Prep Scripture Commentaries BCE

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1.  Who is Jesus?

The Gospels tell the good news of Jesus. Two different Gospel authors tell very different stories about the birth of Jesus.

Compare the two Gospel accounts of the Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 1:18-21 to Matthew 2:1-12).

Identify stories of and about Jesus in the Gospels such as the presentation in the temple (Luke 2:22-24; Luke 2:39-40). 

Stories about Jesus in the Gospels

The stories of the birth of Jesus  - Luke 2:1-7 – The birth of Jesus

Matthew 1:18-25  The story of the visit of the shepherds to Jesus - Luke 2:8-20 The story of the visit of the Magi - Matthew 2:1-12 

The purpose of teaching the text:   Two different Gospel authors tell very different stories about the birth of Jesus.  Luke sets his story against the background of the Roman Empire and Matthew sets his story against the background of the Jewish expectation of a Messiah.   

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • What are these two different authors trying to tell their communities about the meaning of Jesus’ birth?   • What does Jesus mean for our school community today?   • Why are we still celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas? 

2.  Where did Jesus live?

Understand the Jewish custom of pilgrimage within the finding in the temple (Luke 2: 41-52).

3.  How do people pray?

Explain why the disciples wanted to build a relationship with God through prayer (Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer -Luke 11:1-4).  

Prayer 

The story of Jesus teaching his disciples to pray -  Luke 11:1-4​ – The Lord’s Prayer; Matthew 6:1-14  Jesus gave thanks - Matthew 15:36 Jesus prays – Mark 1:35; Luke 3:21-22 Jesus praised God -  Matthew 11:25-26

The purpose of teaching the text: Two different Gospel authors telling the story of Jesus teaching the ‘Our Father’ to his disciples.  Stories of Jesus are presented in four different books called Gospels.  Matthew shapes his version of Jesus’ prayer for his Jewish community.  Luke shapes his version of Jesus’ prayer for his Gentile community

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • Why might different authors tell the same story in different ways?  • What can we learn about Jesus’ life from these stories?   • What can we learn about prayer from these stories?

4.  What did Jesus teach people to do?

Understand The Greatest Commandment Matthew 22:37,39.

Explain Jesus’ teaching about how to treat people, The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31). 

Jesus’ teachings that challenged people

Good Samaritan - Luke 10: 25-37 The Golden Rule - Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31 The Greatest Commandment - Matthew 22:36-39; Mark 12:28-31 The Ten Lepers - Luke 17:11-18   The Greatest Commandment - Matthew 22:34-39 

​Luke 10:29-37 – The Good Samaritan Luke 17:11-18 – Ten Lepers

The purpose of teaching the text:  The story Jesus told of the Good Samaritan demonstrates Jesus’ teachings about compassion, love and forgiveness.  This is a story about stereotypes, demonstrated even by the title of the story (which has been added by an editor later).  This is not a story about helping our friends and those we like and want to spend time with.  This is a story that challenges people to respond to everyone in need, especially the people we would never choose to spend time with.    Both the stories of The Golden Rule and the Greatest Commandment provide examples of Jesus’ teaching about the importance of inclusion and looking out for the needs of the ‘other’ rather than only being mindful of my friends and my own needs.  The Greatest Commandment links loving God with loving neighbour.   

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • Who would you see as needing compassion in our world today? • Why is it important to forgive others?   • What could I do to help care for the needs of others, especially those who are forgotten by many people?   • How do I include others when I am at school, and at home? 

5.  What difference do our choices make?

Explain how compassion was demonstrated in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37).

Identify from the story of The Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-18) times when characters in the story exercised the right of the freedom to choose.

6.  What is the Church?

7. How does God help people?

Old Testament stories can reveal people’s faith in God.  Even without seeing God, people such as Abraham and Sarah sensed God’s presence with them and they had trust in God.  The story of Abraham and Sarah is foundational in the Old Testament, as Abraham is called by God to become the leader and ancestor of all Jewish people.  

Identify how Abraham and Sarah’s understanding of God grew and developed (personal God - Genesis 12:1-9, Abraham is called by God Genesis 15:1-6, Abraham’s covenant with God and the birth of Isaac Genesis 21:1-3;6-7).

Old Testament people

The stories of Old Testament characters who became special people of faith in the midst of life’s challenges. The story of Abraham and Sarah (and the birth of Isaac). Abraham is called by God - Genesis 12:1-9 Abraham’s covenant with God - Genesis 15:1-6 The birth of Isaac - Genesis 21:1-3; 6-7 

The purpose of teaching the text: The Story of Abraham and Sarah  The story of Abraham and Sarah is foundational in the Old Testament, as Abraham is called by God to become the leader and ancestor of all Jewish people.  Faith often comes from living in a family.  For Jewish and Christian people (and Islamic people), Abraham and Sarah are seen as the parents of faith.  Abraham is the first person to whom God spoke.  Sarah is the woman mentioned most in the Bible. Isaac becomes an important Old Testament character and needs to be identified as the son of Abraham and Sarah.   

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • How does God speak in our lives today?   • What is God asking us to do?  • How do we feel when unexpected events happen in our lives?   • What can we learn about God, faith and the unpredictable nature of family life through the story of the birth of Isaac?   • I wonder if the baby in this story will grow up to be someone special for the Jewish people?  

Genesis 1:1-2: 4a – The First Creation Story Genesis 2:4b-9; 15-25 – The Second Creation Story  Genesis 37:1-36, 39:1-6, 41:15-44, 41:53-57, 42-26 – Joseph 1 Samuel 17:1-49 – David & Goliath Matthew 1:18-25 – Announcement to Joseph

8.  How can we care for the world and each other?

There is one God, the source of truth and love, who is the creator of all. God's presence is revealed in the goodness of creation.  The writer of the first creation story in the Old Testament (Genesis 1:1-2:4a) repeatedly uses the statement “And God was pleased with what he saw.” to emphasise God's special relationship with all of creation.  This story is rich in meaning and contains religious truths rather than scientific or historical truths.

Describe God's special relationship with all of creation in Genesis 1:1-2:4a.

Brisbane Catholic Education

Additional BCE Year 1 Scripture

The death and resurrection of Jesus 

Mark 16:1-8 – Jesus’ Resurrection

The death of Jesus - Luke 23:44-49; Matthew 27:45-56  Jesus’ Resurrection - Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:112; Mark 16: 1-8   The resurrection of Jesus - John 20:1-10 

The purpose of teaching the text:  Matthew and Luke give different accounts of the death of Jesus, but similar accounts of the resurrection of Jesus.  Matthew is telling the story for a Jewish community, depicts the centurion reacting to the death of Jesus by proclaiming that Jesus is the son of God.  Luke, telling the story for a Gentile community, depicts the centurion reacting to the death of Jesus by proclaiming that he must have been an innocent man.  Trial by torture was common in the Roman world, and for someone to suffer this pain calmly was seen to be a sign of their innocence.  In the two resurrection stories similar themes are continued.  The resurrection stories are stories of hope, that no matter how difficult life is, God’s love can still break through.  Sometimes in our lives, we will experience times of great sadness.  The stories of the death and resurrection of Jesus help people remember that God is still with us even in our darkest moments.  No matter how much we suffer, God’s love can still break through.  

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text: • Why would anyone tell a sad story about Jesus?   • Why don’t people just tell happy stories about Jesus?   • Does everyone experience sadness in their lives sometimes?   • How could the stories of Jesus’ death and resurrection help people today?  (E.g. when people experience sadness; when people experience the death of someone they love.) • Why do we still talk about something that happened such a long time ago?   • What connection is there between the stories of Jesus’ death and resurrection and the celebration of Easter (and Easter eggs) today?

Old Testament people

The stories of Old Testament characters who became special people of faith in the midst of life’s challenges. The story of Abraham and Sarah (and the birth of Isaac). Abraham is called by God - Genesis 12:1-9 Abraham’s covenant with God - Genesis 15:1-6 The birth of Isaac - Genesis 21:1-3; 6-7 The story of Joseph Joseph is sold into slavery - Genesis 37:1-36 Joseph is placed in charge of Potiphar's household - Genesis 39:1-9 Joseph interprets dreams for Pharaoh - Genesis 41:15-44 The people became hungry and Pharaoh sent them to Joseph - Genesis 41:53-57 Joseph helps his brothers - Genesis 42:1-25 Joseph brings his father and brothers to Egypt - Genesis 47:1-12 The story of David The story of David - 1 Samuel 17:1-35; 37-49    David, the youngest son, is anointed - 1 Samuel 16:1-13 The story of Moses as a baby being saved - Exodus 2:1-10 

The purpose of teaching the text: The Story of Abraham and Sarah  The story of Abraham and Sarah is foundational in the Old Testament, as Abraham is called by God to become the leader and ancestor of all Jewish people.  Faith often comes from living in a family.  For Jewish and Christian people (and Islamic people), Abraham and Sarah are seen as the parents of faith.  Abraham is the first person to whom God spoke.  Sarah is the woman mentioned most in the Bible. Isaac becomes an important Old Testament character and needs to be identified as the son of Abraham and Sarah.   

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • How does God speak in our lives today?   • What is God asking us to do?  • How do we feel when unexpected events happen in our lives?   • What can we learn about God, faith and the unpredictable nature of family life through the story of the birth of Isaac?   • I wonder if the baby in this story will grow up to be someone special for the Jewish people?  

Genesis 1:1-2: 4a – The First Creation Story Genesis 2:4b-9; 15-25 – The Second Creation Story  Genesis 37:1-36, 39:1-6, 41:15-44, 41:53-57, 42-26 – Joseph 1 Samuel 17:1-49 – David & Goliath Matthew 1:18-25 – Announcement to Joseph

The purpose of teaching the text: The Story of Joseph  The story of Joseph shows us that families can experience breakdowns in relationships, but relationships can also be restored.  For Jewish and Christian people Joseph’s story serves to explain why the Israelites were in Egypt prior to the Exodus.  Joseph’s story demonstrates both strengths and challenges of family life.     

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • How can we find God through our family life and our daily life?   • Through Joseph, God shows love and care for Joseph’s family.   • Who shows us God’s love and care in our lives?   

The purpose of teaching the text: The Story of David  The story of David, the shepherd boy, defeating the Philistine’s champion, Goliath, is a story of bravery and courage in the face of insurmountable odds.  This is a story of Israel being a small nation surrounded by large powerful nations, yet Israel is favoured by God.  This story fits in with the story of the Passover where Israel is favoured over Egypt and the story of David, the youngest member of his family being favoured over his older brothers.  This is an ongoing theme through the Bible, where God favours the poor, marginalised and unimportant over the powerful, wealthy and influential.  David grows up to become a King of Israel.    

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • When was there a time when I was brave?   • Have I ever felt God’s power helping me?  Why might God think I’m important?   • Why might God want me to stand up for people who are feeling powerless?    

Brisbane Catholic Education