Christianity, Gender & Sexuality: Historical and Social Factors (AQA A Level Christianity RS Yr 13)

Focuses on: Historical and social factors that have influenced developments in Christian thinking about these issues, including: the development of Biblical criticism, especially in the 19th century, and the resulting freedom to challenge traditional readings of passages such as 1 Tim 2:8-15; the changing roles of men and women in society outside of religion; the rights given to women by secular governments. Approx 3 lessons worth, depending on your time allocation.

Students start by looking at quotes about women that have been put around the room (e.g. quotes by Martin Luther, Aristotle) and are to stand by the one they find most offensive. Students are then introduced to some of the key thinkers and ideas around gender, and can link the dates of these thinkers into a discussion on societal attitudes. Students then have some discussion points, and are given information cards on the changing roles of men and women in society, and have to put them in order and use them to explain about these changing roles over time. Students are then given an extract from Paul Hedge’s book Towards Better Disagreement (please note that this is not included, but the question sheet and teacher answers are. However, I have also included a version of the lesson without this book extract in case you don’t have it) to explore into ideas around gender and Christianity further. Students are then introduced to liberal theology and biblical criticism, have a go at ‘criticising’ 1 Timothy 2:8-15. Then they use their textbooks to complete some tasks, and finish with a 15 mark exam question that their tasks help them prepare for.

Resources included: PowerPoints (1 version with Paul Hedges, 1 without), lesson plans (1 version with Paul Hedges, 1 without), information cards, quotes about women, Paul Hedges question sheet, Paul Hedges answers for teacher.

Students will need: AQA RS Year 2 textbook, Paul Hedges book extract if you wish to use it.