Religious Upbringing

Question 1

Quote the Bible about the importance of family

Answer 1

“Honour your father and your mother.” (Exodus 20)

Question 2

Quote the Church about the importance of the family for religious belief

Answer 2

“The family is the community in which, from childhood, one can learn moral values, begin to honour God and make good use of freedom.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Question 3

What does Infant Baptism mean?

Answer 3

Christian parents are likely to have their babies baptised. A part of this sacrament, water is sprinkled on the baby’s head as a symbol of God taking away their sins

Question 4

How does Infant Baptism lead to belief in God?

Answer 4

Parents will promise to bring up their children as Christians and encourage them to believe in God. Young children follow their parents’ examples

Question 5

What does Prayer mean?

Answer 5

Children are often encouraged to talk to God, to thank him for good things and to ask him for his help with the bad things

Question 6

How does Prayer lead to belief in God?

Answer 6

Children grow up with the belief that God is listening to them. They may believe that God has answered their prayers

Question 7

What does Bible Stories mean?

Answer 7

Children are encouraged to read the Bible, beginning with picture books that re-tell the stories in a simple way

Question 8

How does Bible Stories lead to belief in God?

Answer 8

Children learn stories from the Bible. They learn that God has always been involved in history

Question 9

What does Going to Church mean?

Answer 9

Christian families often attend a ‘Family service’ at Church

Question 10

How does Going to Church lead to belief in God?

Answer 10

Children are surrounded by fellow Christians who all believe the same thing. Seeing others pray and worship God is likely to make them think that God must exist

Question 11

What do Festivals mean?

Answer 11

Families celebrate Easter and Christmas and other important events such as Lent (before Easter) and Advent (before Christmas)

Question 12

How do Festivals lead to belief in God?

Answer 12

Children are taught the Christian meaning of Easter and Christmas and celebrate it in Church, sharing everyone’s happiness

Question 13

What does Sunday School mean?

Answer 13

Most churches run special classes for children to teach them Christian beliefs and how to live a Christian life

Question 14

How does Sunday School lead to belief in God?

Answer 14

Learning in more detail about God, Jesus and the Bible helps to back up what a child’s parents taught them

Question 15

What does Church School mean?

Answer 15

Some schools are owned, or partly owned by the Church and they encourage worship in assemblies and Christian teachings in R.S.

Question 16

How does Church School lead to belief in God?

Answer 16

Children and young people continue to be surrounded by Christians at school. Belief in God is still seen as normal. Pupils are likely to believe it if their teacher tell them it’s true

Question 17

What does First Communion mean?

Answer 17

First reception of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist

Question 18

How does First Communion lead to belief in God?

Answer 18

Children may receive gifts such as Rosemary seeds or Bibles and learn and celebrate the faith with their family and the Church

Question 19

What do Youth Clubs mean?

Answer 19

Many Churches run youth clubs where young people can have fun and attend Christian events together

Question 20

How do Youth Clubs lead to belief in God?

Answer 20

Young people are surrounded by other youths with the same belief

Question 21

What does Confirmation mean?

Answer 21

As part of fulfilling their vows at baptism, Christian parents are likely to encourage their children to be confirmed as full members of the Church

Question 22

How do Confirmation lead to belief in God?

Answer 22

Children learn more about God in their confirmation lessons and possibly have a religious experience when the Bishop lays his hands on them