Studying God
This first volume in the series Challenging Knowledge in RE explores some of the substantive knowledge encountered in RE around the idea of God. It looks to increase students’ disciplinary knowledge too, employing different ways of studying God through theology and psychology.
With the help of experts in those fields, students can be introduced to the disciplines of theology and psychology, and how they might be used to investigate God. A selection of questions and methods are explored so that students can be encouraged to carry out their own investigations and to evaluate the methods and answers.
Resources, available in the book and online, provide information and exercises for: investigating Christian ideas about God as love, examining what Christians and Muslims learn about God from sacred texts, using psychology to explore what people think God is like, and exploring whether beliefs about God can predict behaviour. Example results support the exercises with responses of some young people on their ideas of God, and how different groups of religious and non-religious people in various countries view their relationship with God.
Select a topic to explore resources
- Diving in: disciplinary perspectives on studying God
- Investigator files: Theology
- Using theology to investigate Christian ideas about God as love
- What do Muslims and Christians learn about God from sacred texts?
- How have Christians talked about Jesus as God through the ages?
- How do Hindus understand the Supreme Being?
- Investigator files: Psychology
- Using psychology to investigate ideas of God
- Teenage voices: ideas of God
- Can you predict behaviour from beliefs about God?
- How do people think about their relationship with God?
- What kind of God 'sticks' in people's minds?
External links
- ExternalPicturing Jesus, Fresh Ideas
- ExternalPicturing Islam, Picturing Muslims
- ExternalHindu sources: the Bhagavad Gita in Pictures
eResources
- Internal
Explanation for why people believe or do not believe in God (1.1)Analysis of why people believe or disbelieve in God.
eResources
- InternalAn Islamic perspective on theology (2.1)Insights into Islamic theology, enhancing understanding of key concepts and beliefs in Islam.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
Investigator files: Theology (pages 4-5 from the book)
- Internal
Investigator files: Theology (CKRE vol 3) (4.1)Exploring the theological perspectives on environmental ethics, stewardship, and moral responsibility.
eResources
- Internal
What is God like in the Bible? (3.1A)Examine how the Bible reveals God ís character, exploring His justice, mercy, and love through key biblical narratives. - Internal
What is God like in the Bible? Simplified (3.1B)Simplified exploration of God ís character in the Bible for students.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
What is God like in the Bible? Four encounters (3.1)Exploration of four biblical encounters that depict God's nature. - InternalA spiral text commentary (3.3)Detailed spiral text commentary for enhancing understanding of key themes in RE.
External Links
Recitation of Al-Fatihah in Arabic – a selection:
- ExternalRecitation A
- ExternalRecitation B
- ExternalRecitation C
- ExternalRecitation D
Hymn inspired by Philippians 2: At the Name of Jesus
- ExternalBBC’s Songs of Praise version 1
- ExternalBBC’s Songs of Praise version 2
eResources
- Internal
Extended commentaries on Muslim and Christian texts (4.1)In-depth commentary on Muslim and Christian sacred texts.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
What do Muslims and Christians learn about God from sacred textsExplore how Muslims and Christians understand God through sacred texts, comparing themes in the Bible and Quran for deeper interfaith insight.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
How have Christians talked about Jesus as God through the ages?Exploration of Christian views on Jesus as God across history.
External Links
- ExternalBhagavata Purana 10.8.32-10.8.45
- ExternalChildren’s animations can be found online: eg Vision of the Universe by Little Krishna
- ExternalChildren's version of the story
- ExternalProse version
- ExternalSample art
Brahman, the Self and my Self
- ExternalChandogya Upanishad 3.14.1
- ExternalMundaka Upanishad 2.1.1-5
eResources
- Internal
Lord Krsna shows the Universal Form within his mouth (6.1)Hindu story exploring Krishna ís divine nature, introducing students to themes of cosmic unity and divinity.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
How do Hindus understand the Supreme BeingOverview of Hindu beliefs on the Supreme Being and divine nature.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
External Links
eResources
- Internal
LAMBI scale: 28 terms (8.1A)A vocabulary list for the LAMBI scale with 28 terms to aid discussion on beliefs, motivations, and identities. - Internal
LAMBI scale definitions (8.1B)A comprehensive definition guide for LAMBI scale terms, facilitating deeper discussion on belief and identity. - Internal
LAMBI scale categories and terms (8.1C)A guide that categorises LAMBI scale terms to aid in understanding beliefs and behaviours in religious studies.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
Psychology research into what people think about God The LAMBI scale (8.2A)Psychology of Faith RE resource. A structured tool for exploring how psychology examines belief in God using research-based frameworks.
eResources
- Internal
More teenage voices: ideas of God (9.1B)More Teenage Voices resource for RE teachers. Explores teenage perspectives on God, encourages aging reflective discussion and critical thinking.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
Teenage voices Ideas of God (9.1A)A resource featuring teenage voices on ideas of God, offering insights into how young people perceive the divine and encourages aging reflection on personal beliefs.
eResources
- Internal
Predicting behaviour from beliefs (10.3)Beliefs & Behaviour RE resource. A structured tool for exploring how faith influences moral and ethical decision-making. - Internal Predicting behaviour from beliefs (10.3)Beliefs & Behaviour RE resource. A structured tool for exploring how faith influences moral and ethical decision-making.
- Internal
Notes on data for LAMBI scale correlations (10.5)LAMBI Scale Correlations RE resource. A structured tool for analyzing assessment methodologies and educational data in religious education.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
Can you predict behaviour from beliefs about GodReflection on how beliefs about God can influence behaviour. - Internal
How the LAMBI scale predicts behaviour from beliefs (10.2)Overview of the LAMBI scale and its role in predicting behavior from beliefs.
eResources
- Internal
Results for big God/big Self and closeness to God research (11.3)Research on "big God" and "big self," exploring their impact on closeness to God and spiritual practices across religious traditions. - Internal
Country comparisons: big God or big Self/closeness to God (11.4)Comparative activity examining cultural views on ìbig God î vs. ìbig self î concepts, promoting cultural understanding in RE.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
Year 3 – What is it like for someone to follow God? – Assessment SheetKnowledge organiser summarising key concepts, vocabulary, and learning points for Year 3 Unit 19 on following God.
eResource
- Internal
Construct a supernatural agent: how MCI can you go? (12.1)Engaging activity on creating supernatural agents using minimal counterintuitiveness (MCI) concepts to explore religious and mythological storytelling.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
What kind of God sticks in people’s minds?Resource encourages aging reflection on qualities of God that resonate with people.
Select a topic to explore resources
Diving in: disciplinary perspectives on studying GodInvestigator files: TheologyUsing theology to investigate Christian ideas about God as loveWhat do Muslims and Christians learn about God from sacred texts?How have Christians talked about Jesus as God through the ages?How do Hindus understand the Supreme Being?Investigator files: PsychologyUsing psychology to investigate ideas of GodTeenage voices: ideas of GodCan you predict behaviour from beliefs about God?How do people think about their relationship with God?What kind of God 'sticks' in people's minds?
External links
- ExternalPicturing Jesus, Fresh Ideas
- ExternalPicturing Islam, Picturing Muslims
- ExternalHindu sources: the Bhagavad Gita in Pictures
eResources
- Internal Explanation for why people believe or do not believe in God (1.1)Analysis of why people believe or disbelieve in God.
eResources
- InternalAn Islamic perspective on theology (2.1)Insights into Islamic theology, enhancing understanding of key concepts and beliefs in Islam.
Member Only Content
Investigator files: Theology (pages 4-5 from the book)
- Internal Investigator files: Theology (CKRE vol 3) (4.1)Exploring the theological perspectives on environmental ethics, stewardship, and moral responsibility.
eResources
- Internal What is God like in the Bible? (3.1A)Examine how the Bible reveals God ís character, exploring His justice, mercy, and love through key biblical narratives.
- Internal What is God like in the Bible? Simplified (3.1B)Simplified exploration of God ís character in the Bible for students.
Member Only Content
- Internal What is God like in the Bible? Four encounters (3.1)Exploration of four biblical encounters that depict God's nature.
- InternalA spiral text commentary (3.3)Detailed spiral text commentary for enhancing understanding of key themes in RE.
External Links
Recitation of Al-Fatihah in Arabic – a selection:
- ExternalRecitation A
- ExternalRecitation B
- ExternalRecitation C
- ExternalRecitation D
Hymn inspired by Philippians 2: At the Name of Jesus
- ExternalBBC’s Songs of Praise version 1
- ExternalBBC’s Songs of Praise version 2
eResources
- Internal Extended commentaries on Muslim and Christian texts (4.1)In-depth commentary on Muslim and Christian sacred texts.
Member Only Content
- Internal What do Muslims and Christians learn about God from sacred textsExplore how Muslims and Christians understand God through sacred texts, comparing themes in the Bible and Quran for deeper interfaith insight.
Member Only Content
- Internal How have Christians talked about Jesus as God through the ages?Exploration of Christian views on Jesus as God across history.
External Links
- ExternalBhagavata Purana 10.8.32-10.8.45
- ExternalChildren’s animations can be found online: eg Vision of the Universe by Little Krishna
- ExternalChildren's version of the story
- ExternalProse version
- ExternalSample art
Brahman, the Self and my Self
- ExternalChandogya Upanishad 3.14.1
- ExternalMundaka Upanishad 2.1.1-5
eResources
- Internal Lord Krsna shows the Universal Form within his mouth (6.1)Hindu story exploring Krishna ís divine nature, introducing students to themes of cosmic unity and divinity.
Member Only Content
- Internal How do Hindus understand the Supreme BeingOverview of Hindu beliefs on the Supreme Being and divine nature.
Member Only Content
External Links
eResources
- Internal LAMBI scale: 28 terms (8.1A)A vocabulary list for the LAMBI scale with 28 terms to aid discussion on beliefs, motivations, and identities.
- Internal LAMBI scale definitions (8.1B)A comprehensive definition guide for LAMBI scale terms, facilitating deeper discussion on belief and identity.
- Internal LAMBI scale categories and terms (8.1C)A guide that categorises LAMBI scale terms to aid in understanding beliefs and behaviours in religious studies.
Member Only Content
- Internal Psychology research into what people think about God The LAMBI scale (8.2A)Psychology of Faith RE resource. A structured tool for exploring how psychology examines belief in God using research-based frameworks.
eResources
- Internal More teenage voices: ideas of God (9.1B)More Teenage Voices resource for RE teachers. Explores teenage perspectives on God, encourages aging reflective discussion and critical thinking.
Member Only Content
- Internal Teenage voices Ideas of God (9.1A)A resource featuring teenage voices on ideas of God, offering insights into how young people perceive the divine and encourages aging reflection on personal beliefs.
eResources
- Internal Predicting behaviour from beliefs (10.3)Beliefs & Behaviour RE resource. A structured tool for exploring how faith influences moral and ethical decision-making.
- Internal Predicting behaviour from beliefs (10.3)Beliefs & Behaviour RE resource. A structured tool for exploring how faith influences moral and ethical decision-making.
- Internal Notes on data for LAMBI scale correlations (10.5)LAMBI Scale Correlations RE resource. A structured tool for analyzing assessment methodologies and educational data in religious education.
Member Only Content
- Internal Can you predict behaviour from beliefs about GodReflection on how beliefs about God can influence behaviour.
- Internal How the LAMBI scale predicts behaviour from beliefs (10.2)Overview of the LAMBI scale and its role in predicting behavior from beliefs.
eResources
- Internal Results for big God/big Self and closeness to God research (11.3)Research on "big God" and "big self," exploring their impact on closeness to God and spiritual practices across religious traditions.
- Internal Country comparisons: big God or big Self/closeness to God (11.4)Comparative activity examining cultural views on ìbig God î vs. ìbig self î concepts, promoting cultural understanding in RE.
Member Only Content
- Internal Year 3 – What is it like for someone to follow God? – Assessment SheetKnowledge organiser summarising key concepts, vocabulary, and learning points for Year 3 Unit 19 on following God.
eResource
- Internal Construct a supernatural agent: how MCI can you go? (12.1)Engaging activity on creating supernatural agents using minimal counterintuitiveness (MCI) concepts to explore religious and mythological storytelling.
Member Only Content
- Internal What kind of God sticks in people’s minds?Resource encourages aging reflection on qualities of God that resonate with people.
