Embracing Our Identity

Lesson 1: Created in God’s Image: Understanding Our Worth

Year Level: Year 7
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Subject: Religious Education

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Learning Intentions (WALT)

• We Are Learning To (WALT): Explore how personal identity, values, culture, and beliefs contribute to wellbeing.
• Understand that each person is wonderfully made in God’s image as described in Genesis 1:27 and Psalm 139.
• Reflect on our own identity and self-worth as part of God’s creation.

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Curriculum Links

This lesson aligns closely with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh (RE strand) and supports development of the key competencies and values.

• Strand: Identity, Culture and Organisation (Religious Education curriculum)
• Learning Objective: Students explore how personal identity, values, culture, and beliefs contribute to wellbeing and sense of self.
• Key Competencies:
  • Relating to others: Respect and appreciate the diverse identities and beliefs of peers.
  • Thinking: Reflect critically on texts such as Genesis 1:27 & Psalm 139 and relate to personal experience.
• Values: Respect, Integrity, and Inclusion are encouraged and modelled.

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Success Criteria

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain what it means to be created in God's image (Genesis 1:27).
• Describe messages from Psalm 139 about how God knows and values each person uniquely.
• Identify key aspects of their own identity (values, beliefs, culture) and explain how these contribute to their wellbeing.
• Show respect for diversity in personal identities and beliefs through group discussion.

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Description	Resources	Success Criteria
0-5 mins	Intro & Settle	Brief welcome and grounding with a mindfulness moment: "Think about what makes you uniquely you."	Soft music, calm classroom	Students engage and focus, beginning to think about identity.
5-12 mins	Exploring Scriptures	Teacher reads aloud Genesis 1:27 and Psalm 139 (selected verses). Group discusses initial thoughts: What does it mean to be made in God's image? How does Psalm 139 show God’s knowledge and care for us?	Bibles or printed scripture excerpts	Students show understanding of scripture themes and ask questions.
12-22 mins	Identity Reflection Activity	Students complete an “Identity Wheel” worksheet with sections for culture, values, beliefs, talents, and interests. They reflect silently and then share in pairs.	Identity Wheel template, pencils	Students identify personal identity elements and articulate these in pairs.
22-32 mins	Class Discussion: Connection to Wellbeing	Facilitated discussion on how knowing we are created uniquely and lovingly by God helps our wellbeing. Link to feeling worthy, loved, capable. Students connect scriptures with their own lives.	Whiteboard for ideas recording	Students connect scripture messages with personal and general wellbeing.
32-42 mins	Creative Expression: Self-Portrait	Students create a simple visual representation (drawing or collage) of themselves labelled with identity words inspired by the scripture and reflection.	Paper, colouring materials, magazines for collage	Students express their understanding creatively and positively.
42-45 mins	Review & Close	Recap WALT and success criteria. Quick ‘thumbs up/down’ to self-assess understanding. Teacher shares an encouraging closing thought reinforcing worth and identity.	None	Students self-assess and leave with a positive mindset.

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Teaching Tips and Differentiation

• Support students who may find personal reflection challenging with sentence starters like: "A value I hold is...", "One thing I am good at is...", "My culture means...".
• Include culturally responsive pedagogies respecting diverse backgrounds in the class.
• Use inclusive language to honour all students' beliefs and identities.
• Encourage EAL learners to use bilingual dictionaries or peer support as needed.
• Monitor group discussions to ensure respectful listening and participation.

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Assessment

Formative assessment through observation of:

• Participation in discussion and pair-sharing.
• Completed Identity Wheels and self-portraits.
• Ability to articulate understanding of biblical texts and relate them to personal wellbeing.

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Reflection for Teachers

• How did students respond to the concept of being made in God’s image?
• Were students able to connect scripture to personal identity and wellbeing?
• Which parts of the lesson inspired the most engagement or thoughtful reflection?
• Consider adjustments to deepen cultural perspectives or include more diverse faith viewpoints in future lessons within the unit.

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This lesson model is designed to meet the intentions of the New Zealand Curriculum refresh, explicitly developing identity, belief, and wellbeing through scripture reflection and personal exploration. It incorporates relevant key competencies and values, and offers a balance of teacher input, reflective activity, discussion, and creative expression suitable for the Year 7 age group.

If required, I can also help you expand this outline into a full unit plan for the "Hokakatanga: Embracing Our Identity" series of 11 lessons.