Christian responses to issues in the natural world
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Christian views on stewardship and the treatment of animals, including key teachings and differing perspectives.
Key learning points
- Genesis 1:28 is mainly seen as supporting stewardship, but sometimes as supporting dominion.
- Most Christians support stewardship, but some prioritise spiritual work.
- The Christian Declaration on Nature (1986) affirms Christians' environmental responsibility.
- UK law regulates animal use; most Christians allow it but seek to minimise suffering.
- Some Quakers oppose animal testing, and Seventh-Day Adventists promote a plant-based diet.
Keywords
Animal experimentation - the use of animals in scientific research to study biological processes, test medical treatments, or assess product safety
Creation - the act of bringing everything in the world into existence
Pollution - contamination of an environment with harmful substances
Stewardship - the duty given by God to humankind to look after the created world, and all life within it
Vegetarian - someone who does not eat meat, but may consume other animal products like dairy or eggs
Common misconception
All fundamentalist Christians reject environmental responsibility.
While some prioritise spiritual work, others still value stewardship.
Teacher tip
Research current debates on climate change, animal rights, evolving laws and activism to highlight the relevance of these issues today.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each term to the correct definition.
Q2.Why do Christians believe in life after death?
Q3.What does the Bible say will happen to the body in the afterlife?
Q4.Which argument is often used against the belief in life after death?
Q5.How might belief in heaven and hell influence a Christian’s actions?
Q6.Christians believe God will people based on their faith and actions.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each Christian denomination to its key teaching on stewardship.
Q2.The 1986 Christian Declaration on Nature states that the destruction of nature disproportionately affects the and vulnerable.
Q3.What does Genesis 1:28 primarily teach?
Q4.Which of the following statements about Christian views on animal experimentation is correct?
Q5.What is the Christian Declaration on Nature (Assisi, 1986)?
Q6.Why do some Christians, like Quakers, oppose animal testing?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Christian responses to issues in the natural world, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Christian responses to issues in the natural world, 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 Matters of life and death unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.