The Good Life 

(Core Subject)

Purpose

The ‘Good Life’ program (our Christian Studies subject in Year 10) builds the capacity of students to envision their future living in God’s Kingdom. Students are provided with an opportunity to critique aspects of our modern culture to enable discernment in students on how to lead a Good Life from a Biblical Perspective. What God’s Kingdom is and what it means to live in God’s Kingdom is explored, along with ways for students to explore the passions and purpose given to them by God and what this might mean for their future vocation. An opportunity is then provided for students to identify and further explore an aspect of Kingdom which they are particularly interested in such as love (submission and rebellion), thankfulness, generosity, stewardship, forgiveness and social justice. The deep hope for students is to provide a further basis for them to be able to willingly, faithfully and creatively develop their own Kingdom values which will allow them to respond to the challenges and opportunities encountered as part of living a ‘Good Life’.

Structure and Content

The subject is compulsory and undertaken by all Year 10 students. Students are introduced to the themes of ‘the good life’ and ‘living as Kingdom citizens’ by way of a series of learning activities and strategies which include study of biblical passages, simulation exercises, film analysis, group work and discussion, multimedia, service activities, visiting speakers, project work, keeping a journal and other activities.

The units of study undertaken in this subject include: 

• What is a good life? What is the Good Life?

• Exploring what culture and society teach us about the good life 

• Studying the Bible to see what it has to say about living well 

• New creation and the Kingdom now, but not yet 

• How do we live the Good Life? 

• Working for the Kingdom as an intentional community 

• Developing habits which help us to live faithfully as Kingdom citizens 

• Committing to a form of action aimed at the betterment of society 

• Living the Good Life in the global village 

• Understanding global culture 

• Living in a way which has a global impact 

• Hearing stories of people working globally.