How is the Christian life like a journey?
This year, the Wilson Primary students read Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen Taylor, an adaptation of John Bunyan’s 1678 classic The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Throughout our weekly House Devotions, we discussed the places and people that Christian, the main character, encounters on his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Along the way, he is caught in the Slough of Despond, loses his burden at the Cross, is given his armour at the Palace Beautiful, and fights Apollyon. These all represent aspects of life as a Christian that we, too, may experience, and provide opportunities for discussion and reflection. It was a blessing to see our young people eagerly following the story and becoming familiar with one of the most beloved books of Christian history. Mrs Murray commented that the Library’s copy of The Pilgrim’s Progress was checked out multiple times throughout the year.
To culminate our study, Years 1-6 performed items that represented the events in the novel during Term 4. Due to COVID-19, we were unable to hold our regular full concert in Term 3. Instead, four successive assemblies allowed different classes to perform their items, telling the story in serial form. Year 6 students helped to dramatise the story by playing the various characters. Particularly notable were performances by Lincoln van der Kooy, playing ‘Christian’, Ben Chapman as ‘Apollyon’, Ben Steadman as ‘Faithful’ and Achnaff Sayon as ‘Hopeful’. The Choir, led by Miss Goh, as well as Mrs Murray, also blessed us with their musical talents. Mrs Vivian served as narrator and director for each performance.
In addition, all the items were performed (without the dramatic additions) at our Concert and Display Evening held on 30 October. Families first enjoyed a picnic dinner and fellowship on the Wilson Campus grounds. The entire school sang ‘I Am a Christian’ and ‘Onwards and Upwards’, which have become school favourites. After the concert items, parents and students had the opportunity to visit the classrooms to see the displays prepared for the event. God blessed us with beautiful weather and many commented that it was the highlight of the school calendar.
We are so thankful that we could be challenged in our Christian walk through studying The Pilgrim’s Progress this year, and that we could share that blessing with our school community.
