The song of Deborah
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the story of Deborah the judge and prophetess and explain different Christian perspectives on the impact of this.
Key learning points
- Deborah was an important judge and prophetess in ancient Israel who lead her people to a military victory.
- The story of Deborah can impact how women are viewed within religions.
- The story of Deborah can inform debates around female leadership and roles within religion.
- There can be different perspectives on the impact of the story of Deborah due to the lens through which it is viewed.
Keywords
Complementarian - a view that men and women are equal in the eyes of God but have distinct, complementary roles in church and family
Egalitarian - a belief in the equality of men and women in all roles, including leadership in the church and family, with no gender-based restrictions
Judge - a leader in ancient Israel raised by God to deliver the people from oppression and guide them spiritually, often with military leadership
Prophetess - a female prophet, someone who speaks on behalf of God, delivering prophecy and guidance, like Deborah in the Old Testament
Common misconception
All Christians view the song of Deborah as a supporting text for female leadership in religion.
There are different views on the leadership of women in religion; two examples are complementarian and egalitarian. These views will impact therefore how someone may view the song of Deborah in relation to supporting female leadership in religion.
Teacher tip
Deborah is one of five prophetesses mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. Other prophetesses can be studied as case studies: Miriam, Huldah, Noadia and Isaiah’s wife.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Using the discipline of __________, we can look at types of text and interpretations of them which can then lead to different meanings being accepted.
Q2.The story of the first sin is known as .
Q3.Some sources blame __________ for the first sin entering the world.
Q4.The idea of 'original sin' was developed by .
Q5.Many Roman Catholic Christians read the story of Eve in a __________ way.
Q6.Most Quakers interpret Eve's story in a symbolic way because they believe that humans were 'created in image'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The story of Deborah is told in the Old Testament part of the Bible, in the Book of ...
Q2.Deborah ruled __________ for many years.
Q3.Deborah was unique as she was both a woman and also a .
Q4.In the Israelites' battle against an enemy army, the final blow of the battle was delivered by ...
Q5.A view would be that while men and women as equal in the eyes of God, they have different roles that complement each other.
Q6.An view would be that men and women are equal in all roles.
To help you plan your 9 religious education lesson on: The song of Deborah, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 religious education lesson on: The song of Deborah, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 religious education lessons from the Matriarchs: are the women of the Bible victors or victims? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.