Year 10 - Religious education
Beliefs about the afterlife: heaven and hell
Christianity: Beliefs
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will begin their study of Christianity by examining some of the key beliefs of this worldview. They will focus on concepts of God, Trinity, Creation and the story and role of Jesus as incarnation and means of salvation.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain Christian beliefs about heaven and hell, and the significance and influence of these beliefs.
Key Notes
- For many Christians, the afterlife consists of heaven and hell.
- There are different interpretations of heaven and hell based on Biblical teachings.
- Traditional beliefs about heaven and hell include that they are physical places a person goes based on God's judgement.
- Contemporary beliefs about heaven and hell include that they are spiritual states, and hell is a separation from God.
- The belief in heaven and hell can help guide moral behaviour, provide comfort and influence practices such as funerals.
Vocabulary To Learn
- afterlife: what follows the physical life on earth; life after death
- heaven: belief that after death Christians can enter a state of being with God for eternity
- hell: belief in a place of eternal suffering, or a state after death of being in separation from God
- sin: behaviour which is against God's laws and wishes/against Christian principles of morality
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The belief in heaven and hell only influences Christians to behave well.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
For many Christians, the afterlife consists of heaven and hell. There are different interpretations of heaven and hell based on Biblical teachings.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'afterlife'
what follows the physical life on earth; life after death.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The belief in heaven and hell only influences Christians to behave well. Correction: The belief in heaven and hell can guide a Christian's moral behaviour, however, the belief can also influence Christian attitudes towards death and Christian funeral practices.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Beliefs about the afterlife: judgement Study Guide
- Beliefs about the afterlife: resurrection Study Guide
- Creation in Genesis Study Guide
- Different Christian interpretations of creation Study Guide
- Jesus as the incarnation Study Guide
- Means of salvation Study Guide
- Sin Study Guide
- The crucifixion of Jesus Study Guide
- The nativity and Jesus as the son of God Study Guide
- The nature of God Study Guide
- The problem of evil and suffering Study Guide
- The resurrection and ascension Study Guide
- The role of Jesus in salvation Study Guide
- The Trinity Study Guide
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