Session 3 ENQUIRE Biblical text and interpretation
Learning Objectives
- To explore and identify what the Christian Bible and faith teach us about the virtue of humility?
- To consider how other people interpreted Gospel text about humility for e.g. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet
Learning activity 1 Story Consequences
Teaching Point
What can the Christian Bible and faith teach us about virtue of humility?
Introduce the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and explain the historical and theological background.
Read scripture text: Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. John 13:1-15
Seat pupils in a horseshoe and ask pupils to verbally recount the event, taking turns around the room. All remember certain elements and affirm individual contributions. Consider what was forgotten and what was remembered?
The Bible stories are not just one big story but represent lots of different viewpoints
Ask the question again: How did Jesus show humility in washing the disciples’ feet?
What were some of his disciples’ responses? Can you identify evidence for other virtues being shown in the text?
Consider…what virtues Jesus showed in washing the disciples’ feet
- What challenges might Jesus have faced in showing humility in this situation?
- How would you feel washing someone’s dirty feet?
- How were the disciples and servants rewarded by Jesus showing humility?
- How do you think the disciples and servants felt when Jesus insisted on washing the disciples’ feet?
- How would you feel if someone washed your dirty feet?
Learning Activity 2 Interpreting text through drama
Resources
- Wintershall promotional video
- Sound bites: James Burke-Dunsmore on effects of biblical drama
- ‘Jesus washes the disciple’s feet – clip from ‘The Life of Christ’, Wintershall
- Refer to the useful background information section of this resource
- Scripture link
- Character list for the scene
- ‘Story and Drama toolkit’ excerpts and other drama ideas (Margaret Cooling Bible Society)
Teaching Point
How have people interpreted the Gospel text through drama?
- Look at the Wintershall promotional video
Explain to pupils that the scenes from ‘The Life of Christ’ were part of a community drama, written by Peter Hutley, who had never written a script before until he wrote ‘The Nativity’. This production has been performed at The Barn Theatre at Wintershall every December since 1989
- Listen to ‘Sound bites’: James Burke-Dunsmore describing the effects of biblical drama as well as his experience as an actor performing in ‘The Life of Christ’ and other Biblical drama
- Watch the Wintershall clip: ‘Jesus washes the disciples’ feet Act 111 scene 9 from ‘The Life of Christ’ and compare this with the Biblical text for this event.
- Explore examples of other art forms used to interpret scripture for example music, visual art, opera, ballet
How do you interpret the Bible text?
Look at the video clip of Jesus healing the leper from the Life of Christ. (Open up the clip to the full screen)
What comments or insights do you have on Jesus’s example in his attitude and actions towards the disciples?
Consider:
- what qualities did Jesus show in washing his disciple’s feet?
- what challenges the disciples face with Jesus insisting that he took the role of a servant and washed their feet?
- how might Jesus have felt when some of the disciples were reluctant to have their feet washed by him?
- how do you think Peter and the other disciples felt after they had their feet washed by Jesus?
N.B It is recommended that pupils start with an investigation of the Bible text before they look at creative interpretations of the stories to secure their understanding of this story.
Learning Activity 3 Group reflection – our learning journey so far
Teaching Point
What have you learnt so far about unconditional love from the Virtues Enquiry learning journey?
Invite pupils to think about what they have learnt in the Virtues Enquiry learning journey so far about unconditional love from previous activities: concept cracking, unconditional love every day role-play, interpreting Bible Text.
Encourage pupils to look through their Virtues Enquiry Reflection Journals to choose insights to share.
How has exploring Biblical accounts and examples of Biblical drama deepened your understanding of the virtue and its impact on daily life?
What experiences and insights gained from the learning journey could you contribute to your group Bible drama using the same text as inspiration?
Optional creative reflection (This activity can be used to assess learning alongside the group reflection)
Pupils write an acrostic poem or reflection either from their own viewpoint, that of disciples, Jesus or a servant. The poem needs to reflect learning from different stages of the Virtues Enquiry.
