default_max_attempts_per_step: 3
tokens_for_ai_rubric: 'Evaluate the student''s understanding of biblical history and ancient Near Eastern context.

  Consider:

  - Their grasp of historical periods and chronology

  - Understanding of archaeological and historical evidence

  - Ability to contextualize texts within their cultural setting

  - Recognition of how geography influenced history

  - Critical thinking about historical sources


  Provide encouraging feedback and suggest areas for deeper exploration of ancient history.

  '
sections:
- section_id: introduction
  title: Welcome to Biblical History
  steps:
  - step_id: welcome
    title: Welcome, Ancient Historian
    content_blocks:
    - '# Biblical History: Ancient Near East and Beyond 📜'
    - Explore the historical world of the Bible through archaeology, ancient texts, and cultural context.
    - ''
    - '**In this journey, you''ll explore:**'
    - '- The ancient Near Eastern world (Egypt, Mesopotamia, Canaan)'
    - '- Historical periods from Bronze Age to Roman Empire'
    - '- Archaeological discoveries and what they reveal'
    - '- Cultural practices and daily life in ancient times'
    - '- How geography shaped history and religion'
    - '- Connections between biblical texts and historical context'
    - ''
    - '**Important Note:**'
    - This activity focuses on **historical and archaeological study**, not theology or religious belief.
    - We'll examine the Bible as an ancient text within its historical context.
    - ''
    - Ready to explore the ancient world?
    question: Are you ready to study biblical history through archaeology, ancient texts, and cultural context?
    tokens_for_ai: 'Student expressing readiness.


      Categorize as:

      - ready: Positive, ready to begin

      - set_language: Setting language preference

      - off_topic: Unrelated

      '
    buckets:
    - ready
    - set_language
    - off_topic
    transitions:
      ready:
        content_blocks:
        - Excellent! Let's begin with the ancient Near Eastern world.
        metadata_add:
          period: ancient_near_east
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_1
      set_language:
        content_blocks:
        - I'll communicate in your preferred language.
        counts_as_attempt: false
        next_section_and_step: introduction:welcome
      off_topic:
        content_blocks:
        - Let's begin our journey into ancient history. Are you ready to explore?
        counts_as_attempt: false
        next_section_and_step: introduction:welcome
- section_id: ancient_near_east
  title: The Ancient Near Eastern World
  steps:
  - step_id: step_1
    title: Geography and Civilizations
    content_blocks:
    - '## The Fertile Crescent 🌍'
    - The biblical world was part of the ancient Near East, centered on the Fertile Crescent.
    - ''
    - '**Key Geographic Regions:**'
    - ''
    - '**Mesopotamia (Iraq):**'
    - '- ''Land between rivers'' (Tigris and Euphrates)'
    - '- Civilizations: Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians'
    - '- Invented cuneiform writing (3200 BCE)'
    - '- Code of Hammurabi (1750 BCE) - ancient law code'
    - ''
    - '**Egypt:**'
    - '- Nile River civilization'
    - '- Pyramids, pharaohs, hieroglyphics'
    - '- Powerful empire from 3000 BCE'
    - ''
    - '**Canaan/Levant (Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, Syria):**'
    - '- Land bridge between Egypt and Mesopotamia'
    - '- Trade routes made it strategically important'
    - '- Caught between great empires'
    - '- Home to Canaanites, Phoenicians, Israelites'
    - ''
    - '**Why Geography Matters:**'
    - Canaan's location meant it was constantly invaded by larger empires (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome)
    - ''
    - 'This shaped everything: politics, trade, culture, and even religious ideas traveled these routes.'
    question: How do you think Canaan's geographic location - as a small land bridge between powerful empires - might have influenced the development of Israelite religion and identity?
    tokens_for_ai: 'Looking for understanding that:

      - Geographic vulnerability shaped identity

      - Contact with empires brought cultural exchange

      - Small nation survival strategies

      - Monotheism as distinctiveness


      Categorize as:

      - sophisticated_geo_analysis: Connects geography to cultural/religious development

      - identity_focus: Emphasizes how vulnerability shaped distinctiveness

      - cultural_exchange: Notes influence from surrounding cultures

      - political_analysis: Focuses on survival strategies

      - partial_understanding: General thoughts

      - limited_effort: Very brief

      - asking_clarifying_questions: Needs more info

      - off_topic: Unrelated

      '
    feedback_tokens_for_ai: 'Engage their geographic thinking. Small nations between empires often develop strong

      identity markers to maintain distinctiveness. Israelite monotheism emerged partly as

      a way to differentiate from polytheistic empires. If they note cultural exchange, affirm

      that biblical texts show both resistance to and adoption of surrounding practices.

      '
    buckets:
    - sophisticated_geo_analysis
    - identity_focus
    - cultural_exchange
    - political_analysis
    - partial_understanding
    - limited_effort
    - asking_clarifying_questions
    - off_topic
    transitions:
      sophisticated_geo_analysis:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: 'Excellent geographic analysis! Location between empires forced cultural choices: adopt or resist? Monotheism became a marker of Israelite distinctiveness. Discuss how this plays out in biblical texts.'
        metadata_add:
          score: n+3
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_2
      identity_focus:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good insight about identity! Small nations between empires often emphasize what makes them unique. For Israel, monotheism became that distinctive marker.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_2
      cultural_exchange:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Important observation! The biblical text shows both influence from surrounding cultures (law codes, flood stories) and resistance to them (prohibition of foreign gods).
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_2
      political_analysis:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good political analysis! How does a small nation survive between empires? Cultural distinctiveness and strong identity help maintain cohesion.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_2
      partial_understanding:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: 'You''re thinking about this. Consider: if you''re a small nation constantly threatened by larger empires, how might you maintain your identity?'
        metadata_add:
          score: n+1
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_2
      limited_effort:
        content_blocks:
        - Think about Canaan's vulnerable position between Egypt and Mesopotamia. How might this constant threat shape culture and religion?
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_1
      asking_clarifying_questions:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Answer their question about geography, empires, or ancient cultures.
        counts_as_attempt: false
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_1
      off_topic:
        content_blocks:
        - Let's think about how geography shapes history. How did Canaan's location affect its development?
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_1
  - step_id: step_2
    title: Ancient Literature and Parallels
    content_blocks:
    - '## Ancient Near Eastern Texts'
    - The Bible wasn't written in isolation - it emerged from a world rich in literature.
    - ''
    - '**Epic of Gilgamesh (Mesopotamia, ~2100 BCE):**'
    - '- Contains a flood story remarkably similar to Noah''s flood'
    - '- Utnapishtim builds an ark, saves animals, sends out birds, lands on a mountain'
    - '- Written 1000+ years before biblical flood account'
    - ''
    - '**Code of Hammurabi (Babylon, ~1750 BCE):**'
    - '- Ancient law code with similarities to biblical law'
    - '- ''Eye for an eye'' appears in Hammurabi and later in Exodus'
    - '- Predates biblical law codes by centuries'
    - ''
    - '**Enuma Elish (Babylon, ~1100 BCE):**'
    - '- Creation story with parallels to Genesis'
    - '- Order from chaos, separation of waters, creation of humans'
    - ''
    - '**Archaeological Discovery:**'
    - These texts were discovered on clay tablets in the 1800s-1900s, showing the biblical writers knew and adapted earlier traditions.
    question: What does it mean that biblical stories have parallels in earlier Mesopotamian literature? Does this make the Bible less historically significant, or does it tell us something interesting about how ancient peoples shared and adapted stories?
    tokens_for_ai: 'This is a sophisticated question about cultural context and transmission.


      Looking for:

      - Understanding that cultures influence each other

      - Recognition that adaptation shows engagement with traditions

      - Historical vs religious significance distinction

      - Sophisticated view of ancient literature


      Categorize as:

      - sophisticated_cultural_analysis: Understands literary borrowing and adaptation

      - cultural_exchange_view: Sees parallels as normal cultural interaction

      - theological_concern: Worried about implications for religious truth

      - historical_significance: Focuses on what this tells us historically

      - partial_understanding: General thoughts

      - limited_effort: Very brief

      - asking_clarifying_questions: Needs more info

      - off_topic: Unrelated

      '
    feedback_tokens_for_ai: 'Engage thoughtfully. Ancient cultures influenced each other through conquest, trade, and

      migration. Biblical writers adapted earlier stories but transformed them (monotheism vs

      polytheism, moral emphasis, etc.). This is how literature works in the ancient world.

      If they express theological concern, acknowledge it but focus on historical perspective.

      '
    buckets:
    - sophisticated_cultural_analysis
    - cultural_exchange_view
    - theological_concern
    - historical_significance
    - partial_understanding
    - limited_effort
    - asking_clarifying_questions
    - off_topic
    transitions:
      sophisticated_cultural_analysis:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Excellent literary and cultural analysis! Biblical writers took existing stories and transformed them to reflect their monotheistic worldview. This is sophisticated engagement with tradition, not mere copying.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+3
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_1
      cultural_exchange_view:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good understanding of cultural exchange! Ancient peoples shared stories across cultures. Biblical writers adapted these stories to express their own theological and moral perspectives.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_1
      theological_concern:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: I understand the concern. From a historical perspective, adaptation shows engagement with surrounding cultures. Biblical writers transformed polytheistic stories into monotheistic ones - this is creative theological work.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+1
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_1
      historical_significance:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good historical perspective! These parallels show us how ideas traveled in the ancient world and how biblical writers creatively adapted traditions.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_1
      partial_understanding:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: 'You''re thinking about this. Consider: Shakespeare adapted earlier plays. Does that make his work less significant, or does it show how great writers transform traditions?'
        metadata_add:
          score: n+1
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_1
      limited_effort:
        content_blocks:
        - Think about how ancient cultures influenced each other. What might it mean that biblical writers knew and adapted earlier stories?
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_2
      asking_clarifying_questions:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Answer their question about ancient literature, cultural borrowing, or specific parallels.
        counts_as_attempt: false
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_2
      off_topic:
        content_blocks:
        - Let's think about the parallels between biblical and earlier Mesopotamian stories. What do these similarities tell us?
        next_section_and_step: ancient_near_east:step_2
- section_id: israelite_history
  title: Israelite History and Archaeology
  steps:
  - step_id: step_1
    title: The Exodus Question
    content_blocks:
    - '## Exodus: History or Memory? 🏜️'
    - The Exodus story is central to Jewish identity - but what do we know historically?
    - ''
    - '**The Biblical Account:**'
    - '- Israelites enslaved in Egypt'
    - '- Moses leads them out through the Red Sea'
    - '- 40 years wandering in the Sinai desert'
    - '- Conquest of Canaan under Joshua'
    - ''
    - '**Archaeological Evidence:**'
    - '- **No Egyptian records** of Israelite slavery or exodus (despite extensive Egyptian records)'
    - '- **No archaeological evidence** of 2 million people in Sinai for 40 years'
    - '- **No evidence of sudden conquest** of Canaan - instead, gradual emergence of Israelite settlements in highlands'
    - '- **Merneptah Stele (1208 BCE):** Egyptian inscription mentions ''Israel'' as a people in Canaan'
    - ''
    - '**Current Historical Consensus:**'
    - '- A small group may have had experiences in Egypt, but not the massive exodus described'
    - '- Israelites emerged primarily from Canaanite populations in the highlands'
    - '- The Exodus story became a powerful foundation myth for Israelite identity'
    - ''
    - '**Why Foundation Myths Matter:**'
    - Every culture has origin stories that define identity - US Declaration of Independence, Romulus and Remus for Rome, etc.
    question: If the Exodus as described didn't happen, does that make the story less important? What's the difference between historical fact and historical significance? Why might a people preserve and elaborate such a story?
    tokens_for_ai: 'This is a sophisticated question about myth, history, and identity.


      Looking for:

      - Distinction between literal history and meaning

      - Understanding of foundation myths

      - Recognition that stories shape identity even if not factual

      - Nuanced thinking about truth and significance


      Categorize as:

      - sophisticated_analysis: Distinguishes historical fact from historical/cultural significance

      - myth_understanding: Grasps function of foundation myths

      - identity_focus: Sees story''s role in shaping group identity

      - troubled_by_historicity: Struggles with non-literal interpretation

      - partial_understanding: General thoughts

      - limited_effort: Very brief

      - asking_clarifying_questions: Needs more info

      - off_topic: Unrelated

      '
    feedback_tokens_for_ai: 'Engage thoughtfully. Foundation myths aren''t ''lies'' - they''re how peoples understand

      themselves. The Exodus story of liberation from oppression became central to Jewish

      identity and later inspired other liberation movements (civil rights, etc.). Historical

      significance isn''t the same as historical accuracy. If troubled by non-historicity,

      acknowledge their concern while explaining the distinction.

      '
    buckets:
    - sophisticated_analysis
    - myth_understanding
    - identity_focus
    - troubled_by_historicity
    - partial_understanding
    - limited_effort
    - asking_clarifying_questions
    - off_topic
    transitions:
      sophisticated_analysis:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Excellent sophisticated thinking! You understand that stories can be historically significant even if not literally factual. The Exodus story shaped Jewish identity and inspired liberation movements worldwide.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+3
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_2
      myth_understanding:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good understanding of foundation myths! Every culture has origin stories that define who they are. Historical accuracy matters less than the story's role in shaping identity.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_2
      identity_focus:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Important insight about identity! The Exodus story defines Jewish identity as a people freed from slavery. This narrative inspired countless later liberation movements.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_2
      troubled_by_historicity:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: I understand the concern. From a historical perspective, we can distinguish between literal factuality and cultural/historical significance. The Exodus story's impact on history is undeniable even if the events as described didn't occur.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+1
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_2
      partial_understanding:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: 'Think about other foundation stories: George Washington and the cherry tree probably didn''t happen, but it expresses American values. Does that make it unimportant?'
        metadata_add:
          score: n+1
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_1
      limited_effort:
        content_blocks:
        - 'Consider: Can a story be important even if it''s not literally factual? Think about how stories shape group identity.'
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_1
      asking_clarifying_questions:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Answer their question about the Exodus, archaeology, or foundation myths.
        counts_as_attempt: false
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_1
      off_topic:
        content_blocks:
        - Let's think about the Exodus story's significance. Can stories be important even if not literally historical?
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_1
  - step_id: step_2
    title: United Monarchy and Division
    content_blocks:
    - '## Kings David and Solomon'
    - '**Biblical Account:**'
    - '- David unites tribes into a kingdom (~1000 BCE)'
    - '- Solomon builds the First Temple in Jerusalem (~950 BCE)'
    - '- Kingdom splits after Solomon''s death into Israel (north) and Judah (south)'
    - ''
    - '**Archaeological Evidence:**'
    - '- **Tel Dan Stele (9th century BCE):** Mentions ''House of David'' - first non-biblical reference to David'
    - '- **Limited evidence** for Solomon''s temple or extensive building projects'
    - '- **No evidence** of empire described in biblical text'
    - '- **Evidence of division:** Northern kingdom (Israel) and southern kingdom (Judah) had different pottery, architecture, practices'
    - ''
    - '**Historical Reconstruction:**'
    - '- David and Solomon likely existed as local chieftains'
    - '- Later writers (during exile) expanded their stories into tales of a golden age'
    - '- The ''united monarchy'' may have been more limited than biblical account suggests'
    - ''
    - '**Why Matters:**'
    - After the Babylonian exile (586 BCE), Jews longed for restoration of the Davidic monarchy
    - This hope shaped messianic expectations
    question: Why might the biblical writers, writing during or after the Babylonian exile, have portrayed David and Solomon's kingdom as larger and more glorious than historical evidence suggests? What purpose would such an idealized past serve?
    tokens_for_ai: 'Looking for understanding of:

      - Writing in response to trauma/loss

      - Idealized past as hope for future

      - How suffering shapes memory

      - Messianic hopes


      Categorize as:

      - sophisticated_analysis: Connects exile trauma to idealization of past

      - hope_focus: Sees idealized past as source of hope

      - identity_maintenance: Recognizes role in preserving identity during crisis

      - literary_purpose: Understands narrative function

      - partial_understanding: General thoughts

      - limited_effort: Very brief

      - asking_clarifying_questions: Needs more info

      - off_topic: Unrelated

      '
    feedback_tokens_for_ai: 'Engage their thinking about trauma and memory. People in exile, having lost everything,

      would remember a ''golden age'' and hope for its restoration. The idealized past provides

      both identity and hope for the future. This shapes messianic expectations - hope for a

      new David to restore the kingdom.

      '
    buckets:
    - sophisticated_analysis
    - hope_focus
    - identity_maintenance
    - literary_purpose
    - partial_understanding
    - limited_effort
    - asking_clarifying_questions
    - off_topic
    transitions:
      sophisticated_analysis:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Excellent analysis of trauma and memory! In exile, an idealized past provides identity and hope for restoration. This shaped Jewish messianic expectations - longing for a new David.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+3
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: exile_return:step_1
      hope_focus:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Important insight about hope! The golden age of David/Solomon became a vision for the future - restoration of past glory. This shaped centuries of messianic hope.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
        next_section_and_step: exile_return:step_1
      identity_maintenance:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good understanding of identity! In exile, remembering a glorious past helped maintain Jewish identity and hope when everything was lost.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: exile_return:step_1
      literary_purpose:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good literary analysis! The idealized monarchy served narrative and theological purposes - explaining why exile happened and what restoration might look like.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
        next_section_and_step: exile_return:step_1
      partial_understanding:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Think about how people in crisis remember the past. If you've lost everything (exile), how might you remember 'the good old days'?
        metadata_add:
          score: n+1
        next_section_and_step: exile_return:step_1
      limited_effort:
        content_blocks:
        - 'Consider: if you''ve lost your homeland (exile), why might you idealize the past? What purpose would that serve?'
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_2
      asking_clarifying_questions:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Answer their question about David, Solomon, the exile, or idealized history.
        counts_as_attempt: false
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_2
      off_topic:
        content_blocks:
        - Let's think about the idealization of David and Solomon. Why would exiled people portray their past as more glorious?
        next_section_and_step: israelite_history:step_2
- section_id: exile_return
  title: Exile, Return, and Second Temple Period
  steps:
  - step_id: step_1
    title: Babylonian Exile
    content_blocks:
    - '## The Babylonian Exile (586-539 BCE)'
    - '**Historical Events:**'
    - '- 586 BCE: Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and Solomon''s Temple'
    - '- Judah''s elite are exiled to Babylon'
    - '- 539 BCE: Persians conquer Babylon'
    - '- 538 BCE: Persian King Cyrus allows Jews to return'
    - ''
    - '**Why the Exile Was Transformative:**'
    - ''
    - '**Before Exile:**'
    - '- Temple-centered worship in Jerusalem'
    - '- Sacrifices performed by priests'
    - '- David''s descendants ruled as kings'
    - ''
    - '**After Exile:**'
    - '- Synagogues emerged (gathering places for prayer/study)'
    - '- Torah (written law) became central'
    - '- Scribes and rabbis gained importance'
    - '- Monotheism became strictly defined'
    - ''
    - '**The Exile Forced Questions:**'
    - '- Why did God allow Jerusalem to fall?'
    - '- Can we worship God without the Temple?'
    - '- What does it mean to be Jewish in foreign lands?'
    - '- How do we maintain identity without a homeland?'
    - ''
    - '**Most of the Hebrew Bible was edited/compiled during or after the exile**'
    - The experience of exile profoundly shaped how the Bible was written.
    question: The Babylonian exile forced Judaism to transform from a temple-based, land-based religion to one that could survive without either. Why do you think this crisis led to such religious creativity rather than the religion's disappearance?
    tokens_for_ai: 'Looking for understanding of:

      - Crisis forcing adaptation

      - Innovation from necessity

      - Portable religion (Torah, synagogues)

      - Identity maintenance in diaspora


      Categorize as:

      - sophisticated_analysis: Understands how crisis drives innovation

      - adaptation_focus: Emphasizes flexibility and change

      - portable_religion: Recognizes creation of non-territorial religion

      - identity_focus: Sees response to threat of assimilation

      - partial_understanding: General thoughts

      - limited_effort: Very brief

      - asking_clarifying_questions: Needs more info

      - off_topic: Unrelated

      '
    feedback_tokens_for_ai: 'Engage their thinking about crisis and adaptation. The exile could have ended Judaism,

      but instead sparked innovation: synagogues, written Torah, rabbis. This created a

      portable religion that could survive anywhere. This is one of history''s great examples

      of religious innovation in response to crisis.

      '
    buckets:
    - sophisticated_analysis
    - adaptation_focus
    - portable_religion
    - identity_focus
    - partial_understanding
    - limited_effort
    - asking_clarifying_questions
    - off_topic
    transitions:
      sophisticated_analysis:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: 'Excellent analysis of crisis and innovation! The exile threatened Judaism''s existence but sparked creativity: Torah, synagogues, and rabbis created a religion that could survive anywhere. This is a pivotal moment in religious history.'
        metadata_add:
          score: n+3
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_1
      adaptation_focus:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good understanding of adaptation! Faced with the Temple's destruction, Judaism transformed rather than disappeared. This flexibility ensured survival.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_1
      portable_religion:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Excellent insight! The exile created a 'portable' religion - Torah scrolls, synagogues, and practices that worked anywhere. This allowed Judaism to survive dispersal worldwide.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_1
      identity_focus:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Important point about identity! The threat of assimilation in Babylon forced Jews to define what made them distinctive - leading to emphasis on Torah and practices.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_1
      partial_understanding:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Think about what Judaism needed to survive without Temple and land. What innovations made religion 'portable'?
        metadata_add:
          score: n+1
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_1
      limited_effort:
        content_blocks:
        - 'Consider: the Temple was destroyed, the land was lost. What changes would allow Judaism to survive anyway?'
        next_section_and_step: exile_return:step_1
      asking_clarifying_questions:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Answer their question about the exile, religious innovation, or survival strategies.
        counts_as_attempt: false
        next_section_and_step: exile_return:step_1
      off_topic:
        content_blocks:
        - Let's think about how the exile transformed Judaism. Why did crisis lead to innovation rather than disappearance?
        next_section_and_step: exile_return:step_1
- section_id: new_testament
  title: The Roman Period and Early Christianity
  steps:
  - step_id: step_1
    title: Roman Judea and Messianic Expectations
    content_blocks:
    - '## 1st Century CE: Roman Occupation'
    - '**Historical Context:**'
    - '- 63 BCE: Romans conquer Judea'
    - '- Jews under foreign rule (again) - Romans, not Babylonians'
    - '- Heavy taxation, political oppression'
    - '- Various resistance movements'
    - ''
    - '**Diverse Jewish Groups (from historical sources):**'
    - ''
    - '**Pharisees:**'
    - '- Emphasized Torah study and oral law'
    - '- Believed in resurrection of the dead'
    - '- Precursors to rabbinical Judaism'
    - ''
    - '**Sadducees:**'
    - '- Priestly aristocracy controlling the Temple'
    - '- Collaborated with Romans'
    - '- Rejected resurrection belief'
    - ''
    - '**Essenes:**'
    - '- Ascetic community in the desert (Dead Sea Scrolls)'
    - '- Awaited apocalyptic end times'
    - ''
    - '**Zealots:**'
    - '- Armed resistance against Rome'
    - '- Eventually sparked the Jewish War (66-73 CE)'
    - ''
    - '**Messianic Expectations:**'
    - 'Many Jews expected a messiah (anointed king) to:'
    - '- Restore Davidic kingdom'
    - '- Defeat the Romans'
    - '- Rebuild/purify the Temple'
    - '- Usher in God''s kingdom'
    question: Jesus emerged in this context of Roman occupation and messianic hope. Why do you think his movement attracted followers but also led to his execution by Roman authorities?
    tokens_for_ai: 'Looking for understanding of:

      - Political context of messianic claims

      - Rome''s view of potential revolutionaries

      - Jewish diversity of expectations

      - Crucifixion as political punishment


      Categorize as:

      - political_analysis: Understands political threat of messianic claims

      - roman_perspective: Considers how Romans viewed such movements

      - jewish_context: Situates Jesus within Jewish messianic expectations

      - nuanced_understanding: Sees complexity of political/religious/social factors

      - partial_understanding: General thoughts

      - limited_effort: Very brief

      - asking_clarifying_questions: Needs more info

      - off_topic: Unrelated

      '
    feedback_tokens_for_ai: 'Engage historical context. Messianic claims were political threats to Rome (claiming

      to be ''King of the Jews'' challenges Roman authority). Crucifixion was Roman punishment

      for political rebels, not religious heretics. Jesus'' movement attracted followers

      precisely because of messianic hopes, but this made him dangerous to authorities.

      '
    buckets:
    - political_analysis
    - roman_perspective
    - jewish_context
    - nuanced_understanding
    - partial_understanding
    - limited_effort
    - asking_clarifying_questions
    - off_topic
    transitions:
      political_analysis:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Excellent political analysis! Messianic claims were inherently political - claiming to be 'King of the Jews' challenged Roman authority. Crucifixion was how Romans dealt with political rebels.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+3
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_2
      roman_perspective:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good historical perspective! From Rome's viewpoint, anyone claiming to be a king/messiah was a potential revolutionary. Crucifixion sent a message about challenging Roman power.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_2
      jewish_context:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good contextualization! Jesus fit into existing Jewish messianic expectations - which is why he attracted followers - but also why authorities saw him as dangerous.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_2
      nuanced_understanding:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Sophisticated historical thinking! You understand the complex political, religious, and social factors that made Jesus' movement both attractive and threatening.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+3
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_2
      partial_understanding:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Think about the political context. What would Romans think of someone claiming to be 'King of the Jews'? How would they respond?
        metadata_add:
          score: n+1
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_1
      limited_effort:
        content_blocks:
        - 'Consider: Judea is under Roman occupation. Someone claims to be the ''King of the Jews.'' How would Rome view this?'
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_1
      asking_clarifying_questions:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Answer their question about Roman Judea, messianic movements, or crucifixion.
        counts_as_attempt: false
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_1
      off_topic:
        content_blocks:
        - Let's think about the political context. Why would messianic claims attract followers but threaten authorities?
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_1
  - step_id: step_2
    title: Early Christianity's Transformation
    content_blocks:
    - '## From Jewish Sect to Separate Religion'
    - '**Initial Movement (30s-40s CE):**'
    - '- Followers were Jews who believed Jesus was the messiah'
    - '- Centered in Jerusalem'
    - '- Followed Torah and Jewish practices'
    - '- Expected Jesus'' imminent return'
    - ''
    - '**Paul''s Innovation (40s-60s CE):**'
    - '- Took message to non-Jews (Gentiles)'
    - '- Argued Gentiles didn''t need to follow Jewish law (circumcision, kosher, etc.)'
    - '- Christianity became accessible to broader population'
    - ''
    - '**Destruction of Jerusalem (70 CE):**'
    - '- Romans destroy Temple after Jewish revolt'
    - '- Jewish Christianity (Jerusalem-based) devastated'
    - '- Gentile Christianity (Paul''s version) continues to grow'
    - ''
    - '**By 100 CE:**'
    - '- Christianity is mostly Gentile'
    - '- Distinct from Judaism (though sharing scriptures)'
    - '- Spreading throughout Roman Empire'
    - ''
    - '**Historical Irony:**'
    - A movement that began as Jewish messianism became predominantly non-Jewish within a generation.
    question: Why did Christianity transform from a Jewish movement expecting a political messiah to defeat Rome, into a religion focused on spiritual salvation that attracted Romans? What changed?
    tokens_for_ai: 'Looking for understanding of:

      - Failed political messianic expectations (Jesus didn''t defeat Rome)

      - Theological reinterpretation after crucifixion

      - Paul''s innovations for Gentiles

      - Adaptation after Temple destruction


      Categorize as:

      - sophisticated_transformation: Understands theological reinterpretation after failed political expectations

      - paul_focus: Emphasizes Paul''s role in adaptation

      - gentile_appeal: Understands removal of barriers attracted non-Jews

      - failed_expectations: Grasps need to reinterpret after Jesus didn''t fulfill political messianism

      - partial_understanding: General thoughts

      - limited_effort: Very brief

      - asking_clarifying_questions: Needs more info

      - off_topic: Unrelated

      '
    feedback_tokens_for_ai: 'Engage complex transformation. Jesus didn''t defeat Rome (political messianism failed),

      so followers reinterpreted: spiritual not political kingdom, suffering messiah, second

      coming. Paul removed Jewish law requirements, making it accessible to Gentiles. Temple

      destruction ended Jerusalem-based Jewish Christianity. This is one of history''s great

      religious transformations.

      '
    buckets:
    - sophisticated_transformation
    - paul_focus
    - gentile_appeal
    - failed_expectations
    - partial_understanding
    - limited_effort
    - asking_clarifying_questions
    - off_topic
    transitions:
      sophisticated_transformation:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: 'Excellent analysis of religious transformation! Political messianic expectations failed (Jesus didn''t defeat Rome), requiring theological reinterpretation: spiritual kingdom, suffering messiah, future return. This is sophisticated historical thinking.'
        metadata_add:
          score: n+3
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: conclusion:step_1
      paul_focus:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good focus on Paul's innovation! Removing requirements for Jewish law made Christianity accessible to Gentiles. This was crucial for its spread beyond Jewish communities.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
        next_section_and_step: conclusion:step_1
      gentile_appeal:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Important insight! Removing barriers (circumcision, kosher laws) allowed non-Jews to join without becoming fully Jewish. This opened Christianity to the wider Roman world.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
          critical_thinking: n+1
        next_section_and_step: conclusion:step_1
      failed_expectations:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Good historical understanding! Jesus didn't fulfill political messianic expectations (defeating Rome), requiring reinterpretation of what 'messiah' meant. This theological creativity allowed the movement to survive.
        metadata_add:
          score: n+2
        next_section_and_step: conclusion:step_1
      partial_understanding:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: 'Think about expectations: Jesus was executed, Rome wasn''t defeated. How would followers reinterpret this? And why would Paul''s version appeal to non-Jews?'
        metadata_add:
          score: n+1
        next_section_and_step: conclusion:step_1
      limited_effort:
        content_blocks:
        - 'Consider two factors: 1) Jesus didn''t defeat Rome as expected, 2) Paul removed Jewish law requirements. How did these shape Christianity''s transformation?'
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_2
      asking_clarifying_questions:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Answer their question about early Christianity, Paul, or religious transformation.
        counts_as_attempt: false
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_2
      off_topic:
        content_blocks:
        - Let's think about Christianity's transformation from Jewish sect to separate religion. What changed?
        next_section_and_step: new_testament:step_2
- section_id: conclusion
  title: 'Conclusion: Historical Thinking and Ancient Texts'
  steps:
  - step_id: step_1
    title: Reflecting on Biblical History
    content_blocks:
    - '## Congratulations, Ancient Historian! 📜'
    - You've explored biblical history through archaeology, ancient texts, and cultural context.
    - ''
    - '**Key Historical Thinking Skills:**'
    - ✓ **Contextualizing** - Understanding texts within their historical setting
    - ✓ **Archaeological Evidence** - Using material remains to understand the past
    - ✓ **Cultural Exchange** - Recognizing how cultures influence each other
    - ✓ **Foundation Myths** - Understanding role of stories in identity
    - ✓ **Crisis and Adaptation** - How challenges drive innovation
    - ✓ **Transformation** - Religions change in response to historical circumstances
    - ''
    - '**Themes Across Biblical History:**'
    - '- Geography shapes history and culture'
    - '- Small nations between empires develop strong identities'
    - '- Stories serve purposes beyond literal history'
    - '- Crisis drives religious innovation'
    - '- Religions transform in response to circumstances'
    - ''
    - '**Why Historical Study Matters:**'
    - '- Understand ancient texts in context'
    - '- Appreciate cultural complexity of the ancient world'
    - '- See how religions develop and change'
    - '- Apply critical thinking to historical sources'
    - '- Recognize patterns of cultural adaptation'
    question: What's the most interesting historical insight you gained from this activity? How does understanding the historical context change how you read ancient texts?
    tokens_for_ai: 'Reflection on historical learning.


      Categorize as:

      - specific_insight: Identifies particular historical insight

      - contextual_understanding: Emphasizes importance of historical context

      - thoughtful_reflection: Meaningful reflection on learning

      - general_reflection: Broader thoughts

      - limited_effort: Very brief

      - off_topic: Unrelated

      '
    feedback_tokens_for_ai: 'Provide thoughtful, personalized feedback on their historical journey. Acknowledge insights

      they shared throughout. Emphasize that understanding historical context enriches our

      reading of ancient texts - whether approaching them religiously, literarily, or historically.

      Suggest areas for further exploration based on their interests.

      '
    buckets:
    - specific_insight
    - contextual_understanding
    - thoughtful_reflection
    - general_reflection
    - limited_effort
    - off_topic
    transitions:
      specific_insight:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Excellent specific insight! Affirm their learning and suggest related topics for further exploration.
        metadata_add:
          activity_completed: 'true'
      contextual_understanding:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Great emphasis on historical context! This approach enriches understanding of any ancient text, religious or otherwise.
        metadata_add:
          activity_completed: 'true'
      thoughtful_reflection:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Thoughtful reflection on historical learning! Encourage continued exploration of ancient history and archaeology.
        metadata_add:
          activity_completed: 'true'
      general_reflection:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Thank them for engaging with biblical history. Suggest specific topics they might explore further.
        metadata_add:
          activity_completed: 'true'
      limited_effort:
        ai_feedback:
          tokens_for_ai: Acknowledge their completion and encourage them to continue exploring the ancient world.
        metadata_add:
          activity_completed: 'true'
      off_topic:
        content_blocks:
        - Reflect on your historical journey. What did you find most interesting about the ancient Near Eastern world?
        next_section_and_step: conclusion:step_1
