Religion Curriculum

Northern Illinois District

Grade 5

Purpose Statement for Religion Curriculum

We want all students and families to come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  The gifts of faith and salvation come to us through word and sacrament.  This curriculum strives to expose children to word and sacrament, so that the Lord can do His work.  The Holy Spirit works through these saving gifts to not only bring people to faith, but also to strengthen God’s children to live the life of a disciple.  This curriculum is designed to support teachers and students in the Church’s mission of making disciples of all nations.  We want all students to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:8-10

Goal 1:  Students will strengthen their faith with the help of the Holy Spirit as they hear, read, and study the Holy Scriptures as the inerrant, inspired word of God.

Learning Standard A:  Students will see Jesus and discover God’s plan of salvation as it is revealed in the Old Testament.

Genesis – God’s Plan

Objective 1:  Review and appreciate God’s promises and plan of salvation as they are laid out in Genesis.

The Exodus and the Promised Land

Objective 2:  Analyze in detail the major stories, events, teachings, and people of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Judges – Sins and Saviors

Objective 3:  Evaluate the sins of Israel and recognize that God demonstrated His love for them by sending the Judges.

Objective 4:  Describe the lives of Deborah, Gideon, Samson, and Samuel.

Objective 5:  Conclude that when Israel asked for a king they were in essence rejecting the Lord as their King.

Kings and Kingdoms

Objective 6:  Outline the transition from Judges to Kings specifically the roles of Samuel, Saul, and David in that process.

Objective 7:  Compare and contrast the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon.

Objective 8:  Classify the other kings of Israel as faithful or unfaithful to the Lord.

Objective 9:  Discuss the events that led to the division of Israel.

Exile and Restoration

Objective 10:  Follow the Northern and Southern Kingdoms into exile.

Objective 11:  Organize a time line of events and people that illustrates who was alive at what time in Israel’s history.

Objective 12:  Analyze the work of Nehemiah and Ezra.

Objective 13:  Celebrate the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Jesus in the Old Testament

Objective 14:  Recognize the covenant God made with His people, including the promise of Jesus.

Objective 15:  Trace the genealogy of Jesus back to King David.

Prophets and Prophesies

Objective 16:  Find strength in prophesies of Isaiah.

Objective 17:  Hear the word of God to His people, Israel, through the prophet Jeremiah.

Jesus in the Psalms

Objective 18:  Recognize many Psalms.

Objective 19:  Connect some of the Psalms of David to actual events in his life and cross reference them in scripture.

Objective 20:  Sing the and pray the Psalms.

Objective 21:  Recognize the connection Jesus has with the Psalms.

Learning Standard B:  Students will see Jesus and discover God’s plan of salvation as it is revealed in the New Testament.

The Birth of Christ

Objective 1:  Review and rejoice in the birth of Christ.

Objective 2:  Discuss the theology of Jesus’ baptism and temptation.    

Miracles of Jesus

Objective 3:  Review the various miracles of Jesus.

Parables of Jesus

Objective 4:  Review and name the parables of Jesus.

Objective 5:  Evaluate the parable of the lost son and what it teaches about forgiveness.

Teachings of Jesus

Objective 6:  Realize that Jesus calls us to love our enemies.

Objective 7:  Forgive others as the Lord teaches in scripture.

Objective 8:  Describe the events of the Transfiguration.

The Cross and the Empty Tomb

Objective 9:  Compare and contrast the Gospel accounts of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit and the Growth of the Church

Objective 10:  Discuss the denial and reinstatement of Peter.

Objective 11:  Understand that Jesus appeared in the flesh to His disciples many times after His resurrection and before His ascension.

Objective 12:  Celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Objective 13:  Summarize the events and purpose of the book of Acts.

Objective 14:  Recognize that the book of Revelation is a book we can rejoice in as Children of God.

Learning Standard C:  Students will identify God’s Law and Gospel as they investigate scripture.

Objective 1:  Investigate the writings and teachings of Martin Luther and explain how his understanding of the Law and Gospel led to the Reformation.

Objective 2:  Apply the Law and Gospel appropriately in their lives and in relationships with others.

Objective 3:  Warn others about the dangers of misusing the Law and Gospel.

Learning Standard D:  Students will memorize select passages of scripture.

See Memory Component
Goal 2:  Students will explore and discuss the doctrines of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Learning Standard A:  Students will study the doctrines found in the confessional writings of the LCMS.

Baptism

Objective 1:  Defend infant baptism by citing scripture.

Objective 2:  Explain why an adult convert should first receive instruction in the faith before being baptized.

Objective 3:  Demonstrate that they have a clear understanding of what baptism is and the blessings it bestows.

Objective 4:  Discuss questions surrounding baptism.

The Creed

Objective 5:  Describe the attributes of God the Father.

Objective 6:  Appreciate that God the Father is their father in faith.

Objective 7:  Conclude that God is the creator of all things, visible and invisible.

Objective 8:  Acknowledge that God created the world by His Word alone.

Ten Commandments

Objective 9:  Recognize that we break the Ten Commandments in thought, word, and deed.

Objective 10:  Discriminate between false gods and the One and Only Triune God.

Objective 11:  Prioritize the people and events in their lives and honor the Lord as the most important.

Objective 12:  Keep God’s name Holy.

Objective 13:  Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

Confession & Absolution

Objective 14:  Determine that no one is without sin.

Objective 15:  Confess sins to one another and forgive the sins of others.

Objective 16:  Argue that the life of a Christian is a life of confession.

Objective 17:  Go to their pastor to confess their sins, knowing that the forgiveness he pronounces is the very Word of Jesus.

The Lord’s Supper

Objective 18:  Defend the real presence of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper.

Objective 19:  Conclude that even though the body and blood of Christ are present, the bread and wine remain.

Objective 20:  Desire to receive the Lord’s Supper because it forgives sins.

The Lord’s Prayer

1. Objective 21:  Pray the Lord’s Prayer and other prayers everyday.

2. Objective 22:  Develop an organized way to pray.

3. Objective 23:  Trust that as our Heavenly Father, God wants to hear and answer our prayers.

4. Objective 24:  Recognize that God’s Kingdom comes and God’s will is done even without or prayers.

The Trinity

Objective 25:  Ascribe the work of creation to the Father, redemption to the Son, and sanctification to the Holy Spirit.

Objective 26:  Refer to the persons of the Trinity in the appropriate context.

Justification/Sanctification

Objective 27:  Clearly proclaim the Gospel message.

Objective 28:  Remain within the context of Word and Sacrament, so that the Holy Spirit can continue to do His work.

Jesus – God/Man

Objective 29:  Identify the second article of the Creed as the article that discusses the work of Christ.

Objective 30:  Explain that Christ has divine attributes.

Objective 31:  Recognize His human attributes in scripture.

The Church

Objective 32:  View themselves as aliens and foreigners in a strange land while on this earth, since heaven is their home.

Objective 33:  Observe the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

Objective 34:  Describe the Church as Holy since Christ shed His blood for the Church.

Learning Standard B:  Students will be able to discuss what they believe as Lutheran Christians and how their beliefs are rooted in scripture.

Scripture – God’s Word

Objective 1:  Use Luther’s seal to describe the elements of the Christian faith.

Objective 2:  Outline the message of salvation as it is revealed in scripture and expounded upon in the confessional writings of the LCMS.

Learning Standard C:  Students will memorize the six chief parts of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.

See Memory Component

Goal 3:  Students will worship regularly and maintain a personal devotional life.

Learning Standard A:  Students will worship the Lord and be exposed to Word and Sacrament in a corporate setting.

Objective 1:  Lead others in the congregation by participating fully in the worship service.

Objective 2:  Distinguish in which parts of the liturgy God acts and in which part of the liturgy we act.

Objective 3:  Appreciate the many elements of worship.

Objective 4:  Decide to attend worship without the prompting of parents.

Objective 5:  Memorize different parts of the liturgy as a result of frequent usage.

Objective 6:  Experience the gifts of God that come to us in Word and Sacrament.                       

Learning Standard B:  Students will compare and contrast the different liturgies, traditions, and music of the church.

Objective 1:  Categorize the different Orders of Worship.

Objective 2:  Name the parts of the liturgy and give a description as to why they belong in worship.

Objective 3:  Live in the rhythm of the church year calendar.

Objective 4:  Describe why vestments are worn by pastors and other worship leaders.

Objective 5:  Compare and contrast traditional Lutheran worship and more modern worship styles.

Learning Standard C:  Students will develop a personal devotional life that includes prayer and the reading of Scripture.

Objective 1:  Grow in their faith as a result of the Holy Spirit working through the Word during their personal devotions.

Objective 2:  Read the Psalms as part of their regular reading of scripture. 

Objective 3:  Explain the elements that ought to be part of a person’s personal prayer life.

Objective 4:  Explore other devotional products that could aid them in their prayer and scripture reading time.

Objective 5:  Evaluate the lyrics of hymns and other Christian music.

Learning Standard D:  Students will memorize prayers.

See Memory Component

Goal 4:  Students will recognize that the Lord has called them to be good stewards of their time, talents, and treasures in order to further His Kingdom.   

Learning Standard A:  Students will acknowledge that all they have is from the Lord.

Objective 1:  Thank God in prayer.

Objective 2:  Steward the gifts God has given them.

Standard B:  Students will share their faith with the people around them.

Objective 1:  Create a list of people they can pray for and talk to about Jesus.

Objective 2:  Look for opportunities to bring Jesus into conversations.

Objective 3:  Know what they believe so that they can confidently and accurately share the message of the Gospel whenever an opportunity arises.

Standard C:  Students will love and serve their neighbor in actions and words. 

Objective 1:  Seek out those that others have a hard time caring for and show them the love of Christ.

Objective 2:  Cooperate with teachers and other students.

Objective 3:  Maintain a life that continually reflects the attitude of Jesus Christ.

Standard D:  Students will glorify the Lord with their talents.

Objective 1:  Encourage others to use their gifts and talents.

Objective 2:  Acknowledge that the Lord wants to use them to bring glory to his name.

Standard E:  Students will experience the joy of supporting the ministry of the church by tithing on the money they earn.

Objective 1:  Tithe regularly in church or in chapel.

Objective 2:  Discuss the differences between tithing and other types of monetary donations to other charities.

Goal 5:  Students will remember their Baptism when dealing with life issues and decisions.

Learning Standard A:  Students will be confident of God’s presence when dealing with difficult issues at home, at school, or in any other area of their life.

Family

Objective 1:  Look for ways to encourage and support other family members.

Objective 2:  Pray for themselves and their families.

Objective 3:  Practice confession and absolution with the members of their family.

Friends and Classmates

Objective 4:  Practice confession and absolution with classmates and teachers.

Objective 5:  Choose to care for all classmates, even the ones who may be difficult to care for and love.

Objective 6:  Listen to the feelings and thoughts of students going through difficult situations.

Objective 7:  Plan ways to deal with peer pressure that set a Christ-like example.

The World Around Us

Objective 8:  Debate issues that face students in the world today. 

Objective 9:  Discuss ways that students can play an active role in addressing today’s issues.

Objective 10:  Apply Biblical truths to real life issues.

Learning Standard B:  Students will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit when struggling with temptation and sin.

Objective 1:  Confess their sins daily.

Objective 2:  Plan to not sin as they begin their day with prayer.

Objective 3:  Crave the words of absolution spoken by the pastor in the stead of Christ in worship.

Objective 4:  Develop strategies to keep them out of situations that could lead to sin.

Learning Standard C:  Students will pray and seek God’s will when making difficult life decisions.

Objective 1:  Pray in all situations and on all occasions.

Objective 2:  Talk about things in their life they are unsure about with parents, teachers, pastors, or other caring Christian adults.

Objective 3:  Trust that there are no bad decisions if they have been prayerfully considered.
Goal 6:  Students will explore and consider their current and future vocations.

Learning Standard A:  Students will be confident that the God has made them His children and put them in this place and time to serve Him and love their neighbor.

Objective 1:  Express security in knowing they belong to the Lord.

Objective 2:  Solve problems with friends and family members remembering that they are also loved by God.

Objective 3:  Empathize with others in need and decide to help them.

Learning Standard B:  Students will compare and contrast the different gifts God gives His children to use in his Kingdom.

Objective 1:  Describe gifts of God in terms of skills, talents, material blessings, health, and any other good things in their life.

Objective 2:  List the many gifts in their life.

Learning Standard C:  Students will explore the different ways they could serve the Lord as adults, including opportunities to serve as professional church workers. 

Objective 1:  Name and explain the different professional church work positions.

Objective 2:  Evaluate the scriptural requirements to work in the church as a pastor or a teacher. 

Objective 3:  Determine that they could be a church worker.

Learning Standard D:  Students will appreciate their place in the body of Christ as students and children and will maintain relationships with family, friends, and classmates that reflect Christ’s love.

Objective 1:  Understand that the Lord has given specific duties and gifts to adults and children.

Objective 2:  Interact with others in their lives in a Christ-like way.