Author: Amanda McGarrigle

Year 3 Term 4— Salvation
Why do Christians call the day Jesus died ‘Good Friday?’

Background Information
The idea of salvation and the events of Holy Week are at the centre of Christian belief. The death and resurrection of Jesus led to the relationship between God and humans being restored. Good Friday and Easter Sunday are two key parts of this big narrative, and most Christians would say the two most important parts of Holy Week. They are marked in most churches at Eastertide as a way of commemorating the important events of Holy Week, but also a time to pray and reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Holy week begins with Palm Sunday, which remembers Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The day before Good Friday is Maundy Thursday, remembering the day of the last supper.

Matthew 21:7–11
Luke 23:13–25, 32–48
Luke 24:1–12

In this unit the children will be able to …
Order Creation and Fall, Incarnation, Gospel and Salvation within a timeline of the Bible’s ‘big story’.
Offer suggestions for what the texts about the entry into Jerusalem, and the death and resurrection of Jesus might mean.
Give examples of what the texts studied mean to some Christians.
Make simple links between the Gospel texts and how Christians mark the Easter events in their church communities.
Describe how Christians show their beliefs about Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday in worship.
Make links between some of the stories and teachings in the Bible and life in the world today, expressing some ideas of their own clearly.

By the end of this unit….
All children can:
Can order Creation and Fall, Incarnation, Gospel and Salvation within a timeline of the Bible’s ‘big story’. (T)
Can make suggestions for what the texts about the entry into Jerusalem, and the death and resurrection of Jesus might mean. (T)
Understand what the texts studied mean to some Christians. (T)
Describe the simple links between the Gospel texts and how Christians mark the Easter events in their church communities. (T)
Most children will:
Explain how Christians show their beliefs about Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday in worship. (I)
Some children will:
Explore the links between some of the stories and teachings in the Bible and life in the world today. (C)

Key Vocabulary
Holy week
Palm Sunday
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Mary
Gospel
Christians
Church