Lesson Plan

Title:“What Can History Really Tell Us?”

Subject:The DaVinci Code

Author: Dan Brown

Grade Level: Adults

Time Duration: One (1) hour

Overview: This DVD Curriculum features conversation by Lee Strobel with various Christian scholars responding to the issue raised by The DaVinci Code.

Objective: To introduce the main issues involved/raised by Dan Brown’s work.

Materials: The DVD “Discussing The DaVinci Code; the discussion books; handouts; and discussion questions.

Activities and Procedures:

9:45 amView Introductory Video Clip

9:55 am Discussion

1. “What was your overall reaction to The Da Vinci Code? What did you likemost about the book? Least? Givereasons for your

answers.”

2. “What questions, issues, or concerns about historicalChristianity

does TheDa Vinci Code raise in your mind?”

3. “Can historical events be verified? Why or why not? Whatdoyou

think determines whether or not an historicaleventactually

occurred?”

10:05View Next Video Clip

10:15Discussion

4. “The Da Vinci Code says that “history is always written bythe winners. When two cultures clash, the loser isobliterated, and

the winner writes the history books –books which glorify their own cause and disparage theconquered for” [p. 256]. Do you

agree or disagree? Why?

5. In their book, Cracking The DaVinci Code, James GarlowandPeter

Jones ask, “If everything Brown presents inThe DaVinci Code

is ‘historical fact,’ who are the new‘winners’ herelies on for his

historical facts?” Howwould you answer theirquestion?

6. Generally speaking, what percentage of Dan Brown’s bookdoyou

think is fact and what percentage of it is fiction?

7. Refer to the Discussion Book on pp. 22-25.

10:25 amView the Third Video Segment.

10:35 am

11. If there are so many fallacies contained within The Da VinciCode,

why do you think so many people accept the bookas astory

based on facts and actual historical events?

12. The following phrases are peppered throughout Brown’sbook:

Religious historianswell-documented history

Art historiansAll academics

Real historianswell-documented evidence

Scored of historiansHistorical evidence

In what ways do such phrases give credibility andlegitimacy to

Dan Brown’s story? If the book’s assertionsare not really

based on actual research, are suchstatements misleading?

Why or why not?

13. Do you think Dan Brown had an agenda in writing The DaVinci

Code? Why or why not? If so, what do you think itwas?

Conclusion: Be sure and scan Session 2, “Can We Trust The Four Gospels?” pp. 34-48. For further exploration: