Homeschool Guide: These lesson plans are a guide for parents. Content may contain errors — always cross-reference with official exam board specifications.

just war and holy war

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4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: just war and holy war

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about just war and holy war. Then check against the key terms: RS Exam Tips — Just War and Holy War, UK Context, UK Context. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: RS Exam Tips — Just War and Holy War, UK Context, UK Context.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: just war and holy war. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Religious Studies because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look

Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: Explain the Just War theory and how it compares to Islamic teachings on war.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about just war and holy war.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: just war and holy war

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on just war and holy war. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: A just war is a war that meets specific moral criteria. A holy war is fought for religious reasons or on God's command. They are different concepts — a war can be one without being the other.
RS Exam Tips — Just War and Holy War: 1. For Just War and Holy War questions, always include specific scriptural or source references where relevant 2. Explain both religious and non-religious viewpoints 3. Use specialist vocabulary precisely (e.g. terms from the specification) 4. Evaluate by analysing strengths and weaknesses of different views before reaching your conclusion 5. Link your discussion of Just War and Holy War to its real-world impact on believers and society
UK Context: In the UK, debates about often involve both religious and secular voices. Parliament considers evidence from faith communities alongside scientific, legal and ethical perspectives, reflecting Britain’s commitment to both religious freedom and democratic decision-making.
UK Context: The British system of establishing laws through parliamentary debate, judicial interpretation and public consultation allows religious perspectives to be heard alongside other viewpoints. Faith communities regularly submit evidence to parliamentary committees and participate in public consultations on issues related to .
UK Context: British examiners specifically look for the use of specific scriptural references (e.g. Surah numbers, Bible chapter and verse) and named scholars or traditions. Vague references to ‘what Christians believe’ or ‘what Muslims think’ without specific evidence will not achieve the highest marks.

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: Explain the Just War theory and how it compares to Islamic teachings on war.

Answer: Just War theory (developed by Augustine and Aquinas) states war is only justified if it meets six criteria: legitimate authority, just cause, right intention, last resort, proportionality and reasonable chance of success. Islamic teachings are remarkably similar — war must be in self-defence, declared by legitimate authority, proportionate and a last resort. Both traditions forbid targeting civilians and require humane treatment of prisoners. The key difference is that Islam explicitly frames war within the concept of jihad (striving for Allah), while Just War theory is based on natural law and reason rather than divine command.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.

Lesson 3: Application: just war and holy war

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: RS Exam Tips — Just War and Holy War, UK Context, UK Context. Define each in one sentence.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.

Q1: Explain the Just War theory and how it compares to Islamic teachings on war.

Answer: Just War theory (developed by Augustine and Aquinas) states war is only justified if it meets six criteria: legitimate authority, just cause, right intention, last resort, proportionality and reasonable chance of success. Islamic teachings are remarkably similar — war must be in self-defence, declared by legitimate authority, proportionate and a last resort. Both traditions forbid targeting civilians and require humane treatment of prisoners. The key difference is that Islam explicitly frames war within the concept of jihad (striving for Allah), while Just War theory is based on natural law and reason rather than divine command.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Error Review

Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: just war and holy war

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Command Words

Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).

Main Content (35 minutes)

Exam-Style Question

Attempt a past-paper style question on just war and holy war from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.

Exam Tips: Always refer to specific sources of authority (scripture, sacred texts, religious leaders) | Explain contrasting beliefs — different views within and between traditions | Use key terminology precisely (e.g. tawhid, atonement, sanctity of life) | For 12-mark evaluation questions, consider both sides before reaching a justified conclusion | Link beliefs to their impact on individuals, communities and society | Acknowledge diversity — no religious tradition has a single, uniform view
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often confuse just war with holy war. Wrong: "Just war and holy war mean the same thing." Correct: "A just war must meet criteria including legitimate authority, just cause, last resort and proportionality. A holy war is fought for religious reasons or on God's command. They are distinct concepts — a war could be one without being the other."
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how just war and holy war connects to another Religious Studies topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of just war and holy war
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in just war and holy war?"

Plenary (5 minutes)

Assessment Criteria
  • Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
  • Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
  • Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

🎓 Smart Lesson (Guided)