Core Creeds Workbook
Preliminary Studies of Religion
Core Creeds Workbook
Lesson 3: Principal Beliefs & Their Lived Influence
Exam Prep Pack
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The Golden Exam Formula
High-scoring responses connect how scriptures reveal beliefs, and how those beliefs directly dictate daily practices to guide adherents towards "living a better life."
Principal Beliefs Sacred Texts Ethical Teachings Practices Lived Influence
Tradition 1: Christianity
Belief 1: The Divinity and Humanity of Jesus Christ
Syllabus Topic
Scriptural Evidence: Matthew 16:15-17
"Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, '...flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.'"
1. Theological Meaning
Explain how this verse proves both Jesus' human and divine nature.
2. Influence: "Living a Better Life"
How does belief in Jesus as human-divine guide Christian ethical behaviour?
Belief 2: The Nature of God and the Trinity
Syllabus Topic
Scriptural Evidence: Matthew 28:19
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
1. Theological Meaning
Explain the co-equal dynamic of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit shown here.
2. Influence: "Living a Better Life"
How does the model of Trinitarian love guide a believer's communal interactions?
Preliminary Studies of Religion — Unit 1 Revision Booklet Page 1 of 3
Preliminary Studies of Religion
Core Creeds Workbook
Principal Beliefs Revision
Tradition 2: Islam
Belief 1: Tawhid (Oneness of Allah)
Aqida
Scriptural Evidence: Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4
"Say, 'He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'"
1. Theological Meaning
Explain Tawhid. Why is shirk (association) considered the ultimate sin in Islam?
2. Influence: "Living a Better Life"
How does total submission to Allah free a Muslim from pride and worldly greed?
Belief 2: Akhira (Resurrection & Life After Death)
Aqida
Scriptural Evidence: Surah Al-Baqarah 2:285
"Each one believes in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers... and to You is the [final] destination."
1. Theological Meaning
Explain the direct link between present actions and the eternal soul's destination.
2. Influence: "Living a Better Life"
How does belief in Day of Judgement motivate a Muslim's ethics/charity?
Tradition 3: Judaism
Belief 1: Belief in a Single, Creator, Indivisible God
Syllabus Topic
Scriptural Evidence: Deuteronomy 6:4 (The Shema)
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
Preliminary Studies of Religion — Unit 1 Revision Booklet Page 2 of 3
Preliminary Studies of Religion
Core Creeds Workbook
Judaism & Section III Planning
1. Theological Meaning (God is One)
Why is God's indivisible oneness central to Jewish monotheism?
2. Influence: "Living a Better Life"
How does acknowledging God's moral lawguide ethical acts (Mitzvot)?
Belief 2: The Covenant (Abrahamic and Mosaic)
Syllabus Topic
Scriptural Evidence: Genesis 17:7
"I will establish my covenant... throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring."
1. Theological Meaning
What mutual responsibilities exist between God and Jewish people?
2. Influence: "Living a Better Life"
How does Covenant demand justice, Shabbat, or Tikkun Olam?
Section III Practice: Drafting a 20-Mark Core Plan
Prompt: "Choose ONE religious tradition. Analyze how its principal beliefs guide adherents towards living a better life."
Step 1: Core Theme
e.g., Covenantal Duty / Submission to Allah / Imitating Christ
Step 2: 2 Beliefs & Texts
Combine beliefs with matching texts on pages 1-2.
Step 3: Lived Actions
Specify how these beliefs direct charity or daily ethics.
Top-Tier Analytical Sentence Starters:
- "The belief in ________ is not merely academic, but represents a radical mandate to..."
- "Revealed explicitly through [Scripture Reference], this doctrine obligates adherents to..."
- "Consequently, this belief manifests practically in daily life as they seek to..."
Preliminary Studies of Religion — Unit 1 Revision Booklet Page 3 of 3
Belief Blueprint Slides
Preliminary Studies of Religion Unit 1 Revision Series
Belief Blueprint
Mastering Principal Beliefs & Their Lived Influence
Christianity, Islam & Judaism
Slide 1 / 5
Exam Strategy
The Connection Formula
1. Belief
Core Creed
2. Scripture
Textual Source
3. Influence
Lived Action
Key Insight: In the exam, never define a belief in isolation. You must trace its path from Sacred Text directly into an adherent's daily ethical choices and practices.
The golden thread of Studies of Religion analysis Slide 2 / 5
Tradition Focus
Christianity: Creed to Action
Divinity & Humanity
"Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'"
— Matthew 16:16
Lived Influence on Adherents:
- Imitating Christ's human compassion and service
- Seeking redemption through Christ's divine power
The Trinity
"...baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
— Matthew 28:19
Lived Influence on Adherents:
- Experiencing God in relational community
- Reflecting communal, triune love in family/church
Discussion Prompt: Why is a belief in a relational (Trinitarian) God crucial for Christian community ethics?
Class activity: Complete Workbook Page 1 now Slide 3 / 5
Traditions Focus
Islam (Aqida) & Judaism (Covenant)
Islam: Submission & Akhira
Tawhid (Oneness):
"Say, 'He is Allah, One...'" — Surah Al-Ikhlas 112
Guides absolute surrender; rejects arrogance.
Akhira (Accountability):
"To You is the final destination." — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:285
Motivates lifelong moral vigilance and Zakat.
Judaism: Monotheism & Covenant
Single Indivisible God:
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." — Deut 6:4
Acknowledge God as the source of all moral law.
The Covenant:
"I will establish my covenant... as an everlasting covenant..." — Gen 17:7
Requires justice, Shabbat observance, Tikkun Olam.
Ensure students highlight the direct alignment of these beliefs with their core texts!
Class activity: Complete Workbook Page 2 & 3 (Judaism) now Slide 4 / 5