Christian attitudes to human life
I can explain Christian beliefs about the creation and value of human life.
Christian attitudes to human life
I can explain Christian beliefs about the creation and value of human life.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Genesis 1 teaches that God made human life in his image; Genesis 2 teaches that God made Adam & breathed life into him.
- Many Christians accept theistic evolution, but some are creationists & interpret Genesis literally, rejecting evolution.
- Being created in God's image gives humans purpose, dignity and a connection with God.
- Catholics and Anglicans believe life is sacred because it's created by God; Quakers emphasise the divine in everyone.
- Although human life has a unique status, Christians believe they have a duty to care for animals.
Keywords
Creationism - the belief that God created life exactly as described in Genesis
Image of God - the belief that humans reflect God's nature
Sanctity of life - the belief that life is sacred/special because it was created by God, or because we are each unique individuals
Soul - the spiritual aspect of a being; that which connects someone to God
Theistic evolution - the belief that God works through the process of evolution
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: Christian attitudes to human life, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Christian attitudes to human life, 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Issues of life and death unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
