Religion Curriculum

Northern Illinois District

Grade 7

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:  Outline and critique the stories of creation, the fall, Cain and Abel, and the Tower of Babel.

Objective 2:  Compare and contrast the lives and events surrounding the Patriarchs.

Objective 3:  Value God’s covenant first made to Abraham and passed down to Isaac and Jacob.

Objective 4:  Retell the story of Joseph. 

The Exodus and the Promised Land

Objective 5:  Recognize the Lord’s power working through His servant Moses.

Objective 6:  Justify God’s use of the Ten Plagues.

Objective 7:  Cite Pharaoh as an example of how God can and will make use of a hardened heart.

Objective 8:  Attribute the Exodus to God being faithful to His people.

Objective 9:  Compare and contrast the sins of Israel and God’s faithfulness to them in their journey to the Promised Land.

Objective 10:  Outline the events at Mount Sinai and what God gave His people there.

Objective 11:  Investigate the leadership of Joshua and the challenges Israel faced during his time as the leader of Israel.     

Judges – Sins and Saviors

Objective 12:  Diagram the Sin-Savior cycle that can be used to demonstrate the time of the Judges in Israel’s history.

Objective 13:  Differentiate between the work of Samuel, Deborah, Gideon, and Sampson.

Objective 14:  Describe the transition from Samuel to Saul.

Kings and Kingdoms

Objective 15:  Understand why God warned Israel against asking for a king.

Objective 16:  Assess the relationship that existed between David and Saul.

Objective 17:  Compare and contrast the different kings of Israel.

Objective 18:  Investigate the life of David noting his triumphs and failures.

Objective 19:  Trace the events that led to the division of Israel.

Exile and Restoration

Objective 20:  Propose that God allowed the Northern and Southern Kingdoms to go into exile.

Objective 21:  Locate the exile on a timeline of Israel’s history.

Objective 22:  Describe the roles Nehemiah and Ezra played in the restoration of Israel.

Jesus in the Old Testament

Objective 23:  Select passages that demonstrate the presence of Jesus in the Old Testament.

Objective 24:  Determine that the people of the Old Testament anticipated the coming of the Messiah.

Objective 25:  Recognize that certain stories and events of the Old Testament are previews or references to Jesus.

Objective 26:  Name Jesus as the last sacrificial Lamb.

Prophets and Prophesies

Objective 27:  Track the lives of Elijah and Elisha.

Objective 28:  Rejoice in the promises of Isaiah.

Objective 29:  Connect the prophecies of the major and minor prophets to the events they foretold.

Objective 30:  Examine other stories and characters of the Old Testament.

Psalms

Objective 31:  Compare and contrast the Psalms.

Objective 32:  Sing, pray, and use the Psalms everyday.

Objective 33:  Examine the theology of the Psalms.

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

Objective 1:  Recognize and speak knowledgably about any and all of the following topics in the New Testament.

The Birth of Christ

Miracles of Jesus

Parables of Jesus

Teachings of Jesus

The Cross and the Empty Tomb

The Holy Spirit and the Growth of the Church

Objective 2:  Connect the doctrines of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod to appropriate New and Old Testament scripture.

Objective 3:  Draw upon their knowledge of New Testament scripture to understand the teaching and themes of the Old Testament. 

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

Objective 1:  Examine the book of Romans and recognize Law and Gospel.

Objective 2:  Conclude that the Gospel is the only place God offers forgiveness of sins.

Objective 3:  Trust that we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

Objective 4:  Acknowledge that their sins find their origin within their heart.

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:  Differentiate between baptizing and baptizing in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Objective 2:  Believe that the waters of Holy Baptism are special because God’s Word is added to them.

Objective 3:  Conclude that God himself instituted baptism and that by baptism in His name (the name of the Trinity), He receives them into communion with Himself.

Objective 4:  Argue that pastors should baptize, unless it is an emergency.

Objective 5:  Justify the baptism of babies citing that they are born sinful.

Objective 6:  Compare and contrast adult baptism and infant baptism.

Objective 7:  Find comfort in what God gives through the waters of baptism.

Objective 8:  Judge baptism to be a means of grace and explain why all should be baptized, (yet remembering that those who have not yet had the chance to be baptized are not eliminated from the gift of eternal life).

Objective 9:  Remember that in their baptism, the Old Adam daily dies and a new creation rises.

The Creed

Objective 10:  Define a creed as a statement of belief.

Objective 11:  Determine the Apostles’ Creed to be a Trinitarian Creed.

Objective 12:  Define the attributes of God.

Objective 13:  Believe that there is one God.

Objective 14:  Judge that God created all things and consider this truth when dealing with life issues and theories of evolution.

Objective 15:  Discuss what it means to be created in the image of God.

Objective 16:  Divide the Creed into three parts: Creation, Redemption, and Sanctification.

Objective 17:  Recognize that the 2^nd article states that Jesus is true God and true man.

Objective 18:  Investigate what the Creed teaches about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Objective 19:  Define the person and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Objective 20:  Assess what the Creed says about the Church and the Communion of Saints.

Objective 21:  Trust that God forgives sins.

Objective 22:  Trust that they will someday rise to live forever with Jesus in heaven.

Ten Commandments

Objective 23:  Comprehend that the Ten Commandments are about loving God and loving our neighbor.

Objective 24:  Support the teaching that God has written His law on the hearts of all men.

Objective 25:  Discuss the first three commandments and how they relate to our relationship with our Lord.

Objective 26:  Recognize that the first three commandments address God, God’s Name, and God’s Word.

Objective 27:  Examine what God forbids and what God requires in each of the commandments.

Objective 28:  Apply God’s Law to real life issues in today’s society.

Objective 29:  Define God’s Law as a gift or as guidelines on how to truly enjoy the gifts He has given us.

Objective 30:  Conclude that God is Holy and hates sin.

Objective 31:  Argue that God blesses those that keep His Law.

Objective 32:  Admit that they have failed to keep God’s Law perfectly.

Objective 33:  Lean on Jesus because He fulfilled the Law for us.

Confession & Absolution

Objective 34:  Discuss why confession has two parts.

Objective 35:  Acknowledge their sins, realizing that by keeping silent, the guilt of their sin remains.

Objective 36:  Differentiate between the practice of corporate confession and absolution and private confession and absolution.

Objective 37:  Assess the benefits of private confession and absolution.

Objective 38:  Confidently go to their pastor knowing that they will hear the precious words of absolution when they confess their sins.

Objective 39:  Discuss in detail The Office of the Keys.

Objective 40:  Distinguish between what scripture says about repentant sinners and unrepentant sinners.

Objective 41:  Outline the requirements of the office of pastor.

Objective 42:  Investigate the topic of church discipline.

Objective 43:  Confess their sins and trust that they have been forgiven.

Objective 44:  Describe confession and absolution as an essential part of the Christian life.

The Trinity

Objective 45:  Discuss the duties of each person of the Trinity.

Objective 46:  Call upon each person of the Trinity in prayer.

Objective 47:  Believe that God is three persons, but one God.

Objective 48:  Investigate the unique and perfect relationship that exists between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.                       

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:  Investigate what scripture has to say about the doctrines we confess as Lutheran Christians.

Objective 2:  Locate, with ease, sections of scripture that defend their beliefs.

Objective 3:  Illustrate how the doctrines of the Lutheran Church come directly from the Word of God.

Objective 4:  Share with others what Lutheran Christians believe in comparison to what other Christian churches believe.

Objective 5:  Answer questions about their beliefs.

Objective 6:  Initiate discussions about other doctrinal issues including what they will study in 8^th grade.

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:  Worship regularly on Sundays and at other worship services that occur during the church year.

Objective 2:  Study the pericopes of the upcoming Sunday to be prepared for worship.

Objective 3:  Grow in faith as they receive Word and Sacrament.

Objective 4:  Appreciate the order of worship.

Objective 5:  Invite others to worship.

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

Objective 1:  Describe the role of the Pastor in the Divine Service.

Objective 2:  Connect the parts of the liturgy to scripture.

Objective 3:  Appreciate the liturgy as conversation with God.

Objective 4:  Discuss all aspects of the worship service.

Objective 5:  Identify what elements of worship must be present to still have worship.

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

Objective 1:  Compare and contrast different devotional material and find what works best for them.

Objective 2:  Recognize when the authors of devotional materials write something that may not coincide with what the scriptures say.

Objective 3:  Hear the Holy Spirit speaking to their heart as they practice a disciplined devotional life.

Objective 4:  Recall things they read in scripture as they interact with others, carry on conversations, or face trying situations throughout the day.

Objective 5:  Construct a long term plan for their devotional life.

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:  Respect the property and time of others.

Objective 2:  Conclude that the Lord gives them all they have and that He cares for them as their heavenly Father.

Objective 3:  Thank God every day for the people and things in their life, especially Jesus.

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

Objective 1:  Identify the differences between the different groups of people that need to hear about Jesus Christ.

Objective 2:  Plan and produce materials to share the Gospel with others, considering the specific challenges of each group.

Objective 3:  Defend, with confidence, their belief that Jesus is the Christ and that He died for the sins of the world.

Objective 4:  Strive to understand other people’s point of view when discussing the faith.

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

Objective 1:  Plan servant events.

Objective 2:  Look for ways to care for anyone the Lord brings into their life.

Objective 3:  Choose to use language and words that reflect the love of Christ even when adults are not listening. 

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

Objective 1:  Acknowledge that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts and wants us to use them to strengthen the Kingdom.

Objective 2:  Perform at their best when playing sports, singing, playing instruments, studying, working on chores, or doing any other activity because they know God has given them their abilities. 

Objective 3:  Believe that the Lord has made them unique and that the Holy Spirit can use them.

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:  Talk to their parents about their tithing habits.

Objective 3:  Compare and contrast their “first fruits” and the rest of their “fruit.”

Objective 4:  Talk to or interview pastors and other church leaders about the importance of tithing and how the church tithes to their district and synod. 

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:  Respect parents and other authority figures in their family.

Objective 2:  Maintain God-pleasing relationships with siblings.

Objective 3:  Trust that the Lord will see them through difficult family situations.

Objective 4:  Witness to family members through their Christ-like words and actions.

Objective 5:  Identify people they can talk to outside their family unit if they are in trouble.

Friends and Classmates

Objective 6:  Treat others as people Jesus loves and died for to take away their sins.

Objective 7:  Value their Christian friends as gifts from God.

Objective 8:  See themselves and others as valuable and precious in the eyes of the Lord.

Objective 9:  Practice confession and absolution with friends and classmates.

Objective 10:  Decide to build relationships on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Objective 11:  Discuss what a God-pleasing dating relationship would look like.

The World Around Us

Objective 12:  Debate what scripture says about controversial issues in the world today.

Objective 13:  Argue that we live in a fallen world that is experiencing the consequences of sin.

Objective 14:  Remember that in this world they will have trouble, but they can rejoice that Christ has overcome the world.

Objective 15:  Evaluate the events of their day through the eyes of Christ.

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

Objective 1:  Recognize that the Holy Spirit works through word and sacrament to strengthen our faith and help us resist temptation.

Objective 2:  Cite their baptism as evidence that their sins have been washed away.

Objective 3:  Lean on the grace of God as they struggle with common or recurring sins in their life.

Objective 4:  Rejoice in their weakness because when they are weak, God is strong.

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

Objective 1:  Consider prayer as a natural thing to do when facing difficult decisions.

Objective 2:  Experience peace in the decisions they make knowing God sustains them.

Objective 3:  Describe how God can accomplish His will despite our decisions.

Objective 4:  Consider the advice of other Christians when making decisions.

Objective 5:  Acknowledge that they must be aware of their sinful nature when considering life decisions.
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:  Identify themselves as disciples of Jesus.

Objective 2:  Respond to the Gospel by living a life of obedience.

Objective 3:  Develop opinions and ideas that reflect the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

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

Objective 1:  Appreciate that we are all unique.

Objective 2:  Consider how their abilities could be used to serve the Lord.

Objective 3:  Identify the numerous gifts they have and make plans to use them.

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:  Imagine themselves as a professional church worker.

Objective 2:  Predict what their lives might look like as both church workers and Christian workers with other vocations.

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:  Identify authority figures as gifts from God.

Objective 2:  Love friends and family members as fellow members of the body of Christ.

Objective 3:  Maintain Christian relationships.