Activity 1 - The Main World Religions

Activity Tasks
  1. ​What are the six major world religions? Mind-map this question and for each one, make notes on:
    1. Number of followers?
    2. History? When did it emerge?
    3. God(s)?
    4. Meaning of Life?
    5. Afterlife?
    6. Practices? What do followers do to lead a good life?
    7. Religious texts?
  2. Discuss - What are the main similarities between the religions?
  3. Discuss - What are the main differences between the religions?

Activity 2 - The Biblical Origin Story

Activity Tasks
  1. ​​What do you know of the Christian origin story? Is it similar to the Jewish origin story? Why or why not?
  2. Watch the video 'Creation and the Flood' and take notes on the key parts of the story in your book.
  3. Using the information you collected from the video, complete this table to show the key elements of the Christian origin story.
  4. Once you've finished, discuss your answers with a partner and share with the class.

Activity 3 - The Christian Origin Story

Activity Tasks
  1. ​Read through this excerpt from the Judeo-Christian origin story to discover what happened on each day of creation according to the Book of Genesis and complete the four questions at the end.
  2. Using the reading, on this table summarise what occurred on each day of creation and give a quote from the story as an example to illustrate which part of the story tells you that.
  3. From what you know about the creation of the Earth and Universe, does the origin story seem logical to you?
  4. From what you've learnt so far about the Christian creation story, explain what you think the origin story is trying to teach us about God and humans.

Activity 4 - How do Christian views differ?

Activity Tasks
​Fundamentalist Christians believe that everything in the Bible is all literally true - there are no errors. Whereas Liberal Christians believe that some parts of the Bible are myths - stories designed to teach humans something.
  1. How do you think these two types of Christians would view the Christian creation story?
  2. With a partner, sort these cards into two piles; one pile for reasons which support the Fundamentalist viewpoint; another pile for reasons which that support the Liberal viewpoint.
  3. Which viewpoint do you find more convincing? Discuss your thoughts with your partner.

Activity 5 - What is the meaning of life?

Activity Tasks
  1. Why are we here? What responses might someone give to this question? Discuss ideas with a partner.
  2. Complete this sentence on a post-it note and stick on the A3 paper on your group table: "The meaning and purpose of life is..."​
  3. Then swap A3 posters with another group and read their responses. Consider which ones you agree with the most and prepare to discuss your opinions with a partner and class.

Activity 6 - Evaluating Perspectives

Activity Tasks
  1. Examine these philosophical viewpoint cards and sort them into two piles, one's you agree with and one's you don't.
  2. Complete this table by describing in your own words each perspectives' view towards the meaning of life. 
  3. Finally, explain how each perspective could affect the way you live your life.
  4. Explain one key similarity and one key difference between two perspectives.
  5. Which perspective do you agree with the most? Write a paragraph in your books explaining your viewpoint.
  6. Which perspective do you disagree with the most? Write a paragraph in your books explaining your viewpoint.

Further Reading

STANDARD READING
INTERMEDIATE READING
  1. Accounts of creation - Creation - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - WJEC - BBC Bitesize. (2020). BBC Bitesize.
ADVANCED READING
  1. Origin Story: Judeo-Christian (article) | Khan Academy. (2014). Khan Academy.
FURTHER WATCHING
  1. National Geographic. (2018). Christianity 101 | National Geographic [YouTube Video].
  2. NowThis World. (2016). How Muslims, Jews and Christians View Creationism [YouTube Video].

MYP - Y7-8

Y7 - MYP 1
Y8 - MYP 2
Further Reading

Futures - Y9-11

Elements
Entrance
Explorations

IBDP - Y12-13

History / Global Politics / Philosophy
Economics / Business Management / Psychology
Geography / Environmental Systems and Societies
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.