Christian Practices Flashcards
Liturgical Worship
- Service that follows a fixed structure or ritual
- Formal and Traditional Style of Worship
- Not sociable or personal
- Priest leads the sermon
- Passive style of worship
Who does Liturgical Worship?
Roman Catholics, Orthodox and Anglican Churches
Non Liturgical Worship
- Service that doesn’t follow a fixed structure or ritual
- Informal style of worship
- Different types of services based on preference
- More community based
- People take active roles in engagement and discussion
Why do Christians pray?
- Adoration: praise God
- Confession: Repent for sins
- Intercession: pray for others
- Petition: pray for themselves
- Thanksgiving: Give thanks to God
Lord’s Prayer
It is very important since it was created for us by the Lord as well as having all the reasons why Christians pray apart for Thanksgiving. However, Christians should not only use one prayer, they should make further more personal prayers to God.
Private Worship?
“When you pray, go into your room and close the door”
It is better to improve your personal connection with God instead of publicly doing so in front of others since it seems less authentic
Public Worship
It can be seen as a way in which you can connect with others through the connection you have with God to help improve your understanding
Why do Christians get baptised?
- To follow the example of Jesus
- To wash away a person’s sins
- To welcome the person into the Christian community
- To make a clear sign of commitment to God
Features of Believer’s Baptism?
- White clothes are worn (Symbol of purity and cleanliness, like a baby to symbolise a new start/beginning as a Christian)
- Fully immersed in water (To symbolise death and resurrection, being resurrected into a new life as a Christian)
- The person reads a testimony explaining why they want to be baptised (To show that they know the importance of being a Christian and that they are getting Baptised for a good reason)
Features of Infant Baptism?
- A sign of the cross is made on the child’s head (Shows that the child has become a Christian)
- The child is dressed in white clothes (To symbolise purity and cleanliness)
- A candle is lit as a sign of the light of Christ in the child’s life
What is Eucharist?
It is the bread and wine that Christians eat and drink in remembrance of Jesus in his last supper, which symbolise his body and blood
How does the Orthodox Church celebrate Eucharist?
In the Orthodox Church, the Eucharist is known as the Divine Liturgy. The bread is prepared behind the iconostasis and is divided into four parts. Three of these parts are consecrated by the priest. The consecrated bread is put into a cup with wine and this is given to members of the church on a spoon.
How does the Roman Catholic Church celebrate Eucharist?
In Roman Catholic Mass, all parts of the bread are consecrated by the priest. Catholics believe in transubstantiation, that bread and wine become the body and the blood of Christ when blessed. Members of the Church come up to the Altar and the Priest puts the bread on the tongue of their hand. They are then passed he cup of wine to drink from separately.
Why do people pilgrimage to Jerusalem?
In order to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. This is particularly common during Holy Week. Christians will visit the church of Holy Sepulchre which is believed to be where Jesus was crucified and buried.
Why do people pilgrimage to Lourdes?
Thousands visit a grotto and bathe in spring water on site. In 1858, a 14-year-old girl called Bernadette had visions of the Virgin Mary in a cave. She was told to drink the spring water and was cured of asthma and cholera, since this incident 69 people have been believed to have been healed on site.
Jesus and Pilgrimage?
Jesus had never instructed Christians to go on Pilgrimage. However, there have been accounts where Jesus went on pilgrimages himself. As a child, Jesus travelled from Nazareth to Jerusalem (75 miles) to visit the Temple during Passover.
Jesus’s birth?
He was born in a stable which shows his humility and helps Christians to remember the true meaning of Christmas in modern society. He was given Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh by the Kings which reflects now in our processes of giving presents.
How do Christians celebrate easter?
- Painting eggs: the birth of life symbolises Jesus’s re-birth
- Palm Crosses: recall palm leaves used to wave Jesus into Jerusalem
- Lighting Candles: Symbolises that Jesus is the ‘guiding’ light of your life
What are the aims of Street Pastors?
The aim is to challenge society’s social issues such as:
- gang culture
- anti-social behaviour
- help and care for the vulnerable
- listen to people’s problems and give advice
- gun/knife culture
How many volunteers are there for Street Pastors?
14,000
What are the aims of the Trussel Trust and what do they do?
Provide emergency food with the aim to bring people in the community together to end poverty in the UK. Non-Perishable food items are donated, which are sorted through by volunteers for safety. Professionals then identify the most vulnerable in which they donate the food to.
How many Trussel Trust food banks are there in the UK?
420
Missionary?
someone who spreads Christianity, provides aid and education
Evangelist?
someone who spreads the word of God
The Great Commission?
Guidance from one of the last times Jesus spoke to his disciples after the resurrection
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Mathew 28:19)
Missionary in the UK?
Alpha was started with its original aim of educating church members on the basics of Christianity, however, it then started to introduce others to the Church. Now it operates in universities, workplaces and prisons. The course usually lasts 11 weeks where Christianity is taught.
Missionary Else where?
Christ For All Nations was started by Reinhard Bonnke who dreamt about God speaking to him about how “Africa will be saved”. Inspired by this, he travelled to Lethoso to hold talks about Christianity. It has been claimed that at these talks people have been cured of illnesses through the power of God, and over 75 million people have converted to Christianity
Christ for all Nations criticism?
- Taking Advantage of the Vulnerable
- Giving False Hope to the Ill?
Christ for all Nations criticism?
- Taking Advantage of the Vulnerable
- Giving False Hope to the Ill?
Where is Christianity decreasing and why?
USA, Europe, Middle East
- Science vs Religion
- More likely to speak out?
- Diversity
- Less Religious Influence in Politics
Where is Christianity Increasing and why?
Africa, South America, Asia
- Population Increase
- Poverty and war?
- Colonisation?
How many Christians are there in the world?
Approx 2 billion
How many denominations?
43,000
1.1billion being Catholic
Persecution?
Hostility and ill-treatment due to prejudice
Examples of Persecution?
- Uyghur Muslims in China taken to ‘re-education camps
- The Holocaust
- Institutional Racism in the US police force
- Covid Pandemic; racism against Asian people
- Ban on Education for girls; by Taliban in Afghanistan
HISTORIC Christian Persecution?
- Roman Empire tortured Christians in 64AD
- Emperor of China banned Christianity for 100 yrs in 1600AD
Quote on Persecution?
“Blessed are you when people insult you…because great is your reward in Heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12)
Reconcilliation?
Fixing a broken relationship
(With God and others)
What was the first step of reconciliation?
Jesus’s death made our relationship with God loving again since humans were now able to be with god in Heaven and connect to him and be forgiven of our sins.
Example of reconciliation?
The Apartheid
- Desmond Tutu helped to reach reconciliation by peacefully protesting against Apartheid and the rights of people who weren’t white in South Africa, which earnt him the Noble Peace Prize in 1984. He is a good example of negotiating peacefully with his former enemies.
Causes of Poverty in LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries)?
- War
- Corruption
- Inflation
- Natural Disasters
Why Do Christians help?
For many, Poverty is out of their control, therefore they need the help of others to then try to overcome this.
“Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action is dead” (James 2:17)
Christian Response to Poverty?
Christian Aid
Set up after WW2 in response to the refugee crisis in Europe. Which was later then extended beyond Europe to give emergency as well as long-term aid to those living in Poverty
What is Emergency Aid?
It is an immediate response to a disaster, where food and bottled water are distributed to prevent hunger and dehydration. Medical kits are supplied to deal with injuries and to prevent the outbreak of diseases. Tents, blankets and emergency shelters are provided to those who have lost everything
What is Long Term Aid?
It is about helping communities to become self-sufficient again. Education programmes are set up and training is provided for communities in farming and health care.
