New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Nature and significance of the Trinity

I can explain Christian beliefs about the nature of the Trinity, including the significance and influence of these beliefs.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Nature and significance of the Trinity

I can explain Christian beliefs about the nature of the Trinity, including the significance and influence of these beliefs.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Trinity refers to the belief held by most Christians that there is One God, who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  2. Each Person of the Trinity is fully God, but at the same time, is distinct from the other Persons.
  3. There are references to the three Persons of the Trinity in the Bible, which later influenced the Nicene Creed.
  4. The Trinity is significant for most Christians because it emphasises the belief in one God.
  5. Belief in the Trinity can have a significant influence on Christian life, including worship.

Keywords

  • Holy Spirit - the third Person of the Trinity; believed to be present with believers since Pentecost and active on earth

  • Trinity - the Christian belief that there is One God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit

  • Oneness of God - the belief that God is one singular divine being (who can be manifest in the three Persons of the Trinity)

  • The Father - the first Person of the Trinity, the belief in God as creator and sustainer of the universe

  • The Son/Son of God - the second Person of the Trinity; Jesus believed to be God incarnate

Common misconception

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three separate gods.

Most Christians believe in the Oneness of God and that all three Persons of the Trinity are present in only one God, therefore the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are not three separate gods.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Nature and significance of the Trinity, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to provide students with copies of the sources of wisdom and authority referenced in the additional material, particularly Matthew 3:13-17.
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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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5 Questions

Q1.
The is the holy book of Christianity.
Correct Answer: Bible, bible
Q2.
Which of these is not one of the Ten Commandments?
Do not steal
Do not lie
Correct answer: Do not eat pork
Q3.
What is the term for the belief that Jesus is both fully human and fully God?
The Resurrection
Correct answer: The Incarnation
The Atonement
Q4.
Which festival celebrates Jesus' resurrection?
Christmas
Correct answer: Easter
Pentecost
Lent
Q5.
Which sacrament involves the sharing of bread and wine as a remembrance of Jesus' Last Supper?
baptism
confirmation
Correct answer: eucharist
marriage

5 Questions

Q1.
The Trinity refers to the belief held by most Christians that there is God, who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Correct Answer: one, One, 1
Q2.
What does the belief in the Trinity say about each Person (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)?
each Person is a different god
Correct answer: each Person is fully God, but distinct from the others
only the Father is fully God, while the Son and Holy Spirit are lesser
Q3.
There are references to the three Persons of the Trinity in the Bible, which later influenced the Creed.
Correct Answer: Nicene, nicene
Q4.
Why is the belief in the Trinity significant for most Christians?
It teaches that there are three separate gods.
It focuses only on the Father as the true God.
Correct answer: It emphasises the belief in one God, despite the three Persons.
Q5.
How can belief in the Trinity influence Christian life?
It has no impact on worship or daily life.
It leads to the worship of three separate gods.
Correct answer: It influences Christian practices such as prayer, worship and salvation.

Additional material

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