christianity practices

what is worship

how christians show love and adoration to God

what is a very common form of worship

weekly worship as a congregation in the Church

what is a congregation

a group of people gathering for worship

when else might christians gather

alone or in a small group

benefits of communal worship

may benefit from the experience of worshipping with others who share the same beliefs as them

benefits of individual worship

can focus on your own needs without distraction

what are 3 forms of worship

liturgical, non-liturgical, charismatic

what is liturgical worship

formal worship which is set and planned

what happens during liturgical worship

the person leading reads from the bible

what denominations follow liturgical worship

catholic, orthodox, cofe

what are 2 advantages of liturgical

1. the familiarity can help christians reflect on the meaning and significance more easily

2. nothing will be different from what the congregation believes

what is another element of liturgical worship

colours in the church and on the priest’s robes may change

what colours are there

• white + gold for special occasions (Easter, Christmas)

• Violet or purple (Advent, Lent)

• red for remembering the blood Jesus shed (Pentecost, Confirmation)

what are 2 main types of service within liturgical worship

Eucharist, the Word

what is the eucharist

when the congregation eats bread and wine which they believe represents Jesus’ blood and body (reminds them of the Last Supper)

what is the service of the Word

focuses on Bible readings and the sermon (which is more developed and longer then in eucharist)

what happens during anglican worship

• congregational worship

• hymns sung

• worship

what is roman catholic worship like

• liturgical worship

• Transubstantiation

• otherwise very similar to cofe

what is transubstantiation

the bread and wine actually is jesus’ blood and body

what do quakers do (4)

• silent worship

• no set prayers, hymns or readings

• no ministers

• people may choose to speak or pray aloud → ministry

what do they do in greek orthodox (2)

• eucharist is called divine liturgy

• 2 sections of worship: Liturgy of the word (hymns, prayers + reading) and Liturgy of the Faithful (Nicene creed recited, hymns, consecration)

what does greek orthodox emphasise on

the role of the holy spirit in the divine liturgy → God the father asked to come down and change bread and wine into jesus’s blood and body

what do methodists do (3)

• follow a liturgy, may be less structured though

• open communion → anyone may participate in communion (eucharist)

• has its own hymn book (Singing the Faith)

what is non liturgical worship

more spontaneous, with very little pre-structured → may have a minister, but anyone may be invited to speak etc.

examples of denomations which use non liturgical worship

protestant, non-conformist (Baptist, Methodist)

what is the focus of non-liturgical worship

to reinforce importance of bible as the word of god

what is charismatic worship

no set-pattern, dancing singing clapping, led by the holy spirit

example of a denomination that does this

pentecostal

what do charismatic christians believe

they receive similar gifts of the spirit, e.g. speaking in tongue (glossolalia), healing powers

what is individual worship

private worship

what might individual worship include

prayer and bible reading

why is individual worship important

it is christians way of developing their relationship with God

what is a sacrament

a ritual through which the grace of God can be received

what does the anglican book of prayer say about sacraments

a visible sign of the inward and spiritual grace given to christians

what does the catholic church believe about sacraments

as long as its done by a priest, it give the grace of god to the person, regardless of their faith

what does the catholic church believe are the 7 sacraments

1. baptism

2. eucharist (or Holy Communion)

3. confirmation

4. reconciliation

5. marriage

6. holy orders

7. anointing of the sick

what does the orthodox church think

agrees, but sometimes calls them ‘Holy Mysteries’

what does the cofe think

only recognises 2 sacraments: baptism and eucharist

what do catholics believe about eucharist

transubstantiation

what do anglican believe about eucharist

consubstantiation (spiritually present in the bread and wine)

why is eucharist important

it reminds them of jesus’ sacrifice and the salvation they’ve received

what does eucharist do to the christian community

brings them closer together

what is baptism

the sacrament symbolising a person’s admission into the church → may either be immersed in water or water sprinkled over their head, which symbolises purification from sin

what are the 2 types of baptism

infant baptism and believers baptism

what is infant baptism (or christening)

baby receives god’s blessing and child’s parents promise to raise the baby as christian

what denominations practice infant baptism

catholic, orthodox, cofe etc

what do these denominations do later on

confirmation during teenage years

what is believers baptism

baptism as an adult where they can decide for themself

what denominations believe in this

baptist, pentecostal etc.

what does it mean if youre baptised

a person can become a full member of the christian community

what do people need to be baptised to do in most denominations

eucharist or communion

what is a belief about baptism

it both spiritually represents washing away sin, but also a real transformation of washing away sin → necessary for salvation

what denominations dont practice baptism and why

quakers, salvation army → receive God’s grace inwardly, no need for outward ceremony

what is prayer

a way christians believe they can communicate with God → can develop their relationship with god

what is congregational worship

one person leads worship:

• congregation invited to take part through set responses

• or congregation listens and confirms with Amen at the end

• silent prayer time

what may set prayers help christians to do

express their thankfulness, confession and requests to god → can help christians find the words they need to communicate with God

what is informal or extempore prayer

informal and spontaneous worship → allows christians to relate to God in a uniquely individual way

what was prayer to jesus

very important → he prayed regularly, taught followers to pray e.g. Lords prayer

what is the lords prayer

a prayer which includes key things that christians need to remember when praying (Our father who art in heaven…)

how is individual worship helpful to christians

gives christians an opportunity to feel at peace and develop a personal relationship with God

what do christians often pray for in individual prayer

for other people, or charitable works they find helpful

what might christians do in times of hardship

seek gods help, guidance, or encouragement

what do christians believe god does when they pray

hears and responds e.g. brought lazarus back from the dead in John 11:42

what types of prayer are there (7)

1. adoration

2. confession

3. supplications and intercession (asking for help)

4. thanksgiving

5. grace

6. praying in the spirit

7. meditational

what are prayers of adoration

focus on God’s character and adore him for who He is

how do prayers of adoration help christians (3)

• can keep their own lives in perspective

• grow a christians sense of security in his safe-keeping

• recognising the Lord’s greatness

what are prayers of confession

people tell god what they have done wrong or what they’ve failed to do → example of repentance

what are prayers of supplication and intercession

seeking God’s help in a challenging situation or asking for God’s healing

what are prayers of thanksgiving

thanking god

what do prayers of thanksgiving allow christians to do

remain grateful for God + recognise God in all aspects of their lives

what are prayers of grace

thanking god for food before they eat.

what do some denominations do in services

say grace

how do methodists end their services

by saying grace → acknowledge god’s love and generosity

what are prayers of praying in the spirit

inspired prayers (led by God’s holy spirit within the believer), or praying in tongues (usually part of private prayer)

what is praying in tongue understood by many christians as

a unique language given to the believer by God through which they are able to praise God (in a way human language cannot)

what are prayers of meditation

when a believer focuses in stillness upon God → brings christians closer to God

what is a pilgrimage

a physical journey which takes a person to a place of religious significance

what does pilgrimage allow christians to do

step outside their daily pattern of life and set aside time to devote wholly to God

what advantages are there of going on pilgrimage for christians (3)

1. brings them closer to god as there are no distractions

2. come to a better understanding of themselves and their need for god due to it being a physically demanding challenge

3. intensely spiritual experiences may lead to a revelation of God

what are 4 important places of pilgrimage for christians

1. lourdes

2. jerusalem

3. walsingham

4. rome

what happened in 1858 at lourdes

a 14yo girl, named Bernadette Soubirous, saw visions of the Virgin Mary

what is there at Lourdes

a water spring with healing powers, Grotto of Massabielle

how many miracles have happened at lourdes

69 confirmed

how many healings have happened at lourdes

7000+

why is jerusalem an important pilgrimage spot

it is where jesus died and was resurrected

what may some christians time their pilgrimage with

the celebration of easter

what is the stone of unction

the stone on which jesus’ body is believed to have been laid and washed after his crucifixion

what do many pilgrims do with the stone of unction

pour oil on it and then rub it off with a handkerchief to take home as a relix

what is walsingham

a small village in norfolk

what happened in walsingham in the 11th century

the lady of the manor had a vision of the virgin mary’s home in nazareth

who became responsible for this site

augustinian monks in 1169 → it became a shrine

what was created there

the statue of the virgin mary

what has happened there

many miracles

where is the headquarters for the roman catholic church

vatican city, rome

why else is rome a pilgrim site

home of the pope, head of the rc church

what do christians celebrate at christmas

jesus’ birth

how was jesus conceived

miraculously, mary was a virgin

what did the 3 wise men bring to jesus

gold, frankincense, myrrh

what does gold symbolise

kingship

what does frankincense mean

worship → presence of God