Christian Practices

worship

an act of religious praise, honor or devotion

reasons for worship

• Recognising god’s importance

• Seek help/forgiveness

• Deepen relationship

worship quote(all the world)

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness” —Bible

worship quote(servant)

“You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him only shall you serve.” —Bible

Liturgical worship

A church service that follows a set structure

• A priest leads formal prayer with set response

• hymns, chanting, symbolic action

Denominations of liturgical worship

• Catholics(celebration of the eucharist)

• Orthodox

• Anglican church

Non-liturgical worship

A service that does not follow a set text or ritual

• Emphasizes the word of God in the Bible: holy communion, focused bible reading, sermons based on readings

Denominations of non-liturgical worship

• Methodists

• Baptists

• United Reformed Churches

(non-conformists)

Informal worship

Spontaneous and charismatic in nature(feeling towards God is also considered as such)

• Depends on people’s spontaneity(dancing, clapping, calling out)

Denominations of informal worship

Quakers

Private worship

When a believer honors God on his/her own

Systems of private worship

Allows all individuals to spend time with God

• prayer, meditation, studying or use of icons such as rosaries

Elements of Liturgical Worship

• traditional

• Christian calendar set worldwide

• forgiveness from God is through the action of the priest

Pros of Non-liturgical Worship

• spontaneity

• personal interpretation, expression & revelation of the Bible

• anyone can take part by praying aloud without formal training

prayer

communicating with God

ACTIS

• adoration

• confession

• thanksgiving

• intercession- asking God to help those who are suffering

• supplication - asking God for help

set prayers

prayers that have been written down and said by multiple people

• structured and well known

informal prayers

prayer that is made up by an individual using their own words

• free-form and personal

prayer position

• a humble position such as kneeling for both prayer types

• hands pressed together

• hands raised to invite holy spirit

• non-conformists sit, orthodox Christians stand, Catholics/Anglicans kneel a lot

rosaries

Catholics use a rosary while reflecting on the life on Jesus during set prayers

icons

Orthodox Christians pray to God using icons in their homes.(i.e. a statue of Jesus)

Grace prayer

“Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from your bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.” —Catholic Grace prayer before meals

Prayer quote(Hypocrisy)

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” — Bible

meaning of the hypocrisy quote

• only those who seek to please God are rewarded

• there is intimacy in a relationship with God

• others don’t matter

The Lord’s Prayer

Functions of the Lord’s Prayer

• Praise, Respect and Recognition of holiness & power

• Requesting forgiveness

• Asking for providing, help and protection

sacrament

a holy ritual that expresses an outward sign of an inward spiritual blessing from God.

7 sacraments of Catholicism

• holy communion

• baptism(only for infants, not believers)

• confirmation(to renew catholic belief)

• marriage

• holy orders(appointing ministers)

• reconciliation(confession)

• anointing of the sick

2 ordinances of Protestants

baptism & holy communion

• Jesus only performed these two and they are considered the most important

Baptism quote(disciples)

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, the son & the holy spirit.”

Baptism quote(kingdom)

“No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water & the spirit.”

Jesus’ baptism

“…Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” —Mark 1:11

Significance of Jesus’ Baptism

• All of trinity is in one place, with Jesus wiping away his Jewish origin'

• It represents a new life with Jesus/Christianity, an escape from original sin and an example for his followers

Infant baptism

• done in main service, a front contains water in it

• parents make promises and oaths for the baby

• the priest dips his thumb in the front and signs a cross on the child’s head, lighting a special candle

• “Christ claims you as his own”

Purpose of Infant Baptism

• removes original sin

• normally done in Anglican/Catholic churches

• sincerity towards Jesus at an early age

• God’s grace can be given to the young

Cons of infant baptism

• Child may not understand

• Jesus also chose as an adult

• Only by living for Jesus can they prove their Christianity truly

• A person’s journey with God shouldn’t be influenced by others, rather alone.

Infant Baptism quote

"Therefore He passed through every age, becoming infants for infants, sanctifying infants..." (Irenaeus, a Greek catholic bishop and early founder)

• represents salvation is for all ages

Believers

• early teenagers onwards

• early Sunday morning or end of congregation

• the person being baptized speaks about Christ’s impact.

• Down into water(symbolizing death), up into a life with Jesus

Purpose of Believer’s

• shows conscious effort towards being devoted and Christian

• Baptists only practice this version

• denominations include Baptists, protestant church, etc

Believer’s quote

“When you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead"—Colossians 2:12

• represents spiritual union with Jesus for believers, raised through faith, encouraging baptism for all

the last supper

the first ever communion before the crucifix

holy communion

uses bread and wine to celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross & his resurrection from death

transubstantiation

The bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ

• this presence is known as the “real” presence

• trans = transform

consubstantiation

Jesus is spiritually present but is not transformed into the bread/wine.

• con = with

Importance of Communion

• form of worship/sacrament

• at the Centre of a Christian’s life, spiritual connection at Jesus’ death/respawn

• marks Jesus’ sacrifice

• remembers the events of the last supper

bread quote

‘He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”’

• remembrance = aware of this impending death

wine quote

‘In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you”’

• covenant = promise

• new = setting Jesus apart for the new testament

Influence of Holy Communion

• Reassurance that God will forgive their sins as they repent

• Accepts the sacrifice of Jesus

• Stronger sense of security from God’s presence going into them

• Community

Pilgrimage

a journey that has religious or spiritual significance

Criteria of a pilgrimage

• the place of birth for founders/saints

• miracles/ connections with divine

• places with special spiritual powers/spiritual awakening

importance of pilgrimage quote

“pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey towards heaven & are traditionally very special occasions for renewal in prayer” — Catholic Catechism 2691

The Miracle of Lourdes

• the virgin Mary seen 18 times by a grotto.

• claim from Bernadette Soubirous in 1858

• recognized by the church in 1862, 67 miracles and 6000 cures

Activities of Lourdes

• 6 million people a year who are sick or disabled

• attend daily masses, light candles

• water collected from the spring is used in ritual baths, drunk or baths from the Sanctuary of Lourdes

Reasons for Lourdes

• expression of their faith

• closer relationship with God through prayer & reflection

• hope for emotional/spiritual healing

• act of devotion, comfort and hope

Iona

Columba, an Irish Missionary built a small monastic community in a place where “boundary of heaven & earth seem closer.”

Activities of Iona

• 150,00 visit yearly

• A difficult path that tests a Christian on their devotion & faith towards God, as they struggle to please him for 7mile hike.

• focuses on natural beauty.

religious festivals

a day or period of celebration for religious reasons

liturgical calendar

• the new year starts at April

• birth/incarnation is Christmas, resurrection is Easter

Christmas

The birth of Jesus/incarnation when God came to earth

• celebrated 25th December, lasting 12 days including the feast of Ephiphany

• Christ-mass, remembering Jesus’ death

Christmas activities

• exchanging cards

• gifts to re-enact the wise men’s gifts to baby Jesus as well as symbolism

• decorating homes to represent Jesus as the light in the darkness after Adam and Eve

• carol services

• midnight mass

Christmas quote

“Father, you make this Holy night radiant with the splendour of Jesus Christ our light” —opening prayer to Catholic Midnight Mass

Christmas quote(Immanuel)

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(God with us) Matthew 1:23

Christmas quote(Jesus)

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Easter

Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

• The week leading up to easter is known as the Holy week(includes the arrest, Last supper, Maundy Thursday and Alm Sunday)

Good Friday

The death of Jesus

• emphasis on real human suffering undergone by Jesus

• forgiveness of humanity’s sins.

Easter Sunday

Resurrection of Jesus from the dead

• celebrates victory over death

• reconciliation between God and mankind

Good Friday activities

• Special services and processions in the street

• Giving of Chocolate eggs

Easter Sunday activities

• Orthodox walk around the church at midnight before entering the church like a dark tomb

• Anglicans and Catholics have Saturday night vigil where a candle(Paschal) is lit to represent the rise

Easter quote

“Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death & upon those in tombs bestowing life.” — an Orthodox hymn

Easter quote(sacrifice)

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.” Isaiah 53:5

Easter quote(living among the dead)

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” Luke 24:5-6

Agape

selfless, sacrificial love

The Mission

Calling to go spread the word of Christianity and Jesus Christ

• commission = command given to someone

Evangelism

Spreading the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness

• an evangelist seeks to convert others

Mission quote

“So go and make followers of all the people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

• the great commission, Matthew 28:16-20

parable quote

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”

• By ignoring those in need, they are ignoring Jesus

Persecution

hostility and ill treatment because of race, politics or religious beliefs

Persecution quote(Paul)

“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted”

Persecution quote(hate)

“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” Bible

Persecution quote(Part)

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it”

(Bible, Corithians)

Persecution in the past

Many were persecuted and martyred, with specific jobs or property being barred too.

responses to persecution

• Reconciliation

• Campaigns to end violence such as protests

• Praying for persecuted Christians

Reconciliation

Making up and rebuilding a relationship between two sides after an argument

Reconciliation quote

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” —John 13:34-35

Reconciliation(good>evil)

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (reconcile, not retaliate)

Emergency aid

Immediate, temporary help with basic needs

Long term aid

providing education, tools and skills to help people get out of poverty themselves

Food banks

Provides emergency food to help and support those in need, helping nearly 1 million

• Trussell Trust run by Christians as the largest in the UK

• Salvation Army sets up soup kitchens, toy distributions, employment info and more.

Street Pastors

Training several months locally to support well-being at night, NOT for preaching.

• includes repairing things, debt support, asylum seekers, etc

• there are 20,000 people in the UK alone.

Role of the Church in community

• Meeting people

• Education through religion

• Rites of passage

Sheep’s parable

• Sheep rely on their shepherds and cannot live alone(believers)

• Goats are the opposite, eating trash and doing anything(unaware of God)

Helping the poor

• parable of the rich man/good man

• Jesus helped outcasts(sinners, tax collectors)

• the love of money is the root of all evil. “You cannot serve both God & wealth”

• “Let us not love, with words or speech, but with action.”

Faith in action quote

“The righteous will have eternal life”

CAFOD(Catholic Agency for Overseas Development)

• increases access to clean water

• lobbies employers to adopt fair working conditions

• encourages Catholic Schools to give aid for disadvantaged

(Based in South Africa, Middle East & Asia)

Christian Aid

Vision to end all poverty

• encourage sustainable development

• provide emergency relief in Africa, Asia, Middle East, South America & Caribbean

Tearfund

Motivated by initial famine in Biafra, Nigeria, 1968

• travels to places in need like Jesus

• responds to disasters & helping vulnerable communities

• helped over 10million people in over 90k churches overcome poverty in 2015