7th Grade Bible Curriculum
The Life of Jesus
For the 7th grade year in Bible, the overall goal is to give students a passion to follow Christ & read the gospels by seeing the larger picture with the building tension as events move toward the cross. A key aim will be for the students to see themselves in the narrative as disciples of Christ who learn through delegated ministry experiences, opposition, and failure. To facilitate the goal of enjoying the gospels, the students will be exposed to large sections of scripture at a time so they can see the bigger patterns. Along the way, we will repeatedly refer to how the students can take steps to be more faithful as Christ's disciples. The students will also be introduced to some spiritual heroes of the last century.
Month Topic/Unit Objectives
September   

October

 November December January February

March April MayJune
Unit #1
Goals & Grace
 Students will understand that God's grace makes it safe to pursue a challenge that could fail. They will set personal & class goals for the coming year.
Unit #2
Poverty and Wealth
 Students will be exposed to the grinding poverty that exists in the developing world in light of the West's overwhelming wealth. They will be challenged to make a deference.
Unit #3
Background to the Gospels 		Students will be able to understand Intertestamental history, the general geography, and the historical & cultural background to the life of Jesus.Students will understand the similarities and differences b/w the 4 gospels  
Unit#4
Life of Christ Part I: Beginnings to the Feeding of the 5000		 Students will be able to understand the flow, themes and purposes of Mark's & John's gospels. As we go through the life of Jesus, we will critically interact with the made for TV movie Jesus.
Unit #5
Hero of Faith I:
The Hiding Place
 Students will be inspired by the exemplary struggle of Corrie Ten Boom and her sister, who suffered for their faith under Hitler's Regime as they watch the movie The Hiding Place.
Unit #6
Life of Christ Part II Conflict and Training of Disciples
 Students will be able to understand the flow, themes and purposes of Mark's & John's gospels and apply principles of discipleship (on the job training, dealing with failure).
Unit #7
Hero of Faith II:
Tears of My Soul
 Students will be inspired by the exemplary struggle of Sokreaksa Himm, who suffered during the brutal reign of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia as we read his book The Tears of My Soul.
Unit #8
Life of Christ Part III: The Final Week of Christ's Life		 Students will be able to understand the events surrounding the crucifixion & resurrection (reactions of Jesus? opponents & disciples; Jesus? statements from the cross) in order to have realistic expectations of discipleship. They will watch the film Barabbas as an example of creative fiction that helps them enter into the Biblical text.