‘What is the significance of water in Christianity? Exploring the Sacrament of Baptism’
Rev John Seymour baptising a baby in Mozambique
Download ‘Water of Life’ Exploring Baptism RE unit‘ Unit 2 Water of Life
This RE unit is designed to be used flexibly either as a whole or as a series of themed learning activities which link with units and activities in ‘Understanding Christianity’. Read more…
When delivered as a whole, the RE with Soul learning journey within the Primary units follows the sequence of the elements within ‘Understanding Christianity: ‘Text, Impact, Connections’.
Understanding Christianity links
- Overview of Love your Neighbour activities linked to Understanding Christianity units see table below.
- Click here to download a more detailed reference document which sets out the activities within each of the RE with Soul Primary units and their specific links with Understanding Christianity units and activities.
| Incarnation/God | Lower Key Stage 2 | Unit 2A.3 | What is Trinity? | Water of Life Activities 3 and 4 |
| Kingdom of God | Lower Key Stage 2 | Unit 2A.6 | When Jesus left, what was the impact of Pentecost? | Water of Life Activities 4 and 5 |
N.B. All RE with Soul resources are designed to be adapted for use with any Diocesan Companion Link, to support schools in engaging with Global RE and Citizenship linked to Understanding Christianity and SIAMS and Global Neighbours.
Unit 2 Water of Life content overview
Entry point: Activity 1 Why is water essential to life? Pupils will focus on exploring the significance of water, both as a physical necessity for life and its spiritual significance in Christianity.
TEXT
Activity 2 Exploring water in the Bible Through examining selected examples from the Old Testament and the Gospels, they will learn about the significance of water in the Bible
Activity 3 What is the significance of water in Christian Baptism? in the Christian sacrament of Baptism, the initiation into Christian belief. Pupils compare and contrast Baptism rituals in the UK and Mozambique via ALMA, the Diocese of London’s Companion Link.
IMPACT
Activity 4 What is Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the difference it makes? They explore what the connection is between baptism by water and the Holy Spirit, They consider what impact belief in Jesus as ‘water of life’ makes individually, locally and globally to Christian believers following Jesus commandment to love their neighbours.
CONNECTIONS
Activity 5 Fruit of the Spirit and loving your neighbour In exploring connections between Christian beliefs about Baptism and actions, pupils are able to benefit from the ‘live relationships’ between Christian believers in their local church communities and communities, for example in Mozambique, via ALMA, the Diocese of London’s Companion Link network of ‘live’ overseas partnerships between churches and schools in the UK and in Mozambique.
Activity 6 RE with Soul theme days – extended creative reflection
RE with Soul recommends the joint planning and delivery of an RE with Soul theme day in partnership with the local church, for pupils, staff, parents and church members to share directly in projects arising from the existing Companion Link relationships between local churches and their overseas neighbours. A ‘virtues in action’ focus enables pupils to consolidate their understanding of theological concepts, how beliefs inspire action and to apply their learning through creating a ‘gift’ or sharing in a project, for example, on a theme of water of life and baptism. These kinds of opportunities can be initiated by the school liaising with the local church and their Companion Link or overseas church or school community.
RE with Soul theme day example: Year 5 pupils at Blair Peach Primary School, Southall, for an RE with Soul theme day, worked with a professional stained glass artist, teachers, parents and church members to design some stained glass style images on the theme of baptism, for the church in Lichinga, Mozambique.
Click here to see the creative learning process and outcomes of an RE with Soul ‘Water of Life’ theme day.
To find out more about Blair Peach’s inspiring collaborative project with their local church to design a stained glass window for an ALMA linked church in Lichinga, Mozambique click here…
RESOURCES
- Download ‘Water of Life unit’ Unit 2 Water of Life
- Click here to see ALMA’s collection of images which include overseas Baptism and Water Aid photos from Mozambique
- Download RE-with-Soul-Water-of-Life-Theme-Day-Outline-.pdf
- Global Neighbours Accreditation Scheme. RE with Soul learning activities and theme days effectively support schools in meeting criteria for the Christian Aid ‘Global Neighbours Accreditation Scheme’.
