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AQA GCSE Religious Studies – Paper 1 Christianity: Beliefs (Christianity as a World Faith)

In this introductory lesson to Christianity: Beliefs, students will explore the concept of denominations within the Christian faith. They will begin by understanding what the term denomination means and how it applies to Christianity. The lesson will then examine the historical reasons behind the development of different Christian denominations, focusing on key events such as the Great Schism and the Reformation. Through discussion and examples (e.g. Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches such Pentecostal and Baptist), students will gain insight into the variety within Christianity. Finally, students will be encouraged to reflect critically on whether the existence of multiple denominations has strengthened or weakened Christianity, developing skills in analysis and evaluation in preparation for GCSE-style responses.

Learning Outcomes:

• Define the term denomination in a religious context.
• Explain why Christianity has different denominations, referring to key events like the Great Schism and the Reformation
• Consider and evaluate whether having denominations has weakened or strengthened Christianity.

What’s Included:

• Engaging and visually appealing PowerPoint presentation
• A starter activity recaps prior knowledge from scheme of work (SOW), helping students to connect new learning to what they already know.
• Throughout the lesson, **questioning activities **are used to promote discussion, check understanding, and encourage participation.
• Student worksheet
• Students will complete a deliberate practice question to develop their assessment skills and apply their knowledge with scaffolding
• The lesson concludes with a final activity that allows students to consolidate their understanding and reflect on what they have learned.

Why Choose This Resource?
Curriculum-aligned: Designed specifically for AQA GCSE Religious Studies (Christianity: Beliefs)
Engaging and accessible: Differentiated tasks and clear visuals make complex ideas easy to grasp
Skill-building: Prepares students for extended writing, analysis, and evaluation—key GCSE skills
Ready to use: Complete lesson with all materials included—ideal for non-specialists and experienced RS teachers alike
Promotes critical thinking: Encourages students to form and justify their own opinions on religious diversity
Supports assessment: Integrates retrieval practice and success criteria to support student progress