Christianity Practices

• why christians worship

  -to praise and thank god

  -to ask for forgiveness

  -to seek god's help for themselves or for others

  -to deepen their relationship with god and strengthen their faith
• features of liturgical worship

  -church service that follows a set structure with set responses

  -e.g. eucharist service in the catholic church or church of england
• importance of liturgical worship

  -familiar

  -traditional

  -universal - some in all churches
• examples of liturgical worship

  -catholic

  -orthodox

  -anglican churches
• features of non-liturgical worship


  -no set order - can change from week to week

  -hymns, bible readings and sermons may be included
• importance of non-liturgical worship

  -suits certain themes

  -emphasis on word of god i.e. the bible
• examples of non-liturgical worship

  -methodist

  -baptist

  -united reformed
• features of informal worship: charismatic

  -free-flowing worship, may invoke dance, clapping, calling out

  -singing and music is more modern with relaxed feelings
• importance of informal worship: charismatic

  -less formal and more modern

  -more relevant to people today
• examples of informal worship: charismatic

  -pentecostal church

  -evangelical movements
• features of informal worship: waiting

  -no leader and no set structure

  -sit in a circle in silent reflection

  -people may speak when they feel moved by god/holy spirit
• importance of informal worship: waiting

  -less formal

  -more personal

  -god speaks to individuals
• examples of informal worship: waiting

  -quakers
• features of private worship

  -personal worship - may include prayer and bible readings

  -worship aids e.g. rosary, icons may be used
• importance of private worship

  -personal time with god

  -time out from stress and everyday pressures
• examples of private worship

  -all christians
• set prayers

  prayers that have been written down and said more than once by more than one person e.g. lord's prayer
• informal prayers

  prayers that are made up by an individual using his or her or own words
• importance of prayer

  -enables christians to talk and listen to god

  -helps christians to keep a close relationship with god

  -helps christians to accept god's will even if it means suffering

  -gives a sense of peace

  -gives strength in times of trouble

  -encourages reflection in the middle of a busy life
• reasons why christians might pray

  -to say sorry for what they have done wrong

  -to thank god for something or someone in their life

  -for other people, family, friends or other people in need

  -to say please, to ask for something they need
• the lord's prayer

  -this is how jesus taught his disciples to pray

  -it is a model of a good prayer - combining praise of god and asking for what you need

  -it shows the importance of forgiveness, you need to forgive others in order to be forgiven yourself

  -it is often said during worship and at holy communion, baptisms, marriages and funerals

  -it is said regularly in church schools
• quote for how st augustine of hippo describes sacraments

  "an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace"
• importance of baptism

  -becoming a member of the christian church

  -becomes a child of god

  -receives god's saving grace and the holy spirit

  -a person is cleansed of sin

  -enters new life with christ in the christian community

  -it imitates jesus' baptism by john the baptist
• different christian beliefs about sacraments

  -catholic and orthodox christians recognise the 7 sacraments: baptism, confirmation, holy communion, marriage, holy orders, reconciliation (confession) and anointing the sick

  -many protestant christians only accept 2 sacraments: baptism and holy communion

  -other christians such as salvation army and quakers accept no sacraments
• the denominations that practice infant baptism

  -catholic

  -orthodox

  -anglican

  -methodist
• why infant baptism is practiced

  -removes original sin

  -always the child to be welcomed into the church as soon as possible
• what happens during infant baptism

  -priest or minister pours blessed water onto the baby's head in the name of trinity

  -godparents and parents make promises to god
• the denominations that practice believers baptism

  -baptist

  -pentecostal
• reasons why believers baptism is practiced

  -people should be old enough to make a decision about their faith

  -the decision to live a life dedicated to jesus is what saves not being baptised
• what happens during believers baptism

  -the person is fully immersed in a pool which symbolises cleansing from sin

  -they are blessed in the name of the trinity

  -they give a brief testimony
• the meaning of holy communion to catholics and orthodox christians

  -they believe the bread and wine become the body and blood of jesus

  -this means jesus is fully present in bread and wine

  -this is a divine mystery and is known as transubstantiation
• the meaning of holy communion to protestant christians

  -they celebrate holy communion as a reminder of the last supper with jesus

  -they do not believe that the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of jesus, they are symbolic
• holy communion quote

  "for whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the lord's death until he comes" - 1 corinthians 11:26
• the importance of the holy communion to individuals

  -christians receive god's grace by joining in the sacrifice of jesus

  -it helps to strengthen their faith

  -they believe they become closer to god
• the importance of the holy communion to communities

  -holy communion brings believers together by sharing the bread and wine

  -this can provide support and encouragement for those going through a difficult time
• the importance of the holy communion to the wider society

  -it acts as a call to love others in a practical way

  -it encourages christians to work for equality and justice

  -many churches collect money to support those in need
• how orthodox christians celebrate the holy communion

  -holy communion is known as the divine liturgy

  -much of the service is held behind the iconostasis

  -priest receives bread baked by the members

  -prayers are said for the local community and those in need

  -behind the iconostasis, the priest says the words of jesus at the last supper

  -bread and wine is distributed on a spoon

  -prayers or thanksgiving are said

  -unconsecrated bread is given out to members of the church
• how catholic christians celebrate the holy communion

  -there are bible reading and prayers

  -the creed is said

  -prayers are said for the church and for those in need

  -the sign of the peace (shaking hands) is shared

  -bread and wine are brought to the altar

  -the priests repeat the words of jesus at the last supper

  -wine is distributed in a chalice (shared cup)

  -wafers might be used instead of bread

  -the priest blesses people and sends them out to live the gospel
• how methodist christians celebrate the holy communion

  -service begins with a hymn and prayer of praise and thanks

  -bible readings and sermons are given

  -prayers for the world and those in need

  -the minister repeats the words and actions of jesus at the last supper

  -there is an 'open table' for anyone who wishes may receive holy communion

  -wine is non-alcoholic and distributed in small cups

  -service ends with a blessing and instruction to go and serve god
• pilgrimage

  -a journey with religious or spiritual significance, usually to an important religious place