An Introduction to Christianity: A Guide for Kids, Parents, and Teachers (KS2)
Hello, wonderful parents and educators! Exploring world religions is a key part of building a kind, respectful, and globally-aware classroom. Today, we’re taking a thoughtful look at Christianity, the world’s largest religion, in a way that is perfect for Key Stage 2 learners.
This guide is designed to be the perfect companion to our “An Introduction to Christianity” presentation, which you’ll find embedded below. Together, we’ll explore the core beliefs, the life of the central figure, Jesus, and the diverse ways Christians worship. We will also share some practical and creative ideas for teaching this important subject in your classroom.
Core Christian Beliefs
The Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
A central belief in Christianity is the Trinity. This is the idea that there is one God who is experienced in three distinct ways:
- God the Father: The creator of the world, who is seen as loving and powerful.
- God the Son (Jesus): Christians believe Jesus came to Earth to teach, heal, and save humanity, showing God’s love through his life, death, and resurrection.
- God the Holy Spirit: This is understood as God’s presence in the world today, offering guidance and comfort to believers.
Creation and the Afterlife
Christians believe that God created the world and everything in it, as told in the Book of Genesis in the Bible. They also believe in an afterlife, where the soul continues to exist after death, with Heaven being a joyful place where believers live with God forever. The belief in the resurrection gives Christians hope for a new life after death.
The Life and Teachings of Jesus
Jesus is the central figure of the Christian faith. The Bible tells the story of his life, from his birth in Bethlehem to his death and resurrection.
- Miracles: Jesus performed many miracles, such as healing the sick, calming storms, and feeding five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. These stories show his compassion and divine power.
- Parables: Jesus often taught using simple stories with deeper meanings, called parables. The Parable of the Sower, for example, explains how people respond differently to God’s teachings, encouraging listeners to have open hearts.
- The Sermon on the Mount: This is one of Jesus’s most famous teachings, where he shared lessons on how to live a good life by being kind, humble, and peaceful.
The Bible and Christian Worship
The Holy Book: The Bible
The Bible is the holy book for Christians and is divided into two main sections:
- The Old Testament: Contains stories of creation, laws, and the history of God’s relationship with the people of Israel.
- The New Testament: Focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and his followers.
Christians read the Bible to find guidance on how to live a moral life and to understand God’s love.
How do Christians Worship?
Christian worship involves practices that connect believers with God and their community.
- Prayer: A personal or communal way to communicate with God.
- Baptism: A ceremony with water that symbolises a person’s entry into the Christian faith.
- Holy Communion: A sacred meal of bread and wine that remembers Jesus’s sacrifice.
It’s also important to know there are many different denominations of Christianity (such as Anglican, Catholic, and Baptist), which have their own unique styles of worship.
How to Teach Christianity in Your KS2 Classroom
Teaching about faith requires a sensitive and creative approach. Here are a few ideas:
- Unpack a Parable: The Parable of the Sower is a great starting point. After reading the story, ask students to create a storyboard or a comic strip showing the four different types of ground. This encourages them to think about the story’s meaning.
- Explore the Trinity with Symbols: The concept of the Trinity can be abstract. Use visual aids to help explain it, like a shamrock (three leaves, one stem) or a simple diagram of three overlapping circles.
- A ‘Miracles News Report’: Divide the class into groups and assign each a miracle of Jesus. Have them create a short news report about the event, interviewing “eyewitnesses.” This is a fun way to engage with the stories through drama and creative writing.
- Design a Stained-Glass Window: Show children pictures of stained-glass windows from churches. Then, have them design their own on black paper using coloured tissue paper. Their window could tell the story of a parable or represent a Christian belief like Creation.
By exploring Christianity, we can help our students better understand the world, their communities, and the importance of respecting different beliefs. We hope this guide helps you on that journey. For a full visual overview, be sure to use our “An Introduction to Christianity” presentation!
