Old Testament Connections

Overview

This 30-minute lesson, for Year 5 students in Aotearoa New Zealand, focuses on how Jesus engaged with stories from the Old Testament. It is the final lesson (Lesson 4 of 4) in the unit "Exploring the Bible's Story". Students will explore and discuss key Old Testament stories Jesus would have known and how they influenced his teaching and ministry. The lesson aligns explicitly with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, prioritising key competencies like thinking and relating to others, and integrating strategies to support diverse learners through scaffolding and discussion.

Curriculum Links and Learning Objectives

Learning Area: Religious Education (within Social Sciences / English integration, recognising literacy as foundational)
Level: Year 5 (ages 9-10)

Achievement Objectives (NZ Curriculum Refresh aligned)

Students will describe key stories from the Old Testament that Jesus would have known and discuss their significance and influence on his ministry.
Students will engage with narrative and oral language skills by recounting key stories and making connections between texts and personal ideas.
Students will develop empathy and understanding by exploring different perspectives on Jesus’s teachings informed by Old Testament texts.

Key Competencies

Thinking: students analyse and make connections between stories to understand broader messages.
Relating to others: working in pairs and groups encourages collaboration and sharing of ideas.
Using language, symbols, and texts: retelling, discussing, and creating stories enhances oral language and critical thinking.

Resources Needed

Simplified Bible storybook or printed excerpts of key Old Testament stories Jesus knew (e.g., David and Goliath, Moses and the Ten Commandments, Jonah and the Whale)
Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
Printed story maps/graphic organisers for group work
Audio/visual aids (optional) - pictures or simple video snippets portraying these stories
Conversation prompts on cards to scaffold discussion

Lesson Structure (30 Minutes)

Time	Activity	Details & Teacher Support
0-5 mins	Introduction & Context Setting	Clear, simple explanation that Jesus grew up knowing Old Testament stories. Briefly recap key prior knowledge from previous lessons in the unit. Use visuals. Engage with a question: “Who knows a story about David and Goliath?" Model retelling a short excerpt engagingly.
5-15 mins	Collaborative Story Exploration	Divide class into 5 groups of 5 students. Each group receives a different Old Testament story. Guide groups to read or listen, then use story maps to identify: setting, characters, problem, resolution. Teachers circulate, scaffold language with question prompts (What happened first? How do you think the character felt?). Use sentence stems: “David was brave because…” or “Moses taught people to…”. Encourage vocabulary from their cultural contexts and prior learning.
15-20 mins	Whole-Class Discussion: Jesus’s Connection	Groups share summaries of their stories with the class. Teacher leads linking discussion: “Jesus knew these stories. How might they have helped him teach people? What lessons did Jesus learn from these stories?” Integrate culturally responsive perspectives if appropriate. Reflect on how stories shape beliefs and actions.
20-28 mins	Activity: Making Personal Connections	Individually or in pairs, students reflect on a story’s lesson and write or draw “What I can learn from this story like Jesus did.” Provide sentence starters and vocabulary scaffolds. Encourage sharing with a partner.
28-30 mins	Conclusion & Assessment	Quick oral roundup: select 3 students to share their reflections. Teacher notes observations on understanding and language use, providing formative feedback. Reiterate key learning point: “Stories from the Old Testament helped Jesus guide and care for people.”

Assessment and Reflection

Formative Assessment

Observation of group discussions and story retellings (focused on comprehension and use of religious vocabulary).
Review students' personal reflections (oral or written/drawn).
Teacher feedback linked to language clarity, understanding of story morals, and connections made to Jesus’s life.

Reflective Notes for Teachers

Scaffold language heavily for students with English language needs—use visuals, props, and sentence starters.
Use groupings strategically to balance peer support and encourage talk-time.
Reinforce Māori and Pasifika worldviews by acknowledging that storytelling and shared histories are powerful teaching tools, respecting Aotearoa New Zealand perspectives in religious education.

Alignment with New Zealand Curriculum Refresh

This lesson adheres to the NZ Curriculum Vision and Principles by:

Developing knowledge and competencies in an inclusive learning environment allowing equitable access to religious education content.
Supporting key competencies such as thinking critically about narratives and relating to others through group work and discussion.
Using oral language and narrative structures supported by scaffolds consistent with year 5 English Language learning outcomes.

The lesson also supports NZ curriculum values of respect and diversity by exploring stories meaningful to Aotearoa NZ’s bicultural and multicultural contexts.

This detailed, engaging lesson uses story exploration to deepen students’ understanding of Jesus's life and teachings in an accessible, culturally responsive way appropriate for Year 5 learners, perfectly embodying the curriculum refresh's focus on inclusivity, competencies, and contextual learning.

Teaching Instructions