Wiltshire RE Starter Stimulus
Starter ideas for the following key question from the 2011 Agreed Syllabus:
KS2.3 What makes some books sacred, how are they used and
why do they matter to believers?
This resource aims to provide some stimulus images and ideas to help pupils begin to
address the above question.
It links to the following learning outcomes from p51 of the syllabus:
Pupils can:
• describe how and why sacred texts are important to believers
• ask questions and suggest answers about how and why the Bible influences Christians
(and other texts influence other believers) and identify what influences them
Many of the slides have notes to give suggestions for use. Look at the slide show in
Normal mode and look for the notes at the bottom of the page.
© Wiltshire Council /RE Today Services 2012
Images © RE Today Services; permission given for their use in Wiltshire schools
Who needs what, when? Why?
Tom is trying to make a
model
Sarah is baking a cake
Sam is feeling ill
Abi is lost
Recipe book
Map
Medicine
Instructions
Christians believe that the Bible is great because…
It is inspired
by God
It gives
instructions
on how to live
It offers a
recipe for a
good life
Holy
Bible
Like a map, it
shows Christians
the way they
should go to be
close to God
It reminds
Christians about
how God loves
people. This can
help them to feel
better when they
are upset.
Bible similes
For a Christian, the Bible might be like…
…a map because
…it can give you the strength to face
the day
…a police officer
because
…it can make you feel safe when you’re
in danger
…breakfast cereal
because
…a football manager
because
…a comfort blanket
because
…it can tell you what you are doing
wrong, and help you do right
…it can show you the right path to
choose
…it can challenge you to do your very
best
Some Christians were asked a question.
“How has the
Bible changed
your life?”
What do you think they said?
Now I know
more about
God
Now I have a
guide and
encouragement
for daily living
Now I see
things more
clearly
Now I can
know God and
find peace
Now I am caring,
listening and
helping
Now I see how
God loves
me!!!
Now I want to
share the bible
with others
Now God is
priority for
me
Now I know that
God is passionate
about people who
are suffering
Additional suggestions
1. This unit is about sacred books. It would be possible to use some of the
strategies with other sacred texts. For example, the similes exercise would apply
to the Holy Qur’an.
2. Bring in something precious to you, talking about how and why it is special,
and how you treat it. Ask children to think about something that is precious to
them. Use this as an introduction to how important the Bible or Qur’an, Torah
or Guru Granth Sahib are to believers.
The Bible is not always treated physically differently to other books, but the
Qur’an, Torah and Guru Granth Sahib are all treated with care and respect,
especially in the context of worship.
Make sure you point out the difference between something being
special/precious and something being holy/sacred. Mention that “sacred” is a
word that means something like “precious”, but that it is used for things that are
set apart or dedicated in religions – usually things that come from God or are
used in worship of God. “Holy” is a similar term, often applied to things that are
regarded with awe.