The role of Jesus in salvation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Christian beliefs about the role of Jesus in salvation, including why these beliefs are important and how they influence Christians today.
Key learning points
- Salvation refers to being saved from sin through God’s grace, Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- Sin separates humans from God, making salvation necessary.
- Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are central to salvation for most Christians.
- Jesus' death is seen as a sacrifice for the sins of humans, and his resurrection confirms God’s acceptance of atonement.
- These beliefs influence Christian lives, inspiring good works and participation in the Eucharist.
Keywords
Atonement - the belief that reconciliation between God and humanity was brought about by the death of Jesus as a sacrifice
Crucifixion - the death of Jesus; a form of the death penalty used by the Ancient Romans
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
Sin - behaviour which is against God's laws and wishes/against Christian principles of morality
Common misconception
Jesus should have used his divine power to avoid his crucifixion.
Jesus went through with the crucifixion because he knew it would bring about a greater good.
Teacher tip
You may wish to provide students with a copy of John 3:10-21 to support slide 26.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What is the Christian belief that God is three persons in one?
Q2.Who is believed by Christians to be coming back to judge the living and the dead?
Q3.What is a Christian belief about the afterlife?
Q4.How long after the crucifixion did Jesus resurrect?
Q5.Which means of salvation is achieved through Jesus’ death and resurrection?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords from today's lesson to the correct definition.
reconciliation between God and humans brought about by Jesus' death
the death of Jesus; the death penalty used by the Ancient Romans
the belief that God raised Jesus from the dead three days after death
through God’s grace, Jesus’ death and resurrection saved humanity
behaviour which is against God's laws
Q2.Which of these statements is true?
Q3.Salvation is necessary to allow humans to go to heaven. What is it that stops humans from going to heaven?
Q4.Which event in Jesus’ life provided atonement from sin?
Q5.Which two events in Jesus’ life provide salvation?
Q6.Which of the following is a way beliefs about the role of Jesus in salvation might influence a Christian today?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The role of Jesus in salvation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The role of Jesus in salvation, 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.