OCR Gateway GCSE RS: Christian Practices (Full course)

Name 10 Christian practices

1. Worship
2. Sacraments
3. Prayer
4. Pilgrimage
5. Festivals
6. Holy week
7. Rites of passage
8. Weddings + Funerals
9. Missions
10. Church

What is meant by worship?

Worship is used to describe the various ways religious people feel about and act towards God. Christians believe worship is two way and that through it, they can communicate with God.

What are 4 different types of worship?

1. Communal
2. Liturgical
3. Non-liturgical
4. Charismatic

Describe communal worship

Communal – such as in a church service, in a group – could be any of the following:

Describe liturgical worship

Liturgical – formal worship often led by a priest with set readings/songs/prayers. Most common in Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox churches.

Describe non-liturgical worship

Non-liturgical – less formal worship in which there may be a nominated leader but anyone is free to speak and express themselves in a more spontaneous manner. More common in Quaker, Methodist and Baptist churches.

Describe charismatic worship

Charismatic – emphasis on experiencing God/the Holy spirit rather than just reading/hearing about him. Common in Pentecostal churches.

What is meant by prayer?

Prayer is a way in which Christians feel the communicate with God.
As God is a personal God, it is important to talk to him and develop a personal relationship with him through prayer.

How can Christians pray?

There can be set prayers such as the Lord’s prayer and informal prayers which are more spontaneous.

Bible verse to show importance of prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:17

"pray without ceasing"

What types of prayer are there? (7)

1. Adoration
2. Confession
3. Supplication and intercession
4. Thanksgiving
5. Grace
6. Praying in the Spirit
7. Meditational prayer

Describe what praying in adoration looks like?

· Adoration – focus on God’s character and adore him for who he is.

Describe what praying in confession looks like

· Confession – telling God of things you have done wrong, seeking God’s forgiveness

Describe what praying in supplication and intercession looks like

· Supplication and intercession – asking God for help for yourself or on behalf of another

Describe what praying in thanksgiving looks like

· Thanksgiving – thanking God for all he has done

Describe what praying in grace looks like

· Grace – giving thanks to God before a meal for the food, can also be thanking God for other things

Describe what praying in the Spirit looks like

· Praying in the Spirit – an inspired prayer led by the Holy Spirit – might include speaking in tongues (glossolalia)

Describe what meditational praying looks like

Meditational prayer – focus in stillness on God

What are important Christian festivals?

Christmas and Easter

What is Christmas?

Celebration of the birth of Jesus

What is the name of the period leading up to Easter?

Advent

How do churches celebrate advent?

Churches will celebrate this with special services including lighting Advent candles each of the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas.

How do Christians celebrate Christmas?

Special services will be held on Christmas day (25th December).

How do Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas?

In the Orthodox church Christmas is celebrated on 7th January and many Orthodox Christians will fast on this day.

What does Easter mark?

It marks the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

What is the Holy week?

Churches may have special services throughout Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter) to mark the events happening in Jesus' life on those days.

What is lent and why may Christians do this?

Lent is the period of 40 days prior to Easter where Christians may give something up to remember Jesus’ time fasting in the desert before being tempted by Satan.

What are sacraments?

Known as "outward signs of inner grace" - these are outward markers/actions that show a person's inner faith/feelings towards God.

How many sacraments are there in the Catholic church?

In the Catholic church there are seven of these

What are the sacraments of the Catholic church?

Baptism
Eucharist/Holy Communion
Confirmation
Reconciliation/confession
Marriage
Holy Orders (for those becoming priests or monks/nuns)
Anointing the sick and dying

What are the sacraments of most other churches?

Most other Churches emphasise Baptism and the Eucharist as sacraments.

What does baptism represent?

It marks the persons' entry into the Christian church and represents a spiritual cleansing of sins.

When can baptism be done?

Baptism can be done as an infant or an adult.

Which churches promote infant baptism?

Catholic and Orthadox

What is the Eucharist?

The Eucharist is the taking of bread and wine to remember Jesus at the last supper who instructed his disciples to “do this in remembrance of me.”

What is pilgrimage?

A spiritual journey, often a physical journey to a place associated with the religion.

Why may a Christian go on a pilgrimage?

Allows a believer to take a break from stresses of daily life and reconnect with God and their faith.
May bring them closer to God, help to develop their faith and devotion and bring fresh inspiration from God.

What are popular Christian Pilgrimage destinations?

The Holy Land/ Jerusalem
Lourdes
Walsingham
Rome

Why may Christians go to Jerusalem and when?

· Holy Land/Jerusalem – place where Jesus lived and died, especially popular over Easter to retrace Jesus’ steps in Holy week

Why may Christians go to Lourdes?

· Lourdes – place in France where in 1858 peasant girl Bernadette saw a vision of the Virgin Mary. Since then many people have claimed to be healed by visiting the spring.

Why may Christians go to Walsingham?

· Walsingham – village in Norfolk where in 1169 a vision of the Virgin Mary was seen.

Why may Christians go to Rome?

· Rome – home of the Pope and Vatican City, headquarters of Roman Catholic church. Seen as the place where Peter, Jesus’ disciple and the first Pope, was martyred and died.

What is Parousia?

The Second Coming of Christ when the Lord will judge the living and the dead.

What are the names of each day of the Holy week?

Palm Sunday
Monday
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Sunday

Outline the historical events of Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday – Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey to celebration and cheers.

Outline the historical events of Monday

Monday – Jesus gets angry with the market sellers in the Temple and turns over the tables

Outline the historical events of Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday - the Last Supper with the disciples and Jesus is betrayed and arrested

Outline the historical events of Good Friday

Good Friday – Jesus’ trail before Pilate and then his crucifixion

Outline the historical events of Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday – the tomb is found empty – the resurrection of Jesus

How is Palm Sunday

Small crosses made of palm leaves are given out as reminders of both of the palms that waved as Jesus entered Jerusalem and of his death on the cross at the end of the same week.

In some churches, large palm branches are carried in processions to start the service

Why is palm Sunday important?

Time for Christians to reflect on their own faithfulness to Jesus.

Crowds on Palm Sunday turned out to be hypocrites and so Christians may consider how they have responded when remaining true was hard.

How is Maundy Thursday remembered by Christians today?

A service is held where people's feet are washed by the minister.
Communion service where bread and wine are shared to celebrate Jesus establishing the Eucharist as the last Supper to remember his death.

How is Maundy Thursday celebrated in RC churches?

Priest will wash the feet of 12 people

How is Maundy Thursday celebrated in Britain?

Monarch takes part in Ceremony of the Royal Maundy which happens at the Cathedral

What happens in the celebration of the royal maundy?

Distribution of Maundy money by the monarch to senior citizens. People who receive the money are usually chosen because of their service to the community

Why is Maundy Thursday important?

-Marks day of Last Supper as a reminder that Jesus came to serve and Christians should follow His example

What does the washing of people's feet by Jesus symbolise?

Jesus taking role of servant in the same way Christians should be humble and willing to serve others.

How is Good Friday remembered by Christians today?

Main service will begin midday, reflecting Jesus' time on the cross
This service will include readings from the Gospels of Jesus' crucifixion, hymns and guided meditations

What are the stations of the Cross?

They are 14 events that describe Jesus suffering and death.

How are the fourteen stations of the cross incorporated in this service?

RC and other Christians will take time to pray at each of the fourteen stations of the cross

Why is Good Friday important?

As it was a redemptive act for sins of humanity. Without this, all our sins would be unpaid. Shows God's love

How is Easter Sunday celebrated by RCs and the CofE?

Easter vigil on the Saturday evening

How is Easter Sunday celebrated?

1. Churches fully decorated.
2. Congregation meet outside the church and a bonfire is lit
3. Paschal candle is brought out and the minister puts 5 pieces of incense on it

Why is the Holy Week important?

1. Allows Christians to say they are saved
2. Confirms truth in their hope of an eternal life in heaven after death
3. Thankful to God for Jesus' sacrifice

What are rites of passages?

These are events with celebrate the important stages in the life of a Christian.

What are the rites of passage?

Baptism
Confirmation
Dedication
Weddings
Funerals

Who practices confirmation?

Confirmation is practiced by the Catholic church and some Orthodox and Church of England churches.

What is confirmation?

This means the child has reached the age where they can confirm themselves to be a Christian and a special service is held for this. This fulfils the promises made in baptism on the infants’ behalf.

What are the two types of baptism?

Infant baptism
Believers baptism

What is 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 sin and introduced to the saving love of God and the support of the Christian community.

How is infant baptism done in the Orthodox church?

Child is immersed in baptismal bowl or font

What does infant baptism represent in the Orthodox church?

Represents leaving a life of sin and entering a new life
Water symbolic of being cleansed of the Original Sin

How is infant baptism done in the RC church?

Blessed oil called chrism is rubbed onto the child's forehead.
Priest may light a candle from Paschal candle at Easter to represent moving from spiritual darkness to light

Which church does believers baptism?

Baptist churches

What is a believer's

Baptism of someone who is an adult and can choose to be baptized

What is a bible verse supporting baptism?

Ezekiel 36:25

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

What is typically included in a Christian wedding?

Weddings will typically include:

-Priest explaining the purpose of Christian marriage

-Exchange of vows and promises to each other and to God

-Exchange rings as a symbol of their promises

-Prayers said to ask God to bless the couple

-Signing of marriage certificate to make it legal

Give a bible verse to support Christian marriage

Matthew 19:5

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife

What is the role of the priest in a Christian wedding?

Explaining the purpose of Christian marriage

What is the significance of exchanging vows in a Christian wedding?

Promises to each other and to God

What do wedding rings symbolize in a Christian wedding?

Symbol of promises made

Why are prayers said in a Christian wedding?

To ask God to bless the couple

What is the purpose of signing the marriage certificate in a Christian wedding?

To make the marriage legal

What components are typically included in a Christian funeral?

Bible readings, eulogy, prayers, hymns, Requiem Mass (for Catholic funerals), burial/cremation

What is a Requiem Mass in the context of a Christian funeral?

A special mass said for the dead

What phrase is often used during the burial or cremation in a Christian funeral?

"Dust to dust, ashes to ashes, in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life."

What is the Christian mission?

Evangelism

What is evangelism?

Spreading the word of Jesus and converting as many people to Christianity as possible.

What bible verse supports evangelism?

Jesus preached “the Great Commission”

“go now into the world and make disciples of all nations” (Mark 16:15).

What is the WCC?

The World Council of Churches (WCC) included almost all Church denominations (except the Catholic Church which have opted out).

What are the missions of the WCC

1. Conversion/evangelism - to spread the message of Jesus to as many as possible,
2. Reconciliation - this means working to see the Christian message play a bigger part in society, in order to bring about dialogue, peace and a world where we are in balance with the environment.

What is the concept of Missio Dei

God's activity/mission.

What does the church do in the wider world?

-The church also often acts as a community centre for the local community.
-They will often run mother and baby groups, youth groups, afternoon teas, choirs, interest groups for the elderly, jumble sales and other community events.
-Church halls are often used for groups such as Brownies and Scouts or classes such as Yoga and dancing.

What are two examples of new forms of Church

House Church
Messy Church

What is the house church?

The house church movement grew out of the 1960s and members meet in each other's homes, believing that the formality of a church building is not necessary.

What is the Messy Church?

Messy Church encourages young children to play and make noise is becoming increasingly popular.

Give an example to support these new forms of church

Disciples of Jesus praying in tongues after Jesus' death in a house which attracted more/ new believers

What is ecumenicalism?

Ecumenicalism is the idea of seeking Christian unity and of many various denominations working together. It recognises differences but aims to bring Christians together in shared belief and worship.

What is a bible verse to support ecumenicalism?

Galatians 3:28

"for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

How is ecumenicalism linked to he WCC?

This is one of the goals of the World Council of Churches (WCC). Together they tackle issues such as HIV/AIDs, poverty and climate change.