Week 6: Christ’s Childhood
Goals:
1. to learn about Jesus’ childhood
2. and to learn about the roles of the local rulers during Christ’s lifetime
Notes for the Teacher: This year, we worked on laying both a foundation of knowledge for our kids and also making connections whenever possible. I had several teachers come up to me after the Holy Thursday evening service who told me they had a whole new level of understanding for the gospel readings after our lessons in Sunday School this year. There was a better understanding of who people were and their roles in Jesus’ death – and especially learning about the iconography associated with the gospel. These connections started with our understanding of who the Herod’s were and where they ruled.
Saint Spyridon attended and spoke at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea. He was amongst the clergy who defined the Creed as they fought against the heresies that were circulating at the time.
Icons Explained – the First Ecumenical Council
Early Elementary Lesson
We predominatly focused on learning the basics of reading icons this year, basic sequencing (instead of a timeline), and included some map skills throughout the year as well.
Upper Elementary Lesson
We continued including maps, a timeline, and learning how to read icons in our lessons throughout the year.
Middle / High School Lesson
We continued including maps, a timeline, and learning how to read icons in our lessons throughout the year. Our high school class also had a presentation projected on a screen most Sundays throughout the year. (It was a modified version of the weekly teacher Zoom class.)