Living the Christian Life

Liturgical worship

• Following an agreed form of words

• Structured, traditional, rehearsed

• Orth, Cath, Ang, Prot

• Comfort and security in authorised structure / tradition

Non-liturgical worship

• Structure without set words

• Prayer, singing, Bible reading, sermon

• Evan, Pent, Ang

• Freedom of expression / worship through spiritual gifts

Individual worship

• With or without structure

• Personal, quiet prayer at home

• Prayer, meditation, Bible reading, singing, thinking

• Feeling closer to or asking God for help

The Book of Common Prayer

The oldest Anglican service book

Contains special services, creeds and 39 articles

Sacraments in different denominations

• Cath / Orth: 7, bring about what they symbolise

• Ang: 2, directly tied to Jesus

• Salv / Quak: none

• Show God’s love and religious truths - Initiation, Healing, Service of Communion

Baptism

• Candle - child passes from darkness of sin to light of Jesus

• Sins washed away

• Statement of faith from parents

• Cath / Orth / Ang: babies, Bapt / Pent: any age

Confirmation

• Done at a certain age after Bible study

• Given gift of Spirit

• Statement of faith

• Orthodox replace with Chrismation

Eucharist

• Re-enactment of the final meal

• Debates about transubstantiation

• Salv don’t do

Marriage

Ceremony promising love and commitment before God

Taking Holy Orders

• Becoming a Priest / Deacon / Bishop

• Have power and grace of the Holy Spirit

Reconciliation / Confession

• Ask forgiveness by telling the Priest who asks God

• May involve penance

Anointing the sick

Either heals the person or forgives sins before death

Types of prayer

• Read / sung from a set text - Cath / Ang

• Informal and led by Holy Spirit to express oneself - Charismatic Churches

• Private prayer

Divergent beliefs about prayer

• Most use set and informal prayer

• Reciting set prayer strengthens community

• Informal prayer is more personal

Purposes of prayer

• Thanksgiving

• Contrition

• Supplication

• Intercession

• Worship

Pilgrimage

• Special opportunity to pray / get close to God

• Denominations disagree on locations / importance

Jerusalem

• Follow Jesus’ example and get closer to God

• Reflect on Jesus’ life

Iona

• Think about the importance of the Abbey in Scotland

• Local community - worship, social justice, welcoming atmosphere

Taizé

• Thousands of pilgrims visit

• Prayer, meditation, singing, worship

• Unites people of all backgrounds

Walsingham

• Pray and reflect

• Think about its history

Christmas

• Celebrates the incarnation

• Food, carols, vigil

• Mistletoe, holly - God’s blessing + protection from evil

Advent

• Spiritual preparation before Christmas

• Beginning of the Christian year

• Light candles for 4 Sundays - Jesus’ light

Holy Week

• Spiritual preparation before Easter

• Last week of lent - fasting, asking for forgiveness, prayer, charity

• Palm Sunday, Holy Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday

Easter Sunday

• Celebrates the resurrection

• Worship and praise Jesus in service

Missionary

Preaching combined with humanitarian aid / medical care / education

• E.g. Scripture Union, St Paul

• Help others and spread faith, hold events

• Criticism: spreads Western values, spreads disease, causes conflicts, takes advantage of suffering

Evangelism

Preaching gospel to attract new believers

• E.g. Alpha Course

• Through missionaries / conversation / public speaking / media

• Obey Great Commission, give hope, spread message, recruit

Purpose of the parish

• Encourage everyday practices

• Make God’s kingdom a reality locally

• Learn about Christianity

• Help believers through charity / advice

Ecumenism

Creating unity and friendship between denominations

Leads to tolerance, mutual understanding and less conflict

Role of the Global Church

• Representing Jesus - set an example

• Spreading gospel

• Helping the poor

• Promoting community / friendship / peace

Reconciliation

• Ecumenism - prayer / guidance, conferences between denominations

• World Council of Churches - days of prayer, campaign for peace / rights, provide support, help missionaries

Persecution

• Violence between Christian and Muslim groups in Nigeria

• Christians are persecuted in China / NK / India

• 100 000 Christians die a year for their faith

• 80% of religious discrimination is directed at Christians

Beliefs about charity

• Help those in need without spectacle

• Giving to the poor in giving to Jesus

• Must give out of the kindness of your own heart

Christian Aid

• Official relief for many Churches

• Works with local organisations

• Short and long term support + political campaigning

• Supports justice and human rights

Divergent responses to charity

• Giving in secret vs encouraging to give

• Ask God for help to give out of love

• Financial vs practical help