaceful and writes prayers or psalms about what happened and how you feel. Identify what the triggers for both feelings were in your life. Try to live in connection with the God of peace


•DrawslinkstotheBig Idea, the Key Understanding and the Focus Question



•Isreflectiveaboutowncharacter, faith and skill development

•Makesaselfassessment•Setsgoals



rejoice!questions and activities

Celebrate your learning:

Celebrate by inviting members of the local iwi, friends and family to a day in honour of Peacemakers

Take a Peace Walk around all the classrooms to investigate each other’s wall displays or books or slideshows about peace

Perform a play or musical about the Exodus from Egypt, Parihaka or the Treaty of Waitangi (see Social Science Teacher Manual entitled, How have people dealt with conflict in our country’s history?)


•Participatesincreativecelebration



Sscriptures relevant to this unit

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Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.

Exodus 18:13-2713 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and laws.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” 24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves. 27 Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.

Joshua 1:8Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Psalm 1:1-6 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 51:17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Proverbs 20:3It is to a man’s honour to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Isaiah 6:1-81 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

HOW CAN GOD BRING PEACE INTO A BROKEN WORLD?SCRIPTURES RELEVANT TO THIS UNIT


Matthew 4:4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ “

Matthew 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:23-2423 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 7:5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Matthew 18:1-351 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. 10 “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”



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Luke 17:3So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.

John 3:16-1716 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.

Acts 6:1-71 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 12:1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Romans 14:19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

1 Corinthians 13:1-131 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.



1 Corinthians 14:33aFor God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

Ephesians 1:1-231 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 4:1-31 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:15-1615 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

Ephesians 4:31-3231 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.


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Philippians 4:1-91 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yoke fellow, to a help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Colossians 1:1-291 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. 24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

1 Thessalonians 5:13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.



2 Timothy 3:16-1716 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Philemon 1:1-71 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. 6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

James 4:1-61 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

2 Peter 1:21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 4:7-8 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.


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III© 2010 Interact Curriculum

tHe interACt resoUrCesThe Interact Curriculum is a biblically-based and integrated programme of learning suitable for students in Years 1-8. It is designed to inspire teachers with a multitude of creative ideas, questions and learning activities through which students can engage in learning about God and his world. This Interact Teacher Manual is part of a set of manuals produced for a single term’s work on an integrated theme. The Interact Currriculum provides teacher manuals in the subject areas of Devotions, Science, Social Science, Health and English on 16 such themes over a four-year cycle. Additional resources are also available in other subjects, including reproducible student worksheets entitled Discovery Sheets. The Interact Curriculum is designed to encourage students to interact with God, with others and with their world in the course of their learning day, and it is our intention to serve teachers by resourcing them with leading-edge curriculum material that helps students to:

Unde

rsta

ndin

g in

tera

ct

Know God

LearnaboutPeopleLearn

about the World

Develop faith and character

Develop thinkingskills

Integratelearningareas

Value and serve individuals

Build community

Relate learning to

real life

IV © 2010 Interact Curriculum

oPtions for UsinG tHis interACt teACHer mAnUALIntroduction:

This Interact Teacher Manual is designed to give you many different ideas from which to select and plan a programme for your own class. It is recommended that the Interact Learning Path be used as a guide in the planning process, but there is plenty of scope for choice in this manual.

This Interact Teacher Manual will give opportunity for teachers to design either:

(a) A short, more traditional unit of workBy focusing on the Firing Up stage, covering the Key Areas of Investigation as a class, and selecting one or two activities in the Focusing Forward section, a teacher could design a short programme of work for a whole class lasting two to three weeks and follow it with assessment.

(b) A longer inquiry investigationBy working through the process of the Interact Learning Path, it will be possible to develop understanding of key concepts and skills in the Firing Up section, and then to ignite student enthusiasm to take responsibility, in negotiation with the teacher, for their own research, reasoning, reflecting and responding. This will engage the students in developing questioning and research skills and therefore equip and inspire them for future learning.

c) A combination of bothThe more independent students in the class could be given more control over their learning by setting them off on their independent inquiry approach whilst the teacher approaches the topic in a more traditional / teacher-centred approach with the remainder of the class.

N.B. Regardless of what approach to the material is used, the Interact Learning Path provides the structure so that students are given opportunity to have some degree of choice about their learning. Because they have more ownership, deeper and more independent learning may occur.

V© 2010 Interact Curriculum

PLAnninG witH interACtTerm OverviewRead the Term Overview document at the front of the Term Folder to understand the integrating thread of the term and the national curriculum requirements.

Understanding InteractRead the Understanding Interact section on page (I) so that you are confident in understanding the principles and processes of the Interact Resources.

Overview and IntroductionRead these pages to understand what this subject area is about, and where it fits into the integrated term’s work.

Big Idea and FociiRead the Big Idea, the Habit of Character Focus and Habit of Mind Focus, the Key Understanding and the Focus Question which summarise the main focii of this unit.

Biblical World View and Background InformationRead these pages to familiarise yourself as a teacher with the content being taught this term. Look up the Scriptures (found at the end of the manual for your convenience).

Key Areas of InvestigationThese four points summarise the content the students may learn in this subject. Confirm with your national requirements and determine your priorities.

Key Learning IntentionsThese points give ideas for Skills you can select as focii during this unit. All the skills listed are found in the Indicators of Achievement throughout the book, and any can be selected to become the focus of your teaching and assessment of skills for this subject this term. Determine what is appropriate for your class.

Plan for School-wide Activities or VisitorsMeet several times with other staff to engage personally and corporately with the term theme and plan school-wide activities.

Determine Main and Subsidiary TopicsDetermine the main focus topic for your class (e.g. Science, Social Science, Health) this term and the supporting topics. Note that the main focus topic may vary between classes. At the conclusion of the term, when school-wide presentations are made, all students may benefit from each other’s deeper learning in particular topics.

PlanPlan, using the Interact Learning Path as a guide.

Have a great term teaching!

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VI © 2010 Interact Curriculum

tHe interACt LeArninG ProCessThe Interact Curriculum resources are being developed in a framework of learning, developed by Helen Pearson, called the Interact Learning Path.

The Interact Learning Path helps students to recall prior knowledge, to develop knowledge, skills, understanding and godly wisdom, to consider how what they have learned impacts who they are and what they do, to respond with the benefit of new skills and understanding, to evaluate their work, and to celebrate their learning in a range of ways as outlined below:

the interact Learning Path

We hope you enjoy discovering, with your students, a fresh perspective on the world!

Focusing Forward

Finding OutFurther

Firing UP

RelateRaise

questionsRecall


Research

Respond

Reason

Reflect

Resolve

VII© 2010 Interact Curriculum

Focusing Forward

Finding OutFurther

Firing UP

RelateRaise

questionsRecall


Research

Respond

Reason

Reflect

Resolve

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KeY LeArninG intentionswe are learning to:

RelateEngage

RecallRemember

Raise questions and recognise problemsInquire

Plan

ResearchUses biblical research skills

Gather information

Process information

Engages with the topic of study

Contributes to discussion

Identifies prior learning and experiences

Writes open-ended questions

Contributes to discussion

Summarises aspects of God’s nature

Locates references in the Bible

Reads or listens to significant portions of the Bible

Uses a range of sources to research including original sources, reference texts, archives, people, media, computer technology, and places

Shares ideas

Summarises ideas

Conducts surveys and interviews

Sorts ideas

Identifies main ideas

Summarises aspects of God’s nature

Meditates on scripture

Uses drama to investigate biblical stories and concepts

Investigates symbols and pictures to depict an idea

Draws a table or diagram to show connections

Considers personal application of biblical teaching

VIII© 2010 Interact Curriculum

KeY LeArninG intentionswe are learning to: continued

ReasonMake connections

ReflectIdentify a personal connection with text

ResolveConsider a personal response

Identifies a relationship between ideas

Expresses an opinion confidently and provides reasons for it

Identifies an implication of biblical teaching on life today

Makes decisions about possible actions

RespondMake a personal response

Review and recordJudging the process

Rejoice!Celebrate

Actively responds to biblical text

Applies a biblical world view to personal life

Makes a stand for justice on an ethical issue

Creatively communicates biblical understanding

Makes a plan for character development

Is reflective about own character, faith and skill development

Makes a self assessment

Draws links to the Big Idea, the Key Understanding and the Focus Question

Sets goals

Participates in creative celebration

Creatively communicates biblical understanding

© 2010 Interact CurriculumX

ACKnowLeDGementsDeveloping the Interact Curriculum has been the result of over twenty-five years of thinking and working in the education field, and therefore twenty-five years of gleaning ideas and principles from a multitude of mentors, advisors, observations, teaching experiences, books and curricula from around the world.

It would not be possible for me to acknowledge all those who have contributed to my thinking. As Woodrow Wilson once said, “I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.” Certainly I am indebted to the many advisors in New Zealand, Australia, North America, England, Indonesia and Africa, who have contributed their critique and assistance in writing these books.

Special thanks should go to Graham Braddock who believed in me and in our God sufficiently to encourage and challenge me to both establish KingsWay School in 1986 and to subsequently write curriculum for schools.

Thanks, too, to Marty Heaslip, who first introduced this concept of teaching from a basis of understanding the character of God.

Special thanks go to Julie Owen for walking with me through the Interact update process and advising, critiquing, and writing and refining material so helpfully. Also, thanks to Carl Becker for valuable critique, Clare Woods for the graphic design, to Anna Johnstone who has been a supportive friend and advisor for many years and assisted with proofreading, and to the team of researchers, writers and graphic designers who help write manuals and prepare support material.

I have written and revised the Interact Curriculum since 1993, in answer to requests for assistance from schools, and during that time have also had five wonderful children. I am so grateful for the support of my husband, Dean, who is my closest friend and support and whose belief that God’s purpose for this material is more important than career and security has allowed him to take huge financial risks and lifestyle changes. My mother, Elizabeth Horne, has also been very supportive over many years. Dean and I are blessed to have the prayerful support of both sides of our family, and our thanks go to Elizabeth, Parke, Lin and Robin for their commitment to prayer for us and for this resource.

To all those who have critiqued and advised in large ways and small, I am most grateful. To those who have not yet made suggestions and would like to, please do so. It helps to make the documents stronger for the benefit of busy teachers, and I value critical comment to that end.

Helen Pearson

Co-author, Editor and Publisher of Interact Curriculum


BiBLioGrAPHYDuvall, J. Scott and Hays, John Daniel. (2001). Grasping God’s word. Grand Rapids Michigan: Zondervan

Fee, Gordon and Stuart, Douglas. (1993). How to read the Bible for all its worth: a guide to understanding the Bible. Grand Rapids Michigan: Zondervan

Fee, Gordon and Stuart, Douglas.(2002). How to read the Bible book by book. Grand Rapids Michigan: Zondervan

Hugget, Joyce. (1989). Open to God. Hodder and Stoughton: London

McNabb, Bill and Mabry, Steven. (1990). Teaching the Bible creatively: How to awaken your kids to scripture. Grand Rapids Michigan: Zondervan

Torrey, R.A. (1995). The New Topical Text Book : A Scriptural Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos research Systems, Inc., c1897

Swanson, James and Nave, Orville. (1995). New Nave’s. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems

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