Christian Practices

• Why is Jesus’ baptism important?

  Sets example for his followers to be baptised in order to receive the Holy Spirit and begin a new life in the Christian community.
• Biblical references to Baptism -


  Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist in the river Jordan, The holy trinity was present
• Baptism: the ritual through which people become members of the Church - baptism involves the use of water as a symbol of the washing away of sin
• Definition of sacraments - rites and rituals through which the believer receives a specic gift of grace; for Catholics, Anglicans and many Protestants, sacraments are 'outwar signs' of inward grace.
• The Lords Prayer reminds Christians that God is the Father of the whole community, not just individual.
• What does the Lords Prayer do for the community - it is a prayer that is said in every church, brings sense of unity and purpose for society.
• Why is the Lords Prayer Important - It is a prayer that Jesus taught his disciples
• Why do people pray - to ask for forgiveness, to thank God, to ask for help.
• Prayer = a form of communication with God, asking for help and guidance.
• The Pentecostal Church - A church that emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit ar the importance of speaking in tongues
• Community or house churches worship - small groups of people who meet in homes or other places for worship
• Quaker worship - no formal prayers, no hymns, no Bible readings, no sermons
• Private worship - worship that is done in private, such as prayer, meditation, and worship in the home.
• Informal worship - a type of non-liturgical worship, sometimes spontaneous
• Non-liturgical worship - worship that is not part of the liturgy, but is still a part of the church's life
• Liturgical Worship - The worship of the Church that is based on the scriptures and the teachings of the Church.
• Believers Baptism - baptism by immersion, for adults who have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ
• Infant Baptism - The sacrament of baptism is given to infants. White clothes are worn as sign on new life. Declaration of removal of original sin.
• Holy communion - the celebration of the Eucharist, in which bread and wine are eaten and the elements are shared by the congregation
• Why do Christians celebrate Holy Communion - To remember the Last Supper and to save people from sin and enable them to experience God’s love for all eternity.
• The Eucharist (communion) in the Catholic Church - Recreates heaven on earth. Liturgy of the world - there are hymns, prayers and reading from the Bible. Liturgy of the faithful - The priest comes through the royal doors to receive wine and bread baked by members of the congregation.
• Holy communion in the Church of England - A communion service is almost identical to Catholics, one difference is the ‘sign of peace’ is shared at different time in the service. For Catholics, this happens after the Lords prayer and for Anglicans before the offerings of bread and wine are taken to the altar.
• Holy communion in non conformist churches - bread and wine are broken and shared by the congregation, anyone who wishes to take communion can recieve bread and wine.
• Pilgrimage - A journey to a holy place, often to a shrine or holy site.
• Why are pilgrimages important - they are a way of expressing gratitude to God and build individuals spiritually.
• Iona - a small island in Scotland, where St Columba founded a monastery in the 6th century, It is often visited by pilgrims. Christians go there to study the Bible and pray, which may lead to spiritual growth. People often feel they benefit from having their lives redirected or feel they learn something about themselves when in Iona. This can allow Christians to face the challenges of life back at home in a different way. 
• Transtubstantiation - when the wine and bread are transformed into the body and blood of Christ
• Lourdes - A famous pilgrimage site in France where waters are believed to have healing powers. In 1858, Bernadette Soubirous, a young local girl was said to have seen the Virgin Mary at Lourdes and her friend was said to have been healed in the waters. Bernadette was made a saint by Pope Pius XI in 1933. Often the water is taken home by the pilgrims, and there has been many more stories of healings. Most Return with a deep sense of God’s love and peace.
• How do Christians celebrate Christmas - midnight mass, exchanging presents, advent calendars, worship
• What is Christmas - the day commemorating the Incarnation, the birth of Jesus.
• What is Christmas time seen as - time of peace and goodwill, Christians may also give to charity as God gave the gift of Jesus.
• What do the lights around Christmas represent - Jesus as the light coming into the world.
• What is Easter - The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Christians remember the sacrifice that Jesus made
• What do Catholics do at midnight on Saturday during Easter - walk around the church then enter the darkened church with lit candles and lamps.
• Holy Week:

  Sunday - Palm Sunday

  Monday - Turning of the tables in a Temple

  Tuesday - Jesus prayed

  Wednesday - Judas agreed to betray Jesus

  Thursday - The last supper

  Thurs eve - Friday morning - Jesus’ arrest, Jewish trial

  Friday - Roman trial, Jesus crucified

  Sunday - Jesus’ resurrection
• What does the Church do as a building - Provides a location where Christians from local community can meet, worship and socialise.
• What does the Church do, more than a building - Schooling and medical care, and has campaigned for justice and helped the neglected e.g Food banks.
• What are food banks - Charitable organisations that collect and distribute food to people in need within the community.
• What are Street Pastors - Volunteers from local churches who engage with people on the streets. They offer a supporting presence and aim for community cohesion.
• How do both Street pastors and food banks show a Christian’s commitment to a church - Demonstrating compassion through practical outreach.