practices

• What is meant by the word 'church'?

  The Christian community, or the building where Christians meet to worship
• What is liturgical worship?

  Worship that follows a set pattern
• Which Christian denominations use liturgical worship?

  Roman Catholic; Church of England; Orthodox Church
• What is non-liturgical worship?

  Worship that does not follow a set pattern, it may change each time
• What type of worship sees individuals spend time alone with God or close friends and family?

  private worship
• What is informal worship?


  This might involve each person doing their own thing at the same time: praying, singing or sharing thoughts. May also be 'charsmatic' and led by the Holy Spirit.
• What will you expect to see in liturgical worship?

  Bible readings, set prayers, hymns and songs sung together, a sermon or homily
• What is the most well known set prayer in Christianity?

  The Lord's Prayer
• The Lord's Prayer contains the words of which person?


  Jesus
• What is the Bible used for in church?

  Bible readings; source of prayers; the sermon/homily is based on the Bible
• Where is the Bible found in a church?

  In some churches, a large Bible is on the lectern at the front of the church; in some churches Bibles are in the pews or on every person's seat.
• What are the two main types of prayer? (These are found in the Lord's Prayer)

  intercession and thanksgiving
• What is intercessionary prayer?

  Prayers that ask God for help
• What objects might some Christians use in their prayers?

  icons; rosary beads
• Why might some Christians use rosary beads or icons when praying?

  To help focus on God
• Why might some Christians kneel down or open their hands when praying?


  It is a way of showing humility and openness to God
• Why is worship and prayer important for Christians?

  They connect the person with God, helping them to be at one with God
• Why might some people prefer liturgical worship?

  Liturgical worship is based on the words of the Bible; it is traditional and is used by Christians all over the world
• Why might some people prefer non-liturgical or informal worship?

  Non-liturgical worhsip is more interesting and more personal; it focusses on your relationship with God
• This term refers to an outward ritual or sign that expresses an inner spiritual experience?

  sacrament
• Which denomination recognises 7 sacraments?

  The Roman Catholic Church
• What is Baptism?


  the ceremony by which people are cleansed of their sin and become members of the Christian Church
• What are the two types of baptism?

  infant baptism and believer's (adult) baptism
• What happens in an infant baptism?


  parents and godparents promise to bring up the child in a Christian way; water is poured over the baby's head and a sign of the cross is made
• What happens in a believer's baptism?


  the person gives their testimony of becoming a Christian; they are then immersed into water and lifted out again
• What is the significance of water in baptism?


  it represents cleanliness
• In a believer's baptism, what does the immersion in water represent?

  being lowered under the water represents death, while being lifted out of the water represents rising to new life
• What makes baptism a sacrament?

  being cleaned by the water is a visible sign of being forgiven your sins by the grace of God
• How might being baptised affect a Christian?

  When they are baptised, they may feel that they have a new start in life, and can leave behind the sinful part of their life and try to lead a better life
• Why do some Christians oppose infant baptism?

  the decision to be baptised should be made by the individual; Jesus was baptised as an adult, not a baby
• Why do some Christians think that infant baptism is acceptable?

  baptising children is traditional in the church, and the Bible talks of whole families being baptised; baptism is an antidote to original sin
• What is Holy Communion?

  ...also known as the Eucharist, Mass, the Divine Liturgy or the Lord's Supper. This sacrament uses bread and wine to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus
• What was the 'Last Supper'?

  The last evening meal Jesus shared with his disciples before he was arrested
• What makes holy communion a sacrament?

  Taking bread and wine is a vsible sign of the death and resurrection of Jesus which brings atonement.
• What are the different ways that the bread and wine are taken?

  In an Orthodox church, the bread and wine and mixed and given by a spoon; In the Roman Catholic church, a wafer of bread might be placed directly in your mouth, or you might take the wafer and dip it in the wine; in a Methodist or Baptist church, you might be given a small piece of bread and a small glass of non-alcoholic wine
• What is transubstantiation?


  The Roman Catholic belief that the bread and wine taken during the Eucharist actually tranforms into the body and blood of Jesus
• Why do some Christians believe in transubstantiation?

  Jesus says "This is my body" and "This is my blood"
• Why do some Christians reject transubstantiation?


  At holy communion, the bread and wine symbolise the body and blood of Jesus, but they are still just bread and wine.
• Name 2 more Catholic sacraments

  Marriage, Confirmation, Reconciliation, anointing the sick, Holy orders
• What is a pilgrimage?

  a journey made for religious reasons to a sacred place