Christian Practises Flashcards
Why do Christians worship?
- It allows them to praise and thank god for his blessings and ask his forgiveness
- helps Christians deepen their relationship with god
- gives them comfort or strength to live a more truly Christian life
What are the different forms of Christian worship?
- liturgical worship
- non liturgical worship
- private worship
What is liturgical worship? Give an example
Services that follow a set pattern
E.g. celebration of the Eucharist for catholic, orthodox and Anglican churches
What happens in liturgical worship
- A priest leads a congregation in formal prayers that have set responses
- bible passages are read out especially from the gospel and may be a sermon based in these
- often music, hymns sung by congregation or choir or sometimes chanting by the priest
What is non liturgical worship? What churches does this happen at?
- Where there does not have to be a set order or ritual
- happens at Methodist, baptist and united reformed churches
In non liturgical worship, what’s the focus? Give an example of it being used
Focussed on bible readings and a sermon based on them
E.g. used when celebrating the holy communion
How does non liturgical worship change?
The preacher may change the order, the number of hymns or the types of prayer
What is informal worship?
Where people do spontaneous prayer and share thoughts
Give examples of informal worship. What affect do these all have on the worshippers?
-Quaker worship
-community or house churches
-Charismatic worship
The worshippers feel like it’s easier to experience Gods Holy Spirit
What is Quaker worship?
Silent worship where people speak when they feel gods spirit moving to them to offer thoughts, prayers or a bible reading
What happens at community or house churches
People meet to eat and share together faith to recreate what they believe to be the worship of the early church
What happens at Pentecostal churches in charismatic worship?
It’s ‘led by the spirit’ and may involve dancing, clapping, calling out and speaking in tongues.
Why is liturgical worship important for Christians?
- people receive god’s forgiveness through priests actions
- people receive the living presence of Jesus in the holy communion
- there is a worldwide set order that’s familiar to even visitors
- gives a sense of tradition as it’s been passed down through generations
Why is non liturgical worship and informal worship important for Christians?
- style of worship follows that of early Christians
- faith is expressed in a variety of ways
- Christians can share personal interpretations of the bible
- service can have an emotional impact with a feeling of personal revelation from god
- people can take an active part of the church without formal training
Describe private worship
Allows individuals to spend time with god either alone or with close friends or family and may involve prayer, meditation or aids to worship like an icon or rosary
Give a set prayer that Christians use before they are about to eat
“Bless us o lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty. Through Christ our lord. Amen”
How do people pray in orthodox services?
How do nonconformists pray?
How do anglicans pray?
How do other Christians pray!
- standing up
- sit down
- kneel
- others raise their hands to invite the Holy Spirit into their livesn
What do Christians believe about god answering their prayers? give an example
They believe god will answer the prayer but not always in the way the person wants. Evident in Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane in Mark
Why may Christians pray?
To help them accept god’s will even if they’re suffering
Why may Christians use informal prayer?
It makes them feel they can open their hearts to god more easily by using their own words
Why may Christians use private worship?
- helps Christians build a discipline which gives them strength to cope in times of trouble
- encourages a routine allowing time for reflection on a busy day
- helps them find peace and a sense of communication with god
What is the Lord’s Prayer?
“Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be come
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 forever. Amen.”
When do Christians believe that prayer is only effective?
If the person’s relationship with others is right
When the Lord’s Prayer is used as private prayer…
…a Christian is reminded that he or she must forgive others in order to be forgiven
What are sacraments?
Holy rituals that outwardly express an inner spiritual experience
What are the 7 sacraments that catholics and orthodox Christians accept?
- baptism
- confirmation
- holy communion
- marriage
- holy orders
- reconciliation
- anointing of the sick
What sacraments do Protestant churches see as important and why?
See baptism and Holy Communion important because they believe Jesus instructed them to do these
Why may Christians carry out sacraments?
- strengthen their relationship with god by making him part of their life
- affirm Christians are part of the body of christ
Give a Christian quote for baptism
“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”
What is baptism?
An initiation rite for people to become members of the church where the person is formally recognised as the child of god and the persons sins are forgiven
Why are some against infant baptism?
They may say the baby is too young and can’t make their own choice yet
Why may catholics and orthodox do infant baptism?
Because it removes the initial sin of Adam and Eve
What is holy communion?
Where bread and wine is used to celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross
What do people thank god for when celebrating the holy communion?
For his great love in sending Jesus to erase sin
What is meant to be the most important sacrament?
The holy communion because
- catholic’s believe it makes Jesus present once again
- even churches that don’t consider it a sacrament see it as very important
What do catholic and orthodox Christians believe when they receive the holy communion?
They become present in a mystical way at the death and resurrection of Christ which saves them
Why do Protestants celebrate the holy communion?
As it reminds them of Jesus at the last supper and helping them to reflect on Jesus death and resurrection in their daily lives
How does holy communion impact society’s and communities across the world?
By reminding them that while they break bread together, many others are starving encouraging people to work for equality and justice
How and why does the holy communion bring together communities?
By the churches try
In to make everyone welcome
-people are brought together to strengthen their commitment to faith
-and it gives people support and encouragement
What are the ways most churches celebrate holy communion?
- the ministry of the world which focuses on god’s word in the bible
- the ministry of the holy communion - offering, consecrating and sharing of the bread and wine
What does the Divine Liturgy do? What happens in the service in an Orthodox Church?
Creates heaven on earth. Most of the service takes place on an alter in the sanctuary behind a screen called an icon status which the priest passes through and the church is filled with candles to feel gods presence
What does the iconostasis in the Divine Liturgy represent?
The divide between earth and heaven
What happens in the liturgy of the world in the Orthodox Church?
- There are hymns, prayers and reading from the bible
- the preset comes through the Royal Doors to chant the Gospel
- there may be a sermon
State 4 things that happen in the liturgy of the faithful in the Orthodox Church
-the priest comes through the Royal Doors to receive wine and bread baked by a member of the congregation
-behind the doors, the priest says the words Jesus said at the last supper
-the bread is divided into for where 3 pieces are consecrated into the blood and body of Christ
-the priest comes through the royal doors to share the consecrated bread and wine to members who come forward for the communion
-them there’s a prayer of thanksgiving
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What does the catholic mass begin with?
A greeting from the priest and prayers on penance and praise
What happens in liturgy of the world in catholic mass?
- on Sunday’s there are 3 readings from the bible, a psalm and a homily
- the people then say prayers for the church, world, local community, sick and the dead
What happens in the liturgy of the Eucharist in the catholic mass?
- offerings of bread and wine are brought to the alter
- the priest says the Eucharist prayer
- people says the Lord’s Prayer
- priest and congregation give a sign of peace to each other and the members of the congregation come forward to receive communion
What is the Eucharist prayer at catholic mass?
“He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said, take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given to you”
What happens at the communion service in the Church of England?
Same as the catholic one only the peace sign is shared at a different point in the service while catholic’s do this after the Lord’s Prayer
What are to contrasting views of the holy communion in Anglican churches?
Some believe that bread and wine are transformed into Christ’s body and blood like catholic and orthodox belief.
Others believe that Jesus is present in the bread and the wine in a spiritual way
What happens in the typical communion service in the United reformed churches?
- There’s a hymn and a prayer of thanksgiving
- Bible readings and then a sermon
- Congregation prays for the world
- Minister takes bread and wine and says a prayer of thanksgiving and repeats the words of Jesus
- Anyone who wants to take the communion can take it
- There is a prayer of blessing and encouragement to go out and serve god
Give 3 reasons why pilgrimage is important
- allows Christians to grow closer to god and strengthen their faith
- seek a cure for an illness
- meet others who share their faith
Where is Lourdes?
What happened their?
What do pilgrims do their?
- it’s in south west France
- Bernadette had visions of Mary in a cave near the river where they prayed the rosary and Mary told Bernadette to dig for spring water discovered to have healing properties
- thousands of pilgrims now visit Lourdes to go and pray their, recite the rosary together and bathe in water
Where is Iona?
What happened their?
What do pilgrims do their?
- It’s an Islamic off the west coast of Scotland
- in the 6th century, an Irish missionary established a small monistic community and is now dedicated to Virgin Mary where the veil between the real and spiritual worlds is thin
- pilgrim attend daily services in the abbey church and lead a seven mile hike to the island’s holy and historic spots
What happens in a church at Christmas?
They have carol services with bible readings and a midnight mass happens on Christmas Eve.
What’s the first sentence of the opening prayer of the Catholic midnight mass at Christmas?
“Father, you make this holy night radiant with the splendour of Jesus Christ our light.”
What’s the most important Christian festival?
Easter
What do orthodox Christians do at Easter?
Walk around the church at midnight on Saturday and enter the darkened church light with candles symbolic of entering the dark tomb
Give a quote that shows Christians celebrating Easter
“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life”
Give a quote that shows the church consists of a group of believers under the leadership of Jesus
“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be the head over everything for the Church”
What does a church do?
- It’s we’re locals can meet, worship, pray, obtain spiritual worship and socialise
- helps provide food banks
Give a quote where the church helps those in needs:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat”
What is the trusses trust?
A food bank based on the parable of the sheep and the goats where non perishable food is donated to it and can be given to people in crisis
What is the oasis project?
An community hub with an internet café, creative courses a job club and training ops and it runs a food bank giving people spiritual and practical support
Give a religious example where Christians should be involved in the local community
Where in the parable of the sheep and the goats, Christians a told not to ignore the needs of society as showing agape (selfless sacrificial) love is part of the Christian way of life
What needs of the local community may churches need to respond to?
Lack of facilities for the young people p
Insufficient care for the vulnerable
Gags or people feeling scared on the streets
What are street pastors, what does their work include, what do they aim to do?
- provide a reassuring presence in communities without enforcing the law responding to drunk ness, anti social behaviour and fear of crime
- includes listening to people’s problems and giving guidance to agencies that may help by discouraging anti social behaviour
- They aim to care for vulnerable people in practical ways working closely with councils and communities
What are the school Pastors?
A sister organisation that aims reducing antisocial behaviour, illegal drug use and bullying within schools mentoring young people and patrolling in the school
Give a quote that shows Christians should help in the local community
“Faith in itself if it is not accompanied by action is dead”
What are parish nursing? What do they do? How do they encourage healthy living? What is their focus?
They are a Christian charity which supports whole person healthcare through the local Church. They diagnose early signs of health issues, train and coordinate volunteers to alleviate loneliness or provide support in times of crime and helping the nhs. Encourage healthy living through exercise and a healthy diet. On the person themselves not just the medical condition
Give a quote that’s the great mission and where it came from
“Therefor go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” Matthew
Give 2 religious example from Jesus’ time of carrying out the Christian mission
- Where Jesus said to Simon, Andrew and Peter, ‘come follow me… and I will send you out to fish for people’
- the early disciples received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost 10 days after jesus ascended to heaven giving them the gifts necessary to carry out the great mission
What is a missionary?
A person set on a religious mission, especially to promote Christianity in a foreign country through preaching or charitable work
What is evangelism?
Spreading the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness
What is the main aim of the mission?
To persuade people to accept Jesus as their lord and saviour and to extend the church to every nation in the world
What was the aim of the alpha course?
To help members of the church understand the basics of the Christian faith but was soon used as an intro for those interested in Christianity
Where does the alpha course take place? Give examples of the things taught
Churches, hokes, universities, workplaces, prisons and other venues worldwide like relashionship courses for adults and study programs for young people
What Christ for all nations?
It is an organisation that held evangelical missions especially in Africa
Who started Christ for all nations? What did he believe?
Reinhard Boonke believed god called him to be an evangelist in Africa when he was 10 years old
What supposedly happens at the Christ for nations meetings?
Miracles of healing where each meeting is a major operation backed by local churches
How has Christ for all nations influenced people?
Over 74million have filled decision cards to follow Christ
What does the Christian mission involve as well as evangelism?
Training new converts in the way of following Jesus
How can Christians encourage people to become believers?
- sharing testimonies
- inviting people to Christian meetings
- prayer
- advertisement
- using the media
What is reconciliation?
A sacrament in the Catholic Church and restoring harmony after relashionships have been broken
What is the primary mission of the worldwide church?
To proclaim that Jesus came so that the relationship between god and people can be restored
What do Christians believe caused the broken relationship between god and humans?
Sin caused this separating god who is holy from the world
What does Matthew say that suggests that Christians should forgive?
He states Christians shouldn’t be reconciled to god but should be reconciled to each other
Give an example of Christians showing forgiveness
In 1940 during ww2 Coventry cathedral was bombed and instead of taking revenge Christians wanted to show forgiveness to those responsible and since that cathedral has become a centre of reconciliation
Give a quote about Christian persecution
Paul warned that ‘everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted’
What is the Corrymeela community? What happens there?
Promotes harmony and seeks reconciliation after the the founder saw those afffected by a bombing in WW2. They gather at the residential centre in north coast of Ireland and for a time of peace building
Give quotes where Christians May positively see persecution
- “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness”
- “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church”
Why may some Christians see persecution positively?
- it can help strengthen their faith
- it can help people feel a unique connection to Jesus
Give an example of a persecuted Christian
Pastor barber George from Pakistan became a Christian after being imprisoned but when he tried to set up conferences he upset some extreme Muslims forcing him and his family to flee and were given asylum in the USA
Give a quote where Christians are still encouraged to show love despite being abused
- “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good”
- “if someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn them the other cheek also” ip
Give a quote that shows why the church supports persecuted Christians
Because “if one part sufferers every part suffers with it”
What is the barnabus fund?
Sends financial support to Christians suffering from persecution as a result of their faith to strengthen individuals, churches and communities
What’s is the Christian solidarity worldwide?
The CSW is a Christian human rights organisation that campaigns for religious freedom for all
What are the 4 main strategies of the CSW?
- documenting and raising awareness
- attempting to influence governments whose policies or actions affect the oppressed
- offering training in the basics of international human rights law
- helping the oppressed to speak up for themselves more effectively
Give a quote that shows Christians belief in presenting Jesus to the world through helping the disadvantaged
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”
Why do Christian charities exist? Use religious examples
- as Jesus told a rich man to sell everything and give it to the poor
- the parable of the Good Samaritan teaches the importance of caring for all people
Give 3 Christian charities that respond to world poverty
- catholic agency for overseas development (CAFOD)
- Christian aid
- Tearfund
What does CAFOD do? Why do they do what they do (use a quote)
- helps increase access to clean water, education and healthcare setting up effective programs and services in poor communities encouraging catholic schools to give pray and campaign to help the disadvantaged communities
- because the Catholic Church believes “goods should be in abundance for all in like manner”
What does Christian aid do?
Why do they do what they do? (Include a quote)
- They campaign with the fair trade foundation, stop climate chaos and trade justice movement to provide emergency food, shelter, water and sanitation
- they help because they believe “poverty is an outrage against humanity”
What does tearfund do? Give an example of their work
- They follow the examples set by the stories of Jesus travelling to places in need and responding to disasters as the church remains central to their vision
- they have worked with churches in nearly 50 countries around the world and have worked with 90,522 churches in 2015
