Christianity - Practices Flashcards
Worship
-Is the way Christians show their love and respect for God It is important as: -It strengthens faith -God demand it -Purifies the worshipper
Liturgical worship
- Mostly Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches
- Services that follow a set pattern each time
- A priest leads formal prayers which have set responses
- Priest may perform symbolic actions which have a specific meaning
Non Liturgical worship
- Non conformist churches (Methodist, Baptist)
- No set order to services or rituals.
- The basic structure of the service may remain the same each week but the preach may change the order,number of hymns or types if prayer
- More focus on teaching the Bible
Informal worship
- Worship can include dancing and clapping
- Members of church congregation can lead service not just the priest
Private worship
Private worship allows individuals ti spend time with God, either alone or with close friends or family
-It may involve studying, prayer, meditation or using aids to worship such as an icon or a rosary
Prayer
- Christians believe that God will answer their prayers but not always in a way that a person expects
- Helps make Christians feel more connected with God
- Helps them to have strength and peace in difficult circumstances
Set prayer
- Form of words that have been written down and often read aloud in church services
- Can be hundreds of years old and memorised by christians
- May help them communicate with God when they are not sure what to say
Informal prayer
Spontaneous -Christians make up their own prayers to respond to needs in their own life
-By using their own words, Christians may feel that they can be more open to God
The lords prayer
- Set prayer that bible reports Jesus taught his disciples
- Gives Christians a pattern on how to pray
- Reminds them on the need to forgive others
- Often used in christian worship - read out loud in church, usually in liturgical worship services and in rituals like holy communion
Sacrament
Is a ritual which outwardly expresses an inner spiritual experience
Baptism
-A sacrament through which people can become members of the church. Water is used to symbolise the washing away of sin
People become baptised because:
-In bible Jesus was baptised and encouraged his disciples to do it too
-Person feels accepted into the Christian communtiy
-Symbolises a fresh start and publicly shows a person is Christian
Infant baptism
- Parents will bring their baby to Church to be welcomed into Church family and is also a way to thank God for new life
- Priest will pour water over baby’s head and use oil to make a cross on forehead. Baby’s parents and god parents will make promises to bring up child as a christian
Adult baptism
- Some Christians believe a person should choose to be baptised and a baby is not old enough to understand the meaning of baptism and that children should wait until old enough to make their own decisions
- Person publicly declares they are a christian and is then slowly submerged into water and brought back out again.
- This symbolises that they have died to their old life and are born again as a Christian
Eucharist (holy communion)
A sacrament which helps Christians remember and give thanks for Jesus sacrificial death. Bread is eaten to symbolise Jesus body and wine is drunk representing his blood
Christians celebrate communion because:
-Brings Christians together as one community
-Helps Christians feel closer to god as they remember what he has done to save them through Jesus
-Jesus commanded them to do it
Contrasting interpretations of the meaning of Eucharist
- Catholics/ Orthodox believe in transubstantiation (bread and wine become actual body and blood of Jesus)
- Divine mystery how it happens but they are present at death and Resurrection of Jesus
- Protestants believe bread and wine are symbols of Jesus body and blood
- Seen as an act of remembrance of Jesus words and actions at last supper as well as a chance tor reflect on the meaning of is death and Resurrection
Contrasting ways Eucharist is practised
Catholic/orthodox:
- People come forwards to receive bread and wine individually from the priest
- If you are not christian you are not encouraged to participate
Protestant:
- Bread and wine is distributed to people where they are sitting and they all take it at the same time
- Anyone is welcome to take part if they are wishing to do so
Pilgrimage
Is a journey made for religious reasons to a sacred place
They are important because:
-Helps Christians grow closer to god as they visit places from bible or where people have had extraordinary experiences of god
-May go to seek haling from an illness that cannot be cured by a doctor
-Meet others who share their face and give a sense of untiy
Lourdes (south west france)
- Dedicated to Mary after a young girl had a vision of her in a cave
- Many christians come to bathe in the water in the cave as they believe it has healing properties
- Thousand pray in the cave where mary appeared
Iona (Scottish island)
- St columba started a christian community here
- Some believe its a ‘thin place’ where it easier to feel God’s presence - where nature reveals gods power
- People visit to enjoy natural beauty of area as well as spend time in silence and meditation
Why do Christians celebrate Christmas?
- Remembers the incarnation of jesus
- Seen as a time of ‘peace and goodwill’ where Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth
How do Christians celebrate Christmas?
- Exchange presents to remember the wise men bringing presents to Jesus
- Decorate home with lights to represent Jesus being seen as light of the world
Why do Christians celebrate Easter?
- Remember death of jesus on good friday when he was crucified
- Celebrate jesus resurrection on Easter Sunday when jesus came back to life, giving christians hope of eternal life
How do Christians celebrate Easter?
- May walk together through a town high street with a cross to mark jesus death
- On easter sunday sunrise services are held and breakfast is shared, usually eggs to symbolise new life
Food banks
- provides emergency food and helps people in crisis in UK
- Non perishable food is donated and is sorted and distributed by volunteers
Street pastors
- Christian adult volunteers patrol the streets in urban areas to be a reassuring presence to local community
- They spend time listening to people problems, giving guidance and helping to discourage antisocial behaviour
Alpha course
- A course started in the UK introducing christian faith or for those interested
- Takes place in church, peoples homes, universities or workplace
Christ for all nations
- Works primarily in Africa, holds big meetings
- At the meetings christian faith is shared by preacher
How does worldwide church work for reconciliation?
- Bible teaches jesus died to reconcile humans with God Therefore they believe it is important to wok for reconciliation in the world.
- Irish peace project
How does worldwide church work for persecution?
- 80% of all religious discrimination in world id directed to christians. Jesus taught that christians should feel blessed when they are persecuted because jesus himself was persecuted
- Christian solidarity world wide -documents and raises awareness of religious persecution
How does worldwide church respond to world poverty?
-In bible jesus teaches that those who do not help poor may go to hell
Christian aid
