The Ascension of Jesus

Lesson Details

• Key Stage: KS4
• Year Group: Year 10
• Subject: Religious Education
• Time: 60 minutes
• Topic: The Ascension of Jesus
• Curriculum Link: AQA Religious Studies A – Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings
• Lesson Focus: Develop knowledge of the Ascension, its significance for Christians, and different Christian perspectives on it.

---

Learning Objectives

1. Develop knowledge of the Ascension of Jesus through biblical accounts and Christian teachings.
2. Explain the meaning and significance of these stories for Christians in a structured 4-mark exam question.
3. Assess different Christian views on the Ascension and evaluate their importance in Christian belief.

---

Lesson Structure

1. Do Now Activity (5 minutes)

Displayed on the board as students enter.

Answer the following in your books:

1. Where do Christians believe Jesus went after the resurrection?
2. What do you think the word "Ascension" means?
3. Why might the Ascension be important for Christians today?

Challenge Question:

• What questions might a sceptic ask about the Ascension story?

(Teacher to review answers with class and briefly discuss responses.)

---

2. Introduction – Biblical Account (10 minutes)

• Read Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:6-11 as a class (students take turns reading aloud).
• Class discussion:
  • Where does the story place Jesus after his resurrection?
  • Why do you think Luke describes the Ascension in two places?
  • What do the disciples do after Jesus ascends?

(Teacher to highlight key religious and symbolic meanings: Jesus' divine nature, completion of his earthly mission, and promise of the Holy Spirit.)

---

3. Understanding the Significance (10 minutes)

Students work in pairs to complete a significance grid:

Aspect	Why is it important for Christians?
Jesus’ return to heaven	Links to belief in Jesus as divine and part of the Trinity
Fulfilment of prophecy	Suggests Jesus’ mission was completed and part of God’s plan
The promise of the Holy Spirit	Laid the foundation for Pentecost and Christian teachings
Hope of second coming	Encourages Christian belief in judgement and eternal life

Class feedback: Each pair shares one idea from their grid.

---

4. Exam Skills – 4 Mark Question (15 minutes)

Students answer:

“Explain the significance of the Ascension for Christians” (4 marks)

Writing Structure:

1. Point: State a key belief about the Ascension.
2. Explain: Expand on why this belief is significant.
3. Example: Link to a Christian teaching or biblical reference.
4. Further Explanation: Connect to impact on Christian life today.

Peer Marking:

• Swap answers and mark using AQA exam mark scheme criteria.
• Provide one piece of positive feedback and one improvement tip.

---

5. Different Christian Views (15 minutes)

Students are divided into three groups. Each group is given a Christian perspective:

• Literalist View: The Ascension happened exactly as described in the Bible.
• Symbolic View: The Ascension is a metaphor for Jesus’ spiritual presence.
• Sceptical Christian View: The story was created to inspire early believers.

Task: Each group must create a 1-minute “News Report” as if they were reporting the Ascension from their given perspective.

• One student = presenter
• Two students = eyewitnesses
• One student = sceptic interviewer

Groups perform their reports to the class.

Class Vote:

• Which perspective do you think is most convincing and why?

---

6. Plenary – Final Reflection (5 minutes)

Students complete an Exit Ticket with the sentence stems:

1. “One key thing I learned about the Ascension today is...”
2. “One way the Ascension might affect a Christian’s life today is...”
3. “One question I still have is...”

Teacher collects Exit Tickets to assess understanding.

---

Differentiation & Adaptations

• Higher Ability Students: Challenge with a 6-mark question – “Explain ways in which the Ascension supports Christian beliefs about Jesus.”
• Lower Ability Students: Provide sentence starters for the exam question and additional support in the significance grid discussion.
• Visual Learners: Use art depictions of the Ascension to provoke discussion.
• EAL Students: Provide key vocabulary with definitions before reading the Bible verses (e.g., Ascension, prophecy, Trinity).

---

Assessment Opportunities

• Formative: Discussion responses, significance grid, peer-marked exam question.
• Summative: 4-mark question response and exit tickets.

---

Resources Needed

• Bible passages (Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11)
• Significance grid worksheet
• Exam-style question handouts
• Access to whiteboard for student responses

---

This structured lesson ensures engagement, critical thinking, and exam preparation, aligned with AQA GCSE Religious Studies A. The news report activity makes learning active and memorable while encouraging deeper reflection.