Them 1B Educas Resurrection in John 21

The Resurrection in John 21: Physical, Spiritual or Transformed?

A follow in lesson from my resource on John 20. This engaging and academically rigorous A Level Religious Studies lesson explores the resurrection narratives of John 21, challenging students to examine the nature of Jesus’ resurrected body through close textual analysis and theological evaluation.

Using structured activities, students investigate whether John’s Gospel presents the resurrection as physical, spiritual, or a transformed reality.

Students analyse key episodes including the miraculous catch of fish, the commissioning of Peter, and the Gospel’s eyewitness claims, while engaging with scholarly perspectives on authorship, historical reliability, and the possible addition of John 21 as an epilogue.

Links are also made to wider Christian beliefs about resurrection, drawing upon 1 Corinthians 15, the witness of the disciples, and debates surrounding faith versus empirical evidence.

Included:

Clear and visually engaging PowerPoint
Guided textual analysis activities based on an embedded 7 minute clip of John 21
Retrieval and recap content from John 21
AO1 theological knowledge development
AO2 evaluation of historical and theological issues
Preparation for A Level exam-style discussion and written responses

Author: An experienced educator, theologian, and school leader, the author has been Head of Department in two schools, Head of Sixth Form, taught Christian Theology at Cardiff University for five years, and currently works in a high-achieving independent school. Rated Outstanding in all formal inspections, they have also served as an ordained priest for over 30 years and are co-author of the SCM Study Guide to Christian Spirituality. Their resources combine academic rigour, classroom expertise, and extensive pastoral experience.