Christianity, human rights and social justice
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Christian beliefs inspire responses to human rights and social justice
Key learning points
- Human rights are basic freedoms for all.
- Social justice ensures fairness in society.
- Christianity teaches all people have dignity because they are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27).
- The Bible teaches Christians to stand up against injustice.
- 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
Teacher tip
Use powerful images or a short video showing individuals standing up for others’ rights (e.g. Malala Yousafzai or Desmond Tutu).
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the Bible help guide in Christian life?
Q2.What is a feature of non-liturgical worship?
Q3.What is original sin in Christian belief?
Q4.What is a shared element of both infant and adult baptism?
Q5.What do many Christians believe happens during the Eucharist?
Q6.What is a mistake people often make about the Bible in worship?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Declaration of Human Rights lists 30 basic rights that belong to all people.
Q2.What does the term ‘human rights’ mean?
Q3.Why is Article 1 of the UDHR important?
Q4.How do Christians show their belief in human dignity?
Q5.What role does the Bible play in Christian views on human rights?
Q6.What is the mistake in thinking rights are more important than responsibilities?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Christianity, human rights and social justice, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Christianity, human rights and social justice, 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 Issues of Human Rights unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.