Christian Practices & Quotes (doesn't have reconciliation, persecution)

RS AQA GCSE

What is a sacrament?

An external and visible expression of an inward and spiritual grace

What are the 7 sacraments?

Baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, reconciliation, marriage, healing and ordination

Which denominations accept all the sacraments?

Roman Catholics, Orthodox, some Anglicans

Which sacraments do Protestants accept?

Baptism and the Eucharist (as these are found in the gospel)

Which denominations accept no sacraments and why?

Quakers and Salvation Army because they believe the Bible is more important

What are the outward and visible signs of a baptism?

Holy water and the trinitarian formula

What are the outward and visible signs of a confirmation and ordination?

The laying on of hands by the bishop

What are the outward and visible signs of the Eucharist?

Bread and wine

What are the outward and visible signs of reconciliation?

Words of absolution/forgiveness

What are the outward and visible signs of healing?

Being anointed with holy oil and the laying of hands of the Bishop

What are the outward and visible signs of a marriage?

The rings and vows

What is the inward and spiritual grace of a baptism?

Receiving the holy spirit, being cleansed of original sin and entry into the kingdom of God/the church

What is the inward and spiritual grace of the Eucharist?

The spiritual feeding with the body and blood of Christ, experiencing the Last Supper as Jesus did

What are the two types of baptism?

Infant baptism and believer’s baptism

Which denominations practice infant baptism?

Catholic, Orthodox and Methodist

What are the features of an infant baptism?

Infant cleansed of original sin, blessed water poured onto baby’s head as the trinitarian formula is recited, godparents and parents make promises on the baby’s behalf, parents gifted candle (enlightened by Christ)

Why is infant baptism practiced?

To cleanse the infant of original sin, so that if the baby dies young they can still enter into heaven, so the baby can be guided by the Holy Spirit, to enter the baby into the Christian community and faith

Why are some Christians (e.g. Baptist church) against infant baptism?

They believe people being baptised should make the choice themselves, the child won’t get to remember their baptism if they choose to be a Christian, no evidence that John the Baptist baptised infants, the promises made are ones the infant can’t understand, can have a service of dedication instead and get to choose and experience a baptism when they’re old enough

What happens during a believer’s baptism, and which churches practice it?

Someone who’s made the conscious decision to be baptised is baptised, they are fully immersed in water, can give a testimony, practised by Baptist and Pentecostal churches

Why is Holy Communion important to Christians? (7)

It remembers Jesus, his sacrifice and the Last Supper, reconciles with God, unifies Christians, shared meal where everyone is equal, provides comfort, reminds Christians that some people don’t have access to food and to work for equality and justice for all, the only sacrament regularly taken

What is transubstantiation?

A Roman Catholic and Orthodox (and some Anglicans) belief that during Holy Communion they are actually taking Jesus’ body and blood and are experiencing the Last Supper

What is consubstantiation?

The belief that Jesus Christ is there with them while Holy Communion is taken - believed by some Anglicans

How do Protestants view Holy Communion?

They believe it is symbolic of the Last Supper and celebrates Jesus’ words and actions

What is worship in Christianity?

An expression of a Christian’s devotion to God

What are some examples of worship?

Prayer, singing hymns, speaking in tongues, Bible readings, saying grace before meals etc

What are the different types of Christian worship?

Liturgical, non-liturgical, informal and private

What are the features of liturgical worship and which denominations usually practice it? Give an example of it

Priest leads congregation, takes place in a church, follows a set structure, follows a ritual passed down through generations, more recognised/well-known (especially to visitors), e.g. Holy Communion, common in Catholic and Orthodox churches

What are the features of non-liturgical worship and which denominations usually practice it?

Doesn’t have to be led by one person, free choice within flexible structure, may contain spontaneous prayers, singing and personal testimonies, may feel more personal, common in Baptist and Pentecostal churches

What are the features of private worship? Give examples

All choices up to individual, can take place anywhere (more accessible), involves praying/praising God alone, helps develop person relationship with God, communicating with God personally/about personal matters, may use rosary, could involve meditation, singing hymns alone, reading the Bible, saying grace before a meal etc

Why is prayer important to Christians?

Helps develop a personal connection to God, allows Christians to ask/thank God for miracles, gives strength in times of trouble, essential for communiation with God, encourages reflection

Why is the Lord’s prayer important to Christians?

Model of Good prayer, reminds Christians to forgive others in order to be forgiven and that God is the Father of the whole Christian community, brings sense of unity, commonly used at important/meaningful ceremonies or sacraments (e.g. marriage, Holy Communion)

Lord’s Prayer quote forgiveness

“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”

Reconciliation (Corinthians)

“he has committed to us the message of reconciliation”

Resurrection (Gospels)

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”

Baptism & Church Growth (Matthew)

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Holy Communion (Corinthians)

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

What is a pilgrimage?

A journey made to a religious site by a believer for religious reasons

Why might Christians go on a pilgrimage? (9)

To grow closer to God and the Christian community, to seek a miracle/cure for illness, to help other pilgrims who are ill, disabled, vulnerable etc, to meet other believers, for spiritual healing, to experience a holy place, to be forgiven for sin, to thank God for a blessing, to reflect on their lives (especially during a time of crisis/when making a big decision)

Where are the two main places Christians go for pilgrimage?

Lourdes (a town in France) and Iona (Scottish Island)

Why might Christians travel to Lourdes and what’s the historical story there?

A young girl (Bernadette) had visions of Mary (mother of Jesus) there in 1858, and she was told to dig a spring - the water in the spring was said to have healing properties, and there have been around 70 confirmed miracles there. It’s a place of healing, and Christians may go there to bathe in the springs, help other pilgrims, or pray for a cure

Why might Christians travel to Iona? (11)

Home of ecumenical Iona community, some people believe it’s a thin place (a place where the veil between the physical and spiritual world is thin), can feel closer to God and the divine, it’s a place of natural beauty, peaceful, calm, can admire God’s creation, place for meditating and reflecting, can take part in workshops, visit historical/holy sites and attend services in the Abbey

Define ecumenical

The idea/movement of Christians from different denominations working together

What are the two Christian festivals you need to know?

Christmas and Easter

What event in Jesus’ life is Christmas celebrating?

Jesus’ incarnation and birth

What event in Jesus’ life is Easter celebrating?

Jesus’ resurrection

How do Christians celebrate Christmas? (9)

Midnight Mass (in darkness, church lit after Gospel readings to represent Jesus’ birth, light of the world), Eucharist celebrated in candlelight, nativity plays, carol services, Christingle services, Christmas Day services (morning service), decorating Christmas trees (lights represent Jesus), presents exchanged which represent the gifts from the Magi, some donate to charity

What is a Christingle?

An orange (symbolises the world) with a candle in the middle (Jesus), a red ribbon tied around it (blood that Jesus shed to save the world) and 4 cocktail sticks with sweets/dried fruit (4 seaons & corners of earth & God’s gifts to the world)

How do Christians celebrate Easter?

Easter vigil (Orthodox church and some RC and Anglicans), open air sunrise services, Easter Sunday morning service (Holy Communion, crosses uncovered, hymns sung), Pashcal candle lit

What is the Paschal Candle?

A large white candle which symbolises Jesus’ light

What happens during an Easter Vigil?

Orthodox - walk into procession with candles, enter dark church as if entering Jesus’ tomb, priest announces ‘Christ is risen’, congregation responds ‘He is risen indeed’. Catholics and Anglicans - vigil begins in darkness, Paschal candle lit to symbolise risen Christ, Holy Communion to finish

Why is Christmas important to Christians? (6)

Unites Christians worldwide and across denominations, remembers the incarnation of Jesus (without this there would be no Christianity), celebrating arrival of son of God, time for joy and peace to all, time to help others and be grateful, time of shared love (giving and receiving)

Why is Easter important to Christians? (5)

Celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and the triumph of life over death and good over evil, proof of eternal life, celebrates confirmation that Jesus was truly God incarnate, Jesus’ suffering brings hope to Christians that they can cope with suffering, reminds Christians there is a life after death/not to fear death

Matthew 1:21 Christmas/nativity quote

“She will have a son and you will name him Jesus..”

What is a mission?

A vocation/calling to spread the faith

What is a missionary?

Someone on a religious mission

What is evangelism?

Preaching the gospel to convert people to the Christian faith

How can Christians spread the faith? (5)

Social media, praying for others to accept God, sharing what God has done for them/their lives to others, inviting people to Christian events/meetings/meals etc, raising children in the faith

What is Christ for All Nations?

A Christian organisation led by which promotes evangelism and hold evangelistic meetings throughout the world (but particularly in Africa) - some of their open-air rallies in Africa have created crowds of 1.6 million people

Why is church growth important to Christians?

Duty as disciples, to help others find God and live an eternal life, spreading Jesus’ message of love, to ensure the church doesn’t die out, to obey Jesus’ command to spread the faith at the Great Commission

How does the church help the local community? (7)

Street pastors, donate or host food banks, soup kitchens, social events for the elderly, debt advice, youth clubs, refugee support

James 2:17 helping the local community

“Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Matthew 25:40 helping others/local community

“…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Why do Christians help those in need? (5)

To show compassion and agape love, to follow the example of Jesus, out of sympathy, feeling a responsibility to help others, have been in the same position and know how hard it is

What do food banks do?

They supply food (usually non-perishable) free of charge to those in need

How does the church contribute to food banks?

Volunteer at food banks, donate food, run food drives to collect food to donate, provide space (e.g. church halls) for food banks to operate in, donate money to food banks

What is the Trussel Trust?

A national organisation/community of food banks which partners with churches across the UK and brings religious and non-religious people together - they have over 400 food banks in the UK

What are street pastors and what do they do? (10)

Interdenominational organisation of Christian adult volunteers - go out at night and help the homeless, injured, sick, drunk etc, offer help and reassurance, can offer guidance if asked, get people to safety if they need it, hand out flip flops, water, spikeys (prevents drinks being spiked), blankets etc, remove bottles from the street, discourage anti-social behaviour, contact emergency services/police if needed

Why do Christians become street pastors?

To practically help people and be part of a solution, to build relationships in the community, make the community safer, express compassion and show agape love, to be a reassuring presence, to share the love of Christ, feel a responsibility to help others

John 15:12 helping others

“My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.”

Psalm 150:6 prayer

“Let everything that has breath praise the lord.”

Matthew 18:20 private/small group worship

“For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.”

Matthew 6:6 private worship

“Go into your room and shut the door and to your Father who is in secret.”