New
New
Year 11
AQA

The meaning and significance of peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation

I can explain how Christian beliefs about peace, justice forgiveness, and reconciliation influence their responses to conflict and inspire movements for justice and nonviolence.

New
New
Year 11
AQA

The meaning and significance of peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation

I can explain how Christian beliefs about peace, justice forgiveness, and reconciliation influence their responses to conflict and inspire movements for justice and nonviolence.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Many Christians believe Jesus was a peacemaker, and are influenced by his example to live in peace and forgive others.
  2. It may be difficult to move forward after conflict so many Christians seek reconciliation.
  3. Christians may believe that they are able to forgive because God will ultimately judge everyone.
  4. The Fellowship of Reconciliation is a member-led movement of Christians committed to peace, justice and nonviolence.

Keywords

  • Justice - fairness; bringing about what is fair and right

  • Forgiveness - letting go of blame against a person for wrongs they have done; moving on

  • Reconciliation - making up and rebuilding relationships between two groups or sides after disagreement

Common misconception

Forgiveness means forgetting what someone did or pretending it was okay.

In Christianity, forgiveness doesn’t mean saying the wrong didn’t happen. It means choosing to let go of anger or the need for revenge.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: The meaning and significance of peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to remind students that Christians believe Jesus’ death and resurrection brought forgiveness and reconciliation between God and humanity, which shapes their approach to peace today.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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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5 Questions

Q1.
Christians believe God is omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omniscient, and .

Correct Answer: just, Just

Q2.
What does the Trinity describe in Christianity?

three church buildings
three gods that Christians believe in
Correct answer: one God in three persons

Q3.
Christians believe that God is the creator of the world, and this belief is found in the Book of in the Bible.

Correct Answer: Genesis, genesis

Q4.
What does the term 'incarnation' mean in Christianity?

that Jesus returned to heaven
Correct answer: that God became human in the person of Jesus
that Jesus became a ghost

Q5.
Christians believe that the shows that Jesus defeated death and offers eternal life.

Correct Answer: resurrection, Resurrection

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Many Christians believe Jesus was a .

Correct Answer: peacemaker, Peacemaker

Q2.
Why might reconciliation be hard?

it can only be done by leaders
it requires forgetting
Correct answer: it involves healing and trust

Q3.
The Fellowship of Reconciliation is committed to peace, justice and .

Correct Answer: nonviolence, Nonviolence, non-violence, non violence

Q4.
Which of these is not true of Christian forgiveness?

it means no longer seeking revenge
Correct answer: it erases the history of the hurt caused
it can lead to peace

Q5.
The Fellowship of Reconciliation puts the into action.

Correct Answer: Beatitudes, beatitudes

Q6.
Jesus told his followers to when they try to defend him with violence.

Correct Answer: stop, Stop