New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Christianity, human rights and social justice

I can explain how Christian beliefs inspire responses to human rights and social justice

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Christianity, human rights and social justice

I can explain how Christian beliefs inspire responses to human rights and social justice

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. Human rights are basic freedoms for all.
  2. Social justice ensures fairness in society.
  3. Christianity teaches all people have dignity because they are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27).
  4. The Bible teaches Christians to stand up against injustice.
  5. Individual Christians and organisations actively promote social justice.

Keywords

  • Human rights - Freedoms and protections that every person should have because they are human

  • Responsibilities - The duty or obligation to act in a way that considers the impact on others

  • Social justice - The fair and equal distribution of wealth, opportunities, and rights within society, with special care for the vulnerable and oppressed

Common misconception

Christians only care about spiritual issues and don't take social justice seriously.

Christianity teaches that faith should influence all aspects of life, including how people treat others. Many Christian denominations have a strong focus on social justice and biblical teachings highlight caring for the vulnerable


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Christianity, human rights and social justice, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use powerful images or a short video showing individuals standing up for others’ rights (e.g. Malala Yousafzai or Desmond Tutu).
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

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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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the Bible help guide in Christian life?
Only reading habits
Correct answer: Decisions and worship
Church building design
Q2.
What is a feature of non-liturgical worship?
A set pattern of readings
Always led by a priest
Correct answer: Spontaneous prayer
Q3.
What is original sin in Christian belief?
A legal mistake
Correct answer: A natural human tendency to sin
A story about Moses
Q4.
What is a shared element of both infant and adult baptism?
Only adults can take part
Always held outdoors
Correct answer: Use of water and the Trinity
Q5.
What do many Christians believe happens during the Eucharist?
Correct answer: A celebration of Jesus’ sacrifice
A re-enactment of Jesus’ trial
A reading from the Old Testament
Q6.
What is a mistake people often make about the Bible in worship?
Correct answer: Thinking it is only read aloud
Thinking it is used to inspire
Thinking it can be discussed

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The Declaration of Human Rights lists 30 basic rights that belong to all people.
Correct Answer: Universal, universal
Q2.
What does the term ‘human rights’ mean?
Rules for religious people
Freedoms for certain groups
Correct answer: Protections every person should have
Q3.
Why is Article 1 of the UDHR important?
It lists legal punishments.
Correct answer: It sets the foundation for all rights.
It focuses only on speech rights.
Q4.
How do Christians show their belief in human dignity?
Correct answer: By defending people’s rights
By memorising the Bible
By attending church services
Q5.
What role does the Bible play in Christian views on human rights?
It teaches people to ignore law.
Correct answer: It shows humans were made in God’s image.
It focuses only on Old Testament rules.
Q6.
What is the mistake in thinking rights are more important than responsibilities?
Responsibilities only matter in court.
People don’t really have rights.
Correct answer: Justice depends on both rights and duties.

Additional material

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