Author: Amanda McGarrigle

Year 4 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 are the surprising part of the ‘big story’ of the Bible, where the relationship between humans and God begins to be 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. Holy Week begins with the day Christians call Palm Sunday. Christians call the day before Good Friday ‘Maundy Thursday’, remembering the day of the Last Supper. Good Friday recalls the day on which Jesus was tried by Pontius Pilate and eventually crucified on Golgotha Hill. Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.

Matthew 21:7–11
Luke 23:13–25, 32–48
Luke 24:1–12
Matthew 26:17–75
John 13: 4–17

In this unit the children will be able to …
Explain how Christians believe Jesus challenges everyone about how to live — he sets the example for loving God and your neighbour, putting others first.
Understand that Jesus shows love and forgiveness to unlikely people.
Describe why Christians try to be like Jesus — they want to know him better and better.
Explain how Christians try to put his teaching and example into practice in lots of ways, from church worship to social justice.

By the end of this unit….
All children can:
Offer suggestions about what the narrative of the Last Supper, Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial might mean. (T)
Describe how Christians show their beliefs about Jesus in their everyday lives: for example, prayer, serving, sharing the message and the example of Jesus. (T)
Most children will:
Give examples of what the texts studied mean to some Christians. (I)
Some children will:
Make clear links between Gospel texts and how Christians remember, celebrate and serve on Maundy Thursday, including Holy Communion. (C)
Raise questions and suggest answers about how serving and celebrating, remembering and betrayal, trust and standing up for your beliefs might make a difference to how pupils think and live. (c)

Key Vocabulary
Easter
Good Friday
Palm Sunday
Maundy Thursday
Holy Week
Salvation