Module
8 A2 Religious Studies
RE
Year 13
About the unit
This module provides the opportunity for candidates to
further their study of the New Testament by examining in depth some aspects of
the Fourth Gospel. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate awareness of the
contribution of modern scholarship to
understanding of the topics.
Candidates should be aware of the broader context of the
specified aspects, including the structure of the Fourth Gospel, and should be
aware of such issues as the question of its origins and its relationship to the
other gospels, though questions will not be set directly on these in the
examination.
Where the unit fits in
The unit fits into the overall teaching of the A-Level at the school and forms part of the work they do here and also at St Edmund Campion.
Pupils will have looked at the prologue and have an understanding of the themes within the Gospel.
The module aims to help with their understanding of the subject as a whole and also advance their knowledge of sacred writings!
Expectations
At
the end of this unit
most pupils will: Select and demonstrate clearly relevant knowledge and understanding through the use of evidence, examples and correct language and terminology appropriate to the course of study.
some
pupils who have progressed further will: Advanced
candidates should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the connections
between different elements of their course of study.
most pupils will also: understand the nature and background of the 4th evangelist. His purpose and the significance of why his gospel was written. That you may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and believing this have life in His name (Jn 20v31). All understanding of the Gospel lays in the person of Jesus and what He did (signs) but more importantly in what He said (discourses, λογος). That the Father may be glorified in the hour when Christ is lifted up so we may gain eternal life now, knowing that Christ Judges us on our reaction to Him and His Paraclete.
Prior learning
It is helpful if pupils have:
Pupils have completed an AS Level in Religious Studies.
Have a basic understanding of the nature and aspects of the Synoptic Gospels and Synoptic research.
Can understand the need to look at the Old Testament as the source of our understanding of various concepts in the New Testament.
Accept others opinions and argue in their favor or against them
Some knowledge of John (background) and his themes.
Language for learning
Through the activities in this unit pupils will be able to understand, use and spell correctly words relating to the study of:
Eschatology, Paraclete,
Signs, Discourses, Truth, Grace, Logos, Hour, Glorification, The Jews (World),
I am, Dualism (dark/light, Life/death sprit/Prince of the world) and other
Johannine themes
Speaking and listening through the activities pupils could:
Produce small talks on Johannine theology
Seminar groups
Resources
As well as a range of textbooks and published resources, this unit will be enhanced by the use of ancient and modern materials from believers sources, including:
Various Departmental books,
e.g. Jesus is the Christ
Leon Morris, John Evangelist and interpreter S Smalley etc.
Out-of-school learning
Pupils could:
Advance their research abilities by reading around the subject
Future learning
Pupils could go on to:
Pupils to complete module 12 the synoptic module.
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Background |
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Where and when the Gospel was written; the question of authorship. The fact that the Gospel was probably written in a community rather than by an individual. What sources were used? Link to other New Testament texts as well as those of the Old testament. Look at Philo and how this could have influenced prologue/I am sayings. Editors and criticisms placed on the text. Themes within the book |
Use of worksheets provided by the teacher to provide information about the learning objectives. Using specially chosen texts to provide the background knowledge of the information Complete test on the above. Why John wrote!! That you may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and believing this have life in His name (Jn 20v31) The basis for all Johns Theology. |
Know what current scholars think about where and when the Gospel was written Understand that the Johannine community got their information from a variety of sources. What criticisms do scholars place upon the text (e.g. Chap. 21 = an addition) |
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The layout of the book |
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That the book is split into 4 parts. How scholars have come to look upon different aspects of the Gospel itself. Look at the Greek version |
READ THE GOSPEL pointing out especially relevant passages. Go through on a basic level all the themes and theological concepts. Complete questionnaire on what you know. How have scholars looked at the Gospels structure Look
at the Greek version can you trace the word
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The 4 parts 1. Prologue; 2. Book of signs; 3. Book of Glory; 4. Epilogue. Where these are and the relevance of each. Basic knowledge of Johns purpose. Why the Gospel is seen in these 4 parts to Begin to understand what the Greek text looks like |
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Signs |
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Pupils will know the seven signs and also the reasons why some scholars argue as to what the seven signs are. Why seven/signs? J performed many other signs (Jn 20 v 29) why these 7? Link to Eschatology and background to Gospel Why Jn wrote! Challenge of the sign (both Eschatology and the externals of the signs). Link to discourse. |
Read the Gospel Together! Use expression (role play??) See if students can work out the seven signs Give pupils (in pairs) information from texts on each sign: - Water to Wine, John 2 1-11 . The Healing of the Officers son, John 4 46-54 . The Crippled man, John 5 1-18 . The Feeding of the Five Thousand, John 6 1-15 .
Feedback to entire group the findings. Complete the same task with the other signs (not as much detail) after going over what these are and why these are the signs chosen. Essay |
Why do you think John calls them signs. Link to miracles in synoptic Gospels. Syn interested in KoG yet Jn is interested in Christ. Jesus causes division (Eschatology). Link to discourse J word is what causes the division. that the signs are only important in relation to understanding Jesus in His word (discourse) as Jesus id the divine λογος. |
Signs cannot be understood well without looking at the corresponding discourse. The resurrection is the ultimate sign of Jesus as the Son of God. |
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Discourses |
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Link to Logos. J actions are not that important to Jn, but His word is. It is His word that judges and causes division (link to eschatology). |
Look at link between sign and discourse. Allow pupils to read sign and then discourse. What do they begin to understand? Complete worksheet on discourses. I am sayings; explain divine name and why this is important for Jews and its relation to that of the Johannine I am. Complete worksheet on the 3 different types used in the Gospel Essay |
I am sayings important to the theme of the Gospel as they add to our understanding of Jesus as the divine Son of God. Jesus judges now with the use of the divine name (Jews try to stone Him because of his use of the term (8v58) |
Jesus works are understood according to John because of what he said. It is Jesus word that Judges the divine |
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Eschatology |
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Understanding about the Johannine view The time is coming and now is of Eschatology. That to gain eternal life we are judged on our reaction to Jesus (the word) now not at some point in the future. Johns concept of future eschatology Eschatology in the synoptics compared to Johns |
Salvation how do we understand this term? Read up on Johns Theology of salvation and his understanding of soteriology. Look at essay by Raymond E Brown and write a critique. Synoptic Eschatology and that of the rest of the New Testament What do you think is different between John and the synoptics? Link to purpose of the Gospel + look at synoptic understanding. (Group work??) Timed essay. |
John has both future and realised eschatology but concentrates mainly on realised. We are judged on our reaction to Jesus now! John does hold to a future judgment an understanding will be gained on some scholars understanding of this. How this idea compares with the synoptics and the reasons for this |
Revision on Johns use of Logos. |
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The Paraclete |
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Comparison to Holy Spirit in the New Testament and the Spirit (ruΰh) of the Old. Johns idea of the Holy Spirit as Christ active in the world today This therefore continues Jesus eschatological work and means we are still judges today and for all time on our reaction to Jesus How the Gospel pictures the Paraclete as able to continue and also how He is all the things Jesus is. |
Research understanding of Holy Spirit from Synoptic and Old Testament understanding. (worksheet) Johns uniqueness how the paraclete is seen as Jesus present in the world today. Synoptics preach Kingdom, John preaches Christ, how Paraclete answers the problem of the Parousia. Find in Gospel where Jesus and Paraclete are given the same attributes. Son comes from Father; Son gives paraclete link to passion death and resurrection. Jesus with the disciples for all time, no (alternative) need for Parousia. Presentation on Paraclete. |
Know differences between Johns and other pictures of the Spirit. Understand passages from Johns Gospel that show Paraclete as Christ active. Evaluate Johns use of Paraclete for todays audience. |
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Passion and Resurrection narrative |
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Comparison with Synoptics. How John is different + Why. Themes within the Gospel relating to the Passion + Resurrection (Hour, Glorification) Eschatological aspect of Johns picture of the hour. How Jesus Glorifies the Father. Complete obedience Jesus is the true vine. Link to purpose of the Gospel. The Resurrection as Johns last sign, the sign of the Fathers Glory. Jesus is in control; e.g. no Gethsemane, Jesus calls out with a cry of triumph from the cross not defeat as in the Synoptics. |
Differences between Johns account and the synoptics (bit of textual criticism here with gospel parallels) Write out immediate understanding of differences; can you think of any reasons for these? Look at Jesus of Nazareth video: Write out script of Johns versions of events as if you were re-writing the script. (Go through story great film aspects i.e. theological debate with Pilate) Timed essay question |
Know differences and reasons for those differences between Johns story and the Synoptics. Understand the themes used in the Gospel relating to the Passion. I.e. Hour and Glorification; Truth etc. Understand that John preaches Christ not Kingdom. His obedience is the most important aspect. Evaluate these facts with the purpose of the Gospel: That you may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and believing this have life in His name. |
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