MST Year 7-8 Units
Each lesson plan has a link to a document which gives you the background to the unit and helpful information on planning it. Please take time to read it before you begin.
Use these units if you have up to 9 weeks in a term to teach RE, and have lessons of longer than 30 minutes. For shorter units and shorter individual lessons, try the Lite versions.
Some schools have found their year works best if they aim for three MST units in the year, beginning the first one half way through Term 1. The first half of term 1 can be given over to orientation to chapel etc, or an introduction to the Bible as a whole, or a particular theme suited to the school’s strategic plan. By starting mid-term, the opening lessons of the MST unit, which are generally light-hearted and highly interactive, are held in the latter part of the term when students are getting tired. The slightly more demanding second half of each unit is then positioned at the start of the next term, when students are fresher. This model means that the final half of term 4 is free for a Christmas or Advent focus.
How do I know what is true?
his unit takes students through a slightly brain-spinny tour of how we decide something is true, the different types of truth we tell, and the different ways of conveying truth. It all works as an introduction to the different genres of the Bible, which uses fact truth, personal truth and story truth to convey God's word.
What makes me 'me'?
For students to learn that each of them is created unique, purposeful and loved by God, through a study of the different ways we, others and the Bible understand “what makes us us”.
Is there anyone out there?
God, Evidence and faith. To explore the question of, “Is there a God, and does God listen to us?” Students explore some mind-blowing concepts like existence, space, time, beauty and consciousness. What does this say about God, where does faith fit in, and does it matter?
Is God male?
Images of God. An introduction to the range of images used for the Christian God, to figurative language in general, and to how we might apply these insights to our burgeoning understanding of God.
Why is there bad stuff in the world?
Why is there bad stuff and what do we do with it? Students will explore the idea that God promises relationship and renewal, not a pain-free life. How do we think of bad stuff, perfection, and a “full” life? What does Christ’s passion and resurrection say to this?
What do I do with failure?
The unit seeks to provide a Biblical context for reframing our failures. It provides a simple methodology for assessing failure, and strategising future action.
Is there anything God can't do?
This unit looks at possibilities, impossibilities, and the place of choice in what is “possible”. That leads to a consideration of the limits God chose to take on through the incarnation. The whole unit links in with an optional exercise of memorising the Creed.