Dominion, stewardship and environmental responsibility
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain views on the value of the world, including Christian and non-religious perspectives on dominion and stewardship.
Key learning points
- The overuse of natural resources, pollution and deforestation reflects treating the Earth as a commodity.
- Global citizenship involves taking responsibility for the planet and ensuring sustainability for future generations.
- Christian teachings emphasise stewardship and the duty to care for God’s creation.
- Pollution, resource depletion and climate change contribute to global inequality and environmental harm.
- Actions to improve sustainability include reducing waste, using renewable energy and supporting eco-friendly companies.
Keywords
Commodity - something that can be used for personal gain
Dominion - the belief that humans have been given control/charge of the world
Pollution - contamination of an environment with harmful substances
Resources (natural) - resources which are found in nature – fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas), plants, etc.
Stewardship - the duty given by God to humankind to look after the created world and all life within it
Common misconception
Dominion is the opposite of stewardship.
Dominion is seen as authority or power, but, in common with stewardship, it is usually seen as including a duty to be responsible.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to explore environmental initiatives by researching influential campaigns for legal changes, the work of organisations like Greenpeace, and the efforts of individuals such as Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The belief that humans have authority over creation is called .
Q2.Which Christian belief suggests that science and faith can co-exist?
Q3.Which scientist first proposed the idea of an expanding universe, later known as the Big Bang?
Q4.What does Genesis 1:31 say about God’s creation?
Q5.Why do some Christians believe that the universe is not a commodity?
Q6.Which of the following best describes the argument for intelligent design?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each environmental issue to the correct description.
non-renewable materials are used up too quickly
harmful substances damage the environment
greenhouse gases trap heat, causing extreme weather
Q2.What is the Christian belief that humans have a duty to care for the Earth called?
Q3.How does pollution contribute to global inequality?
Q4.What does 'commodity' mean in relation to the environment?
Q5.Which of these is a way individuals can practice stewardship?
Q6.Which statement best describes global citizenship?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Dominion, stewardship and environmental responsibility, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Dominion, stewardship and environmental responsibility, 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 life and death unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.