Christian Practices
Christian Worship
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Worship is homage and reverence paid to God.
Christian worship commonly takes place in the form of church services.
Church services usually occur on Sunday mornings.
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Liturgical worship
Follows a set pattern of prayers and practices.
Certain sections of the Bible are read in a specific order.
Priests wear certain vestments.
The congregation responds to the priest with fixed words.
Worship follows the liturgical calendar.
Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians use liturgical worship.
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Liturgical Worship - advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
Provides a sense of security and belonging to the congregation.
Emphasizes Christian tradition through the repetition of ancient prayers.
Helps Christians understand more about their faith through the church calendar.
Disadvantages
Can feel predictable and boring.
May seem old-fashioned to young people.
Does not allow for spontaneous expressions of feeling and the "spirit moving" among congregants.
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Non-liturgical worship
Public worship without set prayers and rituals.
Exuberant and loosely structured.
Includes music, extempore prayers, long passionate sermons, and spontaneous expressions like "Hallelujah!"
Non-liturgical worship can include Speaking in Tongues.
Pentecostalist church uses non-liturgical worship.
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Non-Liturgical Worship - advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
Highly individualistic and meets personal needs.
Popular with young people due to music and inspirational speaking.
Spontaneous and exciting.
Disadvantages
Can become focused on particular personalities rather than Christian doctrines.
Does not give congregations a clear grounding in the Christian faith.
Some people find it embarrassing or "over the top."
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Informal worship
Spontaneous sharing of thoughts or emotions about God.
Quakers engage in informal worship at their meetings.
Some churches organize informal children's worship like "Messy Church" with games and stories.
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Private worship
Worship done alone or with close family or friends.
Can be done in a church, at home, or in a church hall.
Includes prayer, meditation, or studying the Bible.
Seen as a way to get closer to God, seek guidance, or enjoy His presence.
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The Sacraments
Outward signs of an inward blessing.
Allow Christians to receive grace and blessings from God.
Bring Christians closer to God.
Mark key stages in life.
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How many sacraments?
Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians recognize seven sacraments.
Some Protestants (particularly Evangelicals) have only two sacraments.
Some Christians (e.g., Quakers) do not have any sacraments.
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Baptism
Welcomes a person into the Christian Church and cleanses them of sin.
Catholics practice infant baptism.
Baptists practice Believer's Baptism.
Baptismal vows are made by the person being baptized.
Baptism can take place in a font, baptismal pool, river, or swimming pool.
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Why is baptism important to Catholics?
Necessary for membership in the Catholic Church and salvation.
Removes prior sin.
Gives parents strength to raise the child as a Catholic.
Echoes the baptism of Jesus.
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Baptists and Baptism
Members of the Baptist Church practice Believer's Baptism.
Baptismal vows are made by the person being baptized.
Baptism takes place in a baptismal pool.
Some Pentecostalists conduct baptisms in rivers or swimming pools.
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Why is baptism important for Baptists?
Symbolizes a new life in Jesus.
Marks a personal commitment of faith to a relationship with Jesus.
Moment of being "born again."
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Eucharist
Also known as Holy Communion or Mass.
Began with Jesus at the Last Supper.
The most important act of worship in the Christian church.
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Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church
Catholics attend Mass every week.
Includes the Penitential Rite, Liturgy of the Word, and Liturgy of the Sacrament.
Transubstantiation: bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Shared among the congregation.
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The Eucharist in the Methodist Church
Methodists are evangelicals who worship in a more informal and non-liturgical way.
Eucharist is less important and not compulsory to attend.
Celebrated once a month.
Methodists reject Transubstantiation but believe in the symbolic importance of bread and wine.
Grape juice is used instead of wine.
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Nature and purpose of prayer
Nature
Attempt to contact God.
Includes vocal prayer, meditation, and contemplation.
Purpose
Adoration: praising God, showing love.
Thanksgiving: thanking God for His gifts.
Confession: saying sorry for sins.
Supplication: asking for God's help.
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Formal Prayer
Follows a set form of words and expresses core Christian beliefs.
Specific to certain Christian traditions.
Helps Christians feel rooted to their beliefs and heritage.
Said at set times and in set places.
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The Lord's Prayer
Jesus instructs His disciples to say this formal, set prayer.
Includes adoration, thanksgiving, confession, and supplication.
Note
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Hail Mary is a traditional Catholic set prayer
The prayer is addressed to Mary, asking for her intercession
The prayer acknowledges Mary's role as the mother of Jesus
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The Jesus Prayer is a traditional prayer in the Orthodox Church
It is repeated like a mantra
The prayer acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God and asks for His mercy
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Extempore prayer is spontaneous prayer
It is not pre-written or memorized
It allows for personal expression and connection with God
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Informal prayer is used by Christians in private
It can be done at any time or when there is a need to connect with God
Some Christians value informal prayer as more spontaneous and personal
Some Christians value traditional formal prayers that express core beliefs clearly
Set prayers can be included within informal prayers
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Set prayer has advantages such as expressing core beliefs clearly
Informal prayer has advantages such as being spontaneous and personal
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Extempore prayer in Church of England services is sometimes ill thought out
There is a debate on whether to encourage or close the floodgates of extempore prayer
Liturgical principles are being questioned
The Church of England is a liturgical Church and its liturgies provide what needs to be said
Prayer Book prayers have a quality of providing a conveyor belt up to heaven with hooks for personal supplications
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Pilgrimage is a journey to a location of religious importance
The purpose of pilgrimage can be to search for God, feel closer to God, add spiritual discipline, and follow Jesus' example
Christians have been going on pilgrimage to the Holy Land since the late Roman Empire
Other centers of pilgrimage have sprung up around relics of saints
Pilgrimage can also be a form of penance
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Protestants at the time of the Reformation opposed pilgrimages
They saw reverence for relics as idol worship and pilgrimages as a holiday and an opportunity to sin
Many Protestants remain skeptical about pilgrimage today
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Lourdes is a pilgrimage site in South-West France
It is visited by millions of pilgrims, particularly Roman Catholics
The site is associated with a vision experienced by Bernadette Soubirous
Pilgrims come to Lourdes to see the site of the vision and be healed by its waters
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Christian pilgrims visit and pray in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
They worship at the grotto where the vision is said to have taken place
Pilgrims confess their sins at the Reconciliation Chapel
Lourdes is considered a special place where prayers and services bring blessings and healing
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Iona is a small island off Scotland
It has a monastery and invites priests and ministers to spend time with lay people
It is a place for learning and sharing between clergy and laity
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Roman Catholics see pilgrimage as important for deepening faith and connecting with Church traditions
Protestants may be skeptical of the value of pilgrimage in the modern world
Some see pilgrimage sites as commercialized and focus on saints or the Virgin Mary
Some Christians prioritize addressing social injustice over pilgrimage
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Christian festivals are celebrated throughout the Church Year
The Church Year begins on Advent Sunday and ends with the Festival of Christ the King
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Christmas is celebrated from 25th December to 5th January
It is marked by Midnight Mass, decorations, carols, and the story of Christ's birth
Christians celebrate with a traditional dinner and exchanging gifts symbolizing the gift of Christ to the world
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Christmas is a celebration of the Incarnation and the relationship between God and humanity
Family is important in Christmas as the focus is on the holy family
Gifts symbolize God's generosity in giving His Son
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Holy Week is an opportunity to deepen knowledge of the central story of Christianity
Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday are significant days in Holy Week
Each day represents different aspects of Jesus' life and sacrifice
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Easter Sunday is celebrated with a dawn Eucharist and a renewal of baptismal vows
Christians have a joyful service to celebrate Christ's resurrection and hope for eternal life
Roman Catholics have a second mass on Easter Sunday, which is allowed only on that day
Eggs are symbolic of new life and are sometimes given during Easter celebrations
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Easter is the most important Christian festival.
It celebrates the overcoming of sin and death and eternal life for Christians.
It proves the predictions Jesus made about his death and resurrection.
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
The temple he had spoken of was his body.
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Key Quote: "But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." -1 Corinthians 15
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Key terms: The Great Commission, Evangelism, Evangelist, Convert, Mission, Missionary
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Christianity began with Jesus and his disciples.
Christians have needed to convert others to ensure the religion survived.
Some Christians believe faith in God is necessary for salvation.
Some Christians feel Christianity should be spread as a source of joy, hope, and peace.
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The Great Commission commands disciples to make others into believers.
Christianity becomes an evangelizing religion.
Christians are expected to spread the word and convert others.
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The disciples began converting others immediately.
St Peter organized conversions in Palestine.
St Philip converted an Ethiopian.
St Paul founded churches in Syria, Turkey, and Greece.
St Thomas took Christianity to Iran and India.
Christianity spread to Britain through the Roman Empire.
St Cyril brought Christianity to Russia.
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Christian missionaries accompanied European powers in colonizing America and Africa.
Latin America became Catholic due to Spanish and Portuguese missionaries.
Christianity spread in Africa due to British, French, and Belgian evangelists.
Criticisms of missionary work.
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Many Evangelicals think missionary work is vital.
Non-Christians will go to Hell if they don't convert.
They believe their faith is wonderful and must be shared.
Many Liberal Christians feel missionary work is less important.
It is patronizing to assume one's faith is superior.
Understanding and tolerance should be promoted.
Jesus' teachings center on love.
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According to a 2011 survey, there were 2.18 billion Christians worldwide in 2010.
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The Church of England organizes the Alpha Course to introduce Christianity to non-church goers.
The Scripture Union uses the Bible to inspire children and young people.
Jews for Jesus targets Jewish people to convert them to Christianity.
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1 Peter 5:1–4 emphasizes the role of shepherding God's flock.
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The church helps individual believers through worship, prayer, sacraments, marriages, funerals, and Bible study groups.
The church helps the community through supporting schools, youth clubs, food banks, legal advice clinics, and offering support to those in distress.
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There are approximately 2.4 billion Christians worldwide.
Christianity is the largest religion.
The Catholic church is based in Vatican City.
The World Council of Churches promotes ecumenism.
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Reconciliation brings together opposing groups.
It mirrors reconciliation between God and humans.
It emphasizes forgiveness and peace.
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The Truth and Reconciliation Commission facilitated healing and reconciliation in South Africa.
Catholic and Protestant clergy acted as negotiators in Northern Ireland.
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Christians are the most persecuted religious group.
Persecution occurs in North Korea, Somalia, ISIS-controlled areas, and Sri Lanka.
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Christians are taught to respond to persecution with blessings.
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Charity is derived from the Latin word "caritas" meaning love of humankind.
Christians believe in showing love to everyone as an act of love towards God.
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Love is emphasized as the most important virtue
Speaking in languages and having knowledge without love is meaningless
Giving away everything without love is pointless
Love is patient, kind, not jealous, not proud, not ill-mannered, not selfish, not irritable, does not keep a record of wrongs, not happy with evil, but happy with the truth
Love never gives up and is eternal
Other gifts and knowledge are temporary and partial, but love is complete
Faith, hope, and love remain, with love being the greatest
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The Sheep and the Goats parable
The Son of Man will separate people like a shepherd separates sheep from goats
The righteous who helped those in need will inherit the kingdom
The righteous didn't realize they were helping Jesus himself
The unrighteous who didn't help will face eternal punishment
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Divergent responses to teachings on charity
All Christians feel a duty to give to charity
Some give a tithe (10% of income)
Some prefer to leave charity to professional bodies
Some worry about money going to waste through charities
Some offer practical, personal help
Jesus instructs giving up everything, so there is no top limit to charity
Some help anyone in need
Some prefer giving through Christian organisations