christian practices Flashcards
what is liturgical worship (Catholic)
follows same pattern each time where a priest leads the congregation and holy communion is always celebrated.
advantages & disadvantages of liturgical worship
-sense of tradition= feel united as a community
-old fashioned, not bringing a new gen of Christians
what is non-liturgical worship (Baptists)
no set order but the preacher may change it (hymns/prayer etc) to suit a theme, lay members can take in active part in worship and holy communion is sometimes celebrated.
advantages & disadvantages of non-liturgical worship
-more genuine, like the preaching jesus did
-moving away from traditions
what is informal worship
free flowing with people doing spontaneous prayers and can be inspired by the holy spirit to speak in ‘tongues’.
advantages & disadvantages of informal worship
-emotional impact, engaging
-informal= speak too freely
what is private worship
allows individuals to connect with God and can be done as meditation or bible study (can use candles, Bible etc).
advantages & disadvantages of private worship
-Jesus told people to do this (“when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray”)
-can be done wrong
reasons for praying
-praise
-confession
-thanksgiving
types of prayer
-set prayer= prayers passed down e.g. Lords prayer
-informal prayer= made up by someone using their own words
why is the Lord’s prayer important
-model of good prayer= praise and asking for needs
-communal feeling
-used in worship
other important prayers
-Gloria + topical prayers (set)
-private prayers
-prayer of praise and thanks
what is a sacrament
holy ritual that expresses an inner spiritual experience with god and are a symbolic action or words. e.g. water in baptism
why is baptism important
-cleansed of original sin
-Jesus was baptised and he told Christians to be baptised too.
“go and make disciples off all nations”
what is infant baptism and what do they do
-child baptised at a young age
-the priest pours water over the head
-draws a cross on their head with oil.
what is believers baptism and what do they do
-adult baptism where they take classes
-fully immersed in a pool
-gives a ‘testimony’ to talk about their reasons to be baptised
-“no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (john)
what is holy communion
-sacrament using bread/wine to celebrate sacrifice of Jesus
-Mass, Eucharist
why is holy communion important
-recalls the last supper of jesus and remembers his sacrifice giving us salvation
-“do this in remembrance of me”
The importance of holy communion on an individual
-receive god’s grace
-reminder of his sacrifice
The importance of holy communion on communities
-brings unity and strengthens faith
-provide support for those going through difficult times
The importance of holy communion on the wider society
-show love and work for justice
-churches collect money during mass to help people in poverty
why might someone criticise pilgrimage
-money can be put to better use
-spiritual development can be used through regular church worship
what is the Lourdes pilgrimage and what do you there
-pilgrimage dedicated to the virgin mary=”i saw a lady dressed in white” (Bernadette)
-visit Basilica church and carry candles every night
-bathe in healing water
what is the Iona pilgrimage and what do you there
-Island of the coast of scotland and is a place where nature reveals gods power
-spend time praying, reflecting and reading the bible
-7 mile hike to holy places
-help with chores and meals
-“i am the light of the world. whoever follows me will never walk in darkness” (John)
what happens on Christmas
-carol services and bibles reading to remember Jesus’ birth
-gift giving= wise mens gifts
-light decorations= jesus being light of the world
-midnight mass= incarnation of christ
why is Christmas important
-“the word became flesh”= commemorates incarnation of jesus
-time of peace and remember those in difficult places
what good religious + social values does Christmas promote
-spending time with family
-give to charity
bad aspects of Christmas
-people forget the meaning and don’t celebrate the religious aspects
-can be greedy for gifts
what happens on ‘good friday’
-jesus crucified on ‘good friday’
-churches are dark and a simple cross is on the altar
-priest wear black robes
-services are led by a person carrying a cross
what happens on saturday night (after good friday) - orthodox church
-walk with candles and enter a dark church
-priest announces “christ is risen”
-answered with “he is risen indeed”
what happens on saturday night (after good friday) - catholic church
-everyone has a candle lit by the paschal candle
-hymns are sung
-scriptures read
what happens on easter sunday
-churches filled with flowers and hymns are sung
-have shared breakfast
-easter cards
-Orthodox= egg cracking competition
why is easter important
-provides us with salvation= “he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (John)
-symbolises good over evil
-time to come together as a community
-less fearful of death due to possibility of eternal life
what good religious + social values does easter promote
-jesus died for our sins= follow teachings
-be more forgiving
bad aspects of easter
-focus on chocolate, bunnies rather than jesus’ sacrifice = greedy
-more focus on bank holiday
what does the church do
-place to meet for prayer and worship
-perform weddings,funerals and baptisms
-street pastors: patrol on friday & saturday nights, listen to problems, hand out water
-Leicesters street pastors: first aid, flip-flops, water, lollipops
-“Great is your reward in heaven” (matthew)
what is the trussell trust and what do they do (local community)
-aim to end poverty and hunger
-food banks (400 in uk)
-provide courses to help people eat well and spend less
what is the oasis project and what do they do (local community)
-provide internet cafe
- a job course
-spiritual and practical help is given
-“love thy neighbour”(bible) + parable of sheep and goat
why does the church help others
-parable of the sheep & goat= look after poor to show we love jesus and be rewarded with heaven
-“great is you reward in heaven” Matthew
how does the church help the local community
-street pastors= trained volunteers patrol the streets on nights
-listen to people
-hand our water
-give guidance
what does CAFOD do (worldwide churches)
-works with organisation to train and support communities with poverty
-increase access to clean water and education
-food, shelter
what does Christian aid do (worldwide church)
-sustainable development= fairtrade
-emergency short-term aid
-work with illnesses/ diseases
what does tearfund do (worldwide church)
-works with over 50 countries
-fundraise events and raise awareness
-emergency aid
-long term aid = education
what is the great commission
Jesus’ instruction to his followers that they spread his teachings to all the nations
-“go and make disciples of all nations”
e.g preach in streets, use of media
what is an example of evangelism
-spreading the christian gospel by preaching
-the alpha course= aim to help members understand christian faith
-relationship and marriage courses for adults
-study programmes
what is an example of missionary
-a person sent on religious mission to promote faith in a foreign country through preaching or charity
-serving in mission= send mission workers across the wold
-education lessons
-mental health support
-spread the gospel and help build churches in areas where Christians are persecuted
why is church growth important
-more people are saved and go to heaven
-respond to great commision
how do christians show their commitment to church growth
-serve in mission
-give money to the church
-“the word of god kept on spreading and the number of disciples continued to increase” (bible)
what is christ for all nations (church growth)
-promotes evangelism
-hold evangelistic meetings throughout the world
-held open air rallies in africa
what is the importance of reconciliation
-humans relationship with god was restored
-“we were reconciled to him through the death of his son” (romans)
-jesus’ death saved humans
-churches restore relationships between individuals to work for peace between groups or nations
example of churches that work for reconciliation
-corrymeela community= response to troubles in northern ireland and aims to bring reconciliation
-encourage to forgive and work with schools and young people
-community of the cross of nails= set up after bombing in WWII and christians forgave
-the cross of nails in the center= crucifixion
-made links with german cities
how are christians persecuted
-pay extra taxes, sent to labour camps, attacks on homes
-Iran= arrested and tortured
-north korea=not allowed to worship but their leader, 75% of christians dont survive punishment- labour concentration camps
who is pastor baber george
-converted from muslim to christian
-set up new churches and helped the poor and uneducated
-given aid from the barnabas fund= paid his rent and food
-his family were given safety in America
ways the church have helped persecuted christians
-barnabas fund= send money to help people
-Christian solidarity worldwide= campaigns for religious freedom
-open doors= provide aid, food and smuggle bibles
-pray for the persecuted
christian responses to persecution
-strengthens faith= “i want to know christ…becoming like him in his death”
-“if one part suffers, every part suffers” (corinthians 12)
-“do not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”(romans 12)= shows forgiveness to persecutors
