Christianity: Practices Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three main forms of worship in Christianity?

A

Liturgical, non-liturgical, and informal

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2
Q

What is liturgical worship?

A

A church service which follows a set structure or ritual, e.g. set prayers - popular in Catholicism

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3
Q

What is non-liturgical worship?

A

A style of church worship which changes from week to week, with a focus on creating a positive experience of the Holy Spirit e.g. through singing and dancing

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4
Q

What is informal worship?

A

Worship focused on individual prayer inspired by the Holy Spirit, often taking the form of personal prayer in a silent room with others, popular in the Quaker church

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5
Q

What is informal prayer?

A

Spontaneous prayers spoken from the heart which are personal and unique to the person/people at the time

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6
Q

What is the Lord’s Prayer?

A

The set prayer taught to the disciples by Jesus, also known as the ‘Our Father’

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7
Q

Why do some Christians argue that prayer should always be private?

A

Jesus warns that God does not like public displays of worship. “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your father is unseen”

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8
Q

Why do some Christians argue that prayer should be public?

A

In the Great Commission, Jesus encourages his disciples to “Make disciples of all nations”, which would encourage them to worship publicly

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9
Q

What is a sacrament?

A

An outward sign of an inward grace. There are seven sacraments in Christianity, which allow a person to deepen their relationship with God and the Church.

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10
Q

What is the first sacrament?

A

Baptism

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11
Q

What does Jesus instruct his disciples in the Great Commission?

A

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

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12
Q

Why do Christians argue baptism is necessary to enter Heaven?

A

Jesus teaches “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit”

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13
Q

What is baptism?

A

The sacrament through which people become members of the Church. It involves the use of water as a symbol of the washing away of sin.

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14
Q

What are the two main types of baptism?

A

Infant baptism and believers’ baptism

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15
Q

What is infant baptism?

A

The baptism of newly born infants. The family are welcomed and there are readings from the Bible. Normally involves pouring water over the baby’s head.

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16
Q

What is believers’ baptism?

A

The baptism of someone who has chosen to become a Christian as an adult, by full immersion in the water. It is a celebration of an individual’s free choice to become “born again”.

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17
Q

Why do Christians disagree on how to interpret the Bible teachings about the Eucharist/Holy Communion?

A

Jesus says “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” More traditional Christians (such as Catholics) focus on ‘This is my body’, and treat the bread as the literal body, whereas Protestant Christians focus on “in remembrance of me” and treat the Eucharist as symbolic.

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18
Q

What are the main characteristics of Catholic Eucharist?

A

Belief in transubstantiation: the bread and wine transform into the body and blood of Christ. Eucharist offered daily or weekly. Wine given from a single chalice. Lord’s Prayer said before bread is received.

19
Q

What are the main characteristics of Protestant Eucharist?

A

Belief that the Eucharist/Holy Communion is symbolic. Bread and wine represent Jesus’ sacrifice. Eucharist offered monthly. Wine given in individual glasses. Last Supper story read before bread is received.

20
Q

What is Eucharist?

A

Literally ‘thanksgiving’; a sacrament in which the death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated, using bread and wine.

21
Q

What is pilgrimage?

A

A religious journey to a holy place and a form of worship across many religions

22
Q

What are two contrasting sites of pilgrimage in Christianity?

A

Lourdes and Iona

23
Q

What are the main features of Lourdes?

A

In France - popular with Catholics. The site where St Bernadette had a vision of the Virgin Mary. Water from the well linked to healing miracles.

24
Q

What are the main features of Iona?

A

Off the coast of Scotland - popular with Protestants. Founded by St Columba who brought Christianity to the area. Described as a “thin place” by the Ancient Celts. Now offers weekly pilgrimages and has a strong commitment to peace and justice.

25
Q

What are two contrasting Christian festivals?

A

Christmas and Easter

26
Q

What does Easter celebrate?

A

The resurrection of Christ

27
Q

How do Christians celebrate Easter?

A

Following the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday to remember Jesus’ death; candlelit vigil on Easter Saturday to await the resurrection; Church service on Sunday to celebrate the resurrection. Church decorated with flowers as a reminder of new life. The paschal candle will be lit as a sign of the light of Christ.

28
Q

What does Christmas celebrate?

A

The birth of Christ

29
Q

How do Christians celebrate Christmas?

A

Lighting Advent wreath, performing Nativity plays in Christian schools during Advent, enjoying time as a family and exchanging gifts. Attending midnight mass before Christmas and singing carols. Full Church service on Christmas Day.

30
Q

What services do local churches provide their communities?

A

Staying open all day for quiet reflection, holding regular services, running youth groups, providing advice, working with local charities, running foodbanks, running community events (e.g. coffee mornings), etc.

31
Q

How can Christians support food banks?

A

Donating money to charities which support food banks, working as volunteers to sort, parcel, distribute, etc., offering church hall as premises

32
Q

What are street pastors?

A

A Christian organisation involving people working, mainly at night, on city streets giving care to those who need it

33
Q

Give examples of services offered by street pastors

A

Handing out foil blankets, giving out water, providing first aid, answering calls from pubs and bars, intervening in conflicts

34
Q

What is ‘mission’?

A

Literally ‘sent out’; the duty of Christians to spread the gospel (the good news about Jesus)

35
Q

What is evangelism?

A

Preaching the Gospel (the good news about God) to convert people to the Christian faith

36
Q

What is reconciliation?

A

Making up and rebuilding relationships between two groups/sides after a disagreement

37
Q

Why do Christians believe mission is important?

A

There has been a decline in Christian belief so the Church needs new followers; Church requires support (e.g. financial); Christians believe that they have a duty to save others from sin; Christians believe that a large united Church can transform corrupt societies

38
Q

Which event in scripture is the source of Christian belief in evangelism?

A

The Great Commission

39
Q

What are different ways in which Christians can evangelise?

A

Offering Alpha courses to introduce people to the Christian faith; street preaching in public places; handing out Gideons International Bibles

40
Q

How does the worldwide Church work for reconciliation?

A

Helping war recovery e.g. restoring food supplies; helping those fleeing persecution; working to repair the broken relationships between Christian denominations; working to repair the relationships between Christians and other religions (e.g. Council of Christians and Jews); working to repair the relationships between different social groups (e.g. helping to end Apartheid)

41
Q

Give the name of a Christian overseas relief agency

A

Christian Aid

42
Q

When was Christian Aid set up and why?

A

End of WWII to help resolve the refugee crisis in Europe

43
Q

What are examples of the work Christian Aid has done?

A

Ending the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, the spread of AIDs in South Africa in the 1990s, helping fight globally for climate justice today