RE Days

Rookery Class

'Why is the Bible special to Christians?'

To explore this question the children talked about what was special to them, they visited St Thomas' church and sketched something in the church which they thought was special and important. Sammi drew one of the shields around the top of the church, April drew a stained glass window and Ben drew the organ. Later the children drew things that are special to them; Nancy drew her special toy, 'Muffin' and Pippa drew a glass fairy which sits on her windowsill.

Rookery's answer to their question was, 'The Bible is special because it's about God and Jesus, shows us love and tells is stories that we can learn from.'

Greyfriars Class

'What is the Good News that Jesus brings?'

In Greyfriars the children found out that Gospel means Good News. They talked about their own news,for example celebrating a birthday or awaiting the arrival of a new baby to the family.

They listened to the story of the Zacchaeus the Tax Collector which tells us that Jesus is a friend to all.

The children then chose a creative way to show their own personal view about what the Good News from Jesus was.

Stevie wrote, 'God loves you, God always trusts you and God always believes in you.'

Robyn wrote that 'God will always forgive you.'

Armoury Class

'What kind of world did Jesus want?'

Miss Lockwood read the story of Jesus calling the first disciples to him and the children role played and discussed how difficult it would be to leave all their possessions behind and all the people and things they love.

The class talked about how they could teach people about how to keep the world Jesus wanted, for example putting rubbish in the bin not throwing it on the floor. To explore this further the children drew a world of two halves; one showing some of what they think Jesus would not want and the other showing what they think he would want.

Alex drew people throwing crisp packets out of the car window and a sign saying No War!

Charlie drew homeless people and a sign saying Peace!

Nina drew plastic pollution in our oceans and a sign about Being Kind.

Armoury decided that through small actions they could help change the world into the one Jesus wanted.

Castle Class and Mariteau Class

'Is forgiveness always possible?

This was Castle's question. They explored this through finding out what forgiveness means, watching a video made by young Christians exploring this Christian Value, listening to the story of The Unforgiving Servant, reading the Lord's Prayer and sharing their own views of what forgiveness means.

First the children wrote their thoughts and ideas about forgiveness; Isla wrote ' I think forgiveness is like a heavy balloon, it weighs you down until you let it go, then you will feel lighter.

The children then produced individual art work to share their thoughts; Joshua created a beautiful tree showing the feelings that we need to 'Let Go', for example sadness and hate. James drew these feelings being released as seagulls and Daisy's picture had the words, 'If you don't forgive it will be a hole in your heart. If you forgive the hole will heal.'

'What would Jesus do?'

Mariteau's question found them discussing the Bible stories they know, for example The Lost Sheep and Noah's Ark. They also shared Jesus' message about loving your neighbour.

Individually the children created pictures which related to Bible stories and they wrote about what they thouhht Jesus would do in the scenarios they drew. Lyall drew David and Goliath, Kahmella drew the dove holding an olive branch and Anni drew the sea parting.

In groups of three the children were then tasked to build a Bible stand with solid foundations which linked to the Bible passage Mr Saxby shared with them; Matthew 7: 24-27 - “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”