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Year 11
AQA

Religious teachings about the origins of life

I can explain Christian teachings about the origin of human life and the concept of humans being created in the image of God.

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New
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Year 11
AQA

Religious teachings about the origins of life

I can explain Christian teachings about the origin of human life and the concept of humans being created in the image of God.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Genesis has two creation stories: a six-day creation and a narrative about God and humans.
  2. The first story says humans were created on day six in God's image.
  3. The second story describes God forming Adam and then Eve.
  4. Being created in God's image gives humans purpose, dignity and a connection with God.
  5. God's breath into Adam suggests humans have a soul.

Keywords

  • Creation - the act of bringing everything in the world into existence

  • Genesis - the first book of the Bible, which includes the creation story describing how God made the world and human life

  • Image of God - the belief that humans reflect God's nature

  • Soul - the spiritual aspect of a being; that which connects someone to God

Common misconception

All Christians interpret the Genesis creation story literally.

Many Christians see Genesis as metaphorical or compatible with scientific explanations, such as theistic evolution.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Religious teachings about the origins of life, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use a retrieval task to recap pupils' knowledge of the origins of the universe before you start this lesson.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why do some religious believers support limited animal experimentation?
because animals have no moral value
Correct answer: because it can help save human lives
because religious texts require it
because animals do not feel pain
Q2.
Which of the following is an argument against animal experimentation from a Buddhist perspective?
Correct answer: it goes against the principle of ahimsa (non-violence)
it is necessary for medical advancements
it is a natural part of human progress
it is justified if it benefits people
Q3.
What is the purpose of the 'Three Rs' principle in animal testing?
to increase the number of animals used in research
Correct answer: to ensure that animals are treated as humanely as possible
to make animal testing mandatory for all products
to reduce the reliability of research results
Q4.
In Buddhism and Hindu Dharma, the belief that all living beings should be treated with kindness and not harmed is called .
Correct Answer: ahimsa, Ahimsa
Q5.
Animal testing for non-medical purposes, such as cosmetics, is banned in many countries due to concerns about .
Correct Answer: cruelty, Cruelty, animal cruelty
Q6.
In the UK, animal experimentation is regulated under the (Scientific Procedures) Act.
Correct Answer: Animals, animals

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the phrase 'image of God' mean in Christian teachings?
that humans physically resemble God
Correct answer: that humans share qualities like reason and morality with God
that humans were created before the rest of the world
that humans have no special role in creation
Q2.
How does Genesis 2 describe the creation of human life?
Correct answer: God formed Adam from dust and breathed life into him
God spoke Adam and Eve into existence at the same time
humans evolved naturally without divine intervention
Adam was created first, followed immediately by all animals
Q3.
Which of the following beliefs about creation is held by literalist Christians?
Genesis is a metaphor and not a historical account
Correct answer: the universe was created in six 24-hour days
science and religion must always be separate
the Genesis story is compatible with the Big Bang theory
Q4.
In Genesis 2:7, God breathes life into Adam, which suggests that humans have a unique spiritual connection called a .
Correct Answer: soul, Soul
Q5.
The belief that God directly created all life in its current form is known as .
Correct Answer: creationism, Creationism
Q6.
The idea that the Genesis creation accounts reveal deeper truths rather than literal facts is called a interpretation.
Correct Answer: metaphorical, Metaphorical, symbolic

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