Living the Christian Life

• What were the key events of Jesus' last days?

  -The Last Supper:

  predicted one disciple would betray him; where the Eucharist

  tradition originates from

  -His betrayal and arrest

  -His Crucifixion

  -Resurrection

  -Ascension:

  "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19)
• Where are places of Christian pilgrimage?

  1. Jerusalem (connection to Jesus' past)
  2. Iona (of spiritual, religious and historical significance; a place to spend time in prayer and reflection, peaceful )
  3. Taize (share in the community's way of life; can support and learn from the monks and nuns who live there )
  4. Walsingham (focus on Mary; good for Catholics)
• Why do Christians go on pilgrimages?

  -service of faith

  -to feel closer to god

  -to share their faith with other Christians
• "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15) -Evangelism

  "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28: 19)
• What is the Church's importance in the community?

  -unites the local community

  -provides support and comfort

  -give advice

  -gives a sense of identity and belonging to people
• What do catholics believe about gender roles?

  Men and women should have equal roles in the family and general life.

  In New Roman Catholic marriage, the priest says "May her husband put his trust in her and recognise she is his equal"

  
  

  
  

  However, the catholic church teaches that only men can be priests, as they believe it is a priest's role to emulate Jesus (which can supposedly only be done by a man)

  Genesis 1 teaches man and woman were made at the same time
• "She was not made out of his head to surpass him, nor from his feet to be trampled on, but from his side to be equal to him, and near his heart to be dear to him." (Genesis 2:24) --> gender equality
• "Do not keep babbling on like pagans" (Matthew 6) --> In support of the Lord's Prayer; liturgical prayer is recited at Mass, church services etc
• "Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16) --> highlights baptism as an important sacrament as it marks a new member of the Church
• "do this in remembrance of me" --> Mass
• What are the main aims of prayer

  1)liturgical --> community and traditional, includes readings- set prayers

  2) non-liturgical --> personal connection with God- ask for forgiveness/ guidance; comfort and routine

  May also include speaking in tongues, glossolalia: is more joyful, expressive and informal
• What are the main types of worship?

  1)private --> faith and complete personal connection with God

  2) home --> part of everyday life for Christian families, helps maintain connection. Brings families together

  3) public --> sense of belonging in a community, helps Christians feel the strength of faith
• sacraments --> an outward sign of an inward blessing
• There are seven sacraments- including baptism, reconciliation, Holy Communion/ Eucharist, confirmation, the anointing of the sick, holy orders and marriage/ matrimony
• Infant Baptism:

  1. promises made by parents and god-parents
  2. blessings
  3. God is present throughout childhood, first of four Rights of Passage

  In Catholicism, it is believed baptism cleanses the infant of original sin
• Believer's baptism:

  1. confirmation of belief, informed decision, cleansing of sin, establishment of a new church member
  2. at the end of the service the person comes to the front and gives their testimony (why they want to be baptised)
  3. rising from the water (from being dunked) --> symbolises rising from the dead and starting a new life

  significance: full immersion --> Jesus has a full immersion bath

  cleansing of sin is more meaningful and biblical --> Jesus was an adult when he was baptised
• Eucharist:

  1)Catholic

  -happens every mass (once a year)

  -is a sacrament

  -readings from Bible and a sermon is performed

  -confession of sin

  -remembrance of the Last Supper: following Jesus

  
  

  2) Methodist

  -partaking is optional

  -confession of sins

  -following Jesus

  -celebrated every month
• What are the four main types of prayer? (CATS abbreviation)

  Confession

  Adoration

  Thanksgiving

  Supplication (prayers asking god for something to happen)
• How is the CATS prayer shown in the Lord's prayer?

  Confession: "forgive us of our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us"

  Adoration: "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name"

  Supplication: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"
• Why do Christians go on pilgrimages?

  -to feel connected to Jesus (going to Jerusalem --> following in his footsteps)

  -time to reflect on faith and life

  -better understanding of religion
• Why is Christmas important to Christians?

  1)Prophecy --> Jesus fulfilled the Messiah prophecies from the Old Testament

  2) Incarnation --> marked the moment God became human

  3) Salvation --> incarnation started the process of Salvation (ending in Jesus' sacrifice)

  4) Community (+ family) --> unites all Christians, shows importance of family as Jesus was born a baby into a family
• What are the main events of Holy Week?

  1)Palm Sunday

  -Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey, huge crows welcomed him and threw down palm leaves to welcome him. Jesus' arrival fulfilled an ancient prophecy that he'd arrive in this way.

  
  

  2) Maundy Thursday

  -Jesus washed the disciples' feet (displays love); night of the Last Supper

  
  

  3) Good Friday

  -Jesus died on the cross with a crown of thorns on his head: Jesus suffered for humanity's sins

  
  

  4) Easter Sunday

  -Jesus rose from the dead; Easter celebrates Jesus' resurrection as it proved he was the Son of God, and salvation has been achieved
• How are each of the Holy days remembered?

  1. Psalm Sunday --> Christians receive small palm crosses to remind them of the death of Jesus and the prophecy of the Messiah. Special services with bible readings of the events
  2. Maundy Thursday --> Churches remember the last supper at Mass; Roman Catholic Church: the Pope washes the feet of 12 people
• Believer's baptism

  Public confession of faith in Jesus Christ, identifying with Him through baptism, making an informed decision to follow Christ, cleansing of sin, start of a new life in Christ, establishment of a new church member
• Catholic Eucharist

  Occurs every Mass, which can be daily but at least once a year. Is one of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. Includes readings from the Bible and a sermon. Involves a confession of sins. Involves the remembrance of the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples and instructed them to do so in his memory.
• Methodist Eucharist

  Partaking is optional for Methodists. Involves a confession of sins. Follows Jesus' example of breaking bread and sharing it with his disciples. Celebrated monthly in Methodist churches.
• Why is Christmas important to Christians?

  1)Prophecy -->Jesus fulfilled the Messiah prophecies predicted in the Old Testament

  2) Incarnation --> marks the moment God became human

  3) Salvation --> Jesus' birth started the process of salvation, ending in his death

  4) Community --> unites Christians participating in the same worship on the same day; also shows the importance of family as Jesus was born into a family
• d) "Christmas is more important than Easter"

  For:

  -Incarnation

  -links Old Testament to New Testament

  -Salvation when Jesus, the Messiah, atoned for humanity's sins

  -importance of family

  Against:

  -Salvation/ atonement is only achieved once Jesus dies

  -Jesus is proved to be the son of God

  -Eucharist celebrates unity

  -time to reflect and pray at Easter, resurrection displays life after death
• "This is my son, whom I love" --> (a voice from heaven) Matthew 3:17
• "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28)

  Before he ascended to heaven in the Gospels, Jesus instructed his disciples to spread the word --> The Great Commission
• Evangelism --> Spreading Christian faith through public preaching

  Missionary --> a person sent on a religious mission, promoting Christianity in foreign countries
• Importance of the Local Church

  1)Socially:

  -refreshments; support groups (e.g. bereavement groups); provides a community and sense of wellbeing; supporting charities

  2)Religiously:

  -marriage, baptism, funerals; holy communion, bible readings and sermons; confession
• "Be shepherds of Christ's flock that is under your care" (1 Peter 5:2) --> Church leaders are responsible and should care for the people in their parish/ community
• What are the four main Christian Charities?


  1)Christian Aid --> helps people in poor countries

  2) Salvation Army --> equality

  3) Pax Christi --> peace and reconciliation

  4) CAFOD --> poverty
• The primary mission of the worldwide church is to proclaim that Jesus came to Earth to restore the relationship between people and God

  Christians argue that sin has caused this relationship to be broken

  Church leaders sometimes visit war-torn countries and provide peaceful negotiations and speeches

  "those who live by the sword will die by the sword" --> The Pope

  PAX Christ --> offer support to those affected by war, like refugees
• The Church of England and many Protestant Churches accept that Jesus intended to institute only two sacraments (baptism and Eucharist) as supported by evidence from the Bible
• Some Protestant Churches (e.g. Baptists) do not permit baptism until the person is an adult)
• aspects of baptism

  • Readings from the Bible are said.
  • Baptismal promises are made by both the parents and godparents, mainly rejecting evil and confirming a belief in God.
  • The pouring of water, baptising in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
  • The oil is used to anoint to symbolise a strengthening of faith.
  • A candle is given to the parents to physically symbolise the light of Christ.
  • White is often worn to symbolise purity.
• "...and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also... the pledge of a clear conscience toward God"
• Catholics --> believe baptism cleanses original sin