LESSON 1: Topic 1.2.1 Importance and purpose of marriage for Christians

Lesson objectives

  • To investigate Christian teachings on the importance and purpose of marriage,including Mark 10:6–9
  • To explore the importance of marriage in society including differentChristian, non-religious(including Humanist and atheist) attitudes to marriage and cohabitation
  • To investigate Christian responses to these attitudes

Lesson outcomes

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • explain different Christian and non-religious attitudes to marriage
  • evaluate Christianteachings on the importanceand purpose of marriage,
  • evaluate differentChristian and non-religious attitudes to marriage and cohabitation

Prior learning

Area 1 Section 1 Christian Beliefs

Resources

  • Student Book pages 36-39
  • Starter sheet 10
  • Work Sheet 3
  • Questionnaire 1

Starter activity

  1. Give out starter sheet 10 and ask students to complete it as soon as they come in
  2. Make a tally chart of the answers and keep for plenary discussion

[Timing] 5-10 mins

Main activity

  1. Ask the class to look at the two wedding photos on page 36. Then have a class discussion as to which is a more accurate reflection of British society today.
  2. Divide the class into groups or pairs to complete work sheet 4.

[Timing] 30 mins

Plenary activity

  1. Display the starter activity tally chart and ask students if anything they found out from completing the worksheet makes them want to change their answer
  2. Give out the questionnaires (3 per student) for them to give to an adult to complete
  3. Discuss the completion of the questionnaires and how they are to bring back three completed questionnaires to the next lesson
  4. Set practice question c) from page 39

[Timing] 10-15 mins

Homework

Distribution and organised completion of three questionnaire forms

Set practice question c) Explain two reasons why Christians get married. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.

Extension

More able students could be asked to devise a tally chart the completed questionnaires and/or estimate what they think the results of the survey will be.

Reinforcement

Make sure weaker students are in groups with some stronger members and perhaps organise a partner for them to work with on the completion of the questionnaires.

ICT

The starter question results should be displayed on the interactive whiteboard

Assessment

Practice question c) marked according to the Homework marking sheet 1

STARTER SHEET 10

Complete this table by putting a cross for ‘they would disagree’ or a tick for ‘they would agree’ on the appropriate column. Cohabitation means living together instead of getting married

IDEA / CATHOLIC / LIBERAL PROTESTANT / EVANGELICAL PROTESTANT / HUMANIST / ATHEIST
Marriage is very important
You should never live together before marriage
You should never have sex before marriage
Cohabitation is wrong

WORK SHEET 3

Using pages 36-39 of the student book answer these questions

  1. Give three reasons why marriage is important for Christians.
  1. Give two sources of wisdom and authority for the Christian view
  1. What is monogamy?
  1. What is the Humanist attitude to marriage?
  1. What is the atheist attitude to marriage?
  1. Why is marriage important to the non-religious?
  1. Are there any similarities between the non-religious attitude to cohabitation and the Christian one?

QUESTIONNAIRE 3

As part of my GCSE course in Religious Studies, I am investigating people’s ideas about Christian attitudes to sex. To help us in our investigation, I would be very grateful if you could complete this short questionnaire by ticking the appropriate box.

  1. Which of these reflect your religious views:

Christian / Other religion / Not interested in religion / Humanist
  1. Do you think Christians agree with having sex before you are married (pre-marital sex)?

Yes / No
  1. Do you think adultery (sex with someone other than your marriage partner) is a big sin for Christians?

Yes / No
  1. Do you think Christians agree with homosexuals having sex?

Yes / No
  1. Do you think Christians agree with same-sex marriages?

Yes / No
  1. Do you think non-religious people agree with pre-marital sex?

Yes / No
  1. Do you think non-religious people believe adultery is a serious offence?

Yes / No
  1. Do you think non-religious people agree with homosexuals having sex?

Yes / No
  1. Do you think non-religious people agree with same-sex marriages?

Yes / No

Thank you very much for your help

LESSON 2: Topic 1.2.2 Christianity and sexual relationships

Lesson objectives

  • To investigate the nature and importance of sexual relationships
  • To exploredifferent Christian teachings and attitudes towards sexual relationships outside marriage
  • To explore non-religious attitudes towards sexual relationships

Lesson outcomes

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • explain different Christian and non-religious attitudes to sexual relationships
  • explain Christian responses to the non-religious attitudes
  • evaluate different Christian and non-religious attitudes to sexual relationships

Prior learning

Topic 1.2.1 Christians and marriage

Resources

  • Student Book pages 40-44
  • Completed questionnaires from lesson 1
  • Questionnaire tally chart
  • Worksheet 4

Starter activity

  1. Put up the tally chart on the interactive whiteboard so it is ready when students arrive
  2. Either allow students to insert their results or do this as a whole class exercise
  3. Total up the results and have a class discussion about the results and whether they were what the students expected

[Timing] 15 mins

Main activity

  1. Divide into pairs to complete Work Sheet 4
  2. Have a feedback discussion about why so many Christians reject the official Church teaching about sexual relationships

[Timing] 25 mins

Plenary activity

Set the homework question

[Timing] 5 mins

Homework

Explain two reasons why many Christians are against people having sex before they are married. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.

Extension

More able students could be asked to investigate the reasons why the Christian Churches oppose same sex marriages.

Reinforcement

Make sure weaker students are paired with a more able student for the activities

ICT

  • The questionnaire results should be displayed on the interactive whiteboard

Assessment

Answers to the homework questions marked according to Homework marking sheet 1

WORKSHEET 4

Complete these questions using pages 40-41 of the Student Book

  1. What is pre-marital sex?
  1. What is extra-marital sex?
  1. Why do Christians think sex is important?
  1. What do Christians think about pre-marital sex?
  1. Quote a source of wisdom and authority for this belief.
  1. What do Christians think about extra-marital sex?
  1. Quote a source of wisdom and authority for this belief.
  1. What do Humanists believe about pre-marital sex?
  1. What do Humanists believe about extra-marital sex

Questionnaire tally chart

Christian / Other religion / Not interested / Atheist
Christians agree with pre-marital sex
Christians do not agree with pre-marital sex
Christians believe adultery is a big sin
Christians do not believe adultery is a big sin
Christians agree with homosexuals having sex
Christians do not agree with homosexuals having sex
Christians agree with same sex marriages
Christians do not agree with same sex marriages
Non-religious agree with pre-marital sex
Non-religious do not agree with pre-marital sex
Non-religious believe adultery is a big sin
Non-religious do not believe adultery is a big sin
Non-religious agree with homosexuals having sex
Non-religious do not agree with homosexuals having sex
Non-religious agree with same sex marriages
Non-religious do not agree with same sex marriages

LESSON 3: Topic 1.2.2 Christianity and sexual relationships

Lesson objectives

  • To investigate the nature of homosexuality
  • To exploredifferent Christian teachings and attitudes towards homosexuality
  • To explore non-religious attitudes towards homosexuality

Lesson outcomes

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • explain different Christian and non-religious attitudes to homosexuality
  • explain Christian responses to the non-religious attitudes
  • evaluate different Christian and non-religious attitudes to homosexuality

Prior learning

Topic 1.2.1 Christians and marriage, Lesson 1 Topic 1.2.2 Christian attitudes to sexual relationships.

Resources

  • Student Book pages 41-44
  • 2 copies per student of Starter Sheet 11
  • Fact Sheet 8 or show on whiteboard:

Starter activity

  • Have the Starter Sheets on the desks for students to complete when they come in.
  • Use the student answers to complete the tally chart and compare student answers with the correct answers
  • Get the class to read Fact Sheet 8 and have a class discussion on its implications

[Timing] 15-20 mins

Main activity

  • Read through the Student Book on homosexuality page 41 allowing discussion
  • Divide the class into pairs and ask students to read the Christian and humanist attitudes to homosexuality (pages 42-43).
  • Discuss which attitude they find most acceptable
  • Read and discuss the Christian responses to the non-religious attitude

[Timing] 25-30 mins

Plenary activity

Give out a second set of starter sheets to be completed for the next lesson

Set the homework question and give each student 3 copies of the questionnaire 3 to get three parents with families to complete for next lesson

[Timing] 5 mins

Homework

‘Non-religious people have the most sensible attitude to homosexuality.' Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response you should:

• refer to Christian teachings

• refer to different Christian or non-religious points of view

• reach a justified conclusion.

Extension

More able students could be asked to investigate whether any Christian Churches are changing their attitude to same sex marriages

Reinforcement

Make sure weaker students are paired with a more able student for the activities

ICT

  • The homophobic bullying clip could be shown on the interactive whiteboard

Assessment

Answers to the homework questions marked according to Homework marking sheet 2

STARTER SHEET 11

  1. The law treats homosexuals in the same way as heterosexuals

Yes / No
  1. The law prohibits discriminating against homosexuals

Yes / No
  1. Same sex marriage gives homosexual couples the same rights as married couples

Yes / No
  1. There are no differences between same sex marriages and heterosexual marriages

Yes / No
  1. Public opinion is against treating homosexuals differently

Yes / No

TALLY CHART

Question / Yes / No / Correct Answer
The law treats homosexuals in the same way as heterosexuals / Yes
The law prohibits discriminating against homosexuals / Yes
Same sex marriage gives homosexual couples the same rights as homosexual couples / Yes
There are no differences between same sex marriages and heterosexual marriages / No
Churches do not have to give same sex marriages
Public opinion is against treating homosexuals differently / Yes

FACT SHEET 8

Rosa*, 14, was a victim of homophobic abuse. She emailed BBC Real Life her story...

I'm a lesbian. I accepted that a long time ago but when the time came to tell my friends, it was a different story.

I fell for a girl and I wanted the whole world to know how I felt about her. Unfortunately nothing is ever that easy.
I decided I had to come out to my friends but when I eventually plucked up the courage to tell them the truth about my sexuality their response was not what I hoped it'd be.
The majority of them had a really negative reaction and only one was supportive. But my closest friend's reaction was awful.
It started with that look of utter horror and disbelief, and turned into a burning hate. I couldn't understand it, one minute she was beside me saying she'd help me no matter what, the next she was edging quickly away from me, freaking out and telling me I was queer.
She and a few others began to bully me pretty badly about it. It started off with small things like taking my pens from me in class and saying mean things like I was a freak. But then it escalated until the things they said to me were so bad I wanted to harm myself. Self harming felt like my only way to cope.

They were using my sexuality against me.I felt betrayed.

I want people to know how badly it can affect someone when you pick on them. What made it worse was the fact that I'd confided something really personal about myself to this girl and she was using it against me.
Eventually the one friend who had stuck by me found out about my scars and scabs. She told the bullies how much they were hurting me with their behaviour. She thought it might make them lay off me, but it backfired badly.
They told me I was just looking for attention so I could brainwash others into being gay too. This was not only incredibly hurtful but also really ignorant. You can't just 'turn someone gay' it doesn't work like that.

* Names have been changed.

QUESTIONNAIRE 3

As part of my GCSE Religious Studies course, I am investigating whether there is a connection between family life and religion. I would be grateful if you would help me with this by answering these questions by circling the answer nearest to your view.

Question / Answer
1. What is your religion? / Christian
Other religion
No religion
2. How often does your family eat meals together? / At least once a day
At least once a week
At least once a month
Less than once a month
3. How often do you do things as a family e.g. day trips? / At least once a day
At least once a week
At least once a month
Less than once a month

4. Does your family discuss problems with each other?

/

Often

Sometimes

Never

5. Are you always aware of any problems your children might be having at school? / Yes
sometimes
No
6. Do you consider your family to be a happy family? / Yes
Sometimes
No

Thank you for your help

Family Life Questionnaire Tally Chart

Question / Christian response / Other religion response / Non-religious response
Qu 2 once a day
Qu 2 once a week
Qu 2 once a month
Qu 2 Less than once a month
Qu 3 once a day
Qu 3 once a week
Qu 3 once a month
Qu 3 Less than
once a month
Qu 4 often
Qu 4 sometimes
Qu 4 never
Qu 5 yes
Qu 5 sometimes
Qu 5 no
Qu 6 yes
Qu 6 sometimes
Qu 6 no

LESSON 4 Topic 1.2.3 The purpose and importance of the Family

Lesson Objectives

  • To investigate Christian teachings on the purpose and importance of the family, including procreation, and security and education of children with reference to Ephesians 6:1–14
  • To consider the different Christian and non-religious responses to the purpose of the family and to different types of family within modern day society such as nuclear, single-parent, same-sex parents, extended and blended families
  • To explore why family life is important for Christians

Lesson outcomes

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • explain why family life is important for Christians
  • evaluate different Christian and non-religious attitudes to families.

Prior Learning

Topic 1.2.1 attitudes to marriage, Topic 1.2.2 Christian attitudes to sexual relationships

Resources

  • Student Book pages 45-49
  • Completed questionnaires from lesson 3
  • Homework Aid Sheet 3

Starter activity

Students to put the results of their questionnaires on to the tally chart and then discuss whether the results show that religious families are better/happier than non-religious families.

Timing – 10 minutes

Main activity

Divide the class into pairs to read through pages 45-47. Then:

  • One set of pairs complete the activity on page 45
  • One set of pairs complete the activity on page 46
  • One set of pairs complete activity 1on page 47
  • One set of pairs complete activity 3 on page 47

A representative from each set of pairs should present their findings with opportunities for the class to discuss

Timing – 35 minutes

Plenary

Set the homework question and then give out Homework Aid sheet 3 to help students complete the homework.

Timing – 5 minutes

Homework

‘The family is more important for Christians than for non-religious people.’ Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response you should:

• refer to Christian teachings

• refer to non-religious points of view

• reach a justified conclusion.

Extension activities

The discussions and homework should allow differentiation by outcome, but strong students could be asked to complete activity 2 on page 47.

Reinforcement activities

Make sure weaker students are paired with a stronger student

ICT

  • The tally chart should be completed using the interactive whiteboard and discussion points could be made electronically

Assessment

Homework marked according to the Homework marking sheet 2.

HOMEWORK AID SHEET 3

Christians and Family Life

Family life is important for Christians because:

  • One of the main purposes of Christian marriage is to have children and bring them up in a Christian environment so that they become good Christians.
  • Christianity teaches that the family was created by God as the basis of society and the only place for the upbringing of children.
  • Christian teaching on divorce shows that the family is too important to be broken up by divorce.
  • Without the family children would not learn the difference between right and wrong.
  • The family is very important for Christianity to continue and grow as it is the family that brings children into the faith.

However, Jesus taught that there are more important things than the family which is whyCatholic priests, nuns and monks leave their families to serve God.

Sources of wisdom and authority

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honour your father and

mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise – ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:1–4)