June 2010
Year 8 Exam – what we learnt
Aim: To find out what went right in
the exam and what we could do
better next time
What the exam involved
Four types of questions:
• Key words
• Stories
• Explanations
• Opinions and reasons
There was also a question about looking up
Bible verses.
How I did
•
•
•
•
•
Key words and their meaning
/9
Looking up bible verses
/3
Telling the stories
/9
Giving explanations
/12
Giving an opinion with a good reason
/12
• Total
/45
Key Words
1a) A type: a shadow or promise of the Messiah to
come
2a) The LORD: when LORD is written in capital
letters it shows that the name of God is being used
3a) pneuma: Greek word for “breath”
Hebrew word is ruach
4a) grace: something good you don’t deserve
Stories
• The events which led to the Council of Nicaea
• What happened on the day of Pentecost
• Describe the conversion of St. Paul
Stories: Example 1 - Nicaea
• At a gathering of the clergy of Alexandria the question was
asked ‘Is the Son (Jesus) eternal, as is the Father?’ Alexander,
the bishop, said ‘yes’. Arius said ‘no’.
• The question was whether Jesus had existed from all eternity.
This was a big question for the church because if Jesus was
not eternal then he was not fully divine. If Jesus was not
divine the church would have to stop worshipping him as it
had done down the centuries and confess that it had been
worshipping someone who was not God.
• The argument became so bad that the Emperor Constantine
got involved. In 325 the Council of Nicaea met and over 300
bishops attended. They discussed the conflict between Arius
and Alexander. They rejected Arius’ view that Jesus was
created. To stop Arius’ view being spread the church
formulated a statement of belief, now called the Nicene
Creed.
Stories- Example 2- Pentecost
• On the day of Pentecost the followers of Jesus were
all together in one place
• Suddenly there came from heaven the sound of
rushing wind and tongues of fire were seen resting
on each of them.
• They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke
new languages
• People who heard the commotion were amazed, but
some thought they were drunk
• Peter preached and about 3000 people became
followers of Jesus.
Stories – Example 3- Saul’s Conversion
• Saul was on the way to Damascus, to bring Christians
to trial, when hel saw a great light from heaven. He
fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, ‘Saul,
Saul, why do you persecute me?’. Saul asked who it
was. The reply was that it was Jesus.
• Jesus told Saul to go to Damascus and await further
instruction. Saul had been blinded by the light and
had to be guided there by his companions.
• A Jewish convert to Christianity called Ananias
prayed for Saul and he regained his sight. Ananias
told Saul that God had a plan for his life but first he
was to repent and be baptised.
Explanations – Example 1
1c) Explain what is understood by the title ‘Son of
God’ (3 marks)
• If you want to be rude about someone in Arab
culture you may call them the ‘son of a camel!’ This
doesn’t mean that their mum was really a camel but
it means that they share the same attributes as a
camel. In the same way, when Jesus is called the ‘Son
of God’, it does not mean that he was a literal son
but it does mean that he has the same attributes as
God. Attributes of God – God is: Holy, loving, eternal,
all-powerful, all-knowing. The term ‘Son’ also speaks
of the relationship that there is in the Trinity.
Stories – summary
Stories have:
• a beginning
• a middle
• an end
Note down an example to help you remember
this.
Explanations – Example 2
2c) Explain what either the Parable of the Prodigal son or the story of Job
teaches about the nature of God (3 marks). Answers might include:
•
•
•
•
Prodigal Son
God is forgiving
God is like a Father
God looks for those
that are lost
• God allows free-will
• God’s love and
forgiveness is
extravagant, it may
be seen as
foolishness by some
Job
• God allows testing
• God is in control
• God is the Creator
• God’s wisdom is beyond
human understanding
• God rescues people and is just
Explanations- Example 3
• Explain how the Roman Empire helped the spread of
Christianity (3 marks)
• The Romans had built lots of good quality, straight roads,
making travel quicker and easier
• Greek was widely spoken as a common language throughout
the Empire.
• Under Roman rule, the Empire experienced peace and
prosperity.
• There was common coinage – Roman coins were accepted
throughout the Empire
• Paul had Roman citizenship which gave him certain rights as
he travelled.
Explanations
An explanation does not tell the story.
It makes clear what the story means.
An explanation has key points.
1.
2.
3.
Opinions and Reasons
• 1 mark for your opinion
• 2 marks for one developed reason or two
undeveloped reasons
• 1 mark for an undeveloped reason
• Yes or No
• Justify your answer!
1. What do you think is happening in this sculpture?
2. How do you think the people are feeling?
3. Why do you think the artist would make an image like
this?
Paul’s First Missionary Journey
Paul’s second missionary journey
Here’s the answerwhat’s the question?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
With Barnabas
Whether to take Mark with them.
He had left them in Cyprus.
Silas
He was a Roman citizen
In Lystra
Luke
How would you react if
you were treated
unfairly?
Can you think of
anything which Jesus
taught or did which
might have influenced
how Paul and Silas
reacted in this
situation?
Task
“God wasn’t looking after Paul on his
missionary journeys!”
In your answer you should refer to event(s) on
Paul’s missionary journeys.
i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree
with you