The Nature of Belief

Unit 2

Learning Objectives

Pupils learn about:

Possible teaching activities

Points to note

Resources

 

 

 

 

1 The Church Building

 

 

 

A Church and the significance of the building

Plan of a Church, Visit a Church, Design a Church, Worksheet

 

Church worksheet

2 Worship in a Church

 

 

 

What Christians do in a Church, how it affects them

Watch a video, brainstorm ‘How does it affect them?’, discussion point ‘You can still be a Christian without going to Church’

 

Video

3 Prayer

 

 

 

Types of Prayer, motivations for prayer

Read the Lords prayer, explain the A.C.T.S idea (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (asking for Stuff)), write a prayer

 

 

4 Symbols in Christianity

 

 

 

The use of symbols, the way symbols give more information than words

Brainstorm, ‘What are symbols?‘ Christian symbols, use the worksheet, discuss, ‘How do the symbols help Christian to understand things?

 

Symbols worksheet

5 Food and Fasting

 

 

 

How food and fasting are important to Christians

Discuss special food, Look at the significance of Communion, Easter, Lent and Christmas, (Fish on a Friday for Catholics?)

This is a poor theme for Christianity!!

Food?

6 Exam Questions

 

 

 

The questions likely to appear on the exam about this unit

Discussion of past questions, mark past candidates work, show examples of an A, C, and E grade, explain the way it is marked (levels of response)

 3 parts elements, effects, opinion.

Past exam questions

 

Religion and Science

Unit 3

Learning Objectives

Pupils learn about:

Possible teaching activities

Points to note

Resources

 

 

 

 

1. The Origin of the World

 

 

 

The Genesis creation story

Read the two creation stories found in Genesis (focus on Genesis 1), Discuss the idea of myth, discuss the setting the account was written in. Draw and label Pictures for each day

 

bibles

2. Science and Creation

 

 

 

The scientific account of creation

Discuss what pupils understand the origins of the universe to be. Use Science and creation worksheet to deliver basic knowledge of the scientific view

The syllabus says ‘very basic understanding’

worksheet

3. Christians and Animals

 

 

 

Christian attitudes to animals

Talk through and work through worksheet Christians and animal rights

There is further coverage of animal rights in topic 7

worksheet

4 & 5. Christians and the Environment

 

 

 

Christian attitudes to the environment

Video environmental problems, discuss the problems facing the world, talk about Christian responses. Use Christianity in today’s world

This will probably take 2 lessons

Christianity in today’s world

6 Exam Questions

 

 

 

The questions likely to appear on the exam about this unit

Discussion of past questions, mark past candidates work, show examples of an A, C, and E grade, explain the way it is marked (levels of response)

 3 parts elements, effects, opinion.

Past exam questions

 

Death and the Afterlife

Unit 4

Learning Objectives

Pupils learn about:

Possible teaching activities

Points to note

Resources

 

 

 

 

1. Body and Soul

 

 

 

The concept of soul and the idea that life goes on after death

Discussion followed by extracts of films e.g. Ghost, What dreams may come

Or watch the Simpson’s episode ‘Bart loses his soul’ and make notes using the worksheet.

 

videos

2. Heaven

 

 

 

The Christian idea of heaven, the effect of the resurrection of Jesus

Christianity in today’s world ideas of heaven read through and discuss

 

Christianity in today’s world

3. Hell

 

 

 

The Christian concept of Hell and Purgatory

Discuss judgement, ‘is hell a reasonable punishment?‘ ‘What is purgatory?‘ Worksheet ‘Hell’

 

Worksheet ‘Hell’

4. Funerals

 

 

 

The affect that belief in life after death has on Christians

Watch funeral from 4 weddings and a funeral, discuss the aim of a funeral, discuss the idea that Heaven makes death not as bad

 

video

5. Room for extended work

 

 

 

 

Possible room for more extended video viewing and discussions that arise

 

 

6 Exam Questions

 

 

 

The questions likely to appear on the exam about this unit

Discussion of past questions, mark past candidates work, show examples of an A, C, and E grade, explain the way it is marked (levels of response)

 3 parts elements, effects, opinion.

Past exam questions

 

Good and Evil

Unit 5

Learning Objectives

Pupils learn about:

Possible teaching activities

Points to note

Resources

 

 

 

 

1. What is Good and Evil?

 

 

 

The subjective nature of good and evil

Brain storm, 2 columns good and evil. Discussion what is evil? Video ‘James Bulger’ or ‘Myra Hindley’

 

Videos

2. What makes a person evil?

 

 

 

The origins of evil the different theories as to why people commit heinous crimes

Following the video conduct a discussion playing the devils advocate, ‘Why did X Robert Tompson and John Venables kill James Bulger?’ Use worksheet,

 

Worksheet ‘James Bulger’

3. The Devil & Adam & Eve

 

 

 

The concept of the devil and original Sin

Read the account of the fall, discuss the guilt of an omnipotent God, read & work through ‘The Devil’ worksheet

 

Worksheet

Bibles

4. Job

 

 

 

The suffering of Job and Christian responses to suffering

Talk through the story of job, discuss why religious people may be more likely to accept suffing

 

Bibles

5. Conscience

 

 

 

The things which affect Christians in making moral decisions

Using the example of Ned Flanders brainstorm the differences between a Christian and a non-believer. Make posters

 

 

6 Exam Questions

 

 

 

The questions likely to appear on the exam about this unit

Discussion of past questions, mark past candidates work, show examples of an A, C, and E grade, explain the way it is marked (levels of response)

 3 parts elements, effects, opinion.

Past exam questions

 

Religion and Human Relationships

Unit 6

Learning Objectives

Pupils learn about:

Possible teaching activities

Points to note

Resources

 

 

 

 

1 & 2. Marriage

 

 

 

The symbolism, meaning and affect of Christian marriage

Watch the weddings from 4 weddings and a funeral, revisit the Christian marriage work completed in year 9, discuss key elements and differences between denominations

This could take 2 lessons

Video, y9 ‘marriage’ sheet

Christianity in today’s world

3. Divorce

 

 

 

The Christian attitude to divorce

Discuss reasons for divorce, read and work through ‘divorce’ worksheet

 

worksheet

4. Sex and Contraception

 

 

 

The Christian attitude to sex and contraception

Discuss extreme view of sex and contraception to make the point that most of us are somewhere in the middle. Discuss the Christian attitude towards contraception and pre-marital sex use Christianity in today’s world as stimulus material(!) There are activities in this book

This is a key area to stress the difference between Christian denominations

Christianity in today’s world

5. The roles of Men and Women

 

 

 

The patriarchal society of the Bible. The different views regarding Men and Women’s roles for Christians  today

Open discuss / brainstorm ‘The roles in society’ ‘What is sexism?’ Read through contradicting quotes from the bible discuss and record what they mean

 

Quotes sheet

6 Exam Questions

 

 

 

The questions likely to appear on the exam about this unit

Discussion of past questions, mark past candidates work, show examples of an A, C, and E grade, explain the way it is marked (levels of response)

 3 parts elements, effects, opinion.

Past exam questions

 

Religion and Medical Ethics

Unit 7

Learning Objectives

Pupils learn about:

Possible teaching activities

Points to note

Resources

 

 

 

 

1 & 2 Abortion

 

 

 

Christian views on abortion and  as a result determine and justify their own view

Demonstrate the development of the foetus using models from Biology. Discuss the law regarding abortion. Brainstorm, ‘Why do people have abortions?’ ‘Why is it an issue that is often very complicated?’  Read through Christianity in today’s world.

Particularly emphasise sanctity of life

Foetus models

Christianity in today’s world

3 Fertility Treatment

 

 

 

Christian views about fertility treatment and  as a result determine and justify their own view)

Using ‘overcoming infertility’ worksheet, discuss the issues surrounding medical interference with conception.

Particularly emphasise sanctity of life

worksheet

4 Euthanasia

 

 

 

Christian views about euthanasia and  as a result determine and justify their own view

Watch video ‘Who’s life is it anyway?’ Discus the implications of legalising euthanasia. Use Christianity in today’s world to produce notes

 

Christianity in today’s world

5. Vivisection

 

 

 

Christian views about animal experimentation and  as a result determine and justify their own view

Brainstorm for and against. Watch the vivisection video or ‘What about people’ (if we have it) there is a worksheet to go with this video

Links to unit 3

video

6 Exam Questions

 

 

 

The questions likely to appear on the exam about this unit

Discussion of past questions, mark past candidates work, show examples of an A, C, and E grade, explain the way it is marked (levels of response)

 3 parts elements, effects, opinion.

Past exam questions

 

Religion and Equality

Unit 8

Learning Objectives

Pupils learn about:

Possible teaching activities

Points to note

Resources

 

 

 

 

1 & 2. Prejudice and Discrimination

 

 

 

The meaning of prejudice and discrimination. The ways that people are discriminated against. The Christian view.

Brainstorm the 2 words. List groups that are discriminated against. Raise the question ‘Why are they discriminated against. Read through Quotes about discrimination. Use ‘Christianity in today’s world’ as a resource, work through the tasks

2 lessons

Christianity in today’s world

3. Racism

 

 

 

The affects of racism. The Christian response

Following on from lesson 1 using ‘Christianity in today’s world’ discussion. Create Anti-Racist posters. Read News clippings about problems in Oldham, Bradford etc.

 

Christianity in today’s world

4. Sexism

 

 

 

The affects of Sexism. Different Christian beliefs about sexism

Using ‘Christianity in today’s world’ Discuss equality and differences between men and women. Encourage pupils to reach their own

Links with unit 6

Christianity in today’s world

5. Christian attitudes toward other Religions

 

 

 

The effects of belief on Christians regarding proselytisation 

Read through evangelical tracts and handouts, watch extracts from evangelical tv channels, look at extracts from Christian books about other religions. Discuss, ‘is it right to evangelise?’

 

Videos, Christian tracts

6 Exam Questions

 

 

 

The questions likely to appear on the exam about this unit

Discussion of past questions, mark past candidates work, show examples of an A, C, and E grade, explain the way it is marked (levels of response)

 3 parts elements, effects, opinion.

Past exam questions

 

Religion Peace and Justice

Unit 10

Learning Objectives

Pupils learn about:

Possible teaching activities

Points to note

Resources

 

 

 

 

1. War

 

 

 

The wars that have occurred recently and particularly one war

Brainstorm recent wars. Pick one war (Gulf War, Vietnam) discuss the morality of the war, was it right to enter the war. Ask Students to draw up their own rules for war. Watch extracts from ‘Letters from Vietnam’ video.

 

Video

2. Christian Responses to War

 

 

 

Just war theory, pacifism, conscientious objectors

Using Students rules from previous lesson introduce the Just war theory, discuss whether the Gulf War (Vietnam) was a just war apply the criteria. Use Christianity in today’s world student resource sheets

 

Christianity in today’s world resource sheets

3 & 4. Social injustice & Martin Luther King*

 

 

 

The social injustice that occurs throughout the world. Martin Luther King’s Christian Response to Racism

Watch Amnesty video. Discuss the issues raised. Read about Martin Luther King, or watch extracts from the film. Discuss the motivation for Martin Luther King’s behaviour.

This links in with unit 9

It may take 3 lessons

Amnesty video

MLK video

Contemporary Moral Issues

5. Punishment

 

 

 

The aims of punishment. Christian responses to punishment.

Brainstorm Rules in School and their punishments. Discuss the aims of these punishments, what are we trying to achieve. Use Contemporary Moral Issues to discuss the aims of punishment. Use Christianity in today’s world to make notes on Christian views.

 

Christianity in today’s world

Contemporary Moral Issues

6 Exam Questions

 

 

 

The questions likely to appear on the exam about this unit

Discussion of past questions, mark past candidates work, show examples of an A, C, and E grade, explain the way it is marked (levels of response)

 3 parts elements, effects, opinion.

Past exam questions