New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Christian views on sex and contraception

I can explain different Christian teachings and views on contraception and family planning.

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Christian views on sex and contraception

I can explain different Christian teachings and views on contraception and family planning.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There are ethical questions to ask when considering the use of contraception and family planning.
  2. Christians may use different sources of authority and teachings to answer these questions, which leads to diverse views.
  3. Some Christians use situation ethics to work out the most loving decision and/or look to Bible teachings.
  4. Roman Catholic Christians may use Humanae Vitae and use an absolutist approach to Natural Law for these issues.
  5. Social science methods help to find out people’s views on these issues, including the use of surveys and interviews.

Keywords

  • Absolutist - someone with the belief that there are certain actions that are always right or always wrong

  • Contraception - precautions taken to prevent pregnancy

  • Family planning - regulation of births; planning when to have a family and how many children to have by using birth control and /or contraception

  • Procreate (procreation) - having a child; seen as a duty in many religions

  • Situation ethics - an ethical theory which argues that the most loving action should guide decisions in each situation, rather than following fixed rules or laws

Common misconception

All members of a Christian denomination follow all its teachings.

Christians may use their conscience to decide which teachings to follow or not.


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

Students need to remember to use a source of authority in their answers, so using quizzes can help pupils to remember and retrieve these.
Teacher tip

Equipment

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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name of the Christian belief that God became human in the person of Jesus?

Resurrection
Correct answer: Incarnation
Trinity

Q2.
Which Christian celebration focuses on the resurrection of Jesus?

Christmas
Pentecost
Correct answer: Easter

Q3.
Jesus taught his followers how to pray. It has become known as what?

The Hail Mary
The Nicene Creed
Correct answer: The Lord’s Prayer

Q4.
What does the Christian belief in the Trinity mean?

Correct answer: God is one in three persons
God is three separate gods
God has three names but one role

Q5.
Jesus taught the importance of loving your as yourself.

Correct Answer: neighbour, Neighbour

Q6.
Christians believe Jesus performed to show God’s power.

Correct Answer: miracles, Miracles

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which Christian teaching encourages having children?

“Blessed are the peace-makers”
“Do not steal”
Correct answer: “Be fruitful and multiply”

Q2.
Why do some Catholics reject contraception based on Natural Law?

Correct answer: It goes against God’s intended purpose of sex
It promotes happiness over responsibility
Natural Law encourages contraception

Q3.
Some Christians accept contraception because they believe in love, which means selfless care for others.

Correct Answer: agape, Agape

Q4.
Which Christian ethical approach focuses on love as the most important factor?

Legalism
Correct answer: Situation Ethics
Divine Command Theory

Q5.
The Catholic Church permits the method as a natural form of family planning.

Correct Answer: rhythm, Rhythm

Q6.
All members of a Christian denomination follow all its teachings.

Correct answer: No, individual Christians may also follow their conscience
Yes, all Christians always follow their denomination’s rules
Yes, Church teachings are legally enforced in all countries