Christianity: Practices

Question 1

Liturgical worship

Answer 1

Structured, with a set routine and pattern, such as Eucharist

Question 2

Nonliturgical worship

Answer 2

Varied, with more spontaneous elements, even when there is a pattern

Question 3

Individual worship

Answer 3

I believe are on their own, rather than gathered together with others

Question 4

Types of worship

Answer 4

Liturgical
Nonliturgical
Individual

Question 5

Types of prayer

Answer 5

Supplication
Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving

Question 6

The nature and importance of prayer in Christianity

Answer 6

Prayer is in essential part of Christian faith, and follows Jesus’s lifestyle
It is believed to be a communication with Jesus (or god), and is the building of a relationship
It is a natural part of daily life, and can be at specific points during each day, or any time the person feels the need to pray, or are inspired to do so
There are many different types of prayer
Many Christians are part of prayer chains of prayer partners, where by they commit to praying for the needs of others every day

Question 7

What is supplication prayer?

Answer 7

Asking for others

Question 8

What is adoration prayer?

Answer 8

Praising God

Question 9

What is confession prayer?

Answer 9

Saying sorry

Question 10

What is Thanksgiving prayer?

Answer 10

Saying thank you

Question 11

sacraments performed by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches

Answer 11

Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Penance
Anointing of the sick
Holy orders
Marriage

Question 12

Sacraments performed by Protestant churches

Answer 12

Baptism (though some Evangelicals carry out baptisms without seeing them as sacraments)
Confirmation (though some churches practice Adult baptism so have no need of confirmation)
Eucharist (though often called holy communion or lord’s supper)
They have marriage but do not see it as a sacrament

Question 13

What is baptism?

Answer 13

It is an initiation into the Christian church family
For some Christians is a sacrament and marks the entry of a child into the Christian family
Parents and godparents make promises to bring them up in a Christian way of life
For others it is a rite, and indicates a person’s choosing to be a member of the Christian family, and showing obedience to the example of Jesus

Question 14

When does baptism happen?

Answer 14

For some Christian, it is babies or young children who are baptised at a font
Sometimes this is called christening, often takes place at the end of the service of worship, but can be arranged separately
For others it is usually baptism by immersion which takes place during a normal service of worship and as for anyone old enough to decide for themselves what they want to follow the Christian way of life

Question 15

Why is baptism important?

Answer 15

Baptism is a right of entry marking peoples membership of the Christian church
It is also believed by some to indicate the removing of sin
Jesus himself was baptised as an adult
For some traditions, baptism is a public show of personal faith
Those practising believer’s baptism see the person being united with Christ, including in his death and resurrection
It is essential to being born again – not physically, but spiritually

Question 16

What is the Eucharist?

Answer 16

It is a service to remember the death of Jesus, and includes the bread and wine used by Jesus at the last supper with his disciples
Christian see the bread as a symbol of the body of Jesus, and the wine is a symbol of his blood
Some traditions, such as Anglican and catholic, refer to it as a sacrament, and often call it Eucharist
Catholics refer to it as mass
Other traditions, such as Protestant churches see it as an important memorial service, and often call it communion, bread baking, or the Lord’s supper

Question 17

When does Eucharist happen?

Answer 17

For Anglicans and Catholics, the Eucharist or mass will usually take place every Sunday morning, and on other special occasions or services
Protestants tend to have it less frequently, often using a twice monthly pattern, as well as at special times like Easter or Christmas
It is either a part of the normal service of worship, or is added to the end of a service

Question 18

Why is the Eucharist important?

Answer 18

It was instituted by Jesus at the last supper, and the bread and wine are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus given so that people could receive salvation
Jesus told his followers to share the bread and wine in memory of his death for them
The word Eucharist means Thanksgiving and is a Thanksgiving for the life and death of Jesus and for the Christian faith
for Anglicans and Catholics, it is a liturgical service and has a set pattern and structure that is followed each time
others also have patterns and forms of the celebration, but it is not necessarily set out and followed strictly each time it is celebrated

Question 19

Transubstantiation

Answer 19

Catholics believe the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus

Question 20

Memorialism

Answer 20

Baptists and Pentecostals think it is a spiritual presence, and that the communion service is an act of remembrance

Question 21

What do Protestants believe about the Eucharist

Answer 21

Most Protestant churches believe that the bread and wine are symbols only of the body and blood of Jesus, and that the presence of Jesus is a spiritual one

Question 22

Christian pilgrimage

Answer 22

A journey to a sacred place, usually as an act of religious devotion
The holy land, travelling in the footsteps of Jesus has always been popular
Pilgrimage is faith in action: the journey representing a Christians’ journey from earth to heaven
It is an experience that is likely to deepen or develop spiritual faith
Sometimes there is a specific reason for the pilgrimage e.g. healing, with dedication or Thanksgiving

Question 23

Walsingham as a Christian place of pilgrimage

Answer 23

In 1061 the wife of the Lord of the Manor had a dream in which the Virgin Mary asked her to build a replica of the house in Nazareth where the birth of Jesus was announced
In 1150 at Priory was also built in state
There is also an Anglican shrine at Walsingham today
There are services every day where pilgrims pray
Mass is celebrated at midday
A national pilgrimage takes place every year when pilgrims walk slowly to the shrine
Some Catholics would choose to walk the last mile barefoot, as an act of penance
A Daily service called the sprinkling of the well as is done the water is believed to have special qualities

Question 24

Taisé As a Christian place of pilgrimage

Answer 24

Roger Schutz founded a community in France in 1940, with monks from many different Christian traditions, and came to live a life of communal prayer
Catholic and Protestant monks focus on reconciliation, the resolution of conflict, and the promotion of understanding and cooperation
Pilgrims join in the life of monastic community, practising in set times of prayer in the church of reconciliation
They also spend time in private prayer, attend Bible study groups, and share in communal tasks

Question 25

Christian celebration of Christmas

Answer 25

Celebrating the birth of Jesus is the main focus of Christians at Christmas
Has a period of preparation (Advent) which may include fasting, but for many include spiritual preparation
Rehearsing the story of the nativity through plays or a crib scene in churches is very common
Traditionally Christmas carol concerts held with special readings, carols and music
Midnight mass communion services often take place in churches on Christmas Eve, To mark the beginning of Christmas day
All Christmases usually involve the giving of presents to family and friends. For Christians this is remembrance of the gift of Jesus to the world, and of the gifts the wisemen gave Jesus on the first Christmas

Question 26

Christian celebration of Easter

Answer 26

Easter is preceded by Lent, a 40 day period from Ash Wednesday, remembering the time Jesus spent in the desert fasting and praying. People often give up something for lent, as a symbol of their own abstinence and spiritual preparation for Easter
Ash is made from the palm crosses use the previous Easter and a cross is marked on peoples foreheads in the Ash Wednesday service, usually for Catholics, but some of the traditions also do this today
Easter eggs are symbols of new life

Question 27

Christianity in Britain

Answer 27

2011 census- 59% Christian
Second largest Muslim at 5%
Increase in those reporting no religion, about 25%
7% didn’t answer
A decrease by 12% in number of Christians and increase in 10% in non-religion numbers
London was the most diverse

Question 28

Uk laws, festivals and traditions

Answer 28

‘Keep holy the sabbath’, a commandment. Shopping hours are still restricted on sundays
Witnesses in a court of law swear to tell the truth often whilst placing a hand on a bible
Christian hymns and readings often figure in national or public events
May people in the uk mark rites of passage (birth, marriage, etc) even though not otherwise religious

Question 29

The role of church in local community

Answer 29

Services of worship
Refreshments
Bible study groups 
Sunday school
Meal for the homeless
Coffee mornings
Youth club
Prayer meetings
Weddings
Funerals
Baptisms

Question 30

The importance of mission, evangelism and church growth

Answer 30

Christians are keen to share their faith with others because they believe that the message of Jesus and the salvation available through him is meant for all people
It’s not that they think everyone else is wrong, but simply that they believe they have really good news which everyone should know about
It also helps to explain why Christians will speak out about their faith even when they may face consequences or punishments as a result

Question 31

Mission

Answer 31

Similar to evangelism
The mission of the church:
To tell others of the Christian message of salvation
To help Christians to live a life of faith, and to grow in that faith

Question 32

What is Tearfund?

Answer 32

A Christian charity that says it is passionate about ending poverty, and works tirelessly to help communities around the world escape the very worst effects of poverty and disaster

Question 33

What does tearfund do?

Answer 33

Work through local churches giving help to the poor in many countries across the world
Provide emergency aid after natural disasters, and long term projects to support local communities in eradicating poverty

Question 34

Why is tearfund important?

Answer 34

It raises awareness of social issues such as poverty and discrimination in the world:

• It campaigns against causes of poverty worldwide
• It gives practical help in order to act out the teachings of Jesus helping others
• It encourages self help for individuals and communities