1.2 - Practices (christianity) Flashcards
List the 4 types of worship
Liturgical worship
Non liturgical
Informal
Private worship
Tell me which groups of Christians do liturgical worship
Roman Catholic, orthodox and Church of England (Anglican) churches
Tell me the liturgical worship features of a Roman Catholic mass
A set structure to the service the service
Follows a text of a prayer book - not improvised
Tell me about liturgical worship
Often takes place in a church,
Know exactly what to expect, there’s a set structure of service
Tell me about non liturgical worship
It’s more informal,
Typical if nonconformist churches and tends to be bible based
Often follows a structure eg hymn, prayer, reading, hymn but the service lead has free choice in structure - may choose a relevant theme for events in the world or community
The minister or person leading worship will choose bible readings that will be based on the theme of the sermon - prayer is usually in the persons own words and personal style - extemporary prayer
Tell me charismatic worship
A type of informal worship has hymns, sermon, prayer but is very free flowing
Charismatic is spirit inspired - often speak in tongue which is seen as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Singing and music too and is lively. It’s a much more relaxed feel to it and some believe it comes more from the heart
Evangelical churches are often charismatic and have become more popular in recent church history in Britain
Tell me about the bible for worship
Every worship will always Have a focus of the bible. Many Christians believe the bible to be inspired by God and for some it’s the word of God. So it has a central place and importance in any act of worship
How is the bible used in worship
The bible may be processed
Many hymns are based on the bible
Portions of the bible are read aloud
Sermons are often based on a bible passage
Tell me about Quaker meetings
Quakers were a society of friends and practice informal worship. No leader and no set structure at all. Those present sit in chairs in a circle around a table with a bible and book of Quaker writings
Worshippers sit in silence, until someone feels called to share thoughts with others
Tell me about private worship
Christians believe it’s just as important as public worship
Can take place anywhere and may follow a liturgical structure - some may say the rosary
It can be non liturgical - perhaps starting with reading a passage from the bible or meditating
Christians might also go to church while shopping, so can spend a short time worshipping God and shut out the pressures and concerns of daily life - MIGht use a train for silent worship
Tell me about the rosary
A string of beads with the crucifix attached. Saying the rosary involves running ones hand through set of beads and saying set certain prayers while touching each bead
Tell me about meditation
It’s thoughtfulness, focused on a religious truth
Often use a stimulus eg a lighted candle - focus on the “Christ the light of the word”
Might meditate in a picture which may be an icon such as Jesus or a saint
Or a beautiful scene from nature, others might read a passage from the bible and think about its message
In a church a Christian might stand before and meditate on each of the stations of the cross
List reasons why worship is important for Christians
It brings a sense of togetherness as a community
Makes them feel closer to God
Peaceful - allows for prayer and meditation
It’s an external expression of their faith
Tell me about prayer
It’s about listening, being open to guidance of Holy Spirit and doing what God wants them to
How can can you remember the types of prayer and what are they
Remember them through the hand of prayer
Each finger is a different type
Starting from thumb Praise God Confessions - sorry Thankyou to God Pray for others Pray for self
What are set prayers
A key part of liturgical worship
Many also use them for private prayer
Many written by religious men and women - some from the bible
It can be repeated many times and chanted, whilst repeating we meditate
Some use rhythmical as they say the prayer, first part said inhaling and second exhaling
What’s the Lord prayer
Contains some key aspects of prayer; praise, confession, prayer for others and for oneself
Jesus taught it to disciples when telling them how to pray
It’s about saying may god be forgiving and authority be recognised, may his purposes be carried out, may you acknowledge your need in God
Tell me about informal prayer
In public worship, takes the form of extemporary prayer. Most Christians use their own words at least some of the time in their private prayers
Many prefer informal prayer to set prayers as they seem to come more directly from the heart, meeting their particular concerns
One type known as the arrow prayer - very short addressed to God spontaneously at a time of urgent need or in response to a particular situation
What’s a sacrament
Has been defined as the external and viable sign of an inward and spiritual grace
Something people can experience with their senses but there is a deeper reality to it which can’t be experienced through the senses
How do Protestant traditions acknowledge the sacraments
Only the 2 sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist
Known as gospel sacraments as they were authorised by Jesus and there are many references to their use in the books of the New Testament
Tell me about the 7 sacraments
Roman Catholics, orthodox Christians and some Anglicans recognise 7 sacraments
Believe they are all implied by the ministry of Jesus as recorded in the gospels and the practice of the early church described in the rest of the New Testament.
Through the sacraments, God imparts particular gifts and powers
Some are intended for all Christians
Ordination is only for those who belief God has called them to priesthood
Marriages is for those who get married
List the 7 sacraments
Baptism, confirmation (chrismation in the Orthodox Church) the Eucharist, reconciliation (sometimes called confession), healing, marriage and ordination (becoming a priest)
Tell me about the baptism sacrament
Outward and viable sign is water and trinitarian formula
Inward and spiritual grace is receiving the Holy Spirit, the removal of original sin, entry into the kingdom of God the church
Tell me about the confirmation sacrament
Outward and visible sign is the laying on if hands by the bishop
The inward and spiritual grace is strengthening/sealing the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the person becoming an adult member of the church
Tell me about the Eucharist sacrament
Outward and visible sign is bread and wine
Inward and spiritual grace is spiritual feeding with the body and blood of Christ
Tell me about the reconciliation sacrament
Outward and visible sign is words of absolution (forgiveness)
Inward and spiritual grace is the forgiveness of sin
Tell me about the healing sacrament
Outward and visible sing is anointing and the laying on of the hands
Inward and spiritual grace is spirit sum and sometimes physical healing or preparation for death
Tell me about the marriage sacrament
The rings are the outward and viable sign
The inward and spiritual grace is the endless love between the couple
Tell me about the ordination sacrament
The laying on of hands by the bishop is the outward and visible sign
Inward and spiritual grace is the special gifts of the Holy Spirit needed by a deacon or priest
What is the importance of sacraments to Catholics
Baptism is the start of a Christian life
Confirmation marks the commitments
Eucharist unique - meant to be received regularly. Unites them with risen Christ
Reconciliation allows them to think how they have fallen short of gods will
Confession allows them to show their penitence
Healing allows person to be assured by words of absolution and allows them to prepare for death if dying
Marriage United couple with God
Ordination gives gift needed to carry out a priests ministry
Why do some Christians not believe in the sacraments
Quakers are members of the Salvation Army reject all sacraments.
Claim there is no reference to most of seven in bible
Believe God speaks directly to believers heart and there is no form of go between
Symbols and rituals are a distraction from true religion
What is a baptism
Being cleansed from ritual defilement
When John baptist baptised people it was a symbol of forgiveness - preparation for the new way of life
Practised by almost all Christian churches - could be considered most important of all sacraments
Why is baptism important
It’s the rite of initiation into the Christian community, making it Possible to receive the other sacraments later
The person is cleansed from original sin
The person dies from their old way of life and reborn into eternal life
Person united with Christ as a child of God
Person receives gifts of the Holy Spirit
What infant baptism
The baptising of a baby
Roman Catholic and Anglican churches use a font, pouring water 3 times over the baby’s head
In Orthodox Church the naked baby is immersed totally in the font
Water symbolises washing away original sin and spiritual rebirth
Tell me some features found in baptism services
Bible readings and prayers
Anointing the 2 different oils as different points in the service as a sign of receiving strength to fight evil and salvation
Making the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead to show that the child is called to fight against all that is wrong and to remain faithful to Christ
Promises by parents and godparents on behalf of the child to reject evil , acceptance of church’s faith as set out in the apostles creed
Clothing child in a white robe
Lighting if a candle shows child has received light of Christ
Reminder parents and godparents are to bring up child in Christian faith
Why do many Christians support infant baptism
In line with baptism of whole households in early church and part of Christian tradition
Natural to for parents to want to bring up children practising Christianity
Child receives the 7 gifts of Holy Spirit essential to spiritual growth - such as wisdom and patience
enables the child to receive the other sacraments
If newborn unlikely to survive, it’s comforting to know baby is part of Christianity before dying
Where is infant baptism practised
Most denominations
Catholics, Anglicans, orthodox welcomes the child, confirming the child as a Christian member, and absolving of sin
Other it’s simply to name and welcome child
Who practice believers baptism
The baptist and Pentecostal churches
What is believers baptism
For teenagers and adults, central ritual is to use water with trinitarian formula
Doesn’t take place at a font as it involves total immersion, most have a baptistery built in but some take place in a river, lake even a swimming pool
Tell me the key elements of a believers baptism
White clothes worn as a sign that life is about to begin
Testimony, (a statement made by candidate) explains how they came to believe and their reasons for seeking baptism
Declaration of penitence - being truly sorry for sin
Candidate goes down one set of steps into water symbolising the end of a old life of sin, a church minister told the person back right under the water stating “I baptise you in the name of the father, and of the son and of the Holy Spirit” -
He or she may given the right hand of fellowship by the minister on behalf of the whole Christian community. Handshake done to welcome them
Why do many Christians support believers baptism
Only those old enough to really know what they are doing and be fully committed to be baptised - it will mean much more than Infant baptism
Jesus was baptised as an adult - as were most people in early church
When they are old, children might resent promises made on their behalf when they were babies
For many people, infant baptism is just a meaningless practice that just names a child
Many of those baptised as a child don’t go to church agian unless married
Tell me about the last supper
Jesus took bread and said “this is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me” and then he took the cup “this cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me”
Most Christians celebrate the Eucharist with almost all Christian denominations (except Quakers and Salvation Army)
List me some of the names for the Eucharist/ differences between them
Lords supper, the breaking of the bread, liturgy, holy communion, mass
All give thanks for bread and wine (consecration) and using Jesus word at the last supper. Bread and wine then shared
Roman Catholic believe bread and wine literally become actual blood and body of Christ - transubstantiation, Protestants see ceremony as an expression of faith and obedience
Catholic, orthodox, and Anglican see it as a way to revive gods grace
Non conformist churches use a non alcoholic substitute
Tell me about the orthodox Divine Liturgy
It’s the Eucharist
A typical service includes wine and homemade bread, the iconostasis is a wall of painted religious icons with doors in the middle called the Royal doors
Bread divided into 4
Eucharist prayer said over 3 parts of bread consecrating them, through which the orthodox believe they come to coexist with the actual body and blood of christ
Service includes bible readings, sermons, procession of the gospel/bible through the Royal doors
The cherubic hymn is sung, then bread and wine is carried through Royal doors which are closed
Royal doors are Opened and the priest invites all baptised members of the Orthodox Church to receive bread and wine administered from a silver chalice
At end, make take some of an unconsecrated piece of the loaf - antidoron
Tell me about the Roman Catholic mass
Introductory and penitentiary rites - worshippers confess their sins to God, forgiveness is given
Bible readings, sermons and prayers; nicene creed is recited
After bread and wine are brought and Eucharist prayer is said while they are being consecrated
Lord’s Prayer and other prayers are said, priest puts bread on tongues or hands
Post Eucharist prayer followed by a blessing and dismissal
Eucharist in Protestant Christianity - the Lords supper
Much simpler than orthodox, Catholic and Anglican
Service is often additional - other denominations do it when a person is baptised
Can be monthly instead of daily or weekly
Those wishing to participate gather at front
Minister read the gospel of the last supper
Bread and wine or often a non alcoholic drink are shared with those who want to join in, others are blessed
Wine is given in individual glasses - not a single chalice
Depending on the church, hymns may be sung. A prayer will certainly be said in addition to Lord’s Prayer said by all
Summarise the Eucharist
The word means thanksgiving and the Eucharist is thanksgiving for all that God is believed by Christians to have done for the world, and especially for the sacrificial death of Jesus
Summarise holy communion
The word holy is a reminder that the service is sacred/special
Word communion means fellowship and reminds Christians they are joined in fellowship with Christ and with one another
Summarise the mass
This comes from the Latin words used at the end of the service; ite, missa est (go, you are sent out) it’s a reminder of Christian mission in the world
Summarise the Divine Liturgy
Divine reminds Christians of the sacred mystery of the service
Word liturgy means the work of people, in their praising of God
Summarise the breaking of the bread
This is a reminder of what Jesus did at the last supper and of what is still done at the Eucharist
It’s a reminder of Jesus body broken on the cross
Summarise the lords supper
A reminder of Jesus last supper with his disciples
Why is the Eucharist significant for Christians
Some celebrate it daily or weekly, thinking that it is so important that frequent celebration is necessary
Others do it monthly or less becuase they think it’s so important that they want to avoid danger of losing its significance by overuse
Orthodox Church resists attempts at precise definition of what happens at the consecration blessing of bread and wine as its a mystery, but believes that Christ is mystically and truly present
Roman Catholics believe in transubstantiation - bread and win is actsully body and blood of Christ
Anglicans believe bread and wine is spiritual
Methodists believe Eucharist is just a memorial - purely symbolic of Jesus death
Eucharist for Christians is a taste of heaven, worshipper is united in love with Christ and with all other Christians
Shown when they shake hands with one another in part of service known as peace
Believe it’s food for the soul that gives them strength to live their everyday lives in gods glory
