Year 6 – Why do Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah? PowerPoint Lesson 1

About this resource

The Year 6 Unit 38 lesson plan, ‚”Why do Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah?‚ helps pupils explore the concept of the Messiah within Christian belief, examining its origins, significance, and the reasons why Christians see Jesus as the fulfilment of ancient promises.

The unit begins with an exploration of Jewish expectations of a Messiah‚-a promised leader or saviour who would bring peace and justice. Pupils investigate Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) prophecies, such as those from Isaiah, and consider the qualities attributed to the awaited figure. This background knowledge helps pupils better understand how Christians connect Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to these prophetic texts.

Pupils then study events in Jesus‚” life, including his birth, miracles, teachings, and especially his crucifixion and resurrection, as evidence for Christian claims that he is the promised Messiah. They reflect on the concept of salvation, the Kingdom of God, and how Jesus‚” role as Messiah involves not only spiritual deliverance but also a model of humility, sacrifice, and hope.

Throughout the unit, learners are encourages aged to consider why Christians hold these beliefs today and how they are expressed through worship, celebration (especially Advent and Easter), and everyday life. The unit also opens space for respectful enquiry into alternative views, including Jewish perspectives that do not accept Jesus as the Messiah.

The unit supports religious literacy, encourages aging pupils to compare, evaluate, and reflect on messianic belief, its relevance to Christian faith, and its broader implications for hope, justice, and spiritual identity.