Christianity Practices Content Flashcards
What are some reasons for pilgrimage?
- help to feel cleansed from sin
- feel connected to Christian community
- seek a cure for an illness
- grow closer to God
What happened at Lourdes?
A young girl called Bernadette had multiple visions of Jesus’ mother (Mary).
Once the vision told her to dig into the ground
When she did water appeared - now water is believed to have healing properties
Why do people go to Lourdes?
In hope of being cured of disease or illness
Activities done at Lourdes:
- Bathe in the waters
- pray for healing/forgiveness
- help other pilgrims
- Recife rosary
What happened at Iona?
St Columba set up an abbey 500 years after Jesus’ death meaning Christianity spread out of Jerusalem
- Is the ‘birthplace’ of Christianity in the UK
Activities done at Iona:
ITS A QUIET AND PEACEFUL PLACE
- praying
-reading the Bible
- attend services in the abbey
- visit the island’s holy site
What is baptism?
The ritual through which a person becomes a member of the Church
What denomination believes in infant baptism?
Catholic Church
Importance of infant baptism
- removes original sin
- allows child into the Church asap
- gain godparents
- brings baby into God’s care
What denomination believes in believers baptism?
Baptists
Importance of believers baptism
- is done because you want to
- can start a new life
- you get a choice
- washes away all sin
- Jesus was baptised as an adult
What does baptism mean to a person’s life as a Christian?
Baptism can mark the beginning of a Christian’s life because Jesus only started preaching, performing miracles, healing and teaching about God after he was baptised
What is the Eucharist?
(Holy Communion): sacrament that uses bread and wine to celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection
What do Catholics believe about Eucharist?
TRANSUBSTANTIATION - the bread and wine literally become the body of Christ
- Jesus is literally offering his body for the salvation of mankind
What do the Church of England believe about the Eucharist?
They don’t believe in transubstantiation but believe it’s a memorial meal where Jesus is spiritually present
Quote from the last supper about the purpose of the Eucharist
‘Do this in remembrance of me’
The Eucharist is a time for Christians to…
-thank Jesus for his sacrifice
- remember the pain + suffering that Jesus went through
- thank him for the opportunity to be reconciled with God through Jesus’ atoning death
What are the different types of prayer?
Confession
Adoration
Thanksgiving
Supplication
What is confession prayer?
Praying for forgiveness
What is adoration prayer?
Praising/worshipping God
What is thanksgiving prayer?
Thanking God
What is supplication prayer?
Praying for God’s help
What is the only prayer that involves all types of prayer?
The Lord’s Prayer
Where did the Lord’s Prayer come from?
It’s what Jesus responded when his disciples asked how to pray
- reminds Christians to forgive others in order to be forgiven
- reminds that God is the father of the whole community
Why is prayer important to an individual?
- gives strength in time of trouble
- enables Christians to talk/listen to God
Why is prayer important to a community?
- you can support each other
- God can help the community as a whole
What is liturgical worship like?
A church service that follows a set structure or ritual and is led by a Priest in a church. Bible passages are read out, formal prayers with set responses, hymns
What denomination does liturgical worship?
Catholics
Importance of liturgical worship?
- the ritual is passed through generations -> tradition
- it is worldwide (familiar to everyone)
- Bible readings reach history of religion
What is non-liturgical worship?
Happens in Church but doesn’t follow a set text or ritual
It is often focussed on Bible readings
May have prayers and hymns but no set order
A sermon (a talk on a religious/moral subject given by member of church service)
Importance of non-liturgical worship
- services can be planned to suit a certain theme
- different interpretations of Bible can be shared
- focuses on Bible
What denomination does non-liturgical worship?
Baptist
What is informal worship?
Strong focus on spontaneous prayer
No set structure
No specific leader
Often focus on Holy Spirit
Mainly silent and people speak when moved by God to offer their thoughtd
What denomination does informal worship?
Quaker
Importance of informal worship
- people can take an active part in worship without training making it more enjoyable
- service may have a more emotional impact
- may leave a feeling of personal revelation from God
- similar to worship of Early Christians
What is Christmas?
A festival that commemorates the incarnation of Jesus
Christmas is a time of….
Joy because Christians are thankful that Jesus could atone for our sins. It reminds Christians of God’s love and power
Why are lights used at Christmas?
Jesus is the light of the world
What do the nativity scenes show at Christmas?
Baby Jesus born into poverty -> everyone is equal in society as Jesus could have been born in a palace but he was born in a stable
What is advent?
Period of time running up to Christmas. It lasts for 4 Sundays
Advent is a time to…
Prepare spiritually for the birth of Jesus
What are the 4 themes of advent?
Hope, love, joy, peace (reminds us what Jesus brought to the world)
What do Christians do during Xmas?
Midnight mass, Christmas cards and gifts (wise men gave gifts to Jesus), give to charity (God gave Jesus to humanity)
What is Lent?
40 days leading up to Easter Sunday (a time of repentance)
What is Holy Week?
The week before Easter Sunday remembering the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion
What is the importance on helping the local community
The Good Samaritan
Parable of the sheep and goat -> ‘I was hungry and you gave me something to eat’
What are street pastors?
Trained volunteers who provide care (e.g. giving hot drinks to homeless), safety (work closely with the police), provide reassurance (e.g. to those frightened late at night) in cities
What is parish nursing?
Provide basic healthcare to locals (e.g. early diagnosis) and encourage people to exercise
However they also provide someone for elderly to talk to, pray with
Church of England: evangelism (spreading the Christian Gospel)
- have an alpha course which is a method used to introduce those interested in the religion.
- they evangelise by ‘living a Christian life openly’
Jehovah witness: evangelism
Take a more active approach than the Church of England
Spread their faith vocally
Often seen at train stations and town centres to spread their faith
Catholic Church: evangelism
Also evangelise through a ‘lived example’ rather than actively approaching people
What is CAFOD?
A Catholic Church agency working to bring hope and compassion to people in poor communities in Africa, Asia, South America. They increase access to clean water, education and healthcare
Why should the worldwide Church help restore people’s relationships with God and everyone else?
God has given the chance for mankind to be forgiven when Jesus died on the cross
Why does Christian Persecution occur?
It happens where governments of other religious organisation fear the rise of Christianity, people fear the message of peace+freedom as it’s different to what they are taught
Positive effects of Christian Persecution
- it helps people to develop their faith
- people have to choose whether to be fully committed to their faith or not as it’s being challenged
- it helps the church to grow as people witness the calmness + hope for eternal life
What is the BARBANUS FUND?
a charity that sends financial support to projects supporting Christians suffering from discrimination
