5/19: Seniors – portfolios are due on Wednesday morning. No exceptions. Remember that you need to present one piece. Today, please read Acts 9-10 + 12. Take notes. Saul’s conversion is critically important (Paul is the central figure in the rest of the New Testament). Acts 10 features a vision Peter has that allows the very young Jesus movement to broaden its appeal, while Acts 12 illustrates the dangers to the movement. When you are finished, you’ll watch The Simpsons’ episode “Thank God, It’s Doomsday.” This episode pokes some fun at apocalyptic writings and predictions (including Revelations and the use of number patterns in the Bible to prophesize the end of times) and it references several biblical ideas, including Jesus’ crucifixion, Luke 17 and a fun visual reference to da Vinci’s Last Supper at the end. You’ll also get to see heaven and The Simpsons’ God, who is my favorite. Enjoy (and no, you cannot use this episode in your portfolio).
Two portfolio reminders: I am finding that students are having difficulty handling news articles as modern day references. I found an article yesterday with a New Testament reference (the sub has copies). Read the article. In order to use an article, you must first summarize the main ideas of the article. Then – identify the reference and explain its source (the biblical story from which it comes), AND then write about how knowing the source allows you to understand how/why the writer uses the reference (and whether or not the writer is using the reference effectively). I will post my version for this article as an example on the website. Do not use this article in the portfolio. I am giving it to you to help you practice.
Finally, allusions – just a reminder that for OUR purposes, there must be a direct allusion, not similar story lines, characterizations, themes, etc. Visual allusions (like a pregnant woman standing in a barn, surrounded by animals or a character sacrificing himself for others with his arms outstretched in a crucifixion-like position) do work (and they are everywhere). As with all of the other components, you need to demonstrate what you know about the biblical source of the allusion AND use that knowledge to analyze how the use of the allusion works in the piece and how your recognition of the allusion deepens understanding of the literary work.
5/18: Seniors: See "Final portfolio tips and warnings 2017" (attached) In class, please read Acts 1 &2 and take notes. Work with the poem "Gettysburg" and the poem " In the Monastery of San Marco"
5/17: We continued to talk about the crucifixion and the human Jesus. We listened to "Gethsemane" from Jesus Christ Superstar (lyrics attached) and looked at Michelangelo's Pieta (attached).
5/16: We started our discussion about the crucifixion. On the back of yesterday’s notecard: THINK about Judas’ character, motivations, role, etc. in the reading for today. Start by reflecting based on what you remember, then go back into Matthew and reread. Write down what strikes you as important and WHY. THINK about how Judas is being portrayed and why that matters. Fill the back of the card.
5/15: We read Matt 20 and 21 in class. CLASSWORK: on the front of the notecard: revisit either the Matthew readings for today OR Luke (add Luke 17 to the mix from Wednesday's reading). What do we need to talk about? What do you find challenging in the rating and why? What lines up with these points to keep in mind as we head into Jesus' final week: the challenges presented in the parables (to everyone), the greatest commandment and its application, Judaism's commitment to community and social justice, "Thy will be done," darkness?
5/11: Portfolio work day.
5/10: We continued work on the parables. We talked about the historical context of the biblical writers, about how their audiences would have heard the parables, about how they would have defined terms Jesus uses like "Son of Man," Son of God," Messiah," "Kingdom of Heaven," etc. We also talked about Lazarus and the power displayed in his rising.
5/9: See "Parables small groups" attached below.
5/5: Work with poetry "During Epiphany" (attached below) and "Raising Jesus."
5/4: On the back of yesterday’s notecard: reflect on the readings for today paying particular attention to all of the ways that the stories continue to challenge the status quo. What stories did you find most interesting and why? What surprised or disturbed you? What picture are you getting of Jesus as a leader? As a prophet? As a threat? What differences are you noticing in the way the stories are being told by different gospel writers and WHY do those differences matter? Fill the back of the card.
We talked about all of this and more.
5/3: On the front of the notecard: reflect on the readings from last night with this focus – so much activity, so much of it supernatural. What would it feel like to be in the crowd or in the town and watching all of the healings, the demon –exorcism, the vagueness of the teachings, Jesus’ own secrecy, the violence (John), etc.? How does the setting – time, place, etc. affect these stories? How does the mood (the darkness, the supernatural, etc.)? What do you imagine the bystanders think and feel as they watch? The disciples? Chose a point of view or two, choose a story or two and really reflect. Fill the front of the card.
5/1: We talked through Jesus' difficult teachings in small groups then in the larger group.
4/28: We started reading the Gospels today - take about birth stories, about the difference in the readings, the audience for each writer, about Mary and Elizabeth, about John the Baptist, etc. New reading schedule (below). The Senior final portfolio is posted on the Bible as Literature page and the portfolio page.
4/27: We talked about the prophets and about Job. We took the measure of the development of religious consciousness, of the purpose and the problems of prophets and got ready for the reading of the Gospels (schedule is attached below).
4/26: Jigsaw the prophet readings. Read Job handout tonight.
4/25: Meeting in Prophet groups to share notes so we can jigsaw tomorrow. Read Daniel tonight.
4/24: We read in class today. See "Bible Prophets + reading for end of April" attached below (it includes this week's reading schedule).