Religion Curriculum

Northern Illinois District

Grade 6

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 recognize the major themes, events, and teachings of the Pentateuch.

The Exodus and the Promised Land

Objective 2:  Review and summarize the people and events from Joseph through Joshua.

Judges – Sins and Saviors

Objective 3:  Review and recall the period of the Judges in the history of Israel.

Kings and Kingdoms

Objective 4:  Outline the periods of the united kingdom and the divided kingdom in the history of Israel.                      

Exile and Restoration

Objective 5:  Review and describe the events and people connected with the exile and restoration of Israel.

Jesus in the Old Testament

Objective 6:  Make connections between the Old and New Testament.

Objective 7:  Reflect on Old Testament stories as they read and hear the stories and message of the New Testament.

Prophets and Prophesies

Objective 8:  Review and make connections between the Old Testament prophesies and their fulfillment in the New Testament.

Psalms

Objective 9:  Use the Psalms in their prayers.

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:  Discuss in detail the events and people surrounding the birth of Christ.

Objective 2:  Appraise the theology of the incarnation.                      

Miracles of Jesus

Objective 3:  Discuss various miracles of Jesus including when Jesus calmed the storm, casts out demons, heals a paralyzed man, feeds the five thousand, and walks on water.

Objective 4:  Evaluate the purposes of Jesus’ miracles.

Parables of Jesus

Objective 5:  Investigate in detail the many parables of Jesus.

Objective 6:  Retell parables and explain their meaning.

Objective 7:  Create stories or “parables” using life examples from today’s world.

Teachings of Jesus

Objective 8:  Classify the many teachings of Jesus found in the Gospels.

Objective 9:  Determine which teachings are included in all the Gospels and which are not. 

Objective 10:  Dissect the Gospel of Matthew paying close attention to the teachings of Jesus.

Objective 11:  Develop a timeline of all the major events in the life of Jesus.

Objective 12:  Make use of Bible help materials like commentaries to help them investigate scripture.

Objective 13:  Use scripture to interpret scripture.

The Cross and the Empty Tomb

Objective 14:  Proclaim the events of Holy Week including Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Objective 15:  Explain the theological importance of all of these events.

Objective 16:  Tell others that all of scripture points to the death and resurrection of Christ. 

The Holy Spirit and the Growth of the Church

Objective 17:  Choose to abide by the words of the Great Commission.

Objective 18:  Participate in the fellowship of all believers by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Objective 19:  Discuss the events and people in the book of Acts.

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

Objective 1:  Research Jesus’ teaching about the Law and Gospel.

Objective 2:  Justify that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law.

Objective 3:  Experience the motivation to abide by the Law that can only come from the Gospel.

Objective 4:  Research the writings of other theologians, including Martin Luther, on the topic of 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:  Explain what it means to be “clothed with Christ” in the waters of Baptism.

Objective 2:  Comprehend that faith is delivered through the waters of Baptism.

Objective 3:  Recognize their need for baptism because of the Old Adam that exists in them because of their sin and the sin of Adam and Eve.

The Creed

Objective 4:  Evaluate the importance of the incarnation.

Objective 5:  Defend that Jesus lived a perfect life to fulfill the Law and thus was a sufficient ransom for all people.

Objective 6:  Describe the threefold office of Jesus Christ as prophet, priest, and King.

Ten Commandments

Objective 7:  Honor their mother and father and other authority figures.

Objective 8:  Value the gift of life.

Objective 9:  Appreciate and respect the gift of sex and love in the marriage relationship.

Objective 10:  Apply the words of the Commandments to their lives.

Confession & Absolution

Objective 11:  Familiarize themselves with the short form of confession and absolution.

Objective 12:  Describe the Office of the Keys as the authority Christ has given to his Church on earth to forgive sins and withhold forgiveness.

Objective 13:  Evaluate the difference between a repentant sinner and an unrepentant sinner.

Objective 14:  Recognize that only the sins of the repentant sinner are forgiven.

The Lord’s Supper

Objective 15:  Acknowledge that the promises of Christ are what guarantee His real presence in the Supper.

Objective 16:  Evaluate what it means to “receive the Sacrament worthily.”

Objective 17:  Believe that they are sinners and that the Body and Blood take away their sins.

Objective 18:  Debate when children should be admitted to the Lord’s Supper.

Objective 19:  Develop an understanding as to why some people would not be welcome at the Lord’s Table.

The Lord’s Prayer

Objective 20:  Thank God that He provides us with all we need.

Objective 21:  Outline what is meant by the words “daily bread.”

Objective 22:  Ask for forgiveness and trust that God hears the prayers of the righteous.

Objective 23:  Resist temptations as they pray the Lord’s Prayer regularly.

Objective 24:  Write their own prayers using the Lord’s Prayer as a “perfect” model.

The Trinity

Objective 25:  Appreciate the similarities and differences in each person of the Trinity.

Objective 26:  Analyze the Athanasian Creed and what it teaches about the Trinity.

Objective 27:  Support the teachings that Jesus was begotten from the Father from eternity and that the Holy Spirit from eternity proceeds from the Father and the Son.

Justification/Sanctification

Objective 28:  Deduce that sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit and a natural consequence of justification.

Objective 29:  Listen to teachers and pastors that share the word of Christ and recognize when they are talking about justification verses sanctification.

Jesus – God/Man

Objective 30:  Select events from the Gospels that illustrate the human nature of Christ and the divine nature of Christ.

Objective 31:  Explain why Jesus is referred to as the Son of God and the Son of Man.

Objective 32:  Declare that Jesus ascended bodily, but that he is still with us today especially in the Lord’s Supper.

The Church

Objective 33:  Define the Church as the Body of Christ and explain what that means.

Objective 34:  Appreciate the relationship Christ has with His bride, the Church.

Objective 35:  Value their membership in 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:  Judge that scripture is the only authority on matters of faith.

Objective 2:  Use scripture to interpret scripture.

Objective 3:  Value Martin Luther’s commitment to the study of the Holy Scriptures.

Objective 4:  Ask questions when they are unsure about a specific teaching or doctrine taught within the church.

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:  View themselves as a part of the community of believers within their congregation.

Objective 2:  Prepare for worship, participate in worship, and go forth from worship forgiven and excited to do the Lord’s work.

Objective 3:  Receive the Lord’s Supper worthily, if they have completed proper instruction.

Objective 4:  Prioritize the events of their weekend and always make time for worship.

Objective 5:  Worship on other important days of the church year besides Sunday mornings.                

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

Objective 1:  Recognize and define all the parts of the liturgy and the objects used in worship.

Objective 2:  Explain why certain art, symbols, colors, and traditions are used in worship.

Objective 3:  Describe why the sanctuary is set up the way it is.

Objective 4:  Produce art that could be used in worship.

Objective 5:  Appreciate the different music styles of the church.

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

Objective 1:  Evaluate when the best time in their day is to have personal devotions.

Objective 2:  Structure their devotion time so that they are able to maintain a disciplined routine of reading scripture and saying their prayers.

Objective 3:  Value and look forward to their intimate time with the Lord.

Objective 4:  Read scripture and make use of Bible helps like commentaries, the catechism, the hymnal, and other commercial products to aid in their understanding.

Objective 5:  Share with others what they have read in scripture.

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:  Explain what it means to be stewards of all the things they have in their life.

Objective 2:  Praise God for all the good things in their life and in the lives of others.

Objective 3:  Demonstrate that they value all they have by caring for and maintaining their possessions and relationships.

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

Objective 1:  Prepare answers to common “religious” questions that people sometimes ask so that they are ready to give an answer.

Objective 2:  Brainstorm a list of important Bible verses that support the key aspects of the Christian faith.

Objective 3:  Work with others to come up with creative ideas to spread the Gospel.

Objective 4:  Assess the challenges the church faces as it carries the message of Jesus to the world.

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

Objective 1:  Humbly consider the needs of others.

Objective 2:  Participate in service projects through their church and in their community.

Objective 3:  React kindly and calmly even when people are mean and cruel to them.

Objective 4:  Cite God’s grace as the motivation to reach out to others.

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

Objective 1:  Assist in worship services by participating in choirs, playing instruments, being an acolyte, ushering, or helping in any other appropriate way.

Objective 2:  Verbalize that they work hard at what they do because it is their way of thanking God for the abilities He gives them.

Objective 3:  Decide to give glory to Jesus when people lift them up for a job well done.

Objective 4:  Acknowledge that God can use you even if the world labels you as not very good at something.

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:  Plan additional ways to use their money to serve the Lord.

Objective 3:  Examine how the church uses the money it takes in to do the work of the Lord.

Objective 4:  Value tithing as an essential part of the Christian life.

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:  Obey and love their parents.

Objective 2:  Encourage their parents and siblings to have family devotions.

Objective 3:  Evaluate difficult situations such as divorce or death through the eyes of Christ.

Objective 4:  Establish open lines of communication with family members.

Objective 5:  Select other Christian and professional adults they can go to if a family situation is too overwhelming.

Friends and Classmates

Objective 6:  Love each other just as Christ loves them.

Objective 7:  Assist friends and classmates that may be going through tough times.

Objective 8:  Choose a circle of friends that share a common belief in Jesus Christ.

Objective 9:  Reach out to classmates and friends that don’t know the Lord.

Objective 10:  Respect the differences we have as men and women and build Christ-pleasing relationships with the opposite sex.

Objective 11:  Communicate openly and honestly with classmates practicing confession and absolution when sin arises.

The World Around Us

Objective 12:  Utilize scripture as a means to evaluate the topics of evolution, sex, abortion, dating, drugs, language, violence, other religions, pornography, peer pressure, or any other topic that arises in their lives.

Objective 13:  Conclude that this is a sinful world and that the devil is still at work.

Objective 14:  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide them in how He would use them to bring the light of Christ to the world around them.

Objective 15:  Develop ideas as to how the church today can address the issues that face students.

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

Objective 1:  Classify certain behaviors, words, and thoughts as sinful and flee from them with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Objective 2:  Draw strength from the words of scripture to resist the devil.

Objective 3:  Confess sins, assured that they will be forgiven.

Objective 4:   Cling to verses in scripture that pronounce their freedom from sin, death, and the devil.

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

Objective 1:  Prepare to make tough decisions by praying for guidance, consulting scripture, and reviewing options with respected Christian friends.

Objective 2:  Remember that God’s will is to “break and hinder every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature.”

Objective 3:  Compare and contrast our will and God’s will.

Objective 4:  Make God-pleasing decisions confidently knowing the Lord is with them.
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:  View themselves as children of God.

Objective 2:  Decide to love others as a result of experiencing God’s love.

Objective 3:  Experience the peace that comes with knowing who they are.

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

Objective 1:  Identify gifts and describe how and where they could be best used in the Kingdom.

Objective 2:  Describe how people in any vocation can serve the Lord in their daily work.

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:  Analyze the work of pastors, teachers, and other workers in the church.

Objective 2:  Verbalize confidence that the Lord could use them as a worker in the church.

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:  Recognize that they are a valuable part of the Church.

Objective 2:  Work to maintain healthy Christian relationships with those around them.