TITLE
IMPACT OF THE BIBLE
GRADE
High School
*May be adapted to Middle School as needed. Simplify the amount of information, reduce the
vocabulary by 5, and reduce the lesson quiz questions.
CREATED BY
Museum of the Bible
CREATED FOR
Passages Exhibit
*Note that this lesson is not meant to be an exhaustive discussion on each topic, but a cursory
glance at themes presented at the exhibit itself.
TIME
Two 30-40 minute class periods recommended
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson students should be able to:
 Define impact
 Comprehend the major events relating to the Bible’s impact in history
 Analyze the modern world for evidence of the Bible’s impact
 Evaluate the results of the Bible’s impact on world cultures
 Synthesize the information and hypothesize about the whether the Bible’s impact will increase
or decrease in the future
TERMS

Apply their knowledge to what they see while at the Passages exhibit
1.
2.
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4.
impact – to have an effect on; to make an impression
liturgy – a form of public worship; ritual
Passover – a Jewish festival that commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt
tik – an upright container for a Torah scroll
mantle – a cloth covering for a Torah scroll
The East-West Schism (Great Schism) – the theological split of the Eastern Orthodox Church
from the western Roman Catholic Church
lectionary – a book or list of lections for reading in a divine service
icon – a representation of some sacred personage, as Christ or a saint or angel, and venerated
itself as sacred
antimension – a consecrated linen or silk cloth, kept on an altar, to which is sewn a linen or silk
bag containing relics of saints
communion – the celebration of the Eucharist
missal – the book containing the prayers and rites used by the priest in celebrating Mass over the
course of the entire year
monstrance – a receptacle in which the consecrated Host is exposed for adoration
chalice and paten – the cup for wine and the plate for bread used in the celebration of the
Eucharist
etching – the act or process of making designs or pictures on a metal plate, glass, etc.
illuminated manuscript – a book written by hand that includes decorations of gold or silver,
bright colors, and borders.
5.
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MATERIALS
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Lesson Plan
Article: Communication as Culture: Essays on Media and Society by James Carey
Supplemental Quizzes
Video clips of various religious rituals and churches (not provided)
RESOURCES
-
www.museumofthebible.org
www.dictionary.com
www.merriam-webster.com
PRE-LESSON
DAY ONE:
Hand out a copy of James Carey’s Communication as Culture: Essays on Media and Society.
(supplement provided)
*The text is a bit dense, but read it and break it down with the students. (The ritual part
will be focused on in this lesson, the transmission part will be focused on in the
transmission lesson.)
Alone or in groups have students answer the following questions:
1. What do you think Carey meant by ritual being the “maintenance of society?”
2. If ritual brings together people of shared beliefs, is it beneficial for society? Why?
3. Do you agree with Carey’s view of ritual? Why or why not?
DAY TWO:
Review concepts from previous day.
MOTIVATION
Come together as a class and discuss the article. Emphasize that this is just one man’s opinion, and that
all information we receive should be analyzed. That being said, discuss the questions posed in the prelesson. Decide as a class what the consensus is about the role of ritual in society, as well as its positives
and negatives.
PROCEDURES
After the discussion, the class then proceeds to discuss the things they will see in the exhibit – in this
lesson specifically, the transmission of the Bible.
1. Discuss and define impact on the board. (see definitions)
2. Specify that definition to the Bible.
Now that the background for the concept of impact has been established, move on to what is specifically
at Passages. Keep moving the conversation back to the original big picture idea – that the Bible has had a
significant impact on western cultural history. Discuss the questions in blue with the students in class to
add to the lesson and preparation for the later quiz. In Passages:
1. Jewish Liturgy – Items of Ritual
a. Feasts and rituals are an important part of Jewish faith and practice. These
elements are meant to teach younger generations about what God has done for
their people, and also to remind the older generations about the same.
b. The Torah, the first five books of the Bible, is never decorated or illustrated. It is
believed that because it contains the name of God it is too sacred and nothing is to be
added or subtracted. The items housing the Torah, however, are elaborately decorated.
The tiks, mantles, yads, and other accoutrement are meant to bring honor to the text.
 Name some examples where religious traditions have been influenced by the
biblical text.
o Possible Answers: Sacraments in the Catholic and Orthodox faiths.
Various classes or schools devoted to teaching children about the
faith (Sunday Schools, confirmation classes, camps, Bar/ Bat
Mitzvah training, etc.). Even more simply, the calendar, and the idea
of Sunday (Saturday) as a day of rest.
2. Christian Liturgy – Items of Ritual
a. In 1054 the Roman Catholic Church split due to theological differences. The west
continued on as the Roman Catholic Church, and the east adopted the term
Orthodox. This event is known as the Great Schism, or the East-West Schism.
b. Three factions of Eastern Orthodoxy are Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and
Ethiopian Orthodox.
c. The Roman Catholic Church split again in the 16th century with the Protestant
Reformation. The Roman Catholic Church continued on, and the group known
broadly as the Protestants emerged. In the middle of the two is the Anglican
Church, which has elements of both groups.
d. The Protestants are widely diverse in theology and ritual. Having no larger governing
3.
4.
body results in many denominations and churches with different methods and beliefs.
 What are some common things that each group shares?
o Possible Answers: Each believes in performing some type of
communion ceremony. Each believes that a regular meeting of
believers is necessary. Each believes in the need for absolution of
sin, although they disagree on how that is accomplished. Each has a
guiding leader of their gathered body.
Adornment – Art in and of the Bible
a. In Medieval times books were written by hand and beautifully painted. These paintings
were called illuminations, since they were often done with gold leaf, making the page
reflective.
b. In the early stages of printing illustrations were carved out of wood and then printed
(stamped) onto the page. Some were later hand colored.
c. Later, metal was used for printing so artists began etching images onto plates, and then
printing them onto the page.
d. The Bible, and the stories within, have been illustrated, decorated, and
illuminated by nearly every medium possible. More art has been created about
religious subject matter than anything else in history. The reverse also has merit.
Art has significantly increased the impact of the Bible on the world because these
visual elements are a huge part of western culture.
 Religious works of art based on the Bible are known by most of the world,
whether the viewer is religious or not. What are some religious works of art
that you can name?
o Possible Answers: Most could probably name something by
Michelangelo (The Last Supper, The Creation of Man, the Pieta).
Many may have seen Rembrandt’s work, though they may not be
able to think of it. (Have slides of some famous art of the Bible for
reference in answering this question).
Battle Hymn of the Republic – A Song for the Union
a. During the presidency of Abraham Lincoln the divide between the Northern free states
and the Southern slave states reached a breaking point. Civil War ensued.
b. Julia Ward Howe was a Northerner, an abolitionist, and a songwriter. She penned the
Battle Hymn of the Republic to bolster the morale of Union soldiers.
c. The song was heavily based upon verses from the Bible, specifically from the book
of Revelation.
d. The song inspired the book, The Grapes of Wrath.
 Why do you think Julia Ward Howe chose to reference the Bible in her morale
boosting song to the troops?
o Possible Answer: The references made in the song relate the victory
of God over evil in the Christian Apocalypse. The meaning infers
that God is on their side and since God is victorious then surely they
will be too. Plus, the phrases were well known to most people.
POST-LESSON
Concluding Questions:
1. List some ways the Bible has impacted western culture (religious and non-religious).
a. Possible Answers: (reiterate earlier discussions) Language and phrasing, drinking vs.
not drinking, marriage, dating practices, abstinence, education, music, movies, fashion,
church practices, etc.
2. In the reverse, can you think of ways that culture has impacted the way the Bible is interpreted?
a. Possible Answers: (This is mainly an opinion question) church practices, materialism,
globalism, racism, marriage, warfare, etc.
ASSESSMENT
Your choice. Options are: (see supplemental material)
- Vocabulary Quiz
-
o Answers: f, g, b, h, d, l, e, m, o, a, c, j, k, i, n
Lesson Quiz (Questions are those highlighted in blue on lesson plan)
Exhibit Quiz (For use when visiting the exhibit)
*Further research topics could be assigned based upon any of the aforementioned material.