Sunday School Intermediate Class

Episcopal Children's Curriculum. Year of the Cross, Unit 4

Sunday March 22nd through Sunday May 31st, 2009

Teachers: Mark Robinson will be teaching this unit. Please do not hesitate to contact him if you have any questions or concerns. Contact details are on the Teacher's Schedule in your Parent's Information Pack.

Color: This class meets in the Yellow Room. The bulletin board at the top of the stairs is color coded with a section for each class so please check the yellow section for class updates and reminders of what is being taught each week.

Age Group: This class is for children entering 4th through 6th grades in September 2008. We are trying to start a new class for 6th graders and up for next year and will update this information when it happens.

 

Year of the Cross, Unit 4: Church History (Some of these lessons were taught in Unit 3 due to Easter falling during this Unit)

In the final unit for this year we will look at the history of the Church. Obviously, is it not possible to provide an exhaustive survey of Christian history. Instead, we will explore periods involving major issues in the life of the Church. We will help students learn about these aspects of Church history at their own levels of ability and interest. Each session is a founda­tion for further exploration and study for years to come. Please note the following: “Christian” refers to all who belong to the one holy catholic and apostolic church. “Church,” with a capital C, means the larger Christian community. When spelled with a lowercase c, “church” refers to a particu­lar denomination or a local congregation. “Anglican” and “Anglican Communion” designate the worldwide community stemming from the Church of England. Generally, “Episcopal Church” refers to Americans who are of the Anglican tradition. “Protestant” is a term from the Reformation of the sixteenth century. “The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America” is the official name for our churches. During this unit we will also be exploring selected key concepts:

• The Church defines its beliefs in the form of historic Creeds.

• The Church’s worship holds to long-established liturgical forms.

• At crucial times, the Church undergoes reformation.

• The Bible is translated and shared with the whole world.

• The Anglican or Episcopal tradition plays a significant role in early America.

• Christian missionaries have carried their faith to other lands.

• Christians have actively pursued justice, peace, and human dignity.

• The churches of Jesus Christ are called to seek unity.

• The Anglican heritage is apostolic, proceeding from the Day of Pentecost.

 

Summaries of Unit 4 Intermediate Lessons:

March 22, Session 1: We combine two lessons this week. “The Church’s Reformation” shows that “re-forming” is a continuous process for Chris­tians. After the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century, the Church produced new translations of the Bible, as well as new theological writings, hymns, and prayer books. Students will learn that less dramatic reforms have occurred more often. (Romans 5:1-11) “The Bible is for All” helps students appreciate the evolution of English ver­sions of the Bible. They will meet John Wycliffe and William Tyndale, who were condemned for translating and teaching the Bible. Class members also will hear about the King James Version and subsequent translations. (II Timothy 3:14-17)

March 29, Session 2: “The church came to America” focuses on the arrival of the first English settlers in Virginia in 1607. Anglicans lived chiefly in the Virginia colony from 1607 to about 1690. After that time, they moved rapidly into the other colonies. Students also will explore briefly the theology of the Puritans who settled in New England. The impact of the early settlers on institutions today will be emphasized. (Mat­thew 28:16-20)

April 5 (Palm Sunday so the children will start in church), Session 3: “Jesus was Condemned to die” is centered primarily around the extraordinary trial of Jesus during the night of his betrayal by Judas and the early hours of Good Friday. By looking at the four Gospels closely, we can piece together a scenario of what happened to thwart justice and produce the final judgment upon Jesus. This session aims to help students appreciate the great suffering endured by Jesus. His sacrifice was a supreme act of compassion for humankind. (Luke 23:1-5)

April 12 – Easter Day. No Sunday School. Easter Egg Hunt after church.

April 19, Session 4: “Resurrection” is about the glorious good news of Easter. Based on the resurrection story according to Luke, the session examines the evidence for Jesus’ having been dead, buried, and raised to life again. The event is crucial to our faith. If it had not occurred, Jesus’ life and ministry would have faded away and there would be no Church. The Resurrection marks a whole new era for God’s creation. It was God’s ultimate yes to the world’s defiant no. (Luke 24:1-12)

April 26, Session 5: “Missionaries are Sent Out” points out that the American Revolution slowed the growth of Anglican churches. Decades later, the Church had regained the strength to join in the missionary movement. Students will learn about the early Episcopal missions and consider the nature of present-day missions around the world. (Luke 9:1-6)

May 3 – Bishop’s Visitation. Please encourage children to attend church.

May 10, Session 6: “Christians Struggle for Unity” invites students to think about the ivisions that continue among Christian churches. They will look at the four essentials for unity that were set forth in the nineteenth century: the Bible as the revealed word of God; the Nicene Creed as a sufficient statement of the Christian faith; the two sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist; and the bishops in succession from the Apostles. (Ephesians 4:1-7)

May 17, Session 7: “Ascension” offers a fresh look at the Feast of the Ascension. Although it is a Principal Feast of the Church, it is less familiar to many people. Students will study Luke’s accounts of Jesus’ ascent into heaven forty days after the day of his resurrection. They will be asked to think about what Christ’s reign “above” can mean for everyday life. (Luke 24:44-53)

May 24 – Memorial Weekend. No Sunday School

May 31, Session 8: “We Celebrate Pentecost” All that has happened in Church history stems from the visitation of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. From that time to the present, Christians have worshiped and labored in an unbroken tradition. (Acts 1:1-5)

 

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