Creation
Write answers to the following questions on your own papers, in your journals. Date the entry and label the questions for each section. You
do not have to rewrite the questions, but the question you are answering should be evident from your response. For instance, If the question
is: How many pickles did Jim eat? Your response could be Jim ate 29 pickles. Complete sentence. Clear subject and response.
Questions for Lists 156/157:
1. Flip over the list of Old and New Testament books of the Bible. Who in your group can name the most without looking?
2. How about the list of allusions? Which Bible stories and people has at least one person in your group heard of? Which has no one heard of?
“Stories from the Beginning” Discussion Questions
1. Make a list of what is created on each of the first six days. What are the main differences between the seventh day and the first
six?
2. Certain phrases are repeated for almost every day and every day and every created act. What are they?
3. Make a list of the verbs that describe what God does.
Discussion Questions for the two paintings (The Creation of Adam, The Creation of Animals)
1. What different aspects of the creation story are portrayed by each painting?
2. How is god portrayed by each artist? Explain. Use details from the paintings to explain your answers.
3. Discuss the style of each painting. What do you notice about the use of lines, angles, light, shadow, color, and other subtle
details?
“Heaven and Earth in Jest” Discussion Questions (Ms. Shine loves this piece of writing! Read it out loud to each other. Savor the description.
)
1.
The author focuses on frogs, a water bug, a mockingbird, and sharks. How does she respond to each?
2.
This passage includes many vivid comparison, for instance, “his very skull seemed to collapse and settle like a
kicked tent.” Find several other vivid comparisons.
3.
What part of this selection most affected you? Why?
Task: Write a poem, song, or skit that you will perform for the class in order to teach the class about Adam and Eve. Presentations must be accurate
and include specific details from your source material. Remember you are teaching this topic to the class. Your presentations should be at least five
minutes long and include and introduction and conclusion for your poem, skit, or song.
Grading Criteria for Bible Presentations:

All group members participate in the presentation.
 Groups members are introduced.
 Audience questions are answered with precision and clarity.
 Group teaches the topic in an enthusiastic and insightful way.
 It is clear that the group is an expert on this topic.
 The group checks to make sure the class understood key ideas. (Quick verbal quiz, for instance.)
 Presentation includes verbal and visual elements.
Adam and Eve
Write answers to the following questions on your own papers, in your journals. Date the entry and label the questions for each section. You
do not have to rewrite the questions, but the question you are answering should be evident from your response. For instance, If the question
is: How many pickles did Jim eat? Your response could be Jim ate 29 pickles. Complete sentence. Clear subject and response.
Questions for Lists 156/157:
1. Flip over the list of Old and New testament books of the bible. Who in your group can name the most without looking?
2. How about the list of allusions? Which Bible stories and people has at least one person in your group heard of? Which has no one heard
of?
“Forbidden Fruit” Discussion Questions
1. For what three reasons does Eve eat the fruit?
2. What do Adam and Eve “learn” from eating the fruit?
3. What punishments are given to the serpent? to Eve? to Adam?
4. Some parts of the Bible explain why certain aspects of life are hard and painful. What aspects life can you find explained in this
passage?
Discussion Questions for the two paintings (The Expulsion from Paradise, The Fall of Adam)
1.
What aspects of the story does the artist portray (each artist) through his work?
2.
What do you notice about the style of each painting. How would you describe it?
“Nothing Gold Can Stay” Discussion Questions
1. What do you think the poet means by the line “Nothing gold can stay”? Use specific details from the poem to support your
answer.
“Before the Snake” Discussion Questions
1.
When the speaker of the poem says, “I think this may be Eden”, what do you think he means? Use details from the
poem to support your answer.
“Eden is that old-fashioned House” Discussion Questions
1.
Why do you think the words House, Day, and Door are capitalized?
2.
Line 4 states “we drive away” in contrast to the fact that Adam and Eve were “driven” from Eden. What does this
different wording suggest?
Task: Write a poem, song, or skit that you will perform for the class in order to teach the class about Adam and Eve. Presentations must be accurate
and include specific details from your source material. Remember you are teaching this topic to the class. Your presentations should be at least five
minutes long and include and introduction and conclusion for your poem, skit, or song.
Grading Criteria for Bible Presentations:

All group members participate in the presentation.
 Groups members are introduced.
 Audience questions are answered with precision and clarity.
 Group teaches the topic in an enthusiastic and insightful way.
 It is clear that the group is an expert on this topic.
 The group checks to make sure the class understood key ideas. (Quick verbal quiz, for instance.)
 Presentation includes verbal and visual elements.
Jesus 1
Write answers to the following questions on your own papers, in your journals. Date the entry and label the questions for each section. You
do not have to rewrite the questions, but the question you are answering should be evident from your response. For instance, If the question
is: How many pickles did Jim eat? Your response could be Jim ate 29 pickles. Complete sentence. Clear subject and response.
Questions for Lists 156/157:
1. Flip over the list of Old and New Testament books of the Bible. Who in your group can name the most without looking?
2. How about the list of allusions? Which Bible stories and people has at least one person in your group heard of? Which has no one heard of?
“Where Is He Who Has Been Born King” Discussion Questions
1. Why do Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem?
2. What two groups of visitors come to see the baby? How do they know that Jesus has been born? How are the two groups similar?
How are they different?
3. How does King Herod react when he leans of the birth of “the king of the Jews”?
4. Which part of the birth story of Jesus made the strongest impression on you? Why?
“Is This Not the Carpenter” Discussion Questions
1.
Both John the Baptist and Jesus announce what is coming. What is the difference between their messages?
2.
What miracles does Jesus perform in these passages?
3.
Compare the three miracles of healing in these passages. What similarities and differences do you find?
“The Journey of the Maji” Discussion Questions
1.
Who is the speaker in this poem? How do you think the speaker feels about the journey in each of the stanzas?
2.
What impressions do you have of the wise men (maji) in the Bible story? How do these impressions compare with
the impressions given in the poem?
3.
What different meanings do the words “birth” and “death” seem to have in the last stanza? Why do you suppose the
speaker lings thoughts of birth and death?
4.
Why do you think the narrator is “no longer at ease” (line 41)?
Discussion Questions for the three paintings (The Birth of Christ, The Baptism of Jesus, The Young Jesus)
1.
In The Young Jesus, what qualities of who he will come to be are foreshadowed in this artist’s rendering? Explain.
Also, what do you notice about how light in used in the painting? Shadow?
2.
Describe at least three subtle details you notice about The Baptism of Jesus and discuss why you think the artist
rendered the scene that way. (not looking for a particular answer here—looking for good thinking and support)
3.
The Birth of Christ: This is an awfully busy painting. Why do you think the artist chose to paint the nativity this way?
What is revealed in all those details?
Task: Write a poem, song, or skit that you will perform for the class in order to teach the class about the early life of Jesus. Presentations
must be accurate and include specific details from your source material. Remember you are teaching this topic to the class. Your
presentations should be at least five minutes long and include and introduction and conclusion for your poem, skit, or song.
Grading Criteria for Bible Presentations:

All group members participate in the presentation.
 Groups members are introduced.
 Audience questions are answered with precision and clarity.
 Group teaches the topic in an enthusiastic and insightful way.
 It is clear that the group is an expert on this topic.
 The group checks to make sure the class understood key ideas. (Quick verbal quiz, for instance.)
 Presentation includes verbal and visual elements.
Jesus 2
Write answers to the following questions on your own papers, in your journals. Date the entry and label the questions for each section. You
do not have to rewrite the questions, but the question you are answering should be evident from your response. For instance, If the question
is: How many pickles did Jim eat? Your response could be Jim ate 29 pickles. Complete sentence. Clear subject and response.
Questions for Lists 156/157:
1. Flip over the list of Old and New Testament books of the Bible. Who in your group can name the most without looking?
2. How about the list of allusions? Which bible stories and people has at least one person in your group heard of? Which has no one heard of?
“The Sermon on the Mount” Discussion Questions
1. Summarize the teachings of Jesus in his sermon.
2.What is your personal reaction to each lesson he hope to teach through his sermon?
“Parables” Discussion Questions
1.
Summarize each parable and explain what lesson each contained.Write a sentence or two for each parable
2.
Which parable to you think contains a lesson worth considering? Why? Or if none, why none?
“Last Days In Jerusalem” Discussion Questions
1.
Summarize the story of what happens in Christ’s last days. Include an explanation of the role of Christ’s disciple,
Judas.
2.
What’s the name of the garden where Jesus was captured and betrayed?
Discussion Questions for the Four Paintings (The Entombment, The Last Supper, The Sermon on the Mount, and The Transfiguration)
1.
What similarities and differences do you notice in how Jesus is portrayed. Be specific.
in each. Consider also the people around him and how they look/behave/react in your response to this question as well as the
actual rendering of Jesus.
2.
Which painting style do you prefer? Describe it . Why do you like it best?
“The Prodigal Son” Discussion Questions
1. According to the speaker, how has the brother who stayed home benefited from the prodigal’s actions?
2. What other stories of the "prodigal son" can you think of from film or literature? Name at least three.
Task: Write a poem, song, or skit that you will perform for the class in order to teach the class about the later life of Jesus. Presentations must be
accurate and include specific details from your source material. Remember you are teaching this topic to the class. Your presentations should be at
least five minutes long and include and introduction and conclusion for your poem, skit, or song.
Grading Criteria for Bible Presentations:

All group members participate in the presentation.
 Groups members are introduced.
 Audience questions are answered with precision and clarity.
 Group teaches the topic in an enthusiastic and insightful way.
 It is clear that the group is an expert on this topic.
 The group checks to make sure the class understood key ideas. (Quick verbal quiz, for instance.)
 Presentation includes verbal and visual elements.
Cain and Abel
Cain and Abel
Write answers to the following questions on your own papers, in your journals. Date the entry and label the questions for each section. You
do not have to rewrite the questions, but the question you are answering should be evident from your response. For instance, If the question
is: How many pickles did Jim eat? Your response could be Jim ate 29 pickles. Complete sentence. Clear subject and response.
Questions for Lists 156/157:
1. Flip over the list of Old and New Testament books of the bible. Who in your group can name the most without looking?
2. How about the list of allusions? Which Bible stories and people has at least one person in your group heard of? Which has no one heard of?
“The First Murder” Discussion Questions
1. The Bible story gives no reasons for God’s rejection of Cain’s offering. What possible reasons can you suggest?
2. When do you think Cain made his decision to kill Abel? Explain. What do you think is worse, a planned act of revenge or an
angry, thoughtless attack? Why?
“Culture” Discussion Questions
1. What is the mark of Cain? For what purposes does the poet allude to it in this poem? Explain.
2. What do you think the poet is trying to say about culture (title of poem)? Explain with details from the poem for support.
Discussion Questions for the two paintings (Cain and Abel, Cain flees)
1. What different aspects of the Bible story are depicted by these artists? What do you think each artist hoped to convey about
the aspect they chose to depict? Explain your answer with details from the painting.
2. Discuss how body language is used to communicate in each painting
Task: Write a poem, song, or skit that you will perform for the class in order to teach the class about Cain and Abel. Presentations must be accurate
and include specific details from your source material. Remember you are teaching this topic to the class. Your presentations should be at least five
minutes long and include and introduction and conclusion for your poem, skit, or song.
Grading Criteria for Bible Presentations:

All group members participate in the presentation.
 Groups members are introduced.
 Audience questions are answered with precision and clarity.
 Group teaches the topic in an enthusiastic and insightful way.
 It is clear that the group is an expert on this topic.
 The group checks to make sure the class understood key ideas. (Quick verbal quiz, for instance.)
 Presentation includes verbal and visual elements.
Moses
Moses
Write answers to the following questions on your own papers, in your journals. Date the entry and label the questions for each section. You
do not have to rewrite the questions, but the question you are answering should be evident from your response. For instance, If the question
is: How many pickles did Jim eat? Your response could be Jim ate 29 pickles. Complete sentence. Clear subject and response.
Questions for Lists 156/157:
1. Flip over the list of Old and New Testament books of the Bible. Who in your group can name the most without looking?
2. How about the list of allusions? Which Bible stories and people has at least one person in your group heard of? Which has no one heard of?
“From Slavery to Freedom” Discussion Questions
1. What opposite roles do women play in the stories of Moses’ birth and his stay in Midian?
2. For what reasons is Moses reluctant to accept God’s call to leadership?
“Challenging Pharaoh” Discussion Questions
1.
Summarize the story told in this reading.
2.
Why do you think the parting of the red sea is such a well known story?
“In the Wilderness” Discussion Questions
1.
What challenges did Moses’ people face after the Exodus from Egypt?
2.
What lessons do you think these stories contained for people? Explain.
Discussion Questions for the three paintings (The Crossing of the Red Sea, Moses Showing the Ten Commandments, and Moses Found)
1.
What similarities and differences do you notice in how Moses is portrayed in each.
2.
Describe at least three subtle details you notice about each painting.
“O Black and Unknown Bards” Discussion Questions
1. What is a bard?
2. What is this poem about? Explain
3. Explain the allusion in the poem to Moses? What is it? What does it contribute to the poem?
“In the Park” Discussion Questions
1. What do you think this poem is about? Use details from the poem to support your answer.
Task: Write a poem, song, or skit that you will perform for the class in order to teach the class about Moses. Presentations must be accurate and
include specific details from your source material. Remember you are teaching this topic to the class. Your presentations should be at least five minutes
long and include and introduction and conclusion for your poem, skit, or song.
Grading Criteria for Bible Presentations:

All group members participate in the presentation.
 Groups members are introduced.
 Audience questions are answered with precision and clarity.
 Group teaches the topic in an enthusiastic and insightful way.
 It is clear that the group is an expert on this topic.
 The group checks to make sure the class understood key ideas. (Quick verbal quiz, for instance.)
 Presentation includes verbal and visual elements.
Noah
Noah
Write answers to the following questions on your own papers, in your journals. Date the entry and label the questions for each section. You
do not have to rewrite the questions, but the question you are answering should be evident from your response. For instance, If the question
is: How many pickles did Jim eat? Your response could be Jim ate 29 pickles. Complete sentence. Clear subject and response.
Questions for Lists 156/157:
1. Flip over the list of Old and New Testament books of the Bible. Who in your group can name the most without looking?
2. How about the list of allusions? Which Bible stories and people has at least one person in your group heard of? Which has no one heard of?
“The Great Flood” Discussion Questions
1. What seems to be the reasons for God’s selection of Noah to build the ark?
2. Two birds are sent forth from the ark to test the earth. Which of the two brought good news that the flood had subsided?
3. List the two sets of promises that God makes to Noah, before and after the Flood.
Discussion Questions for the two paintings (The Flood, The Animals Board Noah’s Ark)
1.
What different aspects of the story of Noah’s ark are portrayed in each painting?
2.
What is the tone of each painting? Explain.
“Wilderness” Discussion Questions
1.
What do you notice about the style of this poem (how it is written). Explain why these unique qualities of style
“work” in the poem.
2.
What do you think the speaker means by "I came from the wilderness"? Use details from the poem to explain your
response.
Task: Write a poem, song, or skit that you will perform for the class in order to teach the class about Noah. Presentations must be accurate
and include specific details from your source material. Remember you are teaching this topic to the class. Your presentations should be at
least five minutes long and include and introduction and conclusion for your poem, skit, or song.
Grading Criteria for Bible Presentations:

All group members participate in the presentation.
 Groups members are introduced.
 Audience questions are answered with precision and clarity.
 Group teaches the topic in an enthusiastic and insightful way.
 It is clear that the group is an expert on this topic.
 The group checks to make sure the class understood key ideas. (Quick verbal quiz, for instance.)
 Presentation includes verbal and visual elements.