Yr 1 Scripture Commentaries BCE

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1. How do people talk and listen to God?

Jesus prayed to  God (Luke 22: 41-43), Jesus prayed alone (Matthew 14:22-25), Jesus prayed early in the morning (Mark 1:35).

2.  What was the role of work and prayer in the life of a Jewish person?

Working life such as fishing (Mark 1:16) vineyard (Matthew 20:4) wheat/barley and other seed based crops (Mark 4:3). 

religious participation through synagogue attendance and observing the Sabbath (Luke 4:16-21). 

3. How have people’s understandings of God changed?

Identify ways in which God was active in the lives of people in Old Testament stories - God speaks to Moses on holy ground (Exodus 3:1 – 8a), God helps the community (Exodus 3:9-17a).

Stories of Old Testament people that show God’s presence and action in the lives of people 

Exodus 3:8-17 – Moses

The purpose of teaching the text: Story of Moses  The Exodus story is one where the people move from fearing the Egyptians to seeing life through the eyes of faith, to “fear the Lord”, which means to respect, honour and recognise the action of God in their lives.  The Exodus story links back to the stories of Abraham and Sarah, and Joseph (taught in prep).  The Exodus story also links back to the motif of water, where Moses is saved by being placed in the basket, and the story of creation where water figures prominently in God’s creative process.  Here too, God saves Moses via water.  In Hebrew, the word ‘basket’ is also translated to mean the word ‘ark’, thus reminding us of the story of Noah as well.  For Christians, these stories about water underpin our theology of water.  In the Easter Saturday vigil, these readings are all utilised to prepare believers to renew their baptismal vows.     

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • Why might the story of Moses be a special story for people who believe in God?   • What do stories about Moses help people to understand about God?   • What does it mean to be a person of faith, in everyday life?   • Why might there be so many stories about water in the Bible? • Do people of faith ever use water in their important celebrations?  What could water mean / represent for people of faith? 

4. Is Jesus’ mission still being carried out today?

Identify key people in Gospel passages, including 'the twelve', whom Jesus called to share in his mission and ministry (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 3:13-19). 

Understand the nature of Jesus' mission and ministry - healing, teaching, forgiving (Matthew 4:23-25, Luke 5:17-26).  

Jesus’ mission and ministry

Mark 3:13-19 – Calling the Twelve Matthew 4:18-22 – Jesus Calls Peter, Andrew, James and John

The purpose of teaching the text:  These stories tell us of the appointment of the twelve Apostles, who are called to be with Jesus as his companions and representatives.  It is important to note the distinction between Apostles and disciples.  Both are called to be companions of Jesus but Apostles are those who are commissioned and sent to be representatives of Jesus and exercise his authority, by preaching and healing.  There are different ministries in the Church today.  Some people are called to be Bishops, who exercise the authority of Apostles in our churches today.  All of us are called to be representatives of Jesus in our lives.     Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • Why did Jesus need people to help him in his mission and ministry?   • Has the mission and ministry of Jesus finished?   • How can we help in the mission of healing in our world today?   • If Jesus could walk into our classroom today, what would he ask us to do to make sure that his work continues today?  • What Gospel stories do we already know about Jesus, and do the four Gospel authors tell these stories identically?   • Why might different Gospel authors tell stories about Jesus that are not exactly the same? 

Jesus’ mission and ministry

Mark 3:13-19 – Calling the Twelve Matthew 4:18-22 – Jesus Calls Peter, Andrew, James and John

The purpose of teaching the text:  These stories tell us of the appointment of the twelve Apostles, who are called to be with Jesus as his companions and representatives.  It is important to note the distinction between Apostles and disciples.  Both are called to be companions of Jesus but Apostles are those who are commissioned and sent to be representatives of Jesus and exercise his authority, by preaching and healing.  There are different ministries in the Church today.  Some people are called to be Bishops, who exercise the authority of Apostles in our churches today.  All of us are called to be representatives of Jesus in our lives.     Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • Why did Jesus need people to help him in his mission and ministry?   • Has the mission and ministry of Jesus finished?   • How can we help in the mission of healing in our world today?   • If Jesus could walk into our classroom today, what would he ask us to do to make sure that his work continues today?  • What Gospel stories do we already know about Jesus, and do the four Gospel authors tell these stories identically?   • Why might different Gospel authors tell stories about Jesus that are not exactly the same? 

5. How do people honour Mary, the Mother of Jesus?

Identify key moments in Mary’s life that are referred to in the prayer of the Hail Mary, including The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-28) and The Visitation (Luke 1:39-42).

6. What is a parish?

7. How is God present at Baptism?

Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist

The baptism of Jesus (introduction to John the Baptist) - Mark 1:9-11 – The Baptism of Jesus The baptism of Jesus - Luke 3:21-22  

The Last Supper - Mark 14:22-25 – The Last Supper  - Matthew 26:17-19 - Passover Luke 22:14-20   

Luke 2:41-47 – Jesus in the Temple Luke 1:26-28 – Announcement to Mary Luke 1:39-42 – Mary Visits Elizabeth 

The purpose of teaching the text:  These two stories touch on two of the key sacraments in Christian life, and reveal key symbolism used for sacramental celebrations today (water, bread, wine).  These stories are similar but different in some respects, emphasising that Gospel authors are writing for different communities.  The differences between stories may reflect the differences in faith practices in the communities of Mark, Matthew and Luke.  From these stories and over time, the Church has developed uniform sacramental rituals that celebrate a person’s entry into the Christian community, and one’s ongoing relationship with the Church community and God.   

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • What can we discover about Jesus from these stories?   • How might these stories be important for people of faith today?  • Why might people of faith use water, bread and wine for special celebrations in the church?   • What could it look like and feel like if every church community used different symbols for Baptism and Eucharist?   • Do we use any special symbols in our school?  What meaning do these symbols have for us? 

8. How can all people care for creation?

Recognise God as creator and God’s ongoing presence in creation (Psalm 8).

Brisbane Catholic Education

Other BCE Year 1 Scripture

Exploring and expanding our understanding of stories of creation 

​Genesis 2:4b-8 15-23 – The Second Creation Story

The purpose of teaching the text: Story of creation of humanity  These stories of faith (not history) convey rich meaning for all believers. God creates humans in God’s own image.  God then gives humans their vocation of caring for creation (which includes how we care for one another).  God breathes life into the ‘earth creature’ and splits the ‘earth creature’ into two, thereby revealing the complementarity of male and female.  God creates the ‘earth creature’ and in doing so gives humanity some commands.  However, God does not force the ‘earth creature’ to abide by these commands but gives freedom of choice.   

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • Does it matter to God how humans live in our world?   • Does it matter to God how humans treat one another?   • What might respect and dignity look like in God’s eyes?   

The purpose of teaching the text: Jesus’ teaching about creation (how we treat people)  The story of Jesus teaching ‘The Golden Rule’ is directly related to the stories of creation, because it touches on the obligation to care for all of creation.  This includes all humanity.         

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • When we think of creation, what do we think about?   • What do these stories help us understand about how God wants us to treat other people?  How do we treat one another well in our class?   • What could we do everyday that would make us a wonderful class to be in, because we always treat one another with dignity and respect?   • How would it feel to be in a class that did not believe in treating one another with dignity and respect?   • What does it look like / sound like / feel like to make responsible choices about the way we treat others and treat God? 

Stories of Old Testament people that show God’s presence and action in the lives of people 

Genesis 6:13-9:1 – Noah and the Ark

The purpose of teaching the text: Story of Noah  Noah’s story highlights that sometimes humans choose not to live as God calls them to live, and aspects of creation then cease to thrive. However, God makes a new covenant once again with the people, for creation to flourish.    

Questions that may assist students to create meaning from the text:  • What could we do in our lives that would not be the way that God wants us to live?   • What happens in our lives when we choose not to live the way that God wants us to live? • Does God leave us if we choose not to live the way that God wants us to live?   • If we could hear God’s voice telling us about a new covenant God wanted to make with us, what might God say?   • What could be a sign for us that we promise to live the way that God wants us to live? • What can we learn about God through this story? 

Brisbane Catholic Education