Sunday School

Interfaith Sunday School

Grade 5:
The Life and Times of Jesus

The overarching question of the IFFP 5th grade year is: “Who was Jesus?” And, if the students had met him in 1st century Palestine, how would they have responded to him? The 5th graders learn about the life that Jesus, as a Jew, would have lived 2000 years ago. The class begins with an exploration of Hebrew history up until the birth of Jesus so that students will better understand the common historical roots of Judaism and Christianity. The students then take a look at Jesus in his contemporary setting to learn about the political and religious environment in which he lived. After that, the class reads stories about Hillel, another Jewish teacher, to discuss the similarities between his teachings and the teachings of Jesus. To further their understanding of life in 1st century Palestine, the students read the Newbery award-winning novel, The Bronze Bow. By the end of the year, students are able to discuss the ways in which Jesus’ teachings are both completely Jewish and a critique of the mainstream Judaism of his life and times.