christianity: practices Flashcards
(130 cards)
1
Q
why do christians worship?
A
- to praise and thank god
- to ask for forgiveness
- to seek god’s help for themselves or others
- to deepen their relationship with god and strengthen their faith
2
Q
what are some different types of worship?
A
- liturgical worship
- non-liturgical worship
- informal worship
3
Q
what is liturgical worship?
A
a church service that follows a set structure or ritual
4
Q
what is non-liturgical worship?
A
a service that does not follow a set text or ritual
5
Q
what is informal worship?
A
a type of non-liturgical worship that is ‘spontaneous’ or ‘charismatic’ in nature
6
Q
what form does liturgical worship take?
A
- takes place in a church
- priest leads congregation and may perform symbolic actions
- formal prayers with set responses
- bible passages read out, may be a sermon
- music and hymns
7
Q
what form does non-liturgical worship take?
A
- takes place in a church
- often focused on bible readings followed by sermon
- may have prayers and hymns but no set order, number and type can change week to week
8
Q
what form does informal worship take?
A
- community or house churches meet in private homes and share food
- quaker worship mainly silent, people speak when moved by god to offer thoughts or read from bible
- ‘charismatic’ worship may involve dancing, clapping, calling out and speaking in tongues
9
Q
what are examples of liturgical worship?
A
the Eucharist for Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Churches
10
Q
what are examples of non-liturgical worship?
A
services in non-Conformist churches, e.g. Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed
11
Q
what are examples of informal worship?
A
community or house churches, Quaker worship, charismatic (‘led by the spirit’) worship of the Pentecostal Church
12
Q
why is liturgical worship important for christians?
A
- worldwide set order for service (familiar to everyone)
- ritual passed through generations (sense of tradition)
- bible readings follow christian calendar and teach christian history/faith
13
Q
why is non-liturgical worship important for christians?
A
- services can be planned and ordered to suit certain theme
- non-conformist churches place emphasis on word of god in bible
14
Q
why is informal worship important for christians?
A
- style of worship in house churches similar to worship of early christians
- people can share readings and prayers and can take active part in church by calling out or speaking without formal training
- service may have emotional impact with feeling of personal revelation from god
15
Q
why is prayer important?
A
- encourages reflection in the middle of busy life
- enables christians to talk and listen to god
- helps christians to keep close relationship with god
- helps christians to accept god’s will even if it means suffering
- gives sense of peace
- gives strength in times of trouble
16
Q
what was jesus’ response when his disciples asked him to teach them how to pray?
A
he answered with the lord’s prayer
17
Q
why do christians see the lord’s prayer as a model of good prayer?
A
it combines praise to god with asking for one’s needs
18
Q
what does the lord’s prayer remind christians to do?
A
- forgive others in order to be forgiven
- that god is father of whole christian community
19
Q
when/where is the lord’s prayer used?
A
- in worship
- nearly always said at holy communion, baptisms, marriages and funerals
- in schools and commemoration services in britain
20
Q
what is a sacrament?
A
holy rituals through which believers receive a special gift of grace (free gift off god’s love)
21
Q
how many sacraments do catholic and orthodox christians recognise?
A
7
22
Q
how many sacraments do protestant churches recognise?
A
2
23
Q
what do some churches e.g. quakers or Salvation Army see as sacraments?
A
they don’t see any ritual or ceremony as being a sacrament
24
Q
what 7 sacraments do catholic and orthodox christians recognise?
A
- baptism
- confirmation
- holy communion
- marriage
- holy orders
- reconciliation
- anointing of the sick
25
what 2 sacraments do protestant churches recognise?
- baptism
- holy communion
26
what is baptism?
- the ritual through which a person becomes a member of the church
- involves use of water to symbolise washing away of sin
27
who is infant baptism for?
babies and young children
28
who is believers' baptism for?
people who are old enough to understand the significance of the ritual
29
through baptism a person...
- imitates Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist
- becomes a member of the christian church
- becomes a child of god
- receives god's saving grace and the Holy Spirit
- is cleansed of sin
- enters new life with christ in the Christian community
30
who is infant baptism practised by?
- catholic
- orthodox
- anglican
- methodist
- united reform
(...christians)
31
what are reasons for infant baptism?
- removes original sin (catholic/orthodox belief)
- allows child to be welcomed into church asap
- parents can thank god for new baby/celebrate with friends and family
32
what happens during infant baptism?
- priest/minister pours blessed water over baby's head and says "I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
- godparents/parents promise to bring child up christian
- child welcomed into christian community
33
who is believers' baptism practised by?
- baptists
- pentecostalists
34
what are reasons for believers' baptism?
- people should be old enough to consciously make mature decision about faith
- decision to live life dedicated to Jesus is what saves a person, rather than baptism itself
35
what happens during believers' baptism?
- person fully immersed in pool which symbolises cleansing from sin and rising to new life in christ
- when asked whether willing to change their lives, person gives brief testimony of faith in Jesus
- person is baptised "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
36
what is holy communion also known as?
the Eucharist
37
what does holy communion recall?
the last supper of Jesus
38
what do catholics, orthodox christians and some anglicans believe the bread and wine become and what does this mean?
- the body and blood of christ
- means Jesus is fully present in bread and wine; this is divine mystery that helps believers share in saving sacrifice of Jesus' death and resurrection
39
what do protestant christians celebrate holy communion as?
- reminder of the last supper
- don't believe bread and wine becomes blood/body of christ but that they're symbols of Jesus' sacrifice which helps believers reflect on its meaning today
40
quote for holy communion?
"For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
- 1 Corinthians 11:26
41
what is the impact of holy communion on individuals?
- christians receive god's grace by joining in sacrifice of Jesus
- this helps to strengthen faith
- become closer to god
42
what is the impact of holy communion on communities?
- holy communion brings community of believers together. in unity by sharing bread and wine
- can provide support/encouragement for those going through difficult times
43
what is the impact of holy communion on wider society?
- acts as call to love other in practical ways
- encourages christians to work for equality and justice for all
- many churches collect money during service to help support those in need e.g. poor or homeless
44
what is holy communion called in the Orthodox Church?
the Divine Liturgy
45
in the Orthodox Church, what is the Divine Liturgy believed to recreate?
heaven on earth
46
where is much of the divine liturgy held?
- much of service held at altar behind iconostasis
- priest passes through iconostasis using royal doors
47
what is the iconostasis?
a screen that represents the divide between heaven and earth
48
what is the main difference between holy communion in catholic and anglican churches?
- very similar
- main difference is that catholics believe bread and wine turn into body and blood of christ, whereas many anglicans believe Jesus only present in spiritual way when bread and wine being eaten
49
what happens during the liturgy of the word during orthodox divine liturgy?
- hymns, prayers and bible reading
- priest comes through royal doors to chant gospel
- may be sermon
50
what happens during the liturgy of the faithful during the orthodox Divine Liturgy?
- priest receives wine and bread baked by church members
- prayers offered for church, local community and world
- behind iconostasis, priest says words of Jesus at last supper
- most bread is consecrated as blood and body of christ
- priest distributes holy Breda and wine on spoon
- prayers of thanksgiving said
- unconsecrated pieces of bread given to people to take home as sign of belonging to christian community
51
what happens during the liturgy of the word at catholic mass and anglican holy communion?
- three bible readings, a psalm and a homily
- the creed is said
- prayers said for church, local community, world and sick and dead
52
what happens during the liturgy of the eucharist at catholic mass and anglican holy communion?
- in anglican holy communion, people give sign of peace to each other
- offerings of bread and wine brought to altar
- priest repeats words of Jesus at last supper over bread and wine
- people say lord's prayer
- in catholic mass, sign of peace given at this point
- people receive bread/wine
- priest blesses people and sends them out to live the gospel
53
what happens during holy communion in the united reformed church?
- service begins with hymn and prayer of praise/thanksgiving
- bible readings and sermon given
- prayers for world and needs of particular people given
- minister repeats words and actions of Jesus at last supper
- there is an 'open table' so anyone who wishes can receive holy communion
- sometimes bread cut beforehand, other times it's broken and passed around by congregation
- wine sometimes non-alcoholic and usually distributed in small cups
- service ends with prayer of thanksgiving, blessing, and encouragement to go out and serve god
54
what is a pilgrimage?
- a journey made by a believer to a holy site for religious reasons
- as well as making a physical journey to sacred place, pilgrim also makes spiritual journey towards god
55
where are two popular pilgrimage sites for christians?
- Lourdes (town in France)
- Iona (Scottish island)
56
why do people go on a pilgrimage?
- grow closer to god
- strengthen faith in god
- be forgiven for sin
- reflect on one's life
- pray for something special
- thank god for a blessing
- seek cure for illness
- help other pilgrims who are disabled or ill
- experience holy place
- meet others who share same faith
57
how can a pilgrimage impact a christian's life?
- give better understanding of faith
- renew enthusiasm for living Christian life
- help them see problems in new light
- help them feel cleansed from sin
- help feel more connected to Christian community
- give good feeling about helping other pilgrims who are disabled or ill
58
what is the significance of Lourdes?
- where Mary is said to have appeared in number of visions to young girl called Bernadette
- Mary told Bernadette to dig in ground and when she did a spring of water appeared
- water believed to have healing properties and number of healing miracles believed to have taken place there
59
what activities occur at Lourdes?
- pilgrims go to lourdes to bathe in waters of spring, or help other pilgrims who are ill or disabled to bathe in waters
- pilgrims pray for healing or forgiveness
- may recite rosary together
60
what is the significance of Iona?
- where st Columba established monastic community in 6th century AD
- community now has ecumenical centre where pilgrims can stay
61
what activities occur at Iona?
- because it's quiet, peaceful and place of natural beauty, pilgrims can spend time praying, reading bible, reflecting, meditating etc
- pilgrims can attend services in abbey church, take part in workshops and visit island's holy/historic sites
62
what can festivals help christians to do?
to remember and celebrate major events in their religion (particularly life, death and resurrection of Jesus)
63
what does Christmas commemorate?
the incarnation of Jesus
64
how do the celebrations of Christmas reflect christian beliefs and teachings?
- lights represent Jesus as light coming into world of darkness
- nativity scenes show baby Jesus born into poverty
- carol services with bible readings remind christians about god's promise of a saviour and events of Jesus' birth
- midnight mass reflects holiness of night and joy christians feel at Jesus' birth
- Christmas cards and gifts recall wise men's gifts to Jesus
- christians give to charity in time of peace and goodwill because god gave humanity gift of Jesus
65
what does easter celebrate?
Jesus' rising from the dead
66
which is the most important christian festival?
easter
67
what does Holy Week remember?
(week before easter Sunday)
remembers events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion inc. arrest and trial
68
what happens on Good Friday?
(day Jesus was crucified)
special services and processions led by person carrying cross
69
what happens on the Saturday night of easter?
- some churches hold special service to celebrate christ's resurrection
- orthodox christians walk with candles in procession, then enter dark church as if going into Christ's empty tomb
- priest announces "Christ is risen!" to which people respond "He is risen indeed."
- catholics and anglicans have vigil that begins in darkness, before paschal candle lit to symbolise risen christ
- service ends with holy communion
70
what happens on easter Sunday?
- churches filled with flowers and special hymns sung to rejoice at Jesus' resurrection
- services held at sunrise and shared breakfasts include eggs to symbolise new life
71
quote for easter?
"Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life."
- traditional orthodox hymn at easter Divine Liturgy
72
what is the church?
the holy people of god, also called the body of christ, among whom christ is present and active
73
what is a church?
building in which christians worship
74
what do individual churches do?
- educate people about christianity e.g. bible study groups
- meeting places for prayer and worship
- provide activities for younger people e.g. youth clubs
- places where christians can socialise and obtain spiritual guidance
75
what does the church do?
- supports local projects like food banks
- provides special service like schooling/medical care
- helps those in need
- campaigns for justice
76
quote for what does the church do?
"And God placed all things under his [Jesus'] feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the the church, which is his body."
- Ephesians 1:22-23
this quote shows christians think of church as followers of Jesus, who together are body of christ on earth
77
what are two examples of the church helping the local community?
- the trussell trust
- the oasis project
78
what is the trussell trust and what does it do?
- charity running over 400 food banks in UK
- provide emergency food, help and support to people in crisis in UK
- non-perishable food donated by churches, supermarkets, schools, businesses and individuals
- doctors, health visitors and social workers identify people in crisis and issue them with food voucher
- aim to bring religious and non-religious people together to help end poverty and hunger
79
what is the oasis project and what does it do?
- community hub run by Plymouth methodist mission circuit
- provides internet cafe, creative courses, job club, training opportunities, meeting place and food bank
- spiritual and practical help given to those in need because of ill health, learning disabilities, domestic violence, substance abuse, low income and housing problems
80
why should christians help others in the local community?
because Jesus taught that people should show agape love
81
how do christians put their faith into action?
through many organisations and projects that help vulnerable people in the community
82
what are street pastors?
people who are trained to patrol the streets in urban areas; help vulnerable people by providing reassuring presence on the street
83
what is the importance of helping in the local community in Christianity?
- Jesus taught that christians should help others by showing agape love towards them e.g. in parable of sheep and goats Jesus teaches christians they should give practical help to people in need
84
what are two examples of christian organisations that provide practical help to local communities?
- street pastors
- parish nursing ministries uk
85
what is a quote that shows the importance of taking practical actions to help others in christianity?
"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
- James 2:17
86
what are street pastors and what do they do?
- initiative started in London in 2003 by christian charity the ascension trust
- adult volunteers trained to patrol streets in urban areas
- main aim originally to challenge gang culture/knife crime in London
- focus widened to responding to drunkenness, anti-social behaviour and fear of crime
- work closely with police and local councils
- listen to people's problems, advise on where to get help and discourage anti-social behaviour
- similar group called school pastors set up in 2011 to discourage illegal drug use, bullying and anti-social behaviour in schools
87
what are parish nursing ministries uk and what do they do?
- christian charity supports whole-person healthcare through local church
- provide churches with registered parish nurses who promote wellbeing in body/mind/spirit among local community
- nurses help provide early diagnosis of health problems
- train and coordinate volunteers to help combat loneliness/provide support during times of crisis
- give additional help to nhs
- encourage exercise/good diet
- focus on whole person (inc. listening to them/praying with them if asked)
- direct people to specific services if needed
88
what is a mission?
a vocation or calling to spread the faith; the church has a mission to tell non-believers that Jesus Christ, the son of god, came into the world as its saviour
89
what do christians spread the faith through?
evangelism (showing faith in Jesus by example or by telling others)
90
what is the great commission?
- Jesus gave a great commission to his disciples to spread the gospel and make disciples off all nations through baptism
- Holy Spirit at pentecost gave the disciples gifts and courage needed to carry out great commission
- all christians have duty to spread gospel and tell others of their faith, but some become missionaries or evangelists
91
what are missionaries or evangelists?
people who promote christianity e.g. by going to foreign countries to preach or do charitable work
92
what are the aims of missionary work and evangelism?
to persuade people to accept Jesus as their saviour, and tot extend the church to all nations
93
what is a quote for the great commission?
"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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
- Matthew 28:19-20
94
what is alpha an example of?
evangelism in Britain
95
who was alpha started by?
in London by an anglican priest
96
what is the aim of alpha?
started with aim of helping church members understand the basics of christian faith
97
what is alpha/what does it do?
- the course is now used as an introduction for those interested in learning about christianity, by different christian denominations in Britain/abroad
- organisers describe it as 'an opportunity to explore the meaning of life' through talks and discussions
- courses held in homes, workplaces, universities, prisons, churches
98
how much of the world's population claim to be christian?
(including people who rarely attend church)
up to a third of the world's population
99
how many people become christian each day?
around 80,000 people
100
what does the church expect new christians to do?
help spread the faith as part of their commitment to Jesus
101
what is an example of a christian organisation that promotes evangelism?
Christ for all Nations
102
how is the church growing?
- the church is growing rapidly in South America, Africa and Asia, but not in the USA, Europe and the Middle East (where christians have been persecuted)
- worldwide, around 80,000 people become christians each day, and over 500 new churches are formed
- church's mission is to make disciples not just new believers
- this means new christians are also expected to help spread the faith
- evangelism should therefore be followed by training up new converts (people who decide to change their religious faith) in the way of following Jesus
- every christian has a role in encouraging fellow believers
103
what are some ways christians can spread the faith?
- advertising and using media e.g. Facebook, twitter or premier christian radio
- praying for others to accept god
- inviting people to christian meetings, fellowship meals and social events
- sharing what god has done for them with others
104
what does Christ for all Nations do?
- they promote evangelism by holding evangelistic meetings throughout the world, particularly in Africa
- led by evangelists Richard Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda
- some of their large open-air rallies held in Africa have drawn crowds of up to 1.6 million people
- it's claimed that many miracles of healing take place at meetings
- they claim that 74 million people have filled in decision cards to follow christ at their meetings
105
what does the worldwide church have a mission to do?
to restore people's relationship with god and with one another
106
what does the church play an important role in?
reconciliation (restoring harmony after relationships have broken down), through initiatives to develop peace and understanding
107
how is working for reconciliation a part of christianity?
- christians believe humans were reconciled to god through Jesus' death/resurrection; this means Jesus' death/resurrection helped restore broken relationship between god and humanity which had been broken by sin
- for catholics, the sacrament of reconciliation helps to restore people's relationship with god
- Matthew 5:23-24 teaches that christians should be reconciled to each other
- reconciliation is therefore an important part of the church's work
108
as an important part of the church's work, what could reconciliation involve?
anything from trying to restore relationships between individual people, to working for peace between different religious groups or nations at conflict
109
what is a quote for working for reconciliation?
"For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!"
- Romans 5:10
(shows that humanity's relationship with god was restored through death of Jesus)
110
what are some examples of organisations working for reconciliation?
- the Irish Churches Peace Project
- the World Council of Churches
- the Community of the Cross of Nails
- the Corrymeela Community
111
what does the Irish Churches Peace Project do?
- brings catholics and protestants together in Northern Ireland
- project aims to develop peace and understanding between these two denominations
112
what does the World Council of Churches do?
- works for reconciliation between different christian denominations and members of other faiths
- e.g. the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace initiative supports inter-religious dialogue and cooperation
113
what does the Community of the Cross of Nails do?
- after bombing of coventry cathedral in WW2, local christians showed forgiveness to those responsible and cathedral became world centre for peace and reconciliation
- cathedral home to organisation which works with partners in other countries to bring about peace/harmony
114
what does the Corrymeela Community do?
- brings together people from different backgrounds, including people of different faiths or political leanings
- meet at residential centre in Northern Ireland to build trust and explore ways of moving away from violence they can work together constructively
115
for some christians, how can persecution have positive effects?
- it can strengthen their faith
- allow them to share Jesus' sufferings
- inspire some to become christian
116
what does the church do to help those who have been persecuted?
- prayer
- practical help
- financial support
- by raising awareness of persecution/campaigning against it
117
what is persecution?
- International Society for Human Rights est. 80% of acts of discrimination today aimed at christians
- the persecution happens across world but particularly countries like North Korea, Somalia, Iraq and Syria
- could involve: being forced to pay extra tax, job discrimination, being forbidden to build churches, attacks on christian homes/churches/families (including murder)
118
what are some christian responses to persecution?
- for some, persecution can have positive effect as strengthens faith and conviction, also allows them to share in suffering of Jesus
- church believes important to act against persecution by supporting persecuted christians wherever possible/campaigning on their behalf
- christians encouraged to show love/forgiveness towards persecutors
119
what is a supporting quote for persecution having a positive effect for some christians as it strengthens their faith and conviction?
"I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings" - Philippians 3:10
- shows that one way christians can get to know Jesus is by sharing in his suffering
120
what is a supporting quote for the church believing it is important to act against persecution?
"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it" - 1 Corinthians 12:26
- refers to the Church, shows that helping individual christians also helps whole church
121
what is a supporting quote for christians being encouraged to show love and forgiveness?
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" - Romans 12:21
- shows that christians should respond to evil with love
122
what are some ways the church has helped persecuted christians?
- christians have smuggled bibles into USSR to strengthen and give comfort to persecuted christians
- Barnabas Fund sends money to support people persecuted for their faith
- Christian Solidarity Worldwide campaigns for religious freedom for all
123
what do christian charities follow?
the example and teaching of Jesus in working to relieve poverty
124
what do christians believe?
they should show Jesus to the world through helping the disadvantaged
125
what are three christian charities that help the poor?
- Christian Aid
- Tearfund
- CAFOD
126
how did Jesus teach that it is important to help those in poverty?
- Jesus once told rich man to sell everything and give to the poor (mark 10:21)
- parable of Rich Man and Lazarus tells of rich man who ends up in hell for ignoring a beggar
- parable of Good Samaritan teaches importance of helping all people
- Jesus helped outcasts e.g. lepers, tax collector and sinners
127
what is a quote for helping those in poverty?
"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pinyon them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
- 1 John 3:17-18
128
what are examples of the work of Christian Aid?
- supports projects to encourage sustainable development
- provides emergency relief e.g. food, water, shelter and sanitation
- campaigns to end poverty alongside organisations e.g. Fairtrade Foundation, Trade Justice and Stop Climate Chaos
129
what are examples of the work of Tearfund?
- works with over 90,000 churches worldwide to help lift people out of poverty
- supplies emergency aid after natural disasters/conflict
- provides long-term aid to help communities become more self-reliant e.g. education/new farming equipment
- supported by donations, fundraising events and prayer from uk churches
130
what are examples of the work of CAFOD?
(catholic agency for overseas development)
- works with local organisations to train, supply and support communities to work their own way out of poverty
- gives short-term aid e.g. food, water and shelter during conflicts and disasters
- lobbies uk government/global organisations for decisions that respect the poorest
- encourages catholic schools/parishes to pray, give money and campaign for justice
