Who was Jesus? (RE AQA)

This engaging and visually rich lesson introduces students to the historical, religious and cultural identity of Jesus, exploring both Christian belief and wider perspectives. The lesson moves beyond simple narrative, encouraging critical thinking, discussion and evaluative writing - ideal for GCSE preparation.

What’s Included
-Interactive starter: “Guess Who?” activity using diverse global depictions of Jesus.
-Retrieval quiz revising key Christian beliefs and early Church history.
-Historical evidence section outlining “7 undisputed facts” about Jesus from scholarly consensus.
-Discussion task exploring why Western art depicts Jesus as white—includes video stimulus.
-Core Christian beliefs about Jesus as the Son of God, miracle‑worker and saviour.
-Video summary of Jesus’ life with accompanying written task.
-Timeline activity covering key events from birth to resurrection.
-Comparative religion task on Jesus in Islam (prophethood, Tawhid).
-C.S. Lewis evaluative quote prompting higher‑level debate: “Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?”
-Plenary writing frame: “I believe Jesus was a…”

Links to the AQA GCSE RS Specification
This lesson directly supports AQA GCSE Religious Studies A, Paper 1: Christianity, especially:

Christian Beliefs – The Nature and Significance of Jesus: incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, salvation.
The Life of Jesus: baptism, miracles, teachings, death and resurrection.
Sources of Authority: use of scripture, scholarship, and theological viewpoints (e.g., C.S. Lewis).
Inter‑faith perspectives: Jesus in Islam (links with Islam option).
Skills required for AO1/AO2: explanation, analysis, evaluation (“Most significant events”, “Who was Jesus?” essay prompts).

Why This Is a Strong Lesson Worth Purchasing

Fully differentiated and resource‑rich—no additional planning required.
Strong curriculum alignment with AQA content and exam skills.
Thought‑provoking and discussion‑led, ideal for students developing evaluative writing.
Encourages cultural awareness and challenges stereotypes through inclusive global imagery.
Blends theology, history and philosophy, supporting deeper understanding.
Engaging multimedia (videos, images, quote analysis) maintain pace and student interest.
Suitable for KS3/KS4, making it versatile across year groups and schemes of work.