Religious Studies: Christian Practises

• Worship

  the way in which Christians show their deep love, reverence and respect for God and recognising His importance and valueChristians may worship alone or with others, in a special building like a church, in their home or in any appropriate place.Worship may include prayer, meditation, Bible readings, singing hymns, preaching, sharing food, pilgrimage, celebrating festivals or using religious art, music or drama.
• Reasons for worship to praise and thank God for his blessings to ask for forgiveness of sinto seek God's help for themselves or others who may be suffering.Helps deepen a Christian's relationship with GodGives them comfort and strength to live a more truly Christian life.
• Liturgical Worship church service that follows a set structure or ritualtakes place in a churchpriest leads congregation and may perform symbolic actionsformal prayers with set responsesBible passages read out, there may be a sermonmusic and hymnsEucharist for Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches Importance: Worldwide set order for service that is familiar to everyoneritual passed down through generations gives a sense of traditionBible readings follow the Christian calendar and teach Christian history and faith
• Non-liturgical Worship a service that does not follow a set text or ritualtakes place in a churchoften focused on Bible readings followed by a sermonmay also have prayers and hymns but there is no set order, the number and type can change from week to weekDone in services in non-comformist Churches like United Reformed, Methodist and Baptist Importance services can be planned and ordered to suit a certain themenon-Comformist churches place an emphasis on the word of God in the Bible
• Informal worship type of non-liturgical worship that is 'spontaneous' or 'charismatic' in naturecommunity or house churches meet in private homes and share foodquaker worship is mainly silent, people speak when moved to God to offer their thoughts or read from the Bible'Charismatic' worship may involve dancing, clapping, calling out and speaking in tonguesE.g. pentecostal churches Importance: the style of worship in house churches is similar to the worship of early Christianspeople can share readings and prayers and can take an active part in church by calling out or speaking without formal tr...
• Private worship when believers praise or honour God in their own homeallows individuals to spend time with God, either alone or with close friends or familymay involve prayer, medication, studying, meditating on a Bible passage, using aids to worship such as on icon or a rosary
• Prayer "communicating with God in silence or aloud, with others or alone, using set prayers or informal prayers.Sometimes Christians say a set prayer before eating a meal to thank God for providing what they need to live. Other Christians might pray spontaneouslt for their meal using their own words, in an informal prayer""Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."" Catholic Grace before meals"
• Different ways of praying People may pray in a humble position, kneeling down, sometimes with hands pressed together.In Orthodox services people stand to pray, Noncomformists often sit, Anglicans may kneel, and other Christians raise their hands to invite the Holy Spirit into their lives.Catholics may use a rosary, while Orthodox Christians use icons to aid prayer.
• Beliefs about prayer Christians believe that God will answer prayer but not always in the way the person would likeJesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane in Mark 14:32-36Prayer can help someone accept God's will even if it means sufferingSometimes Christians prefer to find their own way of expressing their needs to God by using informal prayerthey sometimes feel they can open their hearts to God more easily by using their own words.
• Significance of private worship and prayer Worship is not just about attending public services, it affects the whole of a Christian's life.Private worship helps Chirstians build up a discipline which gives them strength to cope in times of trouble.It encourages a routine that allows time for reflection in a busy day.Through prayer and meditation Christians find peace and a sense of communion with God in their everyday life as followers of Jesus.
• Importance of the Lord's Prayer for individual, community and society it gives individual Christians a patter for how to pray as it combines giving praise to God and asking for one's needs.When used as a private prayer, a Christian is reminded that he or she must forgive others in order to be forgiven. It is believed that prayer is only effective if the person's relationships with others are right.reminds Christians that God is the Father of the whole community, not just of the individual.The prayer is often used in Christian worship and tends to be prayed out loud by all members of the congre...
• Festivals have an important role in helping Christians remember the major events in their religion and to plan their public worship many celebrate the same cycle of festivals each year Christian calendar has two main seasons: Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, then Lent, Easter and Pentecost By living through the events of Jesus' life, death and resurrextion and the coming of the Holy Spirit and Pentecost, Christians remember the central teaching of their faith - God gave his only Son to save them
• Christmas "commemorates the incarnation of Jesus - the belief that God became human in Jesus celebrated on 25 Dec in GB celebrations last 12 days ending with the feast of the Epiphany trees and homes decorated with lighrs and nativity scenes to represent Jesus as light coming into the world and baby Jesus being born into poverty respectively ""Father, you make this holy night radiant with the splendour of Jesus Christ our light."" Many churches have carol services with readings from the Bible showing God's promise of a saviour and the events of Jesus' birth Children act out nativity plays Mid...
• Holy Communion sacrament that uses bread and wine to celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection from death. For Catholics, the sacrifice of Jesus is made present once again during this ritual and made real for believers. For the churches that do not consider Holy Communion a sacrament it is still a significant ceremony. Many Christians consider it the most important act of worship. It recalls the Last Supper of Jesus (Matthew 26:17-30). When Christians celebrate Holy Communion they give thanks to God for his great love in sending Jesus to save people from sin and enable...
• Interpretations and symbols of Holy Communion Catholics, Orthodox Christians and some Anglicans believe that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. It is a divine mystery how it happens but they believe that Jesus is fully present in the bread and wine. By receiving Holy Communion they believe they become present in a mystical way at the death and resurrection of Christ which saves them. Protestant Christians who celebrate Holy Communion do so as a reminder of Jesus’ words and actions at the Last Supper. The bread and wine remain symbols of Jesus’ sacrifice and help them to re...
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Holy Communion “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me’. In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
• Impact of Holy Communion on individuals For many Christians, Holy Communion is at the centre of their lives and worship. Through it they believe they receive God’s grace by joining in the great sacrifice of Jesus. They do not merely remember a past event, it becomes a present reality for them.
• Impact of Holy Communion on communities It brings the community of believers together in unity, strengthening their commitment to their faith. If someone is having doubts or is going through a difficult time, celebrating Holy Communion with others can give them support and encouragement.Holy Communion calls Christians to put the love they have experienced from God into practice by loving others. Just as Holy Communion is a shared meal where everyone is equal, churches try to make everyone welcome, whatever their age, gender or race.
• Impact of Holy Communion of society Holy Communion also has an impact on society and on other communities across the world. It reminds Christians that while they break bread together, there are many in the world who are starving. Holy Communion encourages them to work for equality and justice for all. Many Churches collect money during the service to support work being done for developing countries, the elderly, prisoners and the homeless.
• General pattern of how most churches celebrate Holy Communion the ministry of the Word which focuses on God’s word in the Biblethe ministry of Holy Communion – offering, consecrating and sharing the bread and wine
• Divine Liturgy in Orthodox Church The Divine Liturgy recreates heaven on earth. Much of the service takes place on the altar in the sanctuary behind a screen, called an iconostasis, which represents the divide between earth and heaven. The priest passes through the iconostasis using the Royal Doors. The church is filled with candles and incense that help people feel God’s presence.
• Liturgy of the Word - Orthodox There are hymns, prayers and a reading from the Bible.The priest comes through the Royal Doors to chant the Gospel.There may be a sermon.
• Orthodox Church - Liturgy of the Faithful The priest comes through the Royal Doors to receive wine and bread baked by members of the congregation. He selects one loaf to be consecrated.The Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and other prayers are offered for the church, the world, and the local community.Behind closed Royal Doors, the priest says the words Jesus said at the Last Supper.The bread is divided in four: three parts are consecrated as the body and blood of Christ. The fourth unconsecrated part is broken into small pieces.The priest comes through the Royal Doors to distribute the consecrated br...
• Catholic Mass - Liturgy of the Word On Sundays there are three readings from the Bible (from the Old Testament, Paul’s letters and the Gospel), a psalm and a homily.People say prayers for the Church, the world, the local community, the sick and the dead. On Sundays this is preceded by the Creed.
• Catholic Mass - Liturgy of the Eucharist Offerings of bread and wine are brought to the altar.The priest says the Eucharistic Prayer using the words of Jesus at the Last Supper: ‘He gave you thanks, he broke it (the bread), gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you in remembrance of me.’He prays over the wine using similar words.The people say the Lord’s Prayer.The priest and congregation come forward to receive communion.The priest blesses the people and tells them, for example, ‘Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your lives.’
• Holy Communion in Anglican Church A Communion service in the Church of England is almost identical to that of the Catholic Church.One small difference is that the ‘peace’ (‘sign of peace’ in the Catholic Church) is shared at a different point in the service; whereas Catholics do this after the Lord’s Prayer, Anglicans do it before the offerings of bread and wine are brought to the altar. Some Anglicans share the Catholic and Orthodox view that the bread and wine are transformed into Christ’s body and blood, but many believe that Jesus is present in the bread and wine in a spiritual way and onl...
• Holy Communion in Nonconformist churches It begins with a hymn and a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.Bible readings and a sermon follow.The congregation prays for the world and for the needs of particular people.The minister reminds the congregation of Jesus’ words and actions at the Last Supper. He or she takes bread and wine, says a prayer of thanksgiving over them, including the words of Jesus, ‘This is my body’ and ‘This is my blood’.There is an ‘open table’ so anyone who wishes to take communion may receive the bread and wine.People may come forward to receive the bread and wine. In som...
• What are Sacraments? Sacraments are holy rituals that outwardly express an inner, spiritual experience. They make visible for believers a special gift of grace (a free gift of God’s love).
• 7 Sacraments Catholic and Orthodox Christians accept seven sacraments, which they believe to have been initiated by Jesus: baptism, confirmation, Holy Communion, marriage, Holy Orders, reconciliation, and the anointing of the sick.Many Protestant churches see baptism and Holy Communion as important rituals because they believe Jesus instructed them to undertake these. Some churches that practise believers’ baptism consider it an important ceremony but do not refer to it as a ‘sacrament’. Other churches like the Quakers or The Salvation Army, do not use any sacraments.
• Baptism For many Churches baptism is the initiation rite by which people become members of the Christian Church. In baptism the person is formally acknowledged as a child of God and receives God’s saving grace; the person’s sins are forgiven and he or she enters a new life with Jesus Christ.When John the Baptist baptised Jesus in the Jordan River, two extraordinary things happened that showed God’s approval of his son’s mission (see Mark 1:9-11). Jesus’ baptism set an example for his followers to be baptised in order to receive the Holy Spirit and begin a new life in the Christian community.“T...
• Infant Baptism Nowadays Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist, and United Reformed Christians practise infant baptism. Catholic and Orthodox Christians would say everyone is a descendant of Adam and Eve who committed the first sin.Everyone has a tendency to sin and needs salvation, even a baby. For Catholics and Orthodox Christians, infant baptism removes this original sin. At an infant baptism the child is welcomed into the Church as soon as possible, and the parents are able to thank God for their new baby and celebrate the birth with family and friends. Priest/minister says ‘I baptise yo...
• Believers Baptism Some Christians, such as Baptists and Pentecostalists, think that a baby is too young to understand the meaning of baptism, so people should wait and be baptised when they are old enough to come to a mature decision about their faith. They believe that baptism does not itself save a person; it is someone’s conversion to living a life dedicated to Jesus that is important.Therefore the believer must be old enough to have come to a mature decision about their faith.Believers’ baptism involves full immersion in a pool, symbolising the cleansing from sin and the rising up to new l...
• Pilgrimage A pilgrimage is a journey made for religious reasons, alone or with other Christians, to a sacred place. The believer makes a physical journey but it is also a spiritual journey towards God. The pilgrimage gives many opportunities for prayer and worship, and is itself an act of worship as believers show devotion to God by choosing to go.Pilgrims may visit the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, because it is where Jesus lived, died and was resurrected and where Christianity began. They may visit shrines connected with famous saints. Some prefer to go to remote places to pray and refl...
• Role and importance of Pilgrimage grow closer to God and strengthen their faith express sorrow for sin and be forgivenreflect on their lives, particularly when facing a crisis or a big decisionpray for something special or thank God for a blessingseek a cure for an illnesshelp other pilgrims who are disabled or illexperience a holy placemeet others who share their faith. It is not compulsory for Christians to go on a pilgrimage but it can play an important role in their spiritual lives. Often they come back with a better understanding of their faith and renewed enthusiasm for living a Christi...
• Lourdes "Lourdes in south-west France is a place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus. In 1858 a young girl named Bernadette had visions of Mary in a grotto (cave) near the river.Bernadette spoke of praying the rosary with Mary who looked lovingly upon her. Mary told Bernadette to dig for a spring of water, which was discovered to have healing properties. ""As I raised my head to look at the grotto, I saw a Lady dressed in white, wearing a white dress, a blue girdle and a yellow rose on each foot, the same colour as the chain of her rosary; the beads of the rosary were white.""...
• Iona Iona is an island off the west coast of Scotland. In the 6th century AD, St Columba, an Irish missionary who brought Christianity to Scotland, established a small monastic community there. It is now the home of the ecumenical Iona Community and a place of Christian pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin Mary.Some people think Iona is a ‘thin place’, where the veil between the spiritual world and the physical world is thin. Iona is remote and windswept, so for many pilgrims it feels like a place where nature reveals God’s infinite power and presence.The Iona Community hold daily services in th...
• What is the Church The word ‘church’ comes from the Greek word ‘ekklesia’ which is defined as an assembly, or a gathering of Christian people. The root meaning of ‘church’ is not that of a building, but of people. Originally the early Church did not have a special building and Christians met together in people’s homes. The New Testament explains that the Church consists of a group of believers under the leadership of Jesus.First and foremost the Church is made up of the followers of Jesus in the local community.“And God placed all things under his (Jesus’) feet and appointed him to be head ove...
• What does the Church do "The church as a building provides a location where Christians from the local community can meet, worship, pray, obtain spiritual guidance and socialise. Often events take place on weekdays as well as worship on the Christian holy day of Sunday. Some activities are specifically for Christians such as prayer meetings or Bible studies; others fulfil a need in the local community, for example a mothers’ and toddlers’ group or youth club.The role of the Church is not confined to the building. Throughout its history the Church has been a major source of social services like ...
• Trussel Trust Food Banks Founded in 1997 by Carol and Paddy Henderson, the Trussell Trust food banks provide emergency food, help and support to people in crisis in the UK. Based on Christian principles, shown, for example, in the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, the aim is to bring people together (religious and non-religious) to work towards ending poverty and hunger in Britain.Rising prices, cuts in welfare benefits, redundancy, family breakdown, and unexpected expense may all contribute to an emergency situation.Non-perishable food is donated to the food banks by churches, supermarkets,...
• Why should Christians be involved in the local community? The teaching of Jesus, for example in the parable of Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46), shows that Christians should not ignore the needs of society because showing agape love is part of the Christian way of life.Churches should respond practically to the needs of their local communities.These needs vary; for example, they might include a lack of facilities for young people, insufficient care for the vulnerable, the problem of gang culture or people feeling frightened on the streets.Churches have tried to meet these challenges with...