The resurrection and ascension
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Christian beliefs about the resurrection and ascension of Jesus including the importance and influence of these beliefs today.
Key learning points
- The resurrection refers to Jesus coming back to life after his crucifixion.
- The Gospels state that Jesus' tomb was found empty, with differing accounts of his first appearance.
- The ascension refers to Jesus going up into heaven 40 days after he resurrected.
- Many Christians view the resurrection and ascension as proof of the afterlife.
- The resurrection and ascension are important to many Christians today and impact their beliefs and actions
Keywords
Ascension - going or being taken up; the event forty days after the resurrection when Jesus returned to glory in heaven
The resurrection - the event three days after the crucifixion when it is believed that God raised Jesus from the dead
Salvation - being saved; belief that through God’s grace, Jesus’ death and resurrection brought about salvation for humanity
Common misconception
Jesus ascended immediately after his resurrection.
Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after his resurrection according to the New Testament.
Teacher tip
You may wish to remind students of Christian beliefs about resurrection and the afterlife during learning cycle 3.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Jesus was forced to carry his own before his crucifixion.
Q2.The disciple denied knowing Jesus three times.
Q3.How did Jesus describe the bread at the Last Supper?
Q4.Why do many Christians believe the crucifixion was important?
Q5.Jesus was accused of by the Jewish leaders.
Q6.Many Christians believe Jesus’ death allows with God.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the following events in the correct order.
Q2.Match each term to its correct definition.
Jesus coming back to life after his crucifixion
Jesus being taken up to heaven 40 days after his resurrection
being saved from sin and its consequences
Q3.According to Christian belief, how long after his resurrection did Jesus ascend into heaven?
Q4.According to 1 Corinthians 15, how many people did Jesus appear to after his resurrection?
Q5.What does the resurrection demonstrate to Christians?
Q6.What is one reason Christians believe the ascension is important?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The resurrection and ascension, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The resurrection and ascension, 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 4 religious education lessons from the Christianity: Beliefs unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.