Christianity Practises

What is meant by the word 'church'?

The Christian community, or the building where Christians meet to worship

What is liturgical worship?

Worship that follows a set pattern

Which Christian denominations use liturgical worship?

Roman Catholic; Church of England; Orthodox Church

What is non-liturgical worship?

Worship that does not follow a set pattern, it may change each time

What type of worship sees individuals spend time alone with God or close friends and family?

private worship

What is informal worship?

This might involve each person doing their own thing at the same time: praying, singing or sharing thoughts. May also be 'charsmatic' and led by the Holy Spirit.

What will you expect to see in liturgical worship?

Bible readings, set prayers, hymns and songs sung together, a sermon or homily

What is the most well known set prayer in Christianity?

The Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer contains the words of which person?

Jesus

What is the Bible used for in church?

Bible readings; source of prayers; the sermon/homily is based on the Bible

Where is the Bible found in a church?

In some churches, a large Bible is on the lectern at the front of the church; in some churches Bibles are in the pews or on every person's seat.

What are the two main types of prayer? (These are found in the Lord's Prayer)

intercession and thanksgiving

What is intercessionary prayer?

Prayers that ask God for help

What objects might some Christians use in their prayers?

icons; rosary beads

Why might some Christians use rosary beads or icons when praying?

To help focus on God

Why might some Christians kneel down or open their hands when praying?

It is a way of showing humility and openness to God

Why is worship and prayer important for Christians?

They connect the person with God, helping them to be at one with God

Why might some people prefer liturgical worship?

Liturgical worship is based on the words of the Bible; it is traditional and is used by Christians all over the world

Why might some people prefer non-liturgical or informal worship?

Non-liturgical worhsip is more interesting and more personal; it focusses on your relationship with God

This term refers to an outward ritual or sign that expresses an inner spiritual experience?

sacrament

Which denomination recognises 7 sacraments?

The Roman Catholic Church

What is Baptism?

the ceremony by which people are cleansed of their sin and become members of the Christian Church

What are the two types of baptism?

infant baptism and believer's (adult) baptism

What happens in an infant baptism?

parents and godparents promise to bring up the child in a Christian way; water is poured over the baby's head and a sign of the cross is made

What happens in a believer's baptism?

the person gives their testimony of becoming a Christian; they are then immersed into water and lifted out again

What is the significance of water in baptism?

it represents cleanliness

In a believer's baptism, what does the immersion in water represent?

being lowered under the water represents death, while being lifted out of the water represents rising to new life

What makes baptism a sacrament?

being cleaned by the water is a visible sign of being forgiven your sins by the grace of God

How might being baptised affect a Christian?

When they are baptised, they may feel that they have a new start in life, and can leave behind the sinful part of their life and try to lead a better life

Why do some Christians oppose infant baptism?

the decision to be baptised should be made by the individual; Jesus was baptised as an adult, not a baby

Why do some Christians think that infant baptism is acceptable?

baptising children is traditional in the church, and the Bible talks of whole families being baptised; baptism is an antidote to original sin

What is Holy Communion?

…also known as the Eucharist, Mass, the Divine Liturgy or the Lord's Supper. This sacrament uses bread and wine to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus

What was the 'Last Supper'?

The last evening meal Jesus shared with his disciples before he was arrested

What makes holy communion a sacrament?

Taking bread and wine is a vsible sign of the death and resurrection of Jesus which brings atonement.

What are the different ways that the bread and wine are taken?

In an Orthodox church, the bread and wine and mixed and given by a spoon; In the Roman Catholic church, a wafer of bread might be placed directly in your mouth, or you might take the wafer and dip it in the wine; in a Methodist or Baptist church, you might be given a small piece of bread and a small glass of non-alcoholic wine

What is transubstantiation?

The Roman Catholic belief that the bread and wine taken during the Eucharist actually tranforms into the body and blood of Jesus

Why do some Christians believe in transubstantiation?

Jesus says "This is my body" and "This is my blood"

Why do some Christians reject transubstantiation?

At holy communion, the bread and wine symbolise the body and blood of Jesus, but they are still just bread and wine.

Name 2 more Catholic sacraments

Marriage, Confirmation, Reconciliation, anointing the sick, Holy orders

What is a pilgrimage?

a journey made for religious reasons to a sacred place

Name two sites of Christian pilgrimage.

Lourdes, Iona, Walsingham, Rome, Jerusalem, Bethlehem

Why is Lourdes a pilgrimage site for Christians?

St Bernadette claimed she had seen visions of Mary, the mother of Jesus

What do many pilgrims believe will happen during their visit to Lourdes?

They will be healed

How many healings in Lourdes have been declared miracles by the Roman Catholic church?

69

What does it mean when some people say that Iona is a 'thin place'?

That the boundary between heaven and earth is thin, so they seem very closely connected

What is it about Iona that makes it feel like a 'thin place'?

It is very quiet; there is a long history of Christians praying there

What does Christmas celebrate?

the birth of Jesus

What will Christians do at Christmas?

Give presents, go to church, send cards, spend time with family

Why might Christians give and receive presents at Christmas?

To remember that the Magi brought gifts to Jesus

Why might Christians spend time with family at Christmas?

The Christmas story is a story about a family;

What key Christian belief is linked to Christmas?

incarnation (God comes as a human)

Which books of the Bible document the life of Jesus

The Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke & John

On what day do Christians remember Jesus' death?

Good Friday

On what day do Christians remember Jesus' resurrection

Easter Sunday

Why might some Christians have a sunrise church service on Easter Sunday?

The resurrection took place early in the morning

Why might gifts such as chocolate eggs be given at Easter?

These gifts represent new life (resurrection)

Why might some churches hold a Good Friday procession?

To remember when Jesus carried his own cross in a procession out of Jerusalem

What are food banks?

A charitable organization that distributes food to those who have difficulty purchasing enough food to avoid hunger.

What are street pastors?

Volunteers who help those in need during their night out eg those who are drunk

Why might some Christians see it as important to help their local community?

You should 'love your neighbour' (agape) by heping those in need

What does the Bible teach about the importance of faith and actions?

Faith without actions is dead and worthless; faith must always be backed up with actions

What does the Parable of the Sheep & Goats teach Christians about helping others?

Those that help others, are helping Jesus himself and therefore will gain the reward of heaven

What does the Parable of the Good Samaritan teach about helping others?

Love thy neighbour.' Treat others how you would like to be treated yourself

What is a missionary?

a person sent on a religious mission to promote Christianity

What is evangelism?

spreadng the word of God to convert people to Christianity?

How did Billy Graham do evangelism?

He preached to millions of people, teaching then about Jesus and the Bible

How did Mother Teresa (St. Teresa of Kolkata) do her missionary work?

She set up homes to look after the poor and sick in Kolkata, India

Name one Christian charity which works to help humanity worldwide

Christian Aid; Tearfund; CAFOD

What kinds of work are done by Christian Aid, Tearfund and CAFOD?

providing food and clean water; providing tents for refugees; building schools and hospitals; providing education and healthcare

What term means to repair a broken relationship?

reconciliation

How does the Corrymeela community seek reconciliation in Northern Ireland?

running workshops where people from different communities can work together; teaching children how to resolve conflict without violence

How did Oscar Romero initially seek to help those who were persecuted in El Salvador?

by helping and protecting those who were being persecuted

How did Oscar Romero later challenge those who persecuted people in El Salvador?

by speaking out, telling the governement they were wrong