The suffering that goes on in the world is difficult to accept, and how do we answer the question, ‘Why is there suffering?’
This subject is even harder to discuss with children.
Here is a lesson plan that aims to explore this difficult subject.
Table of Contents:
1. Teacher’s background information.
The obvious answer to ‘Why is there suffering?’ is war, but this misery can be caused by natural disasters, accidents, irresponsibility, jealousy, hatred, a hard training regime, bullies, despots, and even rescuing someone from a freezing river, or being a Christian!
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2. Lesson plans and resources for, Why is there suffering in the World?
[a] Why is there suffering in the world? The lesson plan is a downloadable PDF document to present to the children. (Opens in a new tab.)
[b] Why is there suffering in the world? Lesson plan: a PowerPoint presentation viewable or downloadable for teachers to show the children. (Opens in a new tab on www.slideshare.net) (Same material as the PDF above).
[c] Why is there suffering in the world? Primary School RE lesson plan video based on a PowerPoint presentation. Created with 5-second slides, so pause the video to enable the children to study each slide: (Same material as the PowerPoint above).
[d] Free children’s Bible Story videos and a song:
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden video.
The Story of Cain and Abel video.
The evil plot that led to Daniel being thrown into the den of lions video.
Remembrance Song – Wear your Poppy with Pride.
3. Short video Bible Stories to show why there is suffering in the world:
[a] Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, a cartoon Bible story (4.4 minutes long)
Suffering comes originally from Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God’s command.
[b] The Story of Cain and Abel: A Puppet Bible Story (6.7 minutes long)
The first murder in the Bible.
[c] The evil plot that led to Daniel being thrown into the den of lions (5.1 minutes long)
Suffering can be caused by other people’s jealousy, hatred and ambitions. Daniel was one of three top leaders in Babylon, but others were getting jealous of him…
4. A free children’s song about Remembrance.
This song by John Hardwick can be used in R.E. lessons, assemblies, collective worship, church children’s talks, Sunday schools, etc.
Remembrance Song – Wear your Poppy with Pride.
Remember and say thank you.
5. How to fulfil the locally agreed syllabus on ‘Why is there suffering in the World?’ Lesson plan.
Hopefully, you will be able to match your local agreed syllabus with what is here.
This lesson plan is based on the UK RE Attainment Targets.
Here is the Mapping Grid for the Attainment Target Categories:
- Sacred Texts – stories, scriptures, parables, teachings
- Beliefs – ideas about God, truth, meaning, purpose
- Practices – worship, prayer, festivals, rituals, lifestyle
- Identity – belonging, community, worldview, personal reflection
- Values – moral ideas, attitudes, virtues
- Living – how beliefs affect actions and everyday life
🎯 Why This Grid Works for UK Schools
✔ Matches Agreed Syllabus expectations
✔ Supports progression from KS1 to KS2
✔ Aligns with Ofsted language (knowledge, understanding, impact)
✔ Works for lesson planning, assessment, and inspection evidence
✔ Non-political, non-denominational, UK-appropriate
For many local syllabi, in KS1, Christianity plus at least one other major religion is studied.
Effective RE should combine:
- knowledge (stories, beliefs, practices)
- understanding (why people believe/do what they do)
- reflection (personal response, values, empathy).
Typical Key Questions for KS1
Here are common “core/enquiry” questions or themes that appear in most KS1 agreed syllabi:
- “Who am I?” (Identity).
- “What does it mean to belong?” (Belonging).
- “What makes some people so important?” (Important people).
- “Where did we come from / how did the world begin?” (Simple beliefs).
- “What makes some stories so important to different people?” (Sacred books).
- “Why are festivals, symbols or special stories important?” (Stories & moral values).
- “Why are some places so important?” (Important places).
These then required merging within the Assessment Aims, but as can be seen, there had to be some overlapping of the themes/core questions:
- ASSESSMENT AIM: 1. SACRED TEXTS (Stories, Scriptures, parables & teachings) – [SACRED TEXTS & WHO AM I?]
- ASSESSMENT AIMS: 2. BELIEFS (Ideas about God, truth, meaning & purpose) – CREATION & IMPORTANT PEOPLE]
- ASSESSMENT AIM: 3. PRACTICES (worship, prayer, festivals, rituals & lifestyle) – [FESTIVALS & PLACES]
- ASSESSMENT AIM: 4. IDENTITY (belonging, community, worldview & personal reflection) – [BELONGING & IDENTITY]
- ASSESSMENT AIMS: 5. VALUES (moral ideas, attitudes, virtues, right & wrong) – [FESTIVALS & BELONGING]
- ASSESSMENT AIMS: 6. LIVING (how beliefs affect actions and everyday life) – [IMPORTANT PEOPLE & FESTIVALS]
Each assessment had its own set of questions to answer. These are included in each lesson plan, which is suitable for that particular subject.