New
New
Year 10
AQA

Christian response to persecution

I can describe Christian persecution in past and present contexts and explain Christian responses.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Christian response to persecution

I can describe Christian persecution in past and present contexts and explain Christian responses.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Persecution refers to hostility and ill-treatment, especially on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs.
  2. There have been times and places throughout history where Christians have faced persecution.
  3. Christians are still persecuted in some parts of the world today.
  4. Organisations such as Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Open Doors aim to support those facing persectution.

Keywords

  • Martyr - a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs

  • Persecution - hostility and ill-treatment, especially on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs

  • Solidarity - unity between members of a particular group

Common misconception

Because Christianity is the world's largest religion, Christians do not face persecution.

Christians have been persecuted throughout history and this continues today in some countries where Christianity is a minority religion.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Christian response to persecution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to remind students of the historical context of Jesus prior to beginning this lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Christians believe they have a to promote reconciliation.

Correct Answer: duty, Duty

Q2.
What does reconciliation mean in Christianity?

spreading the Gospel
Correct answer: rebuilding broken relationships
punishing those who sin

Q3.
Why is Jesus’ death seen as reconciliation?

it punished all sinners
it helped him gain followers
Correct answer: it restored the relationship between God and humans

Q4.
St wrote, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ…”

Correct Answer: Paul, paul

Q5.
What is the Ecumenical Movement?

Correct answer: an effort to unite Christian denominations
a Roman Catholic sacrament
a group of prophets

Q6.
The Council of Churches brings together over 350 churches.

Correct Answer: World, world

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What does persecution mean in the context of religion?

volunteering for charity
Correct answer: hostility due to beliefs
changing religions freely

Q2.
Why were early Christians persecuted by the Romans?

they refused to pay taxes
they worshipped Roman gods
Correct answer: they refused to worship the emperor

Q3.
Emperor blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE.

Correct Answer: Nero, nero

Q4.
How do some Christians respond to persecution?

by hiding their beliefs
by taking revenge
Correct answer: by praying and showing solidarity

Q5.
Christians are no longer persecuted.

Correct answer: False – some Christians still face violence today
False – all persecution ended in Roman times
True – Christianity is the largest religion

Q6.
The charity Open supports Christians who face persecution today.

Correct Answer: Doors, doors