Marriage and Divorce

Overview

This 60-minute lesson is designed for 25 Year 9 students (ages 13-14) studying Religious Education and will explore the Christian attitudes towards marriage and divorce. The lesson is structured to support the UK Key Stage 3 RE curriculum, particularly focusing on understanding religious beliefs and practices (as outlined in the National Curriculum for England). The lesson aims to develop students’ critical thinking, empathy, and ability to articulate informed views on complex moral and social issues.

Curriculum Links

• National Curriculum for England, Religious Education:
  • Understanding diverse religious beliefs and practices
  • Evaluating different viewpoints on moral issues
  • Developing respect and tolerance
• Ofsted deep dive focus on SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development)
• PSHE linkage: Relationships and families

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Explain key Christian beliefs about the purpose of marriage.
2. Describe varied Christian teachings on divorce and remarriage.
3. Analyse differing views within Christianity about the morality of divorce.
4. Reflect on their own views regarding marriage and divorce with empathy.
5. Develop skills in critical discussion, respectful debate, and theological enquiry.

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Resources Required

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector and screen
• Printed worksheet with discussion questions and Bible quotes
• Index cards for exit ticket activity
• Paper and pens for students
• Role-play scenario cards

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Begin with a brief interactive quiz using quick-fire questions on what students already know about marriage and divorce in Christianity. Use the projector and ask students to raise hands or write answers on mini whiteboards.
• Outline lesson objectives and create a ‘learning intentions’ board on the whiteboard.
• Contextualise marriage as a religious sacrament or covenant in Christianity, referencing the purpose of marriage (companionship, procreation, mutual support).

2. Biblical Foundations (10 minutes)

• Display key Bible passages on screen or printed hand-outs:
  • Genesis 2:24 – The union of man and woman
  • Matthew 19:3-9 – Jesus’ teachings on divorce
  • 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 – Paul’s instructions on marriage and divorce
• Read aloud and then split students into small groups (3-4 per group) to discuss what these passages say about marriage and divorce.
• Groups then report one key insight each to the class.

3. Christian Attitudes and Teachings (10 minutes)

• Teacher-led explanation contrasting different Christian denominations’ views on divorce:
  • Roman Catholic Church: Marriage is indissoluble; divorce not permitted, but annulments possible.
  • Church of England: Divorce allowed but remarriage in church is more complex and varies.
  • Other Protestant views: More accepting of divorce and remarriage.
• Include teachings on forgiveness, compassion, and the challenges faced by individuals post-divorce.

4. Role-Play & Empathy Exercise (15 minutes)

• Divide students into groups of 5 and distribute role-play scenario cards:
  • Scenarios involve couples considering divorce, religious leaders advising parishioners, and family members experiencing breakdown.
• Groups prepare and perform short role-plays demonstrating different viewpoints and dilemmas about divorce within Christian contexts.
• Debrief: Discuss feelings and perspectives raised. Emphasise empathy and understanding.

5. Critical Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)

• Pose open-ended questions for whole-class reflection:
  • Should Christians always stay married? Why or why not?
  • How can Christians balance religious teachings with compassion for those who divorce?
  • What does this teach us about relationships generally—religious or not?
• Encourage respectful debate and linking back to scripture and denominational teachings.

6. Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

• Students write on index cards one thing they learned, one question they still have, and their personal opinion on Christian views of divorce.
• Collect cards as formative assessment and use to inform next lesson or feedback.

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Differentiation and SEND

• Provide Bible texts printed in simpler language options for lower reading abilities.
• Offer sentence starters and writing frames for exit tickets.
• Role-play groups can be paired with peer mentors for confidence.
• Visual aids and key vocabulary displayed throughout to support understanding.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Ongoing formative assessment through group discussions and role-play.
• Exit tickets used to gauge individual understanding and attitudes.
• Teacher observations during debates to assess respect for diverse viewpoints and articulation skills.

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Extension Activities

• Homework: Research and write a short essay comparing Christian attitudes with those of another religion on marriage and divorce.
• Invite a local religious leader or counsellor to talk about marriage support and the realities of relationships.

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Reflection for Teacher

• Did students engage with the empathy-building activities?
• Were the biblical teachings understood and applied appropriately?
• How successful was the balancing of factual knowledge with personal reflection?
• Identify any misconceptions to address in the following lesson.

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This lesson plan integrates theological content with experiential learning, aligned with UK educational standards, to foster an informed and empathetic understanding of one of the Church’s most sensitive topics.