New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Christian attitudes to adultery and cohabitation

I can explain Christian attitudes to adultery and cohabitation.

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Christian attitudes to adultery and cohabitation

I can explain Christian attitudes to adultery and cohabitation.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There are clear Christian teachings aainst committing adultery.
  2. The story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery is a key story showing Jesus' response to this issue.
  3. Some Christians accept couples cohabiting before marriage.
  4. Other Christians do not accept couples cohbabiting before marriage.

Keywords

  • Adultery - voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse; also known as sex outside of marriage

  • 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

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

Common misconception

That all Christians are against cohabitation.

Some branches of Christianity accept cohabitation if the couple intend to marry.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Christian attitudes to adultery and cohabitation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students can explore how a local church supports couples who intend to marry through 'marriage classes'.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

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.
Match the following terms to their definitions.

Correct Answer:marriage,the legally recognised union of two people

the legally recognised union of two people

Correct Answer:cohabitation,living together in a relationship without being married

living together in a relationship without being married

Correct Answer:civil,a secular (non-religious) ceremony

a secular (non-religious) ceremony

Q2.
In England and Wales, you must be at least years old to get married.

Correct Answer: 18, eighteen

Q3.
Which of the following is true about marriage trends in recent years?

Marriage rates have increased significantly.
Correct answer: Marriage rates have declined.
Marriage rates have stayed the same.

Q4.
Which of the following is a key purpose of marriage in many cultures?

Correct answer: To strengthen commitment between partners.
To avoid legal responsibilities.
To guarantee financial success.

Q5.
Why do some religious people believe marriage is important?

It has no real purpose.
Correct answer: It is a lifelong commitment blessed by God.
It is just a legal contract.

Q6.
Which of these statements best describes non-religious views on marriage?

All non-religious people believe marriage is unnecessary
All non-religious people avoid marriage
Correct answer: Some non-religious people see value in marriage, others prefer cohabitation

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Some Christians believe that should only happen within marriage.

Correct Answer: sex

Q2.
Liberal Christians may accept cohabitation if the couple are in a loving, committed relationship.

Correct Answer: Anglican

Q3.
Which other denomination is likely to accept cohabitation?

Roman Catholic Church
Pentecostal Church
Correct answer: Methodist Church

Q4.
What is adultery?

marrying someone of another faith
Correct answer: voluntary sex outside marriage by a married person
living together without being married

Q5.
What does the Bible say about adultery?

Correct answer: “You shall not commit adultery.”
It is acceptable in some cases
It is not mentioned in the Ten Commandments..

Q6.
All Christians believe cohabitation is wrong.

Correct answer: False: some Christians accept committed cohabitation.
True: the Bible clearly forbids cohabitation.
True: it’s the same as adultery

Additional material

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