Isaac and Ismail
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the theological reasons for divergent interpretations of Abraham's test.
Key learning points
- Abraham had two sons, each to different mothers.
- Judaism and Christianity say Abraham was told to sacrifice Sarah's son, Isaac.
- Islam says Abraham was told to sacrifice Hagar's son, Ismail.
- Despite the difference in the characters of Isaac and Ismail, all Abrahamic faiths are connected by Abraham's sacrifice.
Keywords
Ancestor - a person related to you who lived a long time ago
Descendant - your children and any further generations of children that begin from them
Divergent - developed in different directions
Sacrifice - to give up something very important to you or to kill something as an offering to God
Common misconception
Jews, Muslims and Christians are all descended from Abraham in the same way.
Jews and Christians trace their ancestry through Isaac to Abraham. Muslims trace their ancestry through Ismail to Abraham.
Teacher tip
You might want to print out copies of the scriptural quotations for pupils. The quotes could be used under a visualiser and important passages highlighted. Teachers could model an 'I do', 'We do', 'You do' approach where pupils look for clues in the text independently after modelling.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In the Abrahamic traditions, someone who is given messages or teachings from God is known as a .
Q2.The moment at which a human or other being gains a soul is called .
Q3.All of the __________ faiths include the creation story of Adam.
Q4.The recorded sayings of the Prophet Muhammad are called the .
Q5.Which religion sees Adam as the first prophet?
Q6.Across the Abrahamic faiths, descriptions of the creation of Adam are all ...
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to the correct definitions.
Q2.Why did Sarah and Abraham laugh when they found out Sarah was pregnant?
Q3.Match each biblical figure to the correct mother.
Q4.God tested Abraham by asking him to ...
Q5.Who is the common ancestor for Jews, Christians and Muslims?
To help you plan your 7 religious education lesson on: Isaac and Ismail, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 religious education lesson on: Isaac and Ismail, 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 3 religious education lessons from the Prophethood: how are Abrahamic faiths connected through prophets? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.