Year 9 - Religious education
Ten Commandments
Religious law: What is the social context and relevance today?
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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 examine how religions have created rules to live by. They will investigate how the ethics of Jesus reframed the Jewish law of the time and how Muslims may use the concept of ijtjihad to make moral decisions.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the context for the Ten Commandments and their relevance today for people of different worldviews.
Key Notes
- The Ten Commandments were revealed to Moses and are contained in the story of the Exodus.
- The Israelites had begun to act in a way that displeased God while they wandered in the desert so God sent clear rules.
- These became the basis for moral living for Jews and later, Christians.
- The influence of the Ten Commandments can be seen in modern times and impact present day British law.
- Some of the Commandments are not illegal in modern society, but believers may find breaking them immoral or sinful.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Commandment: a divine rule, given by God
- Exodus: a book of the Bible which contains the 10 Commandments
- Moses: messenger or prophet of the Abrahamic religions
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The Ten Commandments were only relevant at the time, or to people who follow an Abrahamic religion.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The Ten Commandments were revealed to Moses and are contained in the story of the Exodus. The Israelites had begun to act in a way that displeased God while they wandered in the desert so God sent clear rules.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Commandment'
a divine rule, given by God.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The Ten Commandments were only relevant at the time, or to people who follow an Abrahamic religion. Correction: The Ten Commandments and other religious rules have influenced many laws still in place, including things such as Sunday trading laws in modern Britain.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 9 Religious education guide library.