Christian Practices GCSE AQA RS

Types of Christian worship

Liturgical, non-liturgical, informal, private

Liturgical worship

A church service that follows a set structure or ritual

Example of liturgical worship

The Eucharist

Non-liturgical worship

A service which does not follow a set text or ritual. Spontaneous and charismatic in nature.

What is the emphasis for nonconformist churches?

The word of God in the Bible

Informal worship

Type of non-liturgical worship. Focuses on God's spirit moving them to offer thoughts/prayers.

Charismatic def (in worship)

Led by the spirit

Features of Pentecostal informal worship

Charismatic, dancing, calling out, speaking in tongues. May be easier to feel God's presence spontaneously.

Why liturgical worship is important to Christians:

- Recieve forgiveness and living presence from God through priest

- Familiar and worldwide set order

- Generationally passed down ritual

Why non-liturgical worship is important to Christians:

- Importance of hearing about Jesus in the joy of the Spirit

- Faith expressed in different, personal ways

- People can be actively involved in the Church

- Service may have emotional impact

Private worship

Allows individuals to spend time with God, alone or with close relations.

Examples of private worship

Private: prayer, meditating upon the Bible, using aids to worship (e.g. rosary).

Public worship

Christians publicly gathering together to praise God.

How does private worship help Christians?

They find peace and a sense of communion with God in their everyday life as followers of Jesus

Importance of the Lord's prayer

- Reminds Christians that God is the Father of the whole community

- Always said at sacraments

- Involves supplication, atonement, and help not to sin

- Teaches that followers of God complete his Kingdom

The 7 sacraments

Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick.

How do sacraments help Christians?

Symbolic actions, words and physical elements (bread, wine, water) help strengthen the relationship with God

Baptism

Sacrament when God cleanses all original sin and someone becomes a member of the church. They are acknowledged as a child of God and receive saving grace

Mark 1:9-11

John the Baptist baptised Jesus - set example for Christians to be baptised to receive the Holy Spirit

Matthew 4:19

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them"

2 types of baptism

Infant Baptism and Believer's Baptism

Infant baptism

Initiation of babies and young children into the Church, where promises are taken on their behalf by adults. The infant is freed from original sin, introduced to Christian community

Which denominations perform infant baptism

Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist, United Reformed Christians

Believers Baptism

Initiation into the Church, by immersion in water, of people old enough to understand the ceremony/rite and willing to live a Christian life. Similar to Jesus' baptism

Holy Communion/Eucharist

Sacrament by which Christians commemorate the Last Supper by eating bread (body) and wine (blood) of Christ.

How do Catholics, Orthodox Christians and a minority of Anglicans view the sacrament of the Holy Communion?

They believe that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ.

How do other denominations view the Eucharist?

They remember Jesus' words and the bread and wine remains symbolic for the meaning of Jesus' sacrifice. Also act of fellowship.

Pilgrimage

A journey to a religious site

Importance of pilgrimages

- Be closer to God by visiting places that feature in the Bible (e.g. Holy Land)

- Spiritual discipline + development: they can reflect and pray

- To be healed (Lourdes)

- Sense of community

Why people should NOT go on pilgrimages

- God is omnipresent, so going to a special place is unnecessary.

- Goes against 10 commandments - is idolatry

- Money spent could be used to help those in need

Lourdes pilgrimage

Built after St Bernadette had 18 visions of Virgin Mary> Chapel over a healing spring. 60 confirmed miracles (Marie Bailly, tuberculosis).

Iona pilgrimage

- Island off the coast of Scotland is seen to be sacred as many saints lived there

- Christians visit Iona to spend time in prayer and reflection

- Dedicated to the Virgin Mary

2 cycles of Christian festivals:

Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and Lent, Easter, Pentecost

What do festivals remind Christians of?

They live through the events of Jesus' life (death, life, resurrection) and the coming of the Holy Spirit, and that God gave his only son to save them.

Christmas

Commemorates the incarnation of Jesus, and the belief that God became human in Jesus. Lasts 12 days, ending with epiphany. It is seen as a time of peace and goodwill.

Events in Christmas

Nativity scenes are recapped in plays and carols. Midnight Mass takes place on Christmas Eve

Easter

Christians remember the events leading up to Jesus' sacrifice. He was crucified on Good Friday and laid in the tomb.

Events in Easter

Churches are filled with flowers and decorations. Catholics and Anglicans have Saturday night vigil that begins in darkness, and light a large Paschal candle. Eggs are a symbol of new life.

Why is Easter more important than Christmas

It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which marks the end of a dark period for Christians after Jesus was crucified unlawfully. Reminds Christians of God's sacrifice (John 3:16)

The role of the Church in the local community

Provides a place for the community to meet, worship, pray and socialise.

The church raises money for charity. Events can be for anyone.

The local/parish church

A meeting place for local believers and the community of believers who gather there.

Role of local/parish church

Focal point of Christian identity/worship. Regular Eucharist services, festival worship, marriage, all to unite people.

What the parish church does in the local community

Everyone is expected to help with the churches missions to preach the gospel (spread the word) and makes God's kingdom a reality.

Ecumenicism

The principle of promoting unity amongst all the Christian Churches. Accepts the idea that there is diversity in the Christian community between denominations.

Mission

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

The Great Comission

Jesus' instructions to his followers that they should spread his teachings to all the nations of the world.

Missionary

Person sent on a religious mission

Evangelism

Spreading the gospel by public preaching/personal witness

The Alpha course

Started in 1977 and its aim was to help church members understand the Christian faith more. Aims to convert others. It takes place in churches but also peoples' homes, prisons, workplace and unis.

4 roles of Christian church

Missionaries, evangelists, pastors, teachers

Church growth

Rapidly growing in South America, Africa and Asia. There are 1.5-2.5 billion Christians in the world. Spread by missionaries and evangelists.

Christian responses to persecution

Strengthens their faith as a shared experience, so they help the persecuted by providing money/food/homes to protect them

Christian Aid

A Christian charity that provides emergency and long-term aid to the developing world.

Tearfund

A Christian charity working to relieve poverty in developing countries

Reconciliation in Christianity

uniting of believers with God through the sacrifice of Jesus

Difference between a convert and a disciple

A convert supports Jesus passively, but a disciple is someone who evangelises and follows truly the Christian faith

Ways in which Christians spread mission messages

Organised events, preaching, meeting people in everyday life, becoming missionaries, evangelism, humanitarian work

5 forms of prayer

Confession, Adoration, Supplication, Intercession, Thanksgiving

Confession

To confess sins to God for salvation

Adoration

Praising God

Intercession

A prayer on behalf of another person or group

Thanksgiving

A prayer of gratitude for the gift of life and God

Supplication

Asking God for something