christian practices Flashcards
what is worship?
the act of religious prayer - a way for christians to show their love, honour and devotion to god
what are the different forms of worship?
- liturgical
- non-liturgical
- informal
what is private worship?
when believers praise or honour god in their own home eg, through meditation
why do christians worship?
- to praise and thank god
- to ask for forgiveness
- to seek god’s help for themselves and others
- to deepen their relationship with god and strengthen their faith
- to be a part of a community
what is liturgical worship?
a service that follows a set structure or ritual aka formal worship
what form does liturgical worship take?
- takes place in a church
- priest leads a congregation and may perform symbolic actions
- formal prayers with set responses and patterns
- the reading out of bible passages, maybe a sermon
- music and hymns
- same process is usually followed each time as they follow the christian calendar
denominations that take part in liturgical worship
- roman catholic
- anglican
- orthodox
why is liturgical worship important to christians?
- it is a worldwide set order for service that is familiar to everyone
- has been passed down through generations so it has a sense of tradition
- bible readings follow the christian calendar and teach christian history and faith
what is non-liturgical worship?
a service that does not follow a set text or ritual
what form does non-liturgical worship take?
- takes place in a church
- is often focused on the bible and sermons but also focuses on the needs of the people by choosing specific passages
- may also have prayers and hymns but there is no set order and the type can change from week to week
denominations that take part in non-liturgical worship
- methodist
- baptist
- united reformed
why is non-liturgical prayer important to christians?
- services can be planned and ordered to suit a certain theme
- non-conformist churches put an emphasis on the word of god in the bible
what is informal worship?
a type of non-liturgical worship that is more ‘charismatic’ in nature
what form does informal worship take?
- community or house churches meet in private homes and share food
- some involve silence whilst others may involve dancing, clapping, calling out and speaking tongues - ‘charismatic’ worship
denominations that take part in informal worship
- quaker
- pentecostal
why is informal worship important for christians?
- people can share readings and prayers and take an active part in church without the need of formal training
- service may have an emotional impact with the feeling of personal revelation from god
examples of public worship
- celebrating festivals
- preaching
- singing hymns
- religious media
what is quaker worship like?
- spend their worship mostly in silence and people only speak when moved by god to offer their thoughts or read from the bible
- claim to be inspired by the holy spirit
- has an emotional impact
advantages of informal worship?
- everyone can get involved, not just the vicar
- can be done anywhere
- everyone can express themselves and their own beliefs
- everyone can express their direct experiences with god
quotes for informal/non-liturgical worship
- “they worshipped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the lord’s supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity”
- “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the lord in your hearts”
- “come everyone, clap your hands! shout to god with joyful praise!”
- “i was dancing before the lord, who chose me above your father and all his family!”
quotes about liturgical worship
- “when solomon finished making these prayers and petitions to the lord, he stood up in front of the altar, where he had been kneeling with his hands raised towards heaven”
- “paul and silas were praying and singing hymns to god”
quotes about public worship
“all the believers were together and hand everything in common”
quotes about private wroship
“but when you pray go into your room, close the door and pray to your father who is unseen”
what is prayer?
communicating with god, either silently or through words of raise, thanksgiving, confession or requesting for guidance
why is prayer important?
- encourages reflection
- enables christians to talk to god
- gives strength in times of trouble
- gives a sense of peace
- helps christians keep a close relationship with god
- helps them to accept god’s will even if it means suffering
what are set (formal) prayers?
prayers that have been written down and have been said repeatedly over time eg, the lord’s prayer
what are informal prayers?
prayers that are made up by an individual using his or her own words (private prayer)
what is the lord’s prayer?
- a prayer that jesus taught to his followers to pray
- it is seen as a good prayer as it combines praise and asking for god’s help
- reminds people that god is the father of the whole chritian community and creates a sense of unity
- often used in worship and is always said during important events: baptisms, holy communion, weddings and funerals
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.”
advantages and disadvantages of set prayers
+ uniform
+ can be said as a congregation
+ multipurpose
- impersonal
what is confession?
to ask for god’s forgiveness
what is thanksgiving?
to thank god for all that he has given them
what is supplication?
to ask god for help (for yourself)
what is praise?
to tell god how wonderful he is
what is intercession?
to ask god to help others who are suffering
what is adoration?
showing devotion to and praising God for his greatness