Beliefs and practices
Religions in depth
Study core beliefs, worship, community, festivals and duties across common GCSE routes.
Free Lessons -> GCSE / Key Stage 4 -> Religious Studies
GCSE Religious Studies
GCSE Religious Studies lessons
Build Religious Studies confidence with beliefs, practices, philosophy, ethics, respectful comparison, source use and evaluation.
24 lessons availableBeliefs and practicesEthics and themesEvaluation skills
Revision pathways
Ethics and philosophy
Arguments and issues
Practise themes such as life issues, peace, justice, rights, God, science and belief.
Exam technique
Evidence and evaluation
Use key terms, source evidence, comparison and judgement without stereotypes.
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Study skills
2 lessons
Lesson 1 · Study skills
Getting Started
Understand how RS uses beliefs, teachings, practices, sources and ethical arguments.
Lesson 22 · Study skills
Respectful Comparison
Compare beliefs and practices accurately while avoiding lazy generalisations.
Beliefs and teachings
6 lessons
Lesson 2 · Beliefs and teachings
Christian Beliefs
Explain core Christian ideas about God, Jesus, incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and salvation.
Lesson 4 · Beliefs and teachings
Islamic Beliefs
Explain Tawhid, prophethood, revelation, angels, akhirah and human responsibility in Islam.
Lesson 6 · Beliefs and teachings
Jewish Beliefs
Explain Jewish beliefs about God, covenant, mitzvot, the Messiah and life after death.
Lesson 8 · Beliefs and teachings
Buddhist Beliefs
Explain the Four Noble Truths, Three Marks of Existence, karma, rebirth and enlightenment.
Lesson 10 · Beliefs and teachings
Hindu Beliefs
Explain Brahman, atman, samsara, karma, dharma, moksha and different forms of devotion.
Lesson 12 · Beliefs and teachings
Sikh Beliefs
Explain Ik Onkar, the Gurus, Guru Granth Sahib, equality, sewa and haumai.
Practices
6 lessons
Lesson 3 · Practices
Christian Practices
Understand how Christians express belief through worship, prayer, sacraments, festivals and service.
Lesson 5 · Practices
Islamic Practices
Understand how Muslims express faith through the Five Pillars, worship, charity, fasting and pilgrimage.
Lesson 7 · Practices
Jewish Practices
Understand Jewish worship, synagogue life, Shabbat, kosher practice and festivals.
Lesson 9 · Practices
Buddhist Practices
Understand meditation, mindfulness, compassion, festivals, temples and the Sangha.
Lesson 11 · Practices
Hindu Practices
Understand puja, murti, mandir worship, pilgrimage, yoga paths and festivals.
Lesson 13 · Practices
Sikh Practices
Understand gurdwara worship, langar, sewa, festivals, the Khalsa and the Five Ks.
Ethics and themes
5 lessons
Lesson 14 · Ethics and themes
Relationships and Families
Evaluate religious and non-religious views on marriage, family, divorce, sexuality and gender equality.
Lesson 15 · Ethics and themes
Religion and Life
Evaluate beliefs about creation, stewardship, abortion, euthanasia, animal life and the environment.
Lesson 16 · Ethics and themes
Peace and Conflict
Evaluate religious responses to violence, pacifism, just war, terrorism, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Lesson 17 · Ethics and themes
Crime and Punishment
Evaluate religious and ethical views on causes of crime, aims of punishment, forgiveness and capital punishment.
Lesson 18 · Ethics and themes
Human Rights
Evaluate religious and non-religious views on equality, prejudice, poverty, charity and freedom of religion.
Philosophy
2 lessons
Lesson 19 · Philosophy
Existence of God
Evaluate design, cosmological and moral arguments, religious experience, miracles and challenges to belief.
Lesson 20 · Philosophy
Religion and Science
Explain how religious and scientific accounts can conflict, complement or answer different kinds of questions.
Exam technique
3 lessons
Lesson 21 · Exam technique
Using Sources
Use scripture, teachings and short quotations accurately without forcing them into every answer.
Lesson 23 · Exam technique
Evaluation Answers
Build balanced evaluation paragraphs with reasons, teachings, counterarguments and clear judgement.
Lesson 24 · Exam technique
Exam Routine
Use a calm routine for key terms, teachings, source evidence, themes and evaluation questions.