To use pair
work, picture
clues and media
clips to
understand
more about
Christians and
the Bible.
Grade C
You will list reasons why some
Christians only use the Bible as a
basis for making moral decisions
and some do not.
Grade B
You will be able to explain and
compare the different Christian
views on the authority of the Bible
– giving examples.
Grade A-A*
You will be able to express an opinion
on the use of the Bible in making
moral decisions and evaluate
different attitudes towards the
Bible as a source of moral
authority.
Read the following statements carefully – decide which ones
you think are FACT and which are FICTION…
• The Bible is the most shop-lifted book in the world.
• FACT – America has the highest number of Bible thefts.
• The Bible has been translated into 653 languages and is the world’s best selling book.
• FICTION – it is the world’s best selling book but it has actually been translated into over 1200
different languages including Klingon.
• The Bible is split into two parts – The Old and New Testament.
• FACT – The Old Testament has 39 books the New Testament has 27.
• The last word in the Bible is ‘AMEN’.
• FACT
• 12 Bibles are sold every minute.
• FICTION it is 50
• The word ‘Christian’ only appears 8 times in the Bible.
• FICTION – It only actually appears 3 times and all in the New Testament.
• The Bible is the Christian holy book.
• FACT
• The Bible is also used by Jews as their holy book and is known as the Torah.
•
FICTION –It is only the Old Testament that Jews use as their holy book which is called the
Torah.
• The Bible has over 40 different authors.
• FACT – Many of them unknown.
• The word God appears in all 66 books of the Bible.
• FICTION – It appears in all but 2 books Esther and Song of Soloman
How do you make a
moral decision?
What do you use as
moral authority?
Christians like most human beings
need moral guidance and a
source of moral authority.
What sources of moral authority do
Christians use?
Moral decisions are when you have to decide between what is the right and wrong
thing to do.
Moral authority is what directs us and helps us decide what is right and wrong
The 10
Commandments
play a role in
Christians lives as
they shape moral
Was
written before
behaviour.
They
Jesus.
It
contains
are still relevant
the 10
today and have
COMMANDMENTS
shaped
the laws
and the LAW
OF
of MOSES.
the world.
What can it teach Christians about morality?
The life and
TEACHINGS
OF
The teachings
JESUS
andJesus
the
and
life of
beginnings of the
provide
Christians
Christian Church.
with a role model.
They can follow
Jesus’ example
and follow his
teachings in order
to live a moral
life.
The Bible teaches
Christians to...
Love God
Do not lie
Do not
murder
Promote
peace
Give to
the poor
and needy
Honour your
parents and
family
members
Do not
commit
adultery
Do not
steal
Love your
neighbour
Do not envy others
Do you think the Bible
provides a good
source of moral
authority?
Which do you think is
the most important
moral teaching and
why?
Do you agree with all
these moral
teachings? – Explain
your answer.
Grade A-A*
You will be able
to express an
opinion on the
use of the Bible
in making moral
decisions.
Get into
PAIRS ...
Use the picture clues and prompts to LIST why
SOME Christians only use the Bible as a source
of moral authority and SOME do not.
Fill in the
table on
PAGE 2 of
your
worksheet
booklet...
EXTENSION: Can you add any
more to the list or give
EXAMPLES to expand your points?
For ALL Christians, the Bible
is a book that carries
great authority and is an
important guide for
decision-making.
SOME Christians ONLY use
the Bible for making moral
decisions!
Other Christians think the
Bible should be used with
other sources of moral
authority.
ADD to this column in GREEN
PEN to fill in any GAPS…
The reasons some Christians only use
the Bible for making moral decisions…
It contains the teachings of Jesus.
The Bible is the word of God.
The church use, and tell people to use
the Bible.
Using prior knowledge and
common sense can you add
any examples?
FOR EXAMPLE…
If you are struggling…
Match these up to the correct POINT.
The Decalogue gives Christians clear guidance and forms the
foundation of many societies laws.
The Bible contains PARABLES (stories told by Jesus that have a
moral message) e.g. The GOOD SAMARITAN.
It contains rules to live by that are
accepted in society.
Fundamentalist Christians believe the Bible is the direct word of God,
and by following it, they are acting how God wants them to.
It shows what Jesus would do in
situations.
Jesus’ actions and life provide Christians with a clear moral example,
and guidance when making moral decisions. For example, the way in
which he treated the poor.
The Bible is not influenced by present
culture and society.
Many church sermons are centred around biblical passages, and many
church leaders use the Bible to teach and guide their congregation.
It shows how the apostles dealt with
moral issues in the early church.
In his letters to early Christian communities, St. Paul set out clear
moral guidelines for followers to live by.
It is unable to change or be influenced by the way society changes,
such as its views on homosexuality.
ADD to this column in GREEN
PEN to fill in any GAPS…
The reasons some Christians DO NOT
only use the Bible for making moral
decisions…
Using prior knowledge and
common sense can you add
any examples?
FOR EXAMPLE…
The Bible does not contain information
about all moral issues.
If you are struggling…
Match these up to the correct POINT.
The Bible was affected by the society
and culture the writers lived in.
Liberal Christians believe the Bible has to sometimes be
adapted to be used in the modern world, its stories are
symbolic and contain morals and messages.
The Bible was written by people who had
a particular message to spread.
The Bible was written by people who are
only human and may have made mistakes.
The Bible has been translated from the
original language it was written in.
For example, there is nothing in the Bible offering guidance
on moral dilemmas such as the use of contraception, abortion
or euthanasia.
For example, when elements of the Bible were written,
society was male dominated and accepted slavery.
Translations are often inaccurate, and the true meaning of
the passage or text may be lost in translation.
Conservative Christians believe that due to human error the
Bible has to interpreted by the Church so that they can
interpret the moral teachings and apply them to the modern
world.
Grade C
You will list reasons why
some Christians only use
the Bible as a basis for
making moral decisions and
some do not.
Grade B
You will be able to explain
and compare the different
Christian views on the
authority of the Bible –
giving examples.
Using your notes from today
complete PAGE 53 QUESTION 1
and 2 of your REVISION
WORKBOOK
If you feel like a challenge –
complete WITHOUT NOTES or pit
yourself against the 10 minute clock.
http://www.online-stopwatch.com/
Make a note of your time in the
margin.
Now SWAP and
PEER MARK
each others
work.
REMEMBER
mark on those P’s
and E’s and KW’s
and Q’s.
Give them a mark
out of 8 and a
clear TARGET.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwBVcsWYJd8
Some Christians (FUNDAMENTALISTS)
think the Bible is the direct revelation of
God.
They believe that the writers are writing
exactly what God told them to.
Christians who think this believe
EVERYTHING that is written in the Bible
and will follow exactly what the Bible
teaches.
These Christians will only use the Bible
when making decisions.
Are there any issues with
using the Bible as the only
source of moral authority?
Are there any positives?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8bUWw1-8wk
Some Christians (LIBERALS) think that the Bible was written by human
beings to tell other people about their faith and God.
They do not think that God inspired them and they think that the writers
would be heavily influenced by the society and culture of the time.
Christians who think this will read the Bible for advice, but will also
recognise other sources of authority, such as the Church or their own
conscience.
What two types of Christians are shown here?
How are each shown to be? Why do you think this is?
What issues are there with using a range of
sources of moral authority?
What are the positives?
Grade A-A*
You will be able to
evaluate
different
attitudes towards
the Bible as a
source of moral
authority.
One thing I have learnt
today is...
One thing that has
surprised me this lesson
is...
One thing I would like to
know more about is...