Religious Education Exam Revision Y9 T2

Do it for a big mac

Who was Mary?

A young Jewish woman from Nazareth in Galilee who lived in the first century CE and was the mother of Jesus.

Life for Jewish women in Jesus' time

A highly patriarchal society; women were primarily responsible for the home, child-rearing, and domestic duties with limited legal rights.

Mary's likely responsibilities

Managing the household, cooking, washing, weaving, caring for younger siblings, and preparing for marriage at a young age.

Importance of Mary in Christianity

She is the Mother of Jesus (the Son of God), the model of perfect discipleship, and the only human present at both the Incarnation and Crucifixion.

How Mary's upbringing influenced her role

Her deep Jewish faith, obedience to God's law, and humility prepared her to accept the Angel Gabriel's message ("Let it be done to me").

Women then vs. today

Then: Domestic focus, limited voice. Today: Equal legal rights, full participation in church leadership (in some denominations), diverse public roles.

Disciple

A follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosophy who seeks to live according to their teachings.

3 Features of a Disciple

1. Faith/Belief in the teacher. 2. Obedience to teachings. 3. Willingness to serve and spread the message.

Why Mary is the first disciple

She was the first person to believe in Jesus' divinity (at the Annunciation) and the first to say "yes" to God's plan.

Examples of Mary's discipleship

Accepting the Angel's message, visiting Elizabeth, standing at the foot of the Cross, and praying with the Apostles at Pentecost.

Mary as a model for disciples today

Yes, because she shows total trust in God, humility, strength in suffering, and a willingness to serve others.

Catholic depiction of Mary

Often shown as serene, humble, wearing blue and white robes, sometimes with a halo, holding the baby Jesus or praying.

Orthodox/Coptic depiction of Mary

Often more stylized and iconic (less 3D), showing Mary as the Theotokos (God-bearer), with large eyes and specific poses.

Blue clothing (Symbol)

Symbolizes royalty, heaven, and purity; originally a very expensive dye, showing her importance.

Lily (Symbol)

Represents Mary's purity, chastity, and sinlessness.

Crown (Symbol)

Symbolizes her role as the Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Stars (Symbol)

A star on her forehead or twelve stars around her head, symbolizing her role as the "Star of the Sea" guiding believers.

Analyzing Mary in art

Look for colors (blue/white), symbols (lily, crown), and expression (humble vs. regal) to understand the specific message the artist is conveying.

Virgin Birth

The belief that Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary without a human father.

Mother of God (Theotokos)

A title meaning "God-bearer"; affirms that Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is fully God and fully human.

The Assumption

The belief that at the end of her life, Mary was taken body and soul into heaven.

The Immaculate Conception

The belief that Mary was conceived without original sin, preserved by God's grace from the moment of her conception.

Mother of the Church

A title recognizing Mary's spiritual motherhood over all believers, given by Jesus from the Cross ("Behold your mother").

Why Marian beliefs are important

They highlight Jesus' divinity, show God's special grace, and provide a model of holiness and hope for believers.

Two Marian prayers

The Hail Mary and The Rosary (or The Memorare).

Origin of Hail Mary

Combines the Angel Gabriel's greeting (Luke 1:28) and Elizabeth's greeting (Luke 1:42), with a later petition added.

Apparition

An appearance of the Virgin Mary to one or more people, usually giving a message of prayer, peace, or penance.

Marian apparition location

Lourdes (France), Fatima (Portugal), Guadalupe (Mexico), or Medjugorje (Bosnia).

Why people are drawn to apparitions

People seek hope, healing, a sign from God, or a call to return to prayer and faith in times of crisis.

Acknowledgment of Country

A statement made by anyone (Indigenous or non-Indigenous) to show respect for the Traditional Custodians of the land.

Welcome to Country

A ceremony performed only by Traditional Custodians (Elders) to welcome visitors to their land.

Why Respecting Country is important

Recognizes the continuous connection of Aboriginal peoples to the land, respects history, and acknowledges the oldest living culture.

Connection to Country

A spiritual, physical, and emotional bond between Aboriginal people and their ancestral land; the land is part of their identity.

3 Features of Connection to Country

1. Spiritual kinship with the land. 2. Responsibility to care for the land. 3. Land as a source of law and identity.

Why is land sacred?

The land holds the stories of the Ancestral Beings, contains sacred sites, and is the physical manifestation of the Dreaming.

The Dreaming (Dreamtime)

The Aboriginal understanding of the creation of the universe; it is not just the past, but a continuing reality connecting past, present, and future.

Who is Bunjil?

The Creator Spirit (Eaglehawk) in Kulin nation spirituality who created the land, people, and laws.

What Dreaming stories explain

The creation of the land, natural features, laws of behavior, relationships, and the meaning of life.

How Dreaming stories are passed on

Orally through storytelling, songlines, dance, and art (rock paintings, bark paintings).

Catholic vs. Dreaming Creation

Catholic: God creates from nothing; humans are stewards. Dreaming: Ancestral Beings emerge from the land; humans are inseparable parts of it.

Message stick

A wooden stick carved with symbols and patterns used for communication between different clans or groups.

Purpose of a message stick

To convey messages about meetings, trade, ceremonies, or peace negotiations across large distances.

Importance of message sticks

Served as a form of "passport" or authority, ensuring safe passage and verifying the message's authenticity.

The Stolen Generations

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly removed from their families by government agencies and church missions (c. 1910–1970s).

2 Past impacts of Stolen Generations

Loss of culture/language, trauma, abuse in institutions, separation from family.

2 Present impacts of Stolen Generations

Intergenerational trauma, higher rates of disadvantage in health/education, ongoing grief and loss for families.

Why Stolen Generations is important today

It is a central part of Australian history that must be acknowledged to heal wounds, prevent future injustice, and support reconciliation.

3 Contemporary Issues for Aboriginal peoples

1. Health disparities (life expectancy). 2. High incarceration rates. 3. Loss of land rights or cultural heritage.

Expression of issues through music

Music (rap, rock, country) is used to tell stories of injustice, celebrate resilience, and call for political change.

Song example: Treaty

Yothu Yindi's "Treaty" calls for a formal treaty between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Song example: From Little Things

Kev Carmody/Paul Kelly's "From Little Things Big Things Grow" about the Gurindji strike for land rights.

The 9 Aspects of Religion

1. Sacred Texts, 2. Stories/Myths, 3. Beliefs, 4. Ethics, 5. Rituals/Ceremonies, 6. Symbols, 7. Community, 8. Places of Worship, 9. Leaders.

Applying 9 Aspects to Aboriginal Spirituality

Texts: Oral. Stories: Dreaming. Beliefs: Connection to Country. Ethics: Caring for Country. Rituals: Corroborees. Symbols: Message sticks. Community: Clans. Places: Sacred sites. Leaders: Elders.

Strongest aspect of Aboriginal Spirituality

Connection to Country/Land is often considered the strongest, as it underpins all other aspects (stories, ethics, and rituals).