Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain what is meant by a worldview and how worldviews differ.

      Key learning points

      1. A worldview is the way in which someone understands, interprets and inhabits the world.
      2. Some people have a religious worldview and some people have a non-religious worldview.
      3. Worldviews can be organised or personal.
      4. Worldviews can change over time.
      5. We can better understand worldviews by interviewing people.

      Keywords

      • Worldview - the way someone understands, interprets and inhabit the world

      • Religious - a worldview that usually includes belief in God or the divine as part of finding meaning

      • Non-religious - a worldview that looks to humans, reason and the natural world for meaning

      • Personal - something that relates to an individual

      Common misconception

      Only religious people have a worldview.

      Everyone has a worldview. For some people it may be linked to a particular religion. For others it might be a non-religious worldview.

      Teacher tip

      The animation 'Nobody stands nowhere' by Emily Downe provides a visual and thought-provoking introduction to the idea of a worldview. You coud show this to your class and ask them what they think it adds to their understanding of worldview. It is available at the Theos website.

      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

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The word for the divine or ultimate reality in Hindu Dharma is ...

      Ganesha.
      Brahma.
      Correct answer: Brahman.

      Q2.
      Treating others as you would like to be treated in known as the ...

      important rule.
      central rule.
      Correct answer: golden rule.
      silver rule.

      Q3.
      Match each pilgrimage site or event to the country it is found in.

      Correct Answer:Iona,Scotland

      Scotland

      Correct Answer:Kumbh Mela,India

      India

      Correct Answer:Glastonbury,England

      England

      Correct Answer:Karbala,Iran

      Iran

      Q4.
      For Sikhs and Hindus, the word 'sewa' can be translated as ' '.

      Correct Answer: service, Service, serving others

      Q5.
      An example of someone who follows a non-religious worldview is a ...

      Christian.
      Buddhist.
      Correct answer: humanist.

      Q6.
      The name for the Sikh community is the ...

      Correct answer: Khalsa.
      Kanga.
      Kirpan.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      A worldview is ...

      a view from a window.
      Correct answer: a way that people see, interpret and inhabit the world.
      a lens that people look out of.

      Q2.
      Worldviews can be both organised and .

      Correct Answer: personal, Personal

      Q3.
      Humanism is an example of ...

      a religious worldview.
      Correct answer: a non-religious worldview.
      a theistic worldview.

      Q4.
      Social scientists who study worldviews might look to better understand them by ...

      Correct answer: interviewing people.
      making logical arguments.
      examining and discussing sacred texts.

      Q5.
      Which of these statements about worldviews is most accurate?

      Only really clever people have a worldview.
      Only religious people have a worldview.
      No-one has a worldview.
      Correct answer: Everyone has a worldview.

      Q6.
      The fact that the Church of England now allows women to become priests and bishops shows us that ...

      organised worldviews are good for women.
      organised worldviews always remain the same.
      Correct answer: organised worldviews change over time.
      all organised worldviews allow women to be priests.

      To help you plan your 6 religious education lesson on: The concept of a worldview, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...