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What's New on RE Lessons Online?
RE Lessons Online is updated regularly, with new lessons published on a weekly basis during term time. Click on the links below to go straight to our most recent material. This window last updated: 17th July 2008. If you're not a subscriber yet, you will only be able to see our free lessons. All the rest of the material is available to subscribers only. Keep coming back to the site to see what's new. Doctor Who: The Unicorn and the Wasp A lesson about Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, featuring The Doctor, Agatha Christie, and the contents of a well-stocked Edwardian kitchen. Women Bishops We explore the issues raised by the Church of England's decision to allow the appointment of women as bishops. National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets A secret book, supposedly passed on from one President of the United States to the next, is compared to Christian belief in the Bible as a source of reliable truth. Definitely, Maybe What difference does Jesus' identity make to Christians? We ask the question, with the help of a young girl's search to identify her mother in the romantic drama Definitely, Maybe Juno A self-possessed 16 year old girl contemplating an abortion and visiting an abortion clinic provides the source material for this lesson on Christian attitudes towards abortion. Into the Wild A young man who rejects conventional, materialistic values prompts this lesson on different attitudes towards money. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian A lesson featuring a downloadable clip from the latest Walt Disney/Walden Media cinema release. The Golden Compass The big-screen adaptation of the first of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials novels provides the stimulas for this lesson on the Bible. Charlie Wilson's War A lesson about the impact that war can have on individuals and communities, featuring scenes from the fact-based Tom Hanks movie. The Jane Austen Book Club 'What would Jane do?' The decision making process of a Jane Austen fan is compared with how Christians make moral decisions. I Am Legend A sci-fi world of the near future, with humanity facing extinction. How does suffering lead some people to believe in God and others to dismiss him? Enchanted What would a classic Disney heroine make of marriage and divorce in the modern world? Enchanted provides the answers, and your students get to explore Christian views about marriage and divorce. Run Fat Boy Run Simon Pegg's comedy about a man trying to win back the woman he jilted at the alter leads into a look at what Christians believe about marriage. Something Happened Students define love and examine Christian belief about God's loving nature, with the help of a song from the new Billy Bragg album, Mr Love and Justice. Thank You For Smoking / Film Classification A look at the arguments concerning what should or shouldn't be shown on screen to different groups, in the light of a campaign to have any films that feature the smoking of cigarettes classified as 18 certificates. Social Networking Websites The phenomenonal rise of websites such as Facebook and Bebo leads to a lesson on what Christians believe about how God communicates to people. Shrek the Third Shrek's anxieties at the prospect of becoming a father prompt a lesson on parents and parenting. Atonement (2) The Christian mandate to forgive is explored in the light of a seemingly unforgiveable act. Atonement The long anticipated film of Ian McEwan's novel is finally here. Unsurprisingly, we use it to consider the Christian concept of atonement. Ratatouille Remy, the gastronomic rat in Pixar's latest DVD release, observes a gourmet kitchen team at work, and we reflect on the parallels between that kitchen team and the biblical model for the church. Lent Carbon Fast Two Anglican Bishops have launched a campaign encouraging people to reduce their carbon footprint for Lent, rather than giving up chocolate or alcohol. We explore the Christian basis for environmental concern. This lesson is part of our Christianity, Science and the Environment module as well as our Wealth and Poverty module. Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip: Nevada Day Part 1 A Christian comedy actress causes a furore with her answer to a question about gay marriage. This lesson explores different Christian perspectives on homosexuality. Manchester United: Munich Disaster 50th Anniversary The debate about whether a minute's silence or a minute's applause is a more fitting way to mark the anniversary of the Munich air crash prompts this lesson on responses to death. The Simpsons Movie (2) The behaviour of Springfield's churchgoing community (both in and outside of church services)prompts this lesson about the nature of Church. The Simpsons Movie Springfield's irresponsible approach to the environment leads to disaster. We consider Christian attitudes towards the relationship between humans and the environment. John Darwin: Back From The Dead The reappearance of a canoeist thought dead for five years is compared with what Christians believe about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Evan Almighty A lesson about prayer using the follow up to the film Bruce Almighty. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix A lesson about the relationship between evidence and personal experience in helping people decide what to believe. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End A difference of views about how binding the Pirates' Code should be prompts this examination of how Christians make moral decisions, weighing such factors as tradition, the Bible and the requirements of a given situation. 300 (2) Ancient Spartan military ideology is compared with Christian teaching about the unity of the church. 300 The ancient Spartans used to abandon babies with physical imperfections. We compare and contrast this practice with present day attitudes towards abortion and consider biblical principles which may apply to the subject of abortion. Spider-Man 3 (2) Spider-Man / Peter Parker struggles to forgive his Uncles killer, and we take the chance to explore the concepts of forgiveness and reconciliation. Spider-Man 3 The latest adventure of RE Lessons Online's favourite webslinging, crime-fighting RE teacher (well, sort of) gives rise to this lesson on Christian belief about marriage. Heroes: Genesis and One Giant Leap The television event show of the year arrives on RE Lessons Online. BBC2's Heroes is cult viewing and the first half of season one is just out on DVD. We've got a lesson using clips from episodes 1 and 3 to examine reasons for believing (or not) in God. Zodiac The search for evidence to identify a serial killer helps students to consider the evidence for and against belief in the resurrection of Jesus. Sunshine (2) A lesson on good and evil, focusing on the Bible's use of light and dark imagery, including a scene from the Danny Boyle sci-fi thriller. Sunshine A lesson about Christians belief in God's glory and majesty. Doctor Who: Last Of The Time Lords (2) A second lesson from the most recent Doctor Who series finale, this time comparing the Doctor's willingness to forgive the Master with Christian teaching on forgiveness and revenge. Doctor Who: Last Of The Time Lords The Doctor's dilemma about what to do once he captures his arch-enemy the Master prompts this lesson on arguments concerning capital punishment, and other issues concerning the treatment of convicted prisoners. Amazing Grace The William Wilberforce biopic is out on DVD and providing the core of this lesson about why some Christians are motivated to work for social justice. Doctor Who: Human Nature We're back from our summer break and starting the new academic year with another dip into our favourite televisual source of lesson material. The Doctor lays aside his Time Lord status and becomes a human. Sounds suspiciously like the cue for a lesson on Jesus' incarnation. Blood Diamond (2) A lesson on the implications of our shopping choices, using clips from the ethically aware action thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Linkin Park: What I've Done The recent hit single by American alt-rockers Linkin Park prompts a lesson on forgiveness and reconciliation. Blood Diamond A lesson on what Christians believe about God's response to a suffering world, using clips from Leonardo DiCaprio's ethical thriller. Babel A lesson about how Christians believe God communicates with people, drawing on the recently released Oscar nominated film starring Brad Pitt. Hot Fuzz The biggest British comedy of the year, from the makers of Shaun of the Dead plays with the conventions of American cop movies in the setting of a rural English village. We use the main character's arrival in the village as the basis for a lesson about the point of laws and, indeed, the Law. Big Brother Racism (June 2007) Following January's controversy, the producers of Big Brother have found themselves with another racism allegation on their hands. This lesson updates our lesson on the incident from the Celebrity version of the show and looks at Christian perspectives on racial prejudice. The Pursuit of Happyness It's OK, we know that you don't spell 'happiness' with a y, and so do the makers of the Will Smith film that provides the cultural material for this lesson. It all makes sense if you watch the film. Anyway, here's a lesson about the obligations of parents towards their children. Doctor Who: Gridlock The ever-popular BBC family sci-fi is proving a reliable source of material for RE Lessons Online. This episode from the latest series is set in a futuristic city where car journeys (well, hovercar journeys) take several years to travel a few miles, and we use it for a lesson on Christian attitudes and responses to environmental issues. Mayday for Nurses Appeal Pampered, overpaid footballers giving up a day's money for hard-pressed impoverished nurses? An imaginative campaign to highlight pay inequalities prompts this lesson on social justice. Alan Ball's Minute's Applause Every professional football club in England marked the death of World Cup winner Alan Ball with a minute of applause. This lesson considers the recent (in England) phenomenon of a minute's applause - as opposed to a minute's silence - and also looks at other responses to death, particularly those found in Christian ceremonies such as funerals. Miss Potter A lesson about marriage, singleness and what the Bible has to say about each of those states of being, with reference to Renee Zellweger's biopic of children's author Beatrix Potter. Jacqui Oatley and Match of the Day A woman has commentated on BBC1's legendary football show Match of the Day for the first time. As far as we can tell the Earth hasn't shifted from its axis, but some people are still hot under the collar about it. We compare the fuss with ongoing debate about the role of women in the leadership of the church. Stranger Than Fiction The quirky comedy movie about a man who hears a voice narrating his life prompts this lesson on what Christians believe about sacrifical atonement. Casino Royale 'The name's Bond, RE Teacher Bond'. Well, not quite, but 007's musings about how his particular line of work affects his soul prompt this lesson on Christian (among others) understandings of the relationship between soul and body. The Queen Stephen Frears' acclaimed biopic of Queen Elizabeth II prompts this lesson on the relationship between Church and State in the United Kingdom. The Last Kiss A lesson about dealing with conflict in relationships, drawing on the recent movie about a young father-to-be trying to rescue his relationship after an ill-judged liaison with another woman. The Devil Wears Prada A new employee at a top fashion magazine discovers just what it takes to make it in her new job, and we ask what Christians believe that it takes to be a follower of Jesus. Mission Impossible 3 (2) An action charged scene from the Tom Cruise thriller helps to explain the symbolism of Christian baptism. Honest. The Simpsons: Lisa the Skeptic A lesson questioning whether science and religion really are in conflict with one another. Please excuse the Americanised spelling of 'skeptic' - we didn't name the episode! Wimbledon Prize Money The news that for the first time ever, female competitors at this year's Wimbledon Tennis Championships will be paid equal money to their male counterparts prompts a lesson on male and female equality and on Christian perspectives of differences between the sexes. Jesus Loves Osama / The Forgiveness Project An Australian church who stirred up controversy with the claim that Jesus loves Osama Bin Laden is the spur for an examination of Christian teaching on forgiveness of enemies. The Christian perspective is compared with a non-religious expression of the importance of forgiveness. Click Adam Sandler plays a man who gains possession of a remote control that lets him play his life like a DVD. We use scenes from the film to explore what Christians believe about God and his control over the world. Celebrity Big Brother: Racism A lesson in response to the controversial events in Celebrity Big Brother, focusing on the contribution made to the media debate by John Sentamu, Archbishop of York. Celebrity Big Brother: Bullying A second lesson on the 2007 series of Celebrity Big Brother, focusing on the issue of bullying. Robin Hood: Will You Tolerate This? Robbing from the rich to give to the poor: we compare Robin Hood's philosophy of wealth creation (as seen in the latest BBC version of the tale) with modern day Christian organisations working to fight against poverty in the United Kingdom. The Masterplan The re-released Oasis classic prompts a lesson on what Christians believe about God's 'masterplan'. The Break Up Problems between Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn (or at least, the characters they play in the film) prompt this investigation into Christian beliefs about marriage and relationships. Superman Returns Faster than a speeding bullet, the man of steel arrives at RE Lessons Online (with underpants reassuringly outside of his trousers). We pick up on one of the main themes of the film and ask why Christians believe, like Superman, that people need a saviour. Joyeux Noel A lesson on the roots of prejudice. Set against the famous Christmas Eve ceasefire in the First World War, this lesson looks at the conditions that make it possible for nation to hate nation, and shows how genuine contact between enemies soon reveals the misconceptions and propaganda for what they are. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (4) Always winter, never Christmas. The arrival of the Pevensey children in Narnia breaks the ancient enchantment, and allows Father Christmas to finally make his much delayed round of present deliveries. We look at the meaning behind Christmas, the hope that it symbolises for Christians, and ask what would students miss if we lived in a world where there was no Christmas. Pierrepoint (2) A second visit to the world of public executioner Albert Pierrepoint (as played by Timothy Spall). This time, rather than focusing on the rights and wrongs of capital punishment, our concern is to understand how Christians reconcile the demands of justice, punishment, forgiveness and mercy. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Much discussion of death, judgement and selling your soul to spooky sailors in the big family adventure movie of the summer. We take a few key scenes and use them to explore Christian beliefs about judgement. Yo ho ho, and all that. Mike Newell and Football Sexism Controversial football manager Mike Newell caused a media furore when he said that there was no place for female referees and other officials in top class professional football. We compare his views with the ongoing debate about the role of women in the church. Mission Impossible 3 What do Tom Cruise and his highly trained band of secret agent colleagues have to teach us about marriage? Surprisingly, quite a lot. Pierrepoint A lesson about capital punishment based on the biopic of one of the last public executioners in the United Kingdom. Tristan and Isolde 2 Two cases of people reluctantly agreeing to do something that they don’t want to prompt an investigation into what it means to be under authority, and a look at different sources of authority for Christians. The Da Vinci Code A lesson challenging some of the claims made in the blockbuster movie (and the novel that inspired it) concerning the compilation and authorising of the Bible. Tristan and Isolde A lesson on making moral decisions, drawing on the latest film version of the classic medieval love triangle. My Name Is Earl: Pilot A lesson comparing the concepts of karma (as seen in the American sit-com My Name Is Earl) and grace (as seen in the New Testament). Confetti A lesson on marriage, featuring one or more clips from the improvised comedy movie. Rest assured, although the film features, among other things, a naturist wedding with full-frontal nudity, we do offer a non-nude version of this lesson! West Wing: Mr Frost An episode from season 7 of the The West Wing. Congressman Matt Santos, the Democratic Party's candidate for the Presidency, causes a stir on the campaign trail with his apparent willingness to endorse the theory of Intelligent Design. We look at different perspectives (both Christian and secular) on the origins of life on Earth. V for Vendetta Two specific clips are used to question whether the portrayal of Christians and the church in the comic book adaptation is a fair one. Crash / Stop the Traffik A second assembly focussing on the Stop the Traffik campaign, this time using clips from the Oscar winning movie Crash. Doctor Who: Rise of the Cybermen A lesson about body, soul, eternal life and the compulsory cybernetic upgrading of the entire human race.
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Site Last updated: 17th July 2008