Christian practices Flashcards
What is worship
Acts of religious praise, honor or devotion
Types of worship..
Liturgical
Non-liturgical
Informal
Private
How does liturgical worship take place and who often does it?
Follows a set structure, ritual or order of service formal and traditional
-lead In set prayers and responses and traditional hymns, bible passages
Catholics, orthodox and Anglicans
what are some advantages of Liturgical worship?
Advantages:
-familiarity of service makes people feel secure
-people can easily join in from other church accessible
-set structure helps guide them to pray for right things
what are some disadvantages of Liturgical worship?
-can be seen as traditional and old fashioned with lack of variety
-boring for younger people
-harder to encounter God in new ways
How does Non liturgical worship take place?
INFORMAL A service that does not follow a set text or ritual with emphasis on Word of God
-do what Holy Spirit leads them to may speak in ‘tongues’ and dance
what are some advantages of Non-Liturgical worship?
-Allow for free choice within service so relevant topics affecting community can be adressed
-encounter the spirit in new ways and connect with God more personally
what are some disadvantages of Non- Liturgical worship?
-may be more biased to priest
-more difficult for newcomers to feel at home
-less reflection time
Informal worship, advantages and disadvantages and involves
Type of non liturgical worship which is ‘charismatic’ and ‘spontaneous’ very free
-Lively music and singing/dancing devotion to God emotional
-not restricted equal lead and easier to experience Holy Spirit
-loudness distracting
Understanding tongues is hard
-Involves less Bible study and less familiarity for new people, less accessible for non able bodies
Private worship A&D
Can take place anytime anywhere, spiritual and individual alone with god.
Advantages-
relieves pressure of everyday lives
-go at own pace and interpret bible in own way
-personal relationship developed
Disadvantages
-less celebratory
-can’t hear views of others
-without fellowship less motivating harder to find time
Why Christian’s pray
ACTS and I
Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication (supply needs)
Intercession (on behalf of others)
What’s a sacrament
Ritual that is an outward visible sign of an inward and spiritual blessing
How many sacraments and what are a few
7 sacraments in Catholic Church
(3 of initiation)
Baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist
What is baptism and symbolism and quotes to support
-sacrament of initiation through which people come members of Christian church
-water symbolizes sin being washed away and person entering their faith ‘clean’
“I Baptist you In name of father sun and Holy Spirit”
Before ascension he said “Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in name of father son and Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19
Believers baptism and who practiced by
-Baptist and non conformist churches
-Teens or adults accepting Christianity for themselves mature and understand commitment
-Person baptized makes choice themselves to be baptized as wanna join church and start over as better person cleansed of sin
-pool of holy water make promises to make personal connection and stay away from evil
Baptism doesn’t save but converting and dedicating to Jesus will
Why do some Christian’s prefer believers baptism
As Jesus was baptized as an adult and you are able to make decisions yourself
-many Christian’s believe baptism doesn’t save a person but converting to dedicating life to Jesus will
Infant baptism and who practiced by and quote to support
-Catholics, Anglicans and Methodists
-some Christians believe baptism makes Christian’s a member of Gods family
-in many denominations baby’s are baptized holy water sprinkled and parents/godparents make promises of behalf
-Catholics believed to wash away baby’s ’original sin’
“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God” (John 3:5)
What is Holy communion/ Eucharist ?
Sacrament that involves bread and wine to celebrate sacrifice of Jesus on cross and his resurrection ( used because Jesus used them at last supper)
Why is Eucharist important?
-uses bread and wine to celebrate sacrifice and resurrection and recalls last supper (Matthew 26:17)
-allows Christian’s to receive gods grace and gives thanks for god sending Jesus to save sins
-“my body.. this is my blood” symbolize Jesus atonement
-Paul’s recount of last supper in Corinthians 11:17-34 Jesus said “Do this in remembrance of me” so following his commands
-strengthen commitment to faith
Catholic and Orthodox Eucharist believes and practices
-Believe the bread and wine actually become blood and body of Jesus (this is a Divine mystery) and known as TRANSBUTION
-only priests who are men can give communion because Jesus was a man
-Orthodox churches get bread off spoon
Other Christians (CofE and Methodists) beliefs and practices of Eucharist
-SYMBOLIC ACT
-Believe bread and wine are a symbol of body and blood.
-Methodists don’t drink alcohol so will use juice instead
-allow both men and women as equal in Gods eyes
-non conformists normally sit in circle to pray and someone bakes bread
How does Holy communion/ Eucharist affect Christians
-Taken part in sacrifice and received Gods grace
-strengthens community taken together
-makes everyone equal and reminds us of others less fortunate
What’s a pilgrimage
Religious journey
Why do Christians go on a pilgrimage?
-understand faith better
-cleansed of sin
-get advice from monks/nuns
-show enthusiasm for faith
-visit places where something holy happened
-get cured of illness on some
Lourdes Pilgrimage
-in France
-sight where St Bernadette had visions of Mary in a grotto in 1858
- Mary told her to dig for a sprig of water and was discovered to have healing properties
-thousands go every year to ask for illness cures
Iona pilgrimage
-remote Scotland
-Christians go there to find peace and solitude alone with God
-daily services in Church and 7 mile hike to islands holy and historic spots
-some think it’s a ‘thin’ place eh try e spiritual world meets physical world
How do Christians help in the local community (list)
-refugee support and action groups
-elderly day centers
-food banks
-St Georges Cryog soup kitchen Leeds
-Street pastors giving homeless support in Brighton
-Samarians phone line for suicide
Food bank examples
Most cities have food banks which hand out vouchers and food to vulnerable
EX:
-Trussel Trust
-Oasis
-St George’s Crypt Leeds
Over 1 million used in 2017
Street pastors originated and work
Founded London 2003 but in many cities now
-originally set up to challenge gang culture
-Christian adult volunteers revive training to patrol streets at night and provide reassurance to people in crisis late at night
-respond to drunkenness, fear of crime and anti social behavior
Mission and missionary definition
Mission- A ‘calling’ to spread Christianity
Missionary- a person who tries to spread Christianity often in foreign countries
Mission reasons
Duty to get others to be Christian’s so also can be saved by Jesus. Spreading word as Jesus said
Evangelism definition
Convert definition
-Spreading faith by public preaching and spreading gospel
-Someone who has decided to join church
Evangelism methods and branches that do and why
-persuasive speeches public preaching
-door to door
-leaflets
Jesus gave commission before ascension: “go make disciples of all nations”
“I am the way truth and life nobody comes to father except through me”
People need to go worship to get to heaven
Informal convert method (eg Mormons and Jehovahs Witnesses)
How Chruches grown and number of Christian members
2.4 billion
-evangelism
-missionaries
-church organized growth programs and groups
-example of charitable work
Christian aid vision and aims
‘End poverty’ started in 1945 and provides emergency relief and seek to follow Jesus teachings
Persecution definition
Hostility, ill treatment and oppression because of gender,race,religion, sexuality
Why are Christian’s persecuted
- in places where other faiths are dominant
-believe us something in common with Jesus and strengthens faith
Reconciliation definition
Restoring peace when relations between people or groups has broken down
Why is reconciliation important and quotes
-aim of church is to reconcile people with God
-Jesus resurrection saved humans from sin so they can be saved and forgiven so should forgive each other
“Love thy neighbor”
“Forgive those who trespass against you”
“”Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you”
Charities that help with reconciliation
CORRYMEELA- Centre in Ireland that is set up for groups to come to if they are suffering due to wars/persecution etc and opportunity to talk to gain better understanding
-OPEN DOORS- supplies bibles in 50 countries and trains church leaders, providing practical support and emergency relief and supporting Christian’s suffering
because of faith
ARCHBISHOP DESOND TUTU- worldwide church aim to rebuild relationships, reconcile by opposing race after past discrimination
Why is Lord’s Prayer important and quote evidence
When Jesus disciples asked him to teach them how to pay he answered with Lord’s Prayer
-model of good prayer combined praise and asking needs
-reminds them to forgive others to be forgiven
-reminds God is father of community and created unity
“This is then how you should pray” Matthew 6:9
Should Christians only use the Lord’s Prayer when they pray (YES)
-In Luke 11 disciples asked to be taught how to pray Jesus said:
“When you pray say” so Jesus gave direct command to pray this way
-Matthew 6 tells disciples “not to heap up empty phrases like the Gentiles do because they will be heard for the number of word they use” this implies most prayer unnecessary as he says “Pray like this” which is direct instruction
-perfect prayer contains all necessary things (ACTS and I) asking god for individual and others
-can be spoken in public and private spoken or in private prayer
Should Christians only use the Lord’s Prayer when they pray with SOA (NO)
-there are 2 versions of prayer (Matthew and Luke) different
Matthew’s versions longer so if really only one should be used which form
-prayer doesn’t appear in Marks gospel which is thought to be first gospel written so if important why not written?
All gospel’s record occasions when Jesus prays using other words so if Christians should only pray that one why doesn’t Jesus
-example Jesus prays at baptism (Luke 3:21) and before he walks on water (Mark 6:46)and he even prays before telling the disciples how to pray (Luke 11:1) and in garden of Gethsemane he prays 3x to be release from comings suffering
-“And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” Ephesians 6:8
-saying grace before meal eg other prayers is important and not Lord’s Prayer
2 types of prayers
Formulaic (set prayers)
Extemporary (informal prayers)
Formulaic prayers examples and info
-written prayers said regularly to give purpose to worship eg Lord’s Prayer
-Gives a pattern for how to pray praising and asking etc
-reminds about key teachings eg forgiveness and that God is father of whole community
-sense of unity and spiritual purpose
Extemporary prayers and info
-Made up by individuals in own words
-often used in non liturgical and private
-regular prayer can help build discipline and give strength to cope in times of trouble
-encourages a routine that’s allows a time of day for reflection in busy time
-allows Christian’s to find a peace and sense of communion with God
Christian’s festival EASTER and quote
-most important festival
-remembers crucifixion and resurrection “He is risen”
Easter vigil what happens and when
Easter Vigil Saturday night
-church begin darkness at start and congregation walk in with candles in procession
(Entering dark church represents Jesus empty tomb)
-special hymns sung to remember and give thanks for resurrection
Christmas celebration quote and practice
Celebrates incarnation of Jesus
“Father you make this holy night radiant with the splendor of Jesus Christ our light”
-light represents Jesus as the light coming into world of darkness
-readings who Gods promise of a savior
-gifts and charity donations remember Jesus as gods gift to world
