New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Nature and purpose of marriage

I can explain Christian teachings on marriage, Christian marriage ceremonies and different Christian views on marriage.

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Nature and purpose of marriage

I can explain Christian teachings on marriage, Christian marriage ceremonies and different Christian views on marriage.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Marriage is an important sacrament in Christianity.
  2. The Bible teaches that the purpose of marriage includes two people joining into 'one flesh' and procreation.
  3. Church leaders have considered modern issues relating to marriage that aren't clear in the Bible.
  4. Christian marriage ceremonies vary depending on factors such as denomination, culture, timing.
  5. There are different views in Christianity on who can marry in a church.

Keywords

  • 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

  • Sacrament - an outward sign of an invisible and inward blessing by God; for example: Baptism, the Eucharist

  • Sanctity - something that is holy or sacred

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

Common misconception

All Christian weddings are the same.

Christian weddings will vary depending on denomination, cultural/family traditions, etc.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Nature and purpose of marriage, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Find or ask students to find pictures of Christian weddings from around the world. What is similar about them? What is different?
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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5 Questions

Q1.
What does omnibenevolent mean?

all-present
Correct answer: all-loving
all-powerful

Q2.
Who is referred to as the ‘Son’ in the Trinity?

Moses
Paul
Correct answer: Jesus

Q3.
The Trinity means God is one being in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the ...

Correct Answer: Holy Spirit, holy spirit

Q4.
Christians believe that God created the world, and this belief is based on the book of in the Bible.

Correct Answer: Genesis

Q5.
What do Christians believe about the resurrection of Jesus?

He was replaced by someone else.
His tomb was never found.
Correct answer: He physically rose from the dead on the third day.

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to its correct meaning:

Correct Answer:Cohabitation,is living together as partners without being married

is living together as partners without being married

Correct Answer:Marriage,is the legally and religiously recognised union of two people

is the legally and religiously recognised union of two people

Correct Answer:Vow,is a promise (made during a marriage ceremony)

is a promise (made during a marriage ceremony)

Q2.
What factors contribute to the variation in Christian marriage ceremonies?

The church’s building style
Correct answer: Denomination, culture, and timing
The location of the marriage ceremony

Q3.
Which of the following is true about who can marry in a church?

Only heterosexual couples can marry in a church.
Only members of the clergy can marry in a church.
Correct answer: There are various opinions on who can marry in a church.

Q4.
The Catholic teaches that marriage is a sacred covenant and a sacrament.

Correct Answer: Catechism, catechism

Q5.
What do many humanists believe marriage represents?

Correct answer: a loving and committed partnership between two people
a religious duty
a financial agreement only