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      The Christian Church in Sri Lanka

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe how some Christians in Sri Lanka practice their faith and how it blends with Tamil culture.

      Key learning points

      1. Christianity is found in many countries outside Europe.
      2. Christianity can be found amongst the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
      3. Sri Lankan Christianity blends elements from Tamil culture with European Christian culture.
      4. We can see this blending in wedding and Christmas celebrations.

      Keywords

      • Community - a group of people having a particular characteristic in common

      • Tamil - the name for a group of people living in southern India and Sri Lanka

      • Diversity - people with a range of different backgrounds, cultures and ideas

      Common misconception

      Christianity is a western European religion and looks the same everywhere.

      Christianity has spread to many parts of the world. In these places it has adapted alongside the culture it is in.

      Teacher tip

      You might consider using a final lesson in this unit to look back across the whole unit to ask the unit question. The third learning cycle in this lesson could be adapted to enable pupils to consider whether diversity has always been part of Christianity using the case studies they have examined.

      Licence

      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).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      Christians have different ways of God.

      Correct Answer: worshipping, Worshipping

      Q2.
      Where can you find many Christian denominations?

      Correct answer: England
      Africa
      China

      Q3.
      Quakers are also called the Society of ...

      Correct Answer: Friends, friends

      Q4.
      Who do Quakers think can experience God?

      Correct answer: everyone
      only priests
      only bishops

      Q5.
      Pentecostal worship is often ...

      Correct Answer: lively, Lively

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Christianity often to fit local culture.

      Correct Answer: adapts, Adapts

      Q2.
      Which religion do most people in Sri Lanka follow?

      Correct answer: Buddhism
      Christianity
      Hinduism

      Q3.
      Which two cultures mix in Sri Lankan Christianity?

      Viking and Greek
      Correct answer: Tamil and European
      French and Spanish

      Q4.
      What colour saree do many Tamil Christian brides wear?

      Correct answer: white
      red
      green

      Q5.
      After weddings, many brides change into a saree.

      Correct Answer: red, Red

      Q6.
      Sri Lankan Christians eat Christmas with spices and fruits.

      Correct Answer: cake, Cake

      To help you plan your 6 religious education lesson on: The Christian Church in Sri Lanka, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...