PRI Shell-Lessons All Units
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EPISCOPAL CHILDREN’S CURRICULUM PRIMARY SHELL Locke E. Bowman, Jr., Editor-in-Chief Amelia Gearey Dyer, Ph.D., Associate Editor The Rev. George G. Kroupa III, Associate Editor Judith W. Seaver, Ph.D., Managing Editor (1990-1996) Dorothy S. Linthicum, Managing Editor (current) Consultants for the Shell Year, Primary Anne Gleason, Alexandria, VA Gay Gruetzemacher, Ph.D., Hixson, TN Helen Schmieder, Naples, FL Scott Slater, Alexandria, VA Glenda Taylor, Lakeland, FL Primary Shell Contents BACKGROUND FOR TEACHERS The Teaching Ministry in Episcopal Churches .....................................................................1 Understanding Primary-Age Learners...................................................................................8 Planning Strategies.............................................................................................................. 15 Session Categories: Activities and Resources................................................................... 21 UNIT I. PENTATEUCH Letter to Parents ...................................................................................................................I-1 Session 1:Noah.....................................................................................................................I-3 Session 2: Abraham and Sarah............................................................................................I-8 Session 3: Isaac and Rebekah’s Twins .............................................................................I-14 Session 4: Jacob .................................................................................................................I-19 Session 5: Joseph ...............................................................................................................I-24 Session 6: Joseph and the Pharaoh....................................................................................I-28 Session 7: Moses and Miriam ...........................................................................................I-33 Session 8: Moses and the Red Sea ....................................................................................I-39 Session 9: All Saints: People of God ................................................................................I-44 UNIT II. JESUS: HEALER Letter to Parents ................................................................................................................. II-1 Session 1: Elizabeth and Zechariah................................................................................... II-3 Session 2: John the Baptist is Born ................................................................................... II-8 Session 3: Mary and Joseph ............................................................................................ II-13 Session 4: Shepherds Glorify God .................................................................................. II-18 Session 5: Epiphany Is the Feast of Lights..................................................................... II-23 Session 6: Jesus Changes Water into Wine .................................................................... II-28 Session 7: Jesus Heals a Blind Man................................................................................ II-33 Session 8: Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law............................................................... II-38 Session 9: Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter........................................................................ II-43 UNIT III. BAPTISM: PEOPLE IN COVENANT Letter to Parents ................................................................................................................ III-1 Session 1: Jesus was Baptized.......................................................................................... III-3 Session 2: The Apostles Baptized People........................................................................ III-9 Session 3: The Church’s People Are Baptized..............................................................III-14 Session 4: Baptized People Make Promises ..................................................................III-19 Session 5: The Church is a Family of Faith...................................................................III-24 Session 6: Jesus Washing His Friends’ Feet..................................................................III-29 Session 7: Jesus Died and Was Buried ..........................................................................III-34 Session 8: Jesus is Alive.................................................................................................III-39 Session 9: God Forgives Us ...........................................................................................III-44 UNIT IV. CHURCH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Letter to Parents ................................................................................................................IV-1 Session 1: Luke Wrote the Story......................................................................................IV-3 Session 2: Peter Preached the Good News ......................................................................IV-9 Session 3: Stephen, Faithful Servant..............................................................................IV-14 Session 4: Paul Was Changed by God...........................................................................IV-19 Session 5: Barnabas: Early Christian Leader.................................................................IV-24 Session 6: Dorcas Was a Good Neighbor......................................................................IV-29 Session 7: John Mark Was a Young Christian ..............................................................IV-34 Session 8: Lydia Welcomed Others...............................................................................IV-39 Session 9: Pentecost Is a Festival...................................................................................IV-44 Note: The following letter is for teachers and parents of children in the Primary level of church school. These pages can be reproduced or used as a model for a personalized letter Episcopal Children's Curriculum Unit I. PENTATEUCH Dear Parents and Guardians, Pentateuch is the name for the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The theme for the Pentateuch Unit is God's faithfulness in keeping promises. In our baptism, we become part of God's people, from Abraham to the present. It is important that our children hear again and again the stories Hebrew Scriptures, as the promises of God are fulfilled. God makes promises, and the people offer promises in return. These promises are called “covenants.” In the stories, we learn that the people in the Hebrew Scriptures are subject to the same feelings people have known in every household and generation: love and devotion; jealousy, hatred, and deception; murderous anger; bereavement and deep sorrow; prayer; and rebellion against God. God works with people who are very similar to us. Although we may fail to keep our promises, God always remains faithful and acts to save us. In this unit for primary-age children, we look at key figures in Genesis and Exodus that are part of the Pentateuch or Torah, the Hebrew name for the first five books of the Bible. We encourage you to talk about the lessons with your child. Do this by reading together the learners' book, God’s Chosen People, which follows the session outline by chapter, and looking at the Scripture passages cited below. The Take-Home Cards given to learners each week can also be used in your discussions. These collectible cards, about the size of a postcard, can be displayed in a photo album, kept in a recipe box, or used in any way you find helpful. Following are summaries of the unit’s sessions: Session 1: “Noah” reviews the story of the Flood, emphasizing the events that occurred after the ark came to a rest. The rainbow appears as a sign of God's promise to never destroy all of creation with a Flood. Read the story in Genesis 9:8-13. Session 2: “Abraham and Sarah” is about God's promise that their descendants would be as numerous as the stars or the sands of the seashore. Even though they were very old, Sarah gave birth to a son whose name was Isaac. (Genesis 12:1-7) Session 3: “Isaac and Rebekah's Twins” recounts the story of the birth and sibling rivalry of Jacob and Esau. Although the family experiences jealousy, betrayal, and deception, God's faithfulness never wavers. (Genesis 25:24-34) Unit I. Pentateuch—Introductory Letter Shell Year Primary I-5 Session 4: “Jacob” describes his flight from Esau's anger and Jacob's dream of a ladder extending to heaven, with angels going up and down. In the dream, God promises to always be with Jacob. Jacob, whose name is later changed to Israel, receives the blessing of God at Bethel. Through Jacob, the covenant first made with Abraham is renewed. (Genesis 28:10- 22; 35:9-12) Session 5: “Joseph” is about Jacob's family and his love for Joseph. As a sign of his love, Jacob gives Joseph a beautiful coat with long sleeves. Joseph's jealous brothers plot against him and sell him to Egyptian traders. Jacob believes his beloved son is dead. (Genesis 37:2- 28) Session 6: “Joseph and the Pharaoh” describes Joseph's ascent from slavery to become a trusted administrator in the house of Pharaoh. He becomes God's instrument for feeding his aged father and brothers as they come to Egypt during a famine. (Genesis 39:1-5; 41:41) Session 7: “Moses and Miriam” takes