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Religion

 

EASTSIDE LUTHERAN SCHOOL
 
CURRICULUM GUIDE
 
 
Religion    
 
Statement of Philosophy
We believe that all people are by nature sinners and enemies of God. We further believe that they need God’s Word, for it is through the Word that the Holy Spirit works saving faith and strengthens it in people’s hearts.
 
Purpose for Teaching Religion
Therefore, it is our purpose in the teaching of religion that the child grow in the renewal of the image of God through proper use of the law and gospel in this life; that is, the Word is to guide the child in the process of becoming all that he/she, as a unique individual, can be, so that in joyful thanksgiving he/she will serve his/her God in time and in eternity.
 
General Objectives
Through God’s Word each individual child is brought to realize:
 
I. The sinfulness of man
            A. Man was created perfect, in God’s image.
            B.   Man became a sinner deserving eternal damnation.
            C. Man can in no way save himself.
 
II. The Grace of God
            A. God loves the undeserving sinner and wants all to be saved.
            B. He accomplished man’s salvation by sending His son Jesus Christ to atone for
                  man’s sins.
            C. By his obedient life and innocent death in man’s stead Christ redeemed the
                  world from sin, death , and hell.
            D. God makes this redemption man’s own by the working of the Holy Spirit through
                  the means of grace.
 
III. The Life of the Christian
            A. The Christian conforms his/her life to the law of God out of faith and love toward
                  Christ.
            B. The Christian gives his/her life gladly in service to Christ in his church.
            C. The Christian witnesses for Christ in his/her daily life.
            D. The Christian matures in faith through regular use of the Word and Sacrament.
 
The Specific Objectives
 
 I. God’s Word
 
            A. Word of God
                        1. To lead the children to know his God as He reveals Himself as creator,
                              redeemer, and sanctifier.
                        2. To know that the law and gospel teach him/her regarding his/her
                              relationship to his/her God as both sinner and saint.
                        3. To develop in the child an increasing ability in applying lessons of Bible
                              stories to is/her own life’s experiences.
                        4. To cherish this Word as the only absolute truth and therefore gladly read,
                              learn, and share it.
           
            B. Christian Doctrine
                        A systematic presentation of basic Christian doctrine is outlined for the child in
                        Luther’s Small Catechism.   In studying Christian doctrine the child is:
                        1. To know the Six Chief Parts of Luther’s Small Catechism.
                        2. To learn the Table of duties.
 
            C. Growth in God’s Kingdom
                        1. To lead the child to understand how the Lord uses individual and groups in
                             carrying out his will for his Church since the time of the Apostles.
                        2. To acquaint the child with the history of the church.
                        3. To develop an understanding of the history and organization of the
                              Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
 
            D. Bible Study
                        1. To acquaint the child with the Bible as to its organization and external
                             arrangement, classification of content, chronologies, and authors.
                        2. To develop particular skills in using the Bible: cross references,
                             commentaries, concordances, maps, and Bible dictionaries.
                        3. To become acquainted with Scripture readings appropriate for
                              particular purposes.
 
II. Worship
 
            A. Hymn Study
                        1. To familiarize the child with the historical background of hymns.
                        2. To lead the child to understand the truths expressed in hymns.
                        3. To help the child sing hymns with confidence.
                        4. To teach appreciation for our Lutheran musical heritage.
                        5. To have the child memorize selected hymns.
 
            B. The Worship Service
                        1. To develop an understanding of our orders of service.
                        2. To encourage the proper preparation for worship.
                        3. To instill respect toward the Word of God.
                        4. To impress upon the child the importance of regular public worship.
            C. Symbols of the Church
                        1. To explain to the child various familiar symbols.
                        2. To acquaint the child with the meaning and purpose of church
                              architecture, furniture, altar ware, etc.
 
            D. The Church Year
                        1. To lead the child to understand what the church year entails.
                        2. To help the child realize the place of paraments in the church year.
                        3. To explain the use of vestments in the church.
 
            E. Private Worship
                        1. To encourage the daily practice of personal and family devotions.
                        2. To develop an understanding of the value and nature of such worship.
                        3. To acquaint the child with devotional materials available in the hymnal
                              and other sources.
                        4. To develop in the child a desire to speak with God in daily prayer.
                        5. To teach the use of ex corde prayers in addition to fixed prayers.
 
III. The Christian Life
           
 The life of a Christian is his/her response to God’s love. That the child’s life may reflect such “fruits of faith”, he/she is to be made aware of his/her Christian life, which involves:
 
A. Stewardship
            1. To impress upon the child that he/she cannot do with his/her life as he/she
                  pleases.
            2. To instill in the child the understanding that he/she is a steward of all he/she
                  possesses.
            3. To cause the child to realize that everything in his/her life is to be total
                 commitment to the Lord.
           
B. Evangelism
            1. To acquaint the child with his/her high calling in life—“You are the salt of
                  the earth, you are the light of the world.”
            2. To incite the child to witness for his/her Savior.
            3. To instill in the child the knowledge that his/her Christian life has an effect
                 on others.
           
C. Personal Relationships
            1. To help the child realize that his/her life as it interrelates with others is a
                 visible demonstration of his love for them.
            2. To make the child aware of his relationship to others in the family, the
                  home, and the church.
            3. To develop in the child proper Christian concepts in his/her relationship
                  to the community and the world.
 
 
 
 
 
 
                       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
 
 
                       
                       
 
                       
                       

 

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Eastside Evangelical Lutheran Church and School
2310 Independence Lane Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 608-244-3045 info@eastsidelutheran.orglogin