Year 9 - Religious education
The song of Deborah
Matriarchs: are the women of the Bible victors or victims?
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will take a hermenutical reading of scripture to assess the status of women in the Bible. Through a series of key stories they will analyse how women are portrayed and how these stories have been interpreted and re-interpreted over the centuries.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the story of Deborah the judge and prophetess and explain different Christian perspectives on the impact of this.
Key Notes
- 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.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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 Mistakes To Avoid
- All Christians view the song of Deborah as a supporting text for female leadership in religion.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key 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.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'complementarian'
a view that men and women are equal in the eyes of God but have distinct, complementary roles in church and family.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: All Christians view the song of Deborah as a supporting text for female leadership in religion. Correction: 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.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 9 Religious education guide library.