BerkswichCE Primary School
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Understanding Christianity - Our Approach to Christianity Units
Understanding Christianity
Along with over seven thousand other schools, when teaching Christianity in school, we draw on resources from 'Understanding Christianity', resources and materials produced by a Church of England project.
The key purpose of the project is to help all teachers support pupils in developing their own thinking and their understanding of Christianity, as a contribution to their understanding of the world and to support each individual, whatever their belief, to consider their own experience within it.
As part of the children's Christianity units, they use a freeze created by artist, Emma Yarlett (see above); this plots many of the key themes and events covered through the children's learning. Ideas are there to be considered, discovered, interpreted and talked about. Knowledge organisers contain a section of this artwork relevant to the half-term's learning; children's books have a complete version of the freeze for the children to examine.
Through the years, the children will revisit the key concepts in Christianity - progressively each year at a deeper level. The children see these concepts in their Knowledge Organisers (click here) and have the following information to hand in their books, so support them in their growing understanding.
Key Stage One and EYFS version
1. God
Christians believe in one God. They believe that God is three in one (God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit). |
2. Creation
God created the world and humans. Everything that was made was good. |
3. Fall
Humans go their own way, rather than stay with God. They do things that keep them apart from God. This means that they need God to rescue them to mend the friendship. |
4. People of God
The first part of the Bible tells of God’s rescue plan. People’s sin spoiled God’s plan again and again. At the end of the first part of the Bible, the people of God were waiting to be rescued. |
5. Incarnation
The second part of the Bible tells Christians that Jesus is the rescuer. He can repair the friendship with God. Incarnation means that Jesus is God on earth who understands what it is like to be human. |
6. Gospel
Jesus’ birth and life is good news for all people. ‘Gospel’ means ‘good news’. Jesus’ life and teachings show what it is like to be one of the people of God. |
7. Salvation
Jesus’ death and resurrection effect the rescue of humans. He opens the way back to God. Through Jesus, forgiveness mends the relationship between God and humans. |
8. Kingdom of God
This does not mean that no one makes mistakes! The ‘Kingdom of God’ tells Christians how God wants them to live full lives, helped by the Holy Spirit. Christians believe that one day God will make everything new again |
Key Stage Two version
1. God Christians believe that God is Trinity - three in one. Not all Christians agree, but many see the role of God as the Creator and Father, Jesus the Son and Saviour and the Spirit as the Comforter and power of God. |
2. Creation The universe and human life are God’s good creation. Humans are made in the image of God. |
3. Fall Humans go their own way, rather than keep in a good relationship with God. This attitude is called sin. Christians believe that sin separates God and humans. Humans need rescue (salvation). |
4. People of God The Old Testament tells of God’s plan to rescue humans. It involved choosing a people who will show what a relationship with God looks like. The people’s sin spoiled God’s plan again and again. The people awaited a ’messiah’ (rescuer). |
5. Incarnation The New Testament presents Jesus as the answer: the Messiah and Saviour, who will repair the effects of sin and the Fall, so that humans can be at one with God again. Incarnation means that Jesus is God in the flesh. |
6. Gospel Jesus’ incarnation is good news for all people. ‘Gospel’ means ‘good news’. Jesus’ life and teachings model what it is like to be one of the people of God and what it is like to live in a relationship with God. |
7. Salvation Jesus’ death and resurrection effect the rescue (or salvation) of humans. He opens the way back to God. Through Jesus, forgiveness is offered and the relationship between God and humans is restored. |
8. Kingdom of God This does not mean that no one sins any more! The ‘Kingdom of God’ reflects how God intended humans to live life to the full. Christians look forward to a time when God’s rule is fulfilled in the future. Meanwhile, they try to live, following Jesus’ example, helped by God’s Spirit. |
To find out more about the Christianity Units, please click here, or to read our unit summaries, click here. Our RE leads and teachers are always available to answer questions.