1. Welcome to Religious Studies

2. What we’ll cover today. Introductions
Outline of course content and questions
Key Dates
Example Questions and model answers

3. About me
Paul Forster
Head of Religious Studies, PSHE, Citizenship and teacher of Law and Politics.
Teaching for 10 years in schools and before that Sixth Form College and University of Northumbria
Father of a three year old girl called Jessica.
Hobbies - Martial arts, reading, cooking running and swimming. (When I get the chance!)

4. What about you? Who you are? Why you are studying Religious Studies?
What you would like to do when you’re older?
An interesting fact about you?

5. COURSE INFORMATION
Exam Skills
Assessment resources

6. The Exam Paper

7. Christianity Beliefs and teachings
Key beliefs
The nature of God:
God as omnipotent, loving and just, and the problem of evil and suffering
the oneness of God and the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Different Christian beliefs about creation including the role of Word and Spirit (John 1:1-3 and Genesis 1:1-3).
Different Christian beliefs about the afterlife and their importance, including: resurrection and life after death; judgement, heaven and hell.
Jesus Christ and salvation
Beliefs and teachings about:
the incarnation and Jesus as the Son of God
the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension
sin, including original sin
the means of salvation, including law, grace and Spirit
the role of Christ in salvation including the idea of atonement.

8. Practices Worship and festivals
Different forms of worship and their significance:
liturgical, non-liturgical and informal, including the use of the Bible
private worship.
Prayer and its significance, including the Lord’s Prayer, set prayers and informal prayer.
The role and meaning of the sacraments:
the meaning of sacrament
the sacrament of baptism and its significance for Christians; infant and believers' baptism; different beliefs about infant baptism
the sacrament of Holy Communion/Eucharist and its significance for Christians, including different ways in which it is celebrated and different interpretations of its meaning.
The role and importance of pilgrimage and celebrations including:
two contrasting examples of Christian pilgrimage: Lourdes and Iona
the celebrations of Christmas and Easter, including their importance for Christians in Great Britain today.
The role of the church in the local and worldwide community
The role of the Church in the local community, including food banks and street pastors.
The place of mission, evangelism and Church growth.
The importance of the worldwide Church including:
working for reconciliation
how Christian churches respond to persecution
the work of one of the following: Catholic Agency For Overseas Development (CAFOD), Christian Aid, Tearfund.

9. Paper 2 Religious, philosophical and ethical studies
Students should be aware of different religious perspectives on the issues studied within and / or between religious and non-religious beliefs such as atheism and humanism.
Students must also study religious, philosophical and ethical arguments related to the issues raised, and their impact and influence on the modern world.
Students will be expected to show their understanding of religion through the application of teachings from religion and beliefs. They will also be expected to make specific references to sources of wisdom and authority including scripture and/or sacred texts.

10. Key dates
14 May 2018
Exam for GCSE Religious Studies A Paper 1 (new) (both routes A and B) (8062/1A and 1B)
Series: June 2018
Start time: pm
Duration: 1h 45m
16 May 2018
Exam for GCSE Religious Studies A Paper 2 (new) (both routes A and B) (8062/2A and 2B)
Start time: pm
Duration: 1h 45m

11. How answer exam Question 3
CRITERIA
Include two contrasting (different)beliefs.
Include one religious belief and one contemporary (modern) viewpoint
Include examples and or Bible or Qu’ran quotations in your answers.
Use Adverbs/Adverbials to clearly identify your points e.g. Firstly, However, In contrast,
Q3: Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about weapons of mass destruction. 4 marks
Firstly, some Christians see nuclear
weapons as a deterrent to maintain peace and prevent attack. Without them other countries might try to attack us because they believe we cant defend ourselves.
However, most Muslims would therefore say that the use of WMD is wrong as WMD kill all people not just soldiers. Muhammad forbade the killing of innocent civilians.
AWARDING MARKS
First belief
simple explanation of a relevant and accurate contrast - 1 mark
detailed explanation of a relevant and accurate contrast - 2 marks
Second belief
4 marks

12. How answer exam Question 4
CRITERIA
Include two ‘religious’ beliefs.
Include examples and or Bible or Qu’ran quotations in your answers.
Refer to scripture or sacred writing in your answer.
Use connectives to clearly identify your points e.g. Firstly, secondly,
Q4: Explain two religious beliefs about homosexuality. (5 marks)
Firstly some Christians believe that homosexuality is wrong because homosexuals cannot produce children. This goes against God’s command in the Bible to ‘be fruitful and multiply.’
Secondly, some Christians believe that the Bible says it is wrong. It says in Leviticus ‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is destable.’
AWARDING MARKS
First belief
simple explanation of a relevant and accurate belief - 1 mark
detailed explanation of a relevant and accurate belief - 2 marks
Second belief
simple explanation of a relevant and accurate belief - 3 mark
detailed explanation of a relevant and accurate belief - 4 marks
Relevant and accurate reference to scripture /or sacred writing – 1 mark
5 marks

13. How to answer exam Question 5
Evaluate the statement:
‘WAR IS NEVER RIGHT’
In your answer you:
should give at least two reasoned arguments in support of this statement (PEA)
should give at least two reasoned arguments to support a different point of view (PEA)
should refer to religious arguments
may refer to non-religious arguments
should reach a justified conclusion.
LITERACY
Remember to use:
Define the key term(s) - In this case ‘WAR’
Adverbs/Adverbials Firstly, secondly, On the other hand; However, Others might argue,
Uses the phrases:
Some Christians such as X believe that… Other Christans such as X believe.
Some non-religious people might say….
To summarise you could argue that… On the other hand,,,, In conclusion I think...because….
A well-argued response making several different points and considers different points of view. There is a clear conclusion. Arguments are supported by knowledge and understanding of relevant evidence.
10-12
Reasoned consideration of different points of view.
Structured arguments that use relevant evidence to support your points.
7-9
A structured argument that gives at least two reasons from one point of view supported with evidence and information OR
4-6
Recognition of two different points of view, each supported by relevant reasons / evidence.
Point of view with reason(s) stated in support.
1-3

14. Other useful links. True Tube https://www.truetube.co.uk/
Life of Muhammad Documentary