Names and Images

Overview

Today we will learn how Christians use different names and images for God in prayer and in talking about God. We will explore a few common names/images and practise using one of them in a simple prayer.

Learning intentions

• WALT identify different names and images of God.
• WALT recognise images that help us understand God.
• WALT use one name or image of God in a simple prayer.

Success criteria

• I can name at least two ways we describe God (e.g., Father, Creator, Shepherd).
• I can recognise an image that matches a name of God.
• I can say or write a simple prayer using one name/image of God.

Curriculum links

• Religious Education (local curriculum through the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh): developing understanding of beliefs, practices, and how faith shapes prayer and communication.
• Key competencies: Thinking (making connections between names/images and meanings), Communicating (sharing ideas and prayers respectfully), Participating and contributing (working in pairs and sharing responses).
• I can statements align with learning to describe and practise faith language in age-appropriate ways.

Lesson structure (30 minutes)

1. 0–5 min · Hook (I Do: teacher). Teacher shows 3 short picture cards (e.g., a father figure, a creator image like hands making, a shepherd image like a sheep/green field). Teacher says: “When we pray, we can use different names for God. They help us remember what God is like.” Students do a quick “thumbs up/down” vote: “Does this picture help us understand God?”

2. 5–12 min · Direct teaching (We Do: guided). On the board, teacher models a simple pattern:

• Name/image: Father
• Meaning: God is loving like a father
• Prayer line example: “God, thank you for loving us.” Teacher repeats the same with Creator and Shepherd, using child-friendly explanations and the image cards. Students chorally repeat one name with the teacher and then point to the matching image.

3. 12–18 min · Skill practice (You Do: pairs + teacher checks). Students work in pairs at desks. Give each pair a set of 6 picture/name cards (3 names, 3 matching images) and a sorting sheet with two columns: “Name of God” and “Image of God.” Teacher says: “Match the name to the picture that helps you understand God.” Students sort and then read out one match from their sheet to a partner: “This is God as Creator.”

4. 18–26 min · Prayer practice (I DO WE DO YOU DO: whole class to independent). Teacher models a simple prayer using one name/image (writes a scaffold on the board):

• “God,” (choose one name) “Father / Creator / Shepherd,”
• “Help me…” (one short need)
• “Amen.” We Do: As a class, choose one name/image together and generate one “Help me…” sentence (e.g., “Help me be kind.” or “Help me learn.”). You Do: Students choose one name/image for their own prayer and complete a prayer frame on a worksheet. Frame options:
• “God, thank you for being my __________.”
• “God, help me be __________ today.” Students may draw their chosen image and write one prayer line (or copy a sentence and add their chosen name/image). Teacher circulates and supports correct, respectful phrasing.

5. 26–30 min · Share + exit check. 6–8 volunteers share their prayer line (or show their drawing and read the chosen name/image). Teacher prompts: “Which name/image did you choose, and why?” Quick exit ticket (collected as they leave): Students circle one name of God and draw a small matching icon.

Resources

• Name and picture cards for: Father, Creator, Shepherd (teacher-prepared or printed)
• Prayer worksheet with sentence starters and “God, ___, help me… Amen.”
• Sorting sheet (Name of God / Image of God)
• Crayons/colour pencils
• Board/markers
• Optional: a short printed “prayer frame” to copy neatly

Assessment

• Formative during sorting: teacher listens for correct matching of names to images and checks understanding with questions.
• Formative during prayer practice: teacher checks that students use one name/image and complete a prayer line with “Help me…” and “Amen.”
• Exit ticket: circle a name of God and add a matching icon/drawing to confirm recognition and selection.

Differentiation

• Support: provide sentence starters with the names written large; allow students to copy one “God, …” line and add only “Help me…” as a single sentence.
• Support: offer a choice of one of three name/image cards to reduce cognitive load for learners needing scaffolds.
• Extension: students who finish early can add an extra short thank-you line (e.g., “Thank you for…”) while still using one name/image of God.
• Language support: allow students to underline the chosen name/image and use oral rehearsal before writing.
• EAL/SEN: allow drawing + teacher scribing for one sentence; use partner support for matching.

Link to reference materials (using ideas from the learning packs)

• Teacher uses the learning-pack idea of “God helps us to understand God through names and images,” and draws on the pack’s focus on engaging learners through simple prayer and faith-language.
• If available in class, use materials from “Tō Tātou Whakapono – Our Faith” learning packs as a guide for image selections and prayer wording (accessing the learning packs through the site login page when needed).