Bible Workshop

Year Group

Year 10 (KS4)

Duration

55 minutes

Class Size

20 students

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National Curriculum Links

• Religious Education Programme of Study (National Curriculum for England)
• AQA GCSE Religious Studies Specification (8062) Christianity: Practices
• Focus on Understanding Christian Practices: Worship and the Bible as a sacred text
• Develop knowledge of biblical structure and its use in worship
• Cultivate skills of explanation and evaluation in religious contexts

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Lesson Objectives (LO)

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand how the Bible is organised and structured (Old Testament and New Testament).
2. Identify differences between the Old and New Testaments.
3. Recognise different types of religious texts within the Bible (e.g., narrative, law, prophecy, poetry).
4. Explain how the Bible is used in Christian worship.
5. Practice exam skills by answering a 4-mark question on non-liturgical worship.

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Key Vocabulary

• Testament
• Scripture
• Old Testament
• New Testament
• Liturgical worship
• Non-liturgical worship
• Psalms
• Parables
• Prophecy

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Resources

• Large printed Bible structure charts (showing Old and New Testament overview)
• Copies/excerpts of Bible texts representing different genres (e.g. Psalm, Gospel parable, law commandment)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector for displaying lesson slides
• Handout: Question structure for 4-mark questions on worship types

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Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Learning Outcome(s)
0-5 mins	Starter: Bible Brainstorm	Students list out all they know about the Bible on mini whiteboards or paper. Prompt: "What do you know about the Bible?"	LO1, LO2
5-15 mins	Input: Bible Organisation & Testaments	Present and discuss Bible structure. Introduce Old and New Testament division and purposes.	LO1, LO2
15-25 mins	Activity 1: Text Types Carousel	In groups, students rotate around stations with different Bible text examples (law, poetry, prophecy, narrative). They identify type and purpose.	LO3
25-30 mins	Class Discussion: Using the Bible in Worship	Teacher-led explanation of how Bible readings/prayers are used in Christian worship practices including liturgical and non-liturgical contexts.	LO4
30-40 mins	Activity 2: Worship Role-Play	In pairs, students create a short role-play showing a worship service using Bible texts (one liturgical, one non-liturgical).	LO4
40-50 mins	Exam Practice: 4-Mark Question	Question: Explain two types of non-liturgical Christian worship. Individual written answers; then share model answer.	LO4, exam skill development
50-55 mins	Plenary / Q&A	Recap key learning points by questioning; Self-assessment of progress against objectives.	All LOs

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Detailed Lesson Activities

Starter: Bible Brainstorm (5 minutes)

• Ask students to write everything they know about the Bible.
• Share some answers; clarify any misconceptions.
• Connect to lesson objectives stating what will be learned.

Input: Bible Organisation & Testaments (10 minutes)

• Show a Bible overview chart: 66 books divided into Old Testament and New Testament.
• Explain the Old Testament is foundational, focusing on laws, history, poetry, and prophecy.
• New Testament covers Jesus’ life, early Church, teaching letters.
• Use specific examples (e.g., Genesis in OT; Gospels in NT).

Activity 1: Text Types Carousel (10 minutes)

• Groups of 4 rotate to 4 stations with short Bible extracts:
  1. Law (e.g., Ten Commandments)
  2. Poetry (e.g., Psalm 23)
  3. Prophecy (e.g., Isaiah 53)
  4. Narrative (e.g., Parable of the Good Samaritan)
• Each group identifies text type and its purpose in faith and practice.
• Teacher circulates to support and challenge understanding.

Class Discussion: Using the Bible in Worship (5 minutes)

• Discuss examples of Bible reading in different Christian denominations (Anglican, Baptist, Catholic).
• Explain how Bible words influence prayers, hymns, sermons.
• Link to liturgical (set forms, e.g., Common Worship) vs non-liturgical (more spontaneous).

Activity 2: Worship Role-Play (10 minutes)

• Pairs prepare a short enactment of a worship moment using Bible texts:
  • One shows a liturgical Bible reading and prayer.
  • One shows a non-liturgical reflection or informal Bible sharing.
• Perform briefly to class; reflect on differences.

Exam Practice: 4-Mark Question (10 minutes)

Question:
Explain two types of non-liturgical Christian worship.

Model answer:

1. Informal prayer meetings where individuals freely share prayers and Bible readings without a set structure. This allows personal expression and spontaneity.
2. Worship through singing contemporary Christian songs led by a worship band, focusing on personal connection to God rather than ritual.

• Students write their answers individually.
• Class shares and compares with model answer for improvement.

Plenary / Q&A (5 minutes)

• Use mini whiteboards to quiz:
  • Name two testaments in the Bible.
  • Give one example of a type of Bible text.
  • How is the Bible used in worship?
• Reflect on learning objectives; identify any remaining questions.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through group activities, role-play, and class discussions.
• Written 4-mark question provides evidence of understanding exam technique and content knowledge.
• Teacher gives immediate feedback on exam practice.

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Differentiation

• Support: Sentence starters for 4-mark question; visual Bible structure charts.
• Challenge: Encouraged to add biblical references or denominational examples to their exam answers.
• Extension: Research an additional Bible genre or worship form at home.

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Reflection for Teachers

This lesson actively engages students through kinaesthetic and discussion approaches and embeds exam skills vital for AQA GCSE Christianity: Practices. The role-play allows students to experience worship forms, making abstract concepts tangible and memorable. The use of real Bible excerpts deepens scriptural knowledge aligned with national curriculum aims of appreciating religious texts’ roles in faith and practice.