The integration of the text into the teaching of Religion course

Abstract

The article refers to the importance of using biblical texts in the teaching of Religious Education. The use of the texts is stated in the aims and expected learning outcomes of the course in both primary and secondary education. For the use of text in teaching approach it is important to cultivate the interest and motivation of the students and connect them both with their experiences. It is important for the students to realize that the biblical text is an expression of a way of life and attitude as handed down by the teachings of Jesus, the apostles, the prophets of the Old Testament and the Fathers of the Church. The use of biblical texts in the teaching of Religious Education promotes religious literacy and helps students to understand the peculiarity of religious language. With the direct contact of the students with the texts which contain theological terms, it is ascertained the different meaning they acquire in the religious space, as these terms in the daily use, have a specific meaning which, however, differentiates within the theological contexts or the religious community. A model for teaching biblical texts in Religious Education includes: (a) The exploitation phase of experiences-reflection in which the students make an effort to connect the content of the text with their experiences and previous knowledge from their daily lives and their environment b) the information phase where the presentation of the text takes place (c) the processing phase which follows the reading of the text (d) the application phase where, the students, in dialogue, compare the problems of the time of the texts with their contemporary and ascertain any similarities and their timelessness.

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