Sacraments in Christian life
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the role and meaning of the sacraments, and diverse beliefs about the sacraments within Christianity.
Key learning points
- The sacraments are rites and rituals which are outward and visible sign of an invisible and spiritual grace.
- The number of sacraments, and their role and significance, differs across Christian denominations.
- The Roman Catholic Church and many Orthodox Christian Churches accept seven sacraments.
- For many Christians, baptism and Holy Communion are considered sacraments.
- The sacraments help Christians follow the example of Jesus, grow closer to God and mark significant events.
Keywords
Baptism - the sacrament through which people become members of the Church. It involves the use of water as a symbol of the washing away of sin.
Eucharist/Holy Communion - means "thanksgiving"; a sacrament in which the death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated, using bread and wine
Sacrament - an outward sign of an invisible and inward blessing by God. For example: baptism, Eucharist.
Common misconception
All Christians celebrate the sacraments.
Many Christians do celebrate the sacraments, but not all Christians. For example, Quakers do not celebrate the sacraments.
Teacher tip
You may wish to share the 39 Articles of Religion XXV–XXXVI with students.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Worship involves acts of adoration, reverence, and to God.
Q2.Which denomination is known for informal worship practices?
Q3.Which denomination typically practices liturgical worship?
Q4.What is a set prayer commonly used in Christian worship?
Q5.What characterises Quaker worship?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the key terms to their meaning:
the sacrament through which people become members of the Church
a ritual remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus
an outward sign of an invisible and inward blessing by God.
Q2.Why are sacraments important to many Christians?
Q3.Sacraments help mark significant in a Christian’s life.
Q4.Which Christian group accepts all seven traditional sacraments?
Q5.Some Christian groups, such as the , do not celebrate sacraments.
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Sacraments in Christian life, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Sacraments in Christian life, 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 Living the Christian life unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.