New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Christianity and marriage

I can explain Christian teachings on marriage, Christian marriage ceremonies and different Christian views on marriage

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Christianity and marriage

I can explain Christian teachings on marriage, Christian marriage ceremonies and different Christian views on marriage

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Marriage is an important sacrament in Christianity.
  2. The Bible teaches that the purpose of marriage includes two people joining into 'one flesh' and procreation.
  3. Church leaders have considered modern issues relating to marriage that aren't clear in the Bible.
  4. Christian marriage ceremonies vary depending on factors such as denomination, culture, timing.
  5. There are different views in Christianity on who can marry in a church.

Keywords

  • Cohabitation - living together as partners and having a sexual relationship without being married

  • Marriage - the legally and religiously recognised union of two people as partners in a personal relationship

  • Sacrament - an outward sign of an invisible and inward blessing by God; for example: Baptism, the Eucharist

  • Sanctity - something that is holy or sacred

  • Vow - a promise (made during a marriage ceremony)

Common misconception

All Christian weddings are the same.

Christian weddings will vary depending on denomination, cultural/family traditions, etc.


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

Find or ask students to find pictures of Christian weddings from around the world. What is similar about them? What is different?
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content

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.
The is a symbol of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

Correct Answer: cross, Cross

Q2.
What is the Lord’s Prayer?

a prayer written by church leaders
a prayer that asks for miracles only
Correct answer: a prayer Jesus taught his disciples

Q3.
What does the word omnipotent mean when describing God?

all-knowing
Correct answer: all-powerful
present everywhere

Q4.
Which statement best describes the Trinity?

Correct answer: one God in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
three separate gods working together
three ways to describe the life of Jesus

Q5.
What is the main content of New Testament?

the creation of the world and ancient Jewish laws
the history of the Roman Empire
Correct answer: the life and teachings of Jesus and the early Church

Q6.
What do Christians celebrate at Easter?

the birth of Jesus
Correct answer: the resurrection of Jesus
the giving of the Ten Commandments

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to its correct meaning.

Correct Answer:sacrament,an outward sign of God’s blessing

an outward sign of God’s blessing

Correct Answer:marriage,the recognised union of two people

the recognised union of two people

Correct Answer:sanctity,something that is holy or sacred

something that is holy or sacred

Q2.
In a Christian marriage ceremony, the couple are together as one.

Correct Answer: joined

Q3.
All Christian weddings are the same.

True – they always follow the exact same ceremony and structure
Correct answer: False – they can vary by denomination, culture, and family tradition
Only in the Church of England – all weddings follow the same pattern there

Q4.
What is the Christian teaching about marriage?

Correct answer: it is a sacrament and a gift from God
it is only a legal agreement, not a sacrament
it is not actually mentioned in the Bible

Q5.
What is one purpose of Christian marriage?

to live separately but support each other
to avoid working on Sundays
Correct answer: to procreate and become ‘one flesh’

Q6.
What recent decision did the General Synod make?

to ban all divorcees from marrying in church
to change the wording of marriage vows
Correct answer: To allow prayers to bless same-sex couples