Topic guides
GCSE Religious Studies, topic by topic.
117 free guides covering Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings, Christianity: Practices, Islam: Beliefs and Teachings, Islam: Practices, Theme A: Relationships and Families and Theme B: Religion and Life - each with a plain-English explanation, a worked example, practice questions and exam-style questions with full mark schemes. Every guide links to a free printable worksheet, no card or account needed.
Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings
The Nature of GodGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Different Christian Interpretations of the Genesis Creation AccountsGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Christian Beliefs About the Atonement and the Meaning of the CrossGrades 4-7 (GCSE)The TrinityGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Creation and the Role of the Word and the SpiritGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Sin, Law, Grace and SalvationGrades 4-9 (GCSE)The Incarnation and the Nature of JesusGrades 4-9 (GCSE)The Crucifixion, Resurrection and AscensionGrades 4-9 (GCSE)The Afterlife: Judgement, Heaven and HellGrades 4-9 (GCSE)The Nature of Humanity: Free Will, the Soul and StewardshipGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Christian Responses to Suffering: The Cross and the Book of JobGrades 5-8 (GCSE)
Christianity: Practices
Forms of Worship and Their SignificanceGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Worship in Britain Today: Diversity, Trends and Denominational PracticeGrades 5-8 (GCSE)Evaluating the Reasons for and Importance of Christian PilgrimageGrades 6-9 (GCSE)Christian Persecution Today: Causes and the Church's ResponseGrades 5-8 (GCSE)The Sacraments: Baptism and the EucharistGrades 4-7 (GCSE)The Nature and Significance of PrayerGrades 4-8 (GCSE)Pilgrimage and CelebrationsGrades 4-7 (GCSE)The Role of the Church in the Local CommunityGrades 4-7 (GCSE)The Role of the Church in the Wider WorldGrades 4-7 (GCSE)The Worldwide ChurchGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Christian Disagreements About Baptism: Infant and Believers PracticeGrades 5-8 (GCSE)The Eucharist Debate: Transubstantiation and Memorialism ComparedGrades 5-8 (GCSE)
Islam: Beliefs and Teachings
The Six Beliefs and Five RootsGrades 3-9 (GCSE)The 99 Names of Allah and the Importance of AdabGrade 1-9 (GCSE)Minor and Major Signs of the Last DayGrade 1-9 (GCSE)Barzakh and the Bridge of Sirat: The Journey After DeathGrade 1-9 (GCSE)The Prophets Adam and Ibrahim: Their Significance in Islamic BeliefGrades 4-8 (GCSE)Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets and the Finality of RisalahGrade 1-9 (GCSE)Corrupted Scriptures: Muslim Views on the Torah, Psalms and GospelGrade 1-9 (GCSE)The Night Journey: Isra and Mi'raj and Their Significance for MuslimsGrades 3-9 (GCSE)The Nature of AllahGrades 3-9 (GCSE)AngelsGrades 3-9 (GCSE)Predestination and Free WillGrades 3-9 (GCSE)The Afterlife (Akhirah)Grades 4-7 (GCSE)Prophethood (Risalah)Grades 4-7 (GCSE)Holy BooksGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Sunni and Shia Islam: The Historical Origins of the SplitGrades 4-7 (GCSE)The Imamate: The Twelve Imams and Their Role in Shia BeliefGrades 4-9 (GCSE)
Islam: Practices
The Five Pillars and the Ten Obligatory ActsGrades 3-7 (GCSE)Umrah and Exemption from the Obligation of HajjGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Laylat al-Qadr and the Last Ten Nights of RamadanGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Sunni and Shi'a Differences in Islamic PracticeGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Shahadah: The Declaration of FaithGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Sawm and Zakah: Fasting and AlmsgivingGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Salah: The Role and Significance of PrayerGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Hajj: Pilgrimage to MakkahGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Jihad: Greater and Lesser JihadGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Festivals: Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and AshuraGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Jummah and Dua: Congregational and Personal PrayerGrades 3-7 (GCSE)Sadaqah and Khums: Giving Beyond the Obligation of ZakahGrades 4-9 (GCSE)
Theme A: Relationships and Families
Human Sexuality and Relationships Before MarriageGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Cohabitation and Adultery as Alternatives to Marital FidelityGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Contraception and Family PlanningGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Marriage and Same-Sex MarriageGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Divorce and RemarriageGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Family Life and ProcreationGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Gender EqualityGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Extended and Nuclear Family StructuresGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Changing Patterns of Family Life in the UKGrades 3-9 (GCSE)Religious Teachings on the Marriage CeremonyGrades 3-8 (GCSE)
Theme B: Religion and Life
Origins of the UniverseGrades 4-8 (GCSE)Vegetarianism, Veganism and Religious Rules on Eating AnimalsGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Global Warming, Pollution and Religious Environmental ActionGrades 3-9 (GCSE)Origins and Value of Human LifeGrades 4-9 (GCSE)AbortionGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Death and the AfterlifeGrades 4-9 (GCSE)EuthanasiaGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Animal Experimentation and the Use of AnimalsGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Stewardship and the EnvironmentGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Catholic and Protestant Christian Attitudes to AbortionGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Sunni and Shia Muslim Attitudes to EuthanasiaGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Purgatory and Protestant Beliefs About Death and JudgementGrades 4-9 (GCSE)
Theme C: The Existence of God and Revelation
The Design ArgumentGrades 5-8 (GCSE)Visions as a Source of Knowledge of GodGrades 5-8 (GCSE)The Nature and Importance of Dreams as a Source of Knowledge of GodGrades 4-8 (GCSE)Atheism, Agnosticism and the Nature of Non-BeliefGrades 6-9 (GCSE)The First Cause (Cosmological) ArgumentGrades 5-8 (GCSE)The Argument from MiraclesGrades 5-8 (GCSE)Religious ExperienceGrades 5-8 (GCSE)The Problem of Evil and SufferingGrades 4-7 (GCSE)RevelationGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Religious Upbringing and Its Influence on Belief in GodGrades 4-9 (GCSE)The Influence of Science on Belief in the Existence of GodGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Solutions to the Problem of Evil and SufferingGrades 4-9 (GCSE)
Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict
The Causes of WarGrades 4-9 (GCSE)The Just War Theory and the Treatment of PrisonersGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Refugees and the Plight of Civilians Displaced by WarGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Religious and Non-Religious Perspectives on Reconciliation After ConflictGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Just War Theory and Holy WarGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Pacifism and PeacemakingGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Weapons of Mass DestructionGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Religion and TerrorismGrades 4-9 (GCSE)The Victims of WarGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Reasons for Peace: Justice, Freedom and the Protection of the InnocentGrade 1-9 (GCSE)Religious Organisations Working for Peace: Case Studies in PeacemakingGrade 1-9 (GCSE)Nuclear Deterrence and the Disarmament DebateGrades 4-9 (GCSE)
Theme E: Religion, Crime and Punishment
Religion and the Causes of CrimeGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Restorative Justice: Religious Rehabilitation Schemes for OffendersGrades 4-9 (GCSE)The Aims of PunishmentGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Treatment of Criminals: Prison and Community SentencesGrade 1-9 (GCSE)ForgivenessGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Suffering Caused and Relieved by PunishmentGrades 4-9 (GCSE)The Death PenaltyGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Corporal Punishment: Religious Arguments For and AgainstGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Islamic Criminal Justice: Shariah, Hudud, Qisas and DiyyaGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Sin, Temptation and Human Responsibility for WrongdoingGrades 4-9 (GCSE)
Theme F: Religion, Human Rights and Social Justice
Human Rights and ResponsibilitiesGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Trade Justice and Fair Trade CampaignsGrades 4-9 (GCSE)Prejudice and DiscriminationGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Religious FreedomGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Wealth and PovertyGrades 4-6 (GCSE)Attitudes to Money and the Exploitation of the PoorGrades 4-7 (GCSE)CharityGrades 4-7 (GCSE)Racial Harmony and Martin Luther King as a Case Study in Religious ActionGrades 4-6 (GCSE)Human Rights Law: The UN Declaration and the Human Rights Act 1998Grades 4-9 (GCSE)Causes and Effects of Poverty in the Developing WorldGrades 4-9 (GCSE)
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