Christianity #6: Worhsip Flashcards
What does Christianity teach about worship? (5)
• Individual worship involves prayer. This could include the Lord’s Prayer/ Our Father. The main types of prayer are:
o Asking: Petition (for ourselves) and Intercession (for others)
o Sorrow
o Thanksgiving
o Praise and Adoration
• Community worship in the Catholic Church involves the sacramentsand the liturgical seasons.
There are five liturgical seasons in the Catholic Church:
▪ Advent
▪ Christmas
▪ Lent
▪ Easter
▪ Ordinary Time
• There are seven sacraments in the Church:
▪ Sacraments of Healing - Sacraments that bring peace and wholeness in mind and body – Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick.
▪ Sacraments of Initiation - Sacraments by which a person is drawn into full membership of the Church –Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
▪ Sacraments of Ministry - Sacraments by which a person receives grace for a special role of service – Marriage, Holy Orders.
Why might Christians worship? (4)
• It connects followers with God and helps them to understand him better.
• It shows appreciation to God for what he has done for them. For example, in sending Jesus, or in providing for their daily needs.
• It acknowledges that God is greater than them and that he is the creator and sustainer.
• It brings people together with fellow believers so they can connect as one family and encourage one another in their faith.
• It enables them to participate in the sacraments, for example communion where they remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. In the sacrament Christians feel they can experience a special connection with God (‘an outward sign of an invisible grace’).
Some Christians think it is essential to worship with others because: (7)
• Going to church shows you are associating yourself with other Christians/ Christianity
• It is part of a Christian’s witness – a sign to others that your faith is real.
• Showing love for God and each other within a Christian community is a valuable source of encouragement, eg in the sharing of “The Peace”.
• During formal worship with others there are opportunities to strengthen your faith, eg in recitation of the creed, confession, prayers and hymns.
• St Paul urged fellow believers not to give up meeting together. The church is the people that make it up, so worshipping together is vital.
• Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” This shows he intended Christians to meet together to worship.
• Communion is an especially important act of worship for many Christians, and by definition, it is done with others.
Why might Christians worship?
• It connects followers with God and helps them to understand him better.
• It shows appreciation to God for what he has done for them. For example, in sending Jesus, or in providing for their daily needs.
• It acknowledges that God is greater than them and that he is the creator and sustainer.
• It brings people together with fellow believers so they can connect as one family and encourage one another in their faith.
• It enables them to participate in the sacraments, for example communion where they remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. In the sacrament Christians feel they can experience a special connection with God (‘an outward sign of an invisible grace’).
Some Christians do not think it is essential to worship with others because: (5)
• Worship is about your personal relationship with God – not about others.
• Many very spiritual Christians have lived solitary lives in meditation and prayer.
• The Kingdom of God happens when people show love to those outside the community of faith. This is true “spiritual worship”.
• The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats suggests the true sign of real faith is love for others who are struggling.
• Some find themselves unable to meet with others for worship due to isolation or ill health. They are no less real Christians, and no less able to worship God.
