Christian response to persecution
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe Christian persecution in past and present contexts and explain Christian responses.
Key learning points
- Persecution refers to hostility and ill-treatment, especially on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs.
- There have been times and places throughout history where Christians have faced persecution.
- Christians are still persecuted in some parts of the world today.
- 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.
Teacher tip
You may wish to remind students of the historical context of Jesus prior to beginning this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Christians believe they have a to promote reconciliation.
Q2.What does reconciliation mean in Christianity?
Q3.Why is Jesus’ death seen as reconciliation?
Q4.St wrote, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ…”
Q5.What is the Ecumenical Movement?
Q6.The Council of Churches brings together over 350 churches.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does persecution mean in the context of religion?
Q2.Why were early Christians persecuted by the Romans?
Q3.Emperor blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE.
Q4.How do some Christians respond to persecution?
Q5.Christians are no longer persecuted.
Q6.The charity Open supports Christians who face persecution today.
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Christian response to persecution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Christian response to persecution, 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: Practices unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.