The children will learn that the Bible consists of many books written by many authors over thousands of years, and they all form one complete book.
Table of Contents:
1. Teacher’s background information.
Christians believe that this book has been inspired by God and reveals things about him and us.
What can the Bible teach us nowadays?
The topics covered are:
- The Bible is in two sections – two Covenants
- The Bible is a collection of books
- What is a Covenant?
- How do you describe what God is like when He is invisible?
- The ceremonies of the Old Covenant were ‘symbolic’ of the New Covenant.
- The different types of writings within the Bible, eg letters, history, poetry, prayers, songs, proverbs, prophecy & laws.
- Different translations of the Bible.
- Included is an RE Assessment Checklist.
ASSESSMENT AIM: 1. Sacred Texts (Stories, Scriptures, parables & teachings)
Can identify a sacred book (e.g., the Bible).
Can explain why a sacred text is important to believers.
The Bible is looked at in more detail in KS2 see: 19. What is in the Bible in more detail lesson plan.
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2. Lesson plans and resources for What is in the Bible? (Sacred Book)
[a] What is the Bible? (Sacred Book). The lesson plan is a downloadable PDF document to present to the children.
[b] What is the Bible? (Sacred Book). This lesson plan is a PowerPoint slideshow, viewable or downloadable for teachers to show the children. (Opens in a new tab on www.slideshare.net) (Same material as the PDF document above.)
[c] What is the Bible? (Sacred Book) lesson plan video based on a PowerPoint presentation. Created with 5-second slides, so pause the video to enable the children to study each slide: (Same material as the PDF document above).
[d] Free children’s songs and videos, see below.
3. Free song about the books of the Bible.
This song can be used in R.E. lessons, assemblies, collective worship, church children’s talks, Sunday schools, etc.
[a] ‘The Books of the Bible’ (2.30 minutes long)
Fun way to learn the order of the 66 books by John Hardwick.
4. Short Children’s videos about the Bible:
[a] ‘What is the Bible?’ (54 seconds long)
Here is a very quick overview of what the Bible is.
The Bible is full of extraordinary true stories of God’s faithfulness.
By the Crossroads Kids Club.
[b] ‘How Do We Read the Bible?’ (55 seconds long)
By the Crossroads Kids Club.
5. How to fulfil the locally agreed syllabus for ‘What is in the Bible? (Sacred Book)’
Hopefully, you will be able to match your local agreed syllabus with what is here.
This lesson plan is based on the UK RE Attainment Targets.
Here is the Mapping Grid for the Attainment Target Categories:
- Sacred Texts – stories, scriptures, parables, teachings
- Beliefs – ideas about God, truth, meaning, purpose
- Practices – worship, prayer, festivals, rituals, lifestyle
- Identity – belonging, community, worldview, personal reflection
- Values – moral ideas, attitudes, virtues
- Living – how beliefs affect actions and everyday life
🎯 Why This Grid Works for UK Schools
✔ Matches Agreed Syllabus expectations
✔ Supports progression from KS1 to KS2
✔ Aligns with Ofsted language (knowledge, understanding, impact)
✔ Works for lesson planning, assessment, and inspection evidence
✔ Non-political, non-denominational, UK-appropriate
For many local syllabi, in KS1, Christianity plus at least one other major religion is studied.
Effective RE should combine:
- knowledge (stories, beliefs, practices)
- understanding (why people believe/do what they do)
- reflection (personal response, values, empathy).
Typical Key Questions for KS1
Here are common “core/enquiry” questions or themes that appear in most KS1 agreed syllabi:
- “Who am I?” (Identity).
- “What does it mean to belong?” (Belonging).
- “What makes some people so important?” (Important people).
- “Where did we come from / how did the world begin?” (Simple beliefs).
- “What makes some stories so important to different people?” (Sacred books).
- “Why are festivals, symbols or special stories important?” (Stories & moral values).
- “Why are some places so important?” (Important places).
These then required merging within the Assessment Aims, but as can be seen, there had to be some overlapping of the themes/core questions:
- ASSESSMENT AIM: 1. SACRED TEXTS (Stories, Scriptures, parables & teachings) – [SACRED TEXTS & WHO AM I?]
- ASSESSMENT AIMS: 2. BELIEFS (Ideas about God, truth, meaning & purpose) – CREATION & IMPORTANT PEOPLE]
- ASSESSMENT AIM: 3. PRACTICES (worship, prayer, festivals, rituals & lifestyle) – [FESTIVALS & PLACES]
- ASSESSMENT AIM: 4. IDENTITY (belonging, community, worldview & personal reflection) – [BELONGING & IDENTITY]
- ASSESSMENT AIMS: 5. VALUES (moral ideas, attitudes, virtues, right & wrong) – [FESTIVALS & BELONGING]
- ASSESSMENT AIMS: 6. LIVING (how beliefs affect actions and everyday life) – [IMPORTANT PEOPLE & FESTIVALS]
Each assessment had its own set of questions to answer. These are included in each lesson plan, which is suitable for that particular subject.