AQA RS GCSE - Christianity Practices

What is worship?

Worship is an act of religious praise, honour or devotion.

Why do Christians worship?

> To praise and thank God.

> To ask for forgiveness.

> To seek God's help for themselves or others.

> To deepen their relationship with God and strengthen their faith.

What is liturgical worship?

A church service that follows a set structure or ritual.

What is non-liturgical worship?

A service that does not follow a set text or ritual.

What are the characteristics of liturgical worship?

> The people receive forgiveness from God through the blessing actions of the priest.

> The people receive the living presence of Jesus in Holy Communion.

> Bible readings follow the Christian calendar and teach Christian history and faith across the Old Testament, New Testament and Paul's Letters.

> There is a worldwide set order of services that is familiar to all, including visitors.

> The ritual has been passed down through the generations

What are the characteristics of non-liturgical worship?

> The style of worship follows that of some of the early Christians, who met to hear about Jesus in the joys of the spirit after the Pentecost.

> Faith is expressed in a variety of way. For example, sacraments can be expressed in different ways.

> Christians can also share personal interpretations of the Bible.

> Readings of the Bible often follow the Christian calendar.

> People can take an active part of the Church by praying aloud or speaking without formal training.

> The service may have an emotional impact with a feeling of personal revelation from God.

What is private worship?

Private worship is when a believer praises or honours God on their own.

What is the importance of private worship?

It allows individuals to spend time with God away from the Church.

What are the characteristics of private worship?

It often involves prayer, meditation, studying or meditating on a Bible passage or using aids like icons and rosaries.

What is prayer?

It is the communication with God, either silently or through the words of praise, thanksgiving or confession or requests for God's help or guidance.

What do Christians believe about prayer?

>They believe that God will answer their prayers, but not always in the way that they themselves would like.

> They believe that it can help someone accept God's will even if it means suffering.

What are set prayers?

Set prayers are prayers that have been written down and said more the once by more than one person.

What are informal prayers?

They are prayers that are made up by an individual using their own words.

What is the significance of private worship?

>It helps Christians to build up a discipline that allows them to have the strength to cope in times of need.

> It encourages a routine that allows time for reflection in a busy day.

> It allows Christians to find peace and a sense of communication with God in their everyday life.

What is the significance of the Lord's Prayer?

> It gives Christians a pattern to follow within worship, as it combines giving praise to God and asking for your own needs.

> It reminds Christians that he or she must forgive others in order to be forgiven because it is believed that prayer is only effective, if the person's relationships with others are right.

> It reminds Christians that God is the father of the whole community rather than just the individual.

>It can bring a sense of unity and spiritual purpose in society at important times (i.e: a funeral).

What are sacraments?

Sacraments are holy rituals that outwardly express an inner spiritual experience.

What do many Protestant churches think about sacraments?

They believe that sacraments are important rituals because Jesus instructed them to undertake these.

What Churches don't use any sacraments?

> The Salvation Army

> The Quakers

What is Baptism?

The initiation rite by which a person formally becomes a member of the church, as they are acknowledged as a child of God and receive God's saving grace. The sins of the person are forgiven and they enter a new life with Jesus Christ.

Why is Jesus' Baptism important?

Jesus' Baptism is important because of how it set an example for his followers to be baptised in order to begin a new life in the Christian community.

What is an infant baptism?

An infant baptism is a ritual through which babies and young children become members of the Church, where their promises are taken on their behalf by adults. The infant is freed from sin and introduced into a new life of saving love from God.

What happens at an infant baptism?

>The priest welcomes the child at the door of the Church and the service takes place around the font, which is a basin containing holy water.

> The child is presented in a white garment to show purity and peace.

> Parents and God Parents answer questions promising to guide and keep the child in God's faith.

> The Priests says "I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" as a sign that the original sin has been washed away.

> A baptism candle is lit and presented to the child as a sign of Jesus, who is the "light of the world".

What happens at a Believer's Baptism?

Whilst wearing white to symbolise purity and peace, a person gives testimony of their faith towards Jesus as their personal saviour and then they are immersed into a pool of water, symbolising the cleansing from sin and the rising up to new life with Christ as the priest says "In the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit, I baptise you."

What is Holy Communion?

It is also known as the Eucharist, Mass, the Breaking of Bread and the Divine Liturgy. This sacrament uses bread and wine to to celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross

What is the importance of Holy Communion?

> It allows Christians to give thanks to God for his great love by sending Jesus to Earth to save us from sin through his sacrifice.

> They believe that it enables them to become present in a mystical way way at the death and resurrection of Christ because of how the wine becomes his blood and bread his body through his presence.

> It is an act of fellowship because they share it together, so they should be brought closer together as a community towards God.

> It allows Christians to receive the grace of God by joining in the sacrifice of Jesus.

> It encourages the work for equality and to end injustice, as this is what Jesus did by sacrificing his life to repent our sins.

What is a pilgrimage?

A journey by a believer to a holy site for religious reasons. It is an act of worship and devotion.

Why do many Christians go on a pilgrimage?

Although not compulsory, many Christians choose to go on pilgrimage to:

> grow closer to God and strengthen their faith.

> express sorrow for sins and be forgiven

> reflect on their lives, particularly when facing a crisis or a big decision

> pray for something or thank god for a blessing.

> seek a cure for an illness.

> help other pilgrims who are ill or disabled.

> experience a holy place

> meet others who share their faith

> to gain a better understanding of their faith and renewed enthusiasm for living a Christian life.

What is Lourdes?

Lourdes in the South-West of France is a place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary, who was the Mother of Jesus, as in 1858, she came to a young girl named Bernadette through visions in a grotto. She told Bernadette to dig for a spring of water, as it has healing properties

What is Iona?

It is an island off the west coast of Scotland that acts as a pilgrimage sight for Christians and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

What is the importance of Iona?

It is remote and windswept, so feels as though it is a place, where nature reveals God's infinite presence and power.

What is a festival?

A day or period of celebration for religious reasons.

What is Christmas?

The festival of 12 days that commemorates the Incarnation of Jesus, which is the belief that God became human in Jesus. The festival ends with the feast of the Epiphany.

How is Christmas celebrated?

> Many Christians choose to celebrate Christmas through exchanging gifts, which is important because of how it is symbolic of the Three Wise Men giving Jesus the three gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

> Lights represent Jesus as the light coming into the world.

> Nativity scenes and plays.

> Carol services and readings to show God's promise of a saviour and the events of Jesus' birth.

What is Easter?

It is the festival that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. During Holy Week, Christians remember the events that led to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross on "Good Friday".

What is the Church?

1. The holy people (body of Christ) that among whom Christ is present and active.

2.A building in which Christians worship.

What are the Trussell Trust?

Based on Christian principles (unity of non-religious and religious people to end poverty/compassion to help those in need from the Parable of the Sheep and Goats), the organisation was founded in 1997, to provide support and emergency food for those in crisis in the UK.

What is agape love and why is it important?

Agape love is selfless and unconditional love, which is important because of in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, we are shown that Christians should not ignore the needs of society because agape love is a part of the Christian lifestyle.

What are the aims of street pastors?

They aim to help and care for vulnerable people in practical ways, working with councils, police and the communities. Their work includes listening to peoples problems, giving guidance to discourage anti-social behaviour. They are backed up by prayer partners, who pray for street pastors. They show agape love.

What is Parish Nursing?

Parish nursing ministries UK is a Christian charity which supports whole person health care, through the local church. Their work includes diagnosing early signs of health problems, training and coordinating volunteers to help alleviate loneliness or provide support during times of crisis, and giving additional help to the nhs. Their focus is on the person rather than just their medical condition, and they will listen to problems, give reassurance, pray with them if asked and direct them to specific services if required. THEY SHOW AGAPE LOVE.

What is mission?

The vocation or calling of a religious organisation or individual to go out into the world and spread their faith.

What is a missionary?

A person sent on a religious mission (especially preaching or charitable work).

What is evangelism?

The spreading the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness.

What are the Alpha Course?

Originally known as the alpha course, alpha started in 1977.

The aim was to help church members understand the basics of Christian faith

The organisers described this evangelistic course as an opportunity to explore the meaning of life through a series of talks and discussions.

In the 1990s the Reverend Nicky Gumbel from holy trinity, Brompton was involved in revising the course and encouraging its use.

Alpha courses take place not only on church premises but also in people's homes, universities, work places, and other venues.

Millions of people have taken part in this course.

There are also related courses including relationship and marriage courses for adults and study programs for young people.

What does the Great Commission tell us?

This tells Christians to know Jesus and to go and make him known to others.

They have a responsibility to tell others about their faith. When the disciples received the holy spirit at Pentecost, ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven this gave them gifts to carry out the great commission

What has happened in terms of Church Growth?

> In 1910 there were 291 million Catholics.

> In 2010 there were nearly 1.1 billion Catholics.

> Worldwide, around 80,000 people become Christian every day and 500 churches are formed.

> The Church is growing most rapidly in South America, Africa and Asia.

> There are currently somewhere between 1.5 and 2.5 billion Christians in the world.

Why is church growth important?

Many people believe that it is their destiny to share the good news of Christ and spread Christianity around the world. Creating Disciples not just new converts.

What is Christ For All NAtions?

One charity is called Christ For All Nations (CFAN)

This charity, like many others, aims to spread the word as far around the world, and to as many people, as possible.

It was founded by a man called Reinhard Bonnke who believed that spreading the word was his destiny and has even published books which have been translated into over a hundred languages.

What is reconciliation?

A sacrament in the Catholic Church; also the restoring of harmony after relationships have broken down.

What are the Corrymeela Community?

It began in 1965 by Ray Davey. The community seeks to promote harmony and reconciliation. Those who attend are given an opportunity to listen to each other and explore ways of moving from violence and distrust to working together constructively.

What is the World Wide Council of Church?

An organisation that has a programme to bring about the reconciliation of different Christian denominations by supporting member churches, inter-religious dialogue and cooperation in attempting to build a just community for all.

What do Christians believe about persecution?

Not all persecution has a totally negative effect. It may also help Christians to develop their faith and strengthen their convictions as believers, When their beliefs are challenged Christians have to decide whether or not to be fully committed to their faith, as the second century Church father Tertullian wrote - "the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church" he was claiming that the church grows because of persecution be because people witness the calm assurance and hope of eternal life that Christians have. Whether faced with verbal of physical abuse, Christians are still encouraged to show love ("Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with Good")

What do the Christian Solidarity Worldwide do?

Campaigns for religious freedom by:

1 Documenting and raising awareness.

2 influencing government who affect oppressed.

3 Offering training in human rights' law

4 Helping oppressed speak up.

How do the Barnabas Fund help persecution?

Sends financial support to projects that help Christians suffering from discrimination, oppression and persecution because of their faith.

What is Christian Aid?

Christian aid is the official relief and development agency for 41 church denominations in Britain and Ireland. Begun in 1945 they aim to encourage sustainable development, stop poverty and provide emergency relief in Africa, Asia, the middle east, south America and Caribbean.

What is the Tear Fund?

A organisation called the evangelical alliance launched Tear fund - known at first as the evangelical alliance relief fund. Across the UK, churches donate, hold fundraising events , pray and raise awareness to make possible the work of Tear fund. And in nearly 50 countries around the world, Tear fund works closely with local churches to enable the world's poorest people to work themselves out of crushing poverty.

What is CAFOD?

An official aid agency. Brings hope and compassion to all faiths and non in poor communities in Africa, Asia, the Middle east and south America. Catholic Church believes that action needs to be taken to remedy the injustice of people suffering while others have so much.

They increase access to clean water and education and healthcare. It helps those who have lost everything rebuild their lives.

Why should Christians respond to the problem of World Poverty?

> To follow the teaching and example of Jesus in working to relieve poverty. Jesus told a rich man to sell everything and give to poor.

> Christians believe that they should present Jesus to the world through helping the disadvantaged.

> The Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches the importance of caring for others, as Jesus often cared for and helped those outcasted like lepers and the mentally ill.