Christian practices Flashcards
Liturgical worship
Some Christians prefer services that follow the same set pattern each time where a priest leads the congregation in formal prayers that have set responses. Bible passages are read out. The priest may perform symbolic actions which have a specific meaning. Music and hymns are sung by the congregation. Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Churches
Non liturgical and informal worship
does not have to be a set order or ritual. Nonconformist churches place an emphasis on the word of God in the Bible. Informal worship may depend on people’s spontaneous prayers or sharing of thoughts. Quakers worship mainly in silence and people speak when they feel God’s spirit moving them to offer thoughts, prayers or a reading from the Bible. Charismatic worship led by the Pentecostal Church may feel it is easier to experience God’s Holy Spirit.
Private worship
allows individuals to spend time with God, either alone or with close friends. may involve prayer, meditation, studying or meditating on a Bible passage or using aids to worship such as an icon or a rosary.
Prayer
communicating with God in silence or aloud using set or informal prayers. “Bless us O Lord, and these your gifts” People may pray in a humble position by kneeling down, hands pressed together. Orthodox Christians prefer to stand to pray. Non-conformists often sit. Anglicans may kneel. Christians believe that God will answer prayer but not always in the way the person would like. Prayer can help someone accept God’s will even if it means suffering. Some Christians prefer to find their own way of expressing their needs to God by using informal prayer as they feel they can open their hearts up more easily by using their own words.
The significance of private worship and prayer
Private worship helps Christians build up a discipline which gives them strength to cope in times of trouble. It encourages a routine that allows time for reflection in a busy day. Through prayer and meditation, Christians find peace and a sense of communion with God in their everyday life as followers of Jesus.
The importance of the Lord’s prayer for the individual, the community and society
The Lord’s Prayer gives Christians a pattern for how to pray as it combines giving praise to God and asking for one’s needs. reminds Christians in a private prayer that they must forgive others in order to be forgiven as it is believed that prayer is only effective if the person’s relationship with God is right.
The Lord’s Prayer reminds Christians that God is the Father of the Whole community, not just of the individual. The prayer is used in Christian worship and tends to be prayed out loud by all members of the congregation. said at Holy Communion, Baptism, marriages and funerals. brings a sense of unity and spiritual purpose in society at important times as it is a prayer than many people in Great Britain learned as children in their families or in school.
How do sacraments help Christians?
Sacraments involve symbolic actions, words and physical elements such as water in baptism and bread and wine in Holy Communion. Sacraments are special rituals which help to strengthen their relationship with God by making them a part of their life and they affirm that Christians are part of the Body of Christ, the Church, with all its responsibilities.
The importance of baptism
Baptism is the initiation rise by which people become members of the Christian Church. formally acknowledged as a child of God and receives God’s saving grace. Jesus’s baptism set an example for his followers to be baptised in order to receive Holy Spirit and begin a new life in the Christian community, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.
The importance of infant baptism
Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist and United Reformed Christians practise infant baptism. They believe everyone is a descendent of Adam and Eve who committed the first sin so everyone has a tendency to sin and needs salvation, even a baby. For Catholics and OC, infant baptism removes this original sin as they are welcomed into the Church as soon as possible and the parents are able to thank God for their new baby and celebrate the birth with family and friends.
The importance of believer’s baptism
Baptists and Pentecostalists think that a baby is too young to understand the meaning of baptism so people should wait and be baptised when they are old enough to come to a mature decision bout their faith. They believe baptism does not save a person but is someone’s conversion to living a life dedicated to Jesus and so the believer must be old enough to have come to a mature decision about their faith. It involves full immersion in a pool which symbolises cleansing from sin and the rising up to a new life with Christ.
The importance of Holy Communion
Holy Communion is the sacrament that uses bread and wine to celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection from death. For Catholics, the sacrifice of Jesus is made present once again during this ritual. Some Christians celebrate Holy Communion by giving thanks to God for his great love in sending Jesus to save people from sin and enable them to experience God’s love for all eternity. Orthodox Christians believe the bread and wine become the body and blood from Christ. It is a divine mystery how this happens but they believe that Jesus is fully present in the bread and wine as by receiving Holy Communion, they believe they become present in a mystical way at the death and resurrection of Christ which saves them. Protestant Christians who celebrate Holy Communion do so as a reminder of Jesus’ words and actions at the Last Supper. The bread and wine remain symbols of Jesus’ sacrifice and help them to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection for their lives today. act of fellowship as by recalling Jesus’ sacrifice together and by sharing bread and wine, these Christians believe they are brought closer to each other as a community and closer to God.
The role and importance of pilgrimage
Christians go on pilgrimage to get closer to God and strengthen their faith, express sorrow for sin and be forgiven, experience a holy place or meet others who share their faith. Lourdes-place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary where a young girl named Bernadette spoke of visions of Mary in a grotto so pilgrims visit to bathe in the water where it claimed that 67 miracles and over 6000 other cures have taken place. Iona- holds daily services in Abbey Church. Pilgrims are asked to help out with daily chores and meals while staying there- time for silence and meditation, for reading the Bible and enjoying the area’s natural beauty.
The importance of Christmas
Christmas commemorates the Incarnation of Jesus. It seen as a time of peace and goodwill when Christians give to charity as God gave the gift of Jesus, his Son.
The importance of Easter
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. During the week leading up to Easter Christians remember the events that led to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Orthodox Christians walk around the church at midnight on Saturday and then enter the darkened church with lighted candles or lamps to symbolise entering the empty tomb. Anglicans light a Pascal Candle to symbolise the risen Christ.
The role of the Church in the local community: Food Banks
The Church as a building provides a location where Christians from the local community can meet, worship, pray, obtain spiritual guidance and socialise. The role of the church is not confined to a building as it has been a source of schooling and medical care as well as an inspiration for art and culture, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink” The Trussell Trust- food bank that provides emergency food, help and support to people in crisis in the UK. Parable of Sheep and Goat The Oasis Project- community hub with an internet café, creative courses, a job club and training opportunities.
