What is the ‘big story’ of the Bible?

Exploring the big story of the Bible What do you think is the ‘big story’ of the Bible? What do you think is the meta narrative of the Bible? Discuss

Can you identify a Christian concept for any (or all) of them? Something to do… Look at the cards Can you identify a Christian concept for any (or all) of them? Activity. Be clear that at this point there are no right/wrong answers. Good to record ideas. It makes the point that interpretations can vary, which is a lesson to learn when looking at texts too. Cards are available to copy, print and cut up from The Big Frieze booklet. Illustrations © Emma Yarlett © RE Today 2016

Gospel God Incarnation Fall Salvation Kingdom of God Creation Answers. Why do they think the artist has used this image to express this concept? How well does it do this? Can teachers put this in an order? What order can they see and why? Creation People of God © RE Today 2016

God Creation Fall People of God Incarnation Gospel Salvation Note how the Understanding Christianity resources have selected and explore these eight concepts because they offer a coherent series of ideas that underpin Christian belief and practice. The ‘big story’ gives a context into which teachers and pupils can place the concepts as they encounter them in RE throughout the school. Salvation Kingdom of God © RE Today 2016

Universal Plot Structure (according to Nick Park) Unexpected solution! Try to sort it out… all seems lost Disrupted Setting Nick Park of Aardman Animation outlined this ‘universal plot structure’ in a display at Bristol’s interactive science centre (at-Bristol.org.uk). Ask teachers to see if they can think of stories, books and/or films that follow this structure. E.g. Aardman films, books and films such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, etc. See Handbook p.14-15 for background to Bible ‘big story’. © RE Today 2016

Bible ‘plot structure’ – a ‘big story’ view God Creation Setting The Resources are based on a view that the Bible tells a ‘big story’. This is only one way of reading it, of course; it is obviously simplified, and does not deny that the Bible is a series of a separate texts with a significant number of authors and editors. However, many Christians argue that the Creator’s intentions for humanity can be discerned in the over-arching narrative structure of the Bible. This view is certainly mainstream enough to form the basis of pupils’ understanding at school; differences and their reasons can then be explored as pupils get older. The setting: See Handbook p.14. God: Fundamental to Christian belief is the existence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Creation: The universe and human life are God’s good creation. Humans are made in the image of God. The scene is set for the great drama that is going to unfold. © RE Today 2016

Bible ‘plot structure’ – a ‘big story’ view ‘The Fall’ Disrupted Setting The setting is disrupted! See Handbook p14 Fall: Christians believe humans have a tendency to go their own way rather than keep their place in relation to their Creator. This attitude is called sin, and Genesis 3 gives an account of this rebellion, popularly called ‘the Fall’. This describes a catastrophic separation between God and humans, between humans and each other, and between humans and the environment. This idea that humans are ‘fallen’ and in need of rescue (or salvation) sets out the root cause of many problems for humanity. © RE Today 2016

Bible ‘plot structure’ – a ‘big story’ view People of God Try to sort it out… all seems lost Disrupted Setting See Handbook p.14 People of God: Christians see the Old Testament as telling the story of God’s plan to reverse the impact of the Fall, to save humanity. It involves choosing a people who will model a restored relationship with God, who will attract all other people back to God. The Bible narrative includes the ups and downs of this plan, including the message of the prophets, who tried to persuade people to stick with God. The plan appears to end in failure with the people of God exiled in Babylon, and then returning to occupied Israel, awaiting a ‘messiah’ — a rescuer, a ‘saviour’. © RE Today 2015

Bible ‘plot structure’ – a ‘big story’ view Incarnation Gospel Kingdom of God Salvation Try to sort it out… all seems lost Unexpected solution! Disrupted Setting See Handbook p.15 for the story linked to these four concepts. Give teachers a chance to put images/cards/icons into order and retell the story. Explore some of the imagery – note, for example, the heart at the centre of the Escher-style impossible Trinity image for God; and how this image is embedded in the incarnation image. Look closely at the Gospel card – see the direction of the arrows painted within in the golden arrows out from the heart; your pupils’ eyes will be able to spot the writing on the outer circle too… © RE Today 2016

This might be a good time to introduce the Big Frieze This might be a good time to introduce the Big Frieze. (See Module 2 for suggested ideas for introducing this, and The Big Frieze booklet for ideas about how you might use this.) Activities could include matching the concepts to the image. Identifying characters they might be able to spot. Working out some symbolism on the Gospel panel. Collecting any questions they have.

Let’s take a look and explore Can you link the concepts to the panels. Can you order the panels? Silent conversation – raise questions and someone else answers them.