Christianity in Western Europe
I can describe some features of the Western Christian Church.
Christianity in Western Europe
I can describe some features of the Western Christian Church.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The early Christian Church that Constantine allowed was organised into Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons.
- Various councils were held over the years to agree on core beliefs like the three forms of God.
- After the establishment of Constantinople, Christianity in the Western Roman Empire developed in its own way.
- The Bishop of Rome, the Pope, was believed to have supremacy over the Christian Church as a whole.
- In Western Europe various monastic orders developed where the members devoted their life to God.
Keywords
Council - a council is a group of people that meet to give advice or make decisions
Constantinople - Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire
Supremacy - to have supremacy is to have ultimate power and authority
Monk - a monk is a man who devotes his life to a religion and gives up regular, worldly life
Nun - a nun is a woman who devotes her life to a religion and gives up regular, worldly life
Common misconception
The early Christian councils selected the books of the New Testament.
Though various local regional councils published lists of Old and New Testament books, there is no evidence of councils meeting to vote on the New Testament canon.
To help you plan your year 4 history lesson on: Christianity in Western Europe, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 history lesson on: Christianity in Western Europe, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Romans: what is the story of Christianity's rise? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
religious leader and, according to Christians, a divine person
first Christian emperor
a religious leader in some Christian churches
Exit quiz
6 Questions
leader of the presbyters and deacons
priest who delivers sermons and has their own congregation
supports the presbyter and does charitable work
supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church
live in a religious community and dedicate their life to God
Eastern Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church