chrsitianity practices

Question 1

State the difference between liturgical and non-liturgical worship.

Answer 1

Liturgical worship involves set patterns of worship, led by a priest or minister. The congregation respond to the person leading the service using set words from a book or order of service. In non-liturgical worship there is no set pattern and it is more spontaneous.

Question 2

Describe charismatic worship.

Answer 2

Charismatic worship involves the use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These can include speaking in tongues (glossolalia), prophecy and healing.

Question 3

Give a reason why Christians may spend time in individual worship.

Answer 3

One reason why Christians may spend time in individual worship is to develop their personal relationship with God and to seek his guidance for their lives.

Question 4

What is a sacrament?

Answer 4

A sacrament is a ritual through which Christians believe they can receive God’s grace or blessing.

Question 5

List 2 Sacraments

Answer 5

Any of the following answers would be correct: Eucharist, baptism, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, anointing the sick.

Question 6

Give three reasons why Eucharist is important to Christians.

Answer 6

Eucharist is important to Christians.
Eucharist is important to Christians because:
• it reminds them of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to bring about their salvation
• it brings them together as a Christian community
• it is obedience to following a ritual established by Jesus at the Last Supper.

Question 7

What is the difference between consubstantiation and transubstantiation?

Answer 7

Transubstantiation is the belief that the bread and wine received at Eucharist actually become the body and blood of Jesus, whereas consubstantiation is the belief that Jesus is spiritually present in the bread and the wine.

Question 8

What is the purpose of baptism?

Answer 8

Baptism symbolises a person’s admission into the Christian Church.

Question 9

Why do some Christians choose adult baptism instead of infant baptism?

Answer 9

Some Christians choose adult baptism because they believe it should be a conscious choice which a baby is therefore not able to make. They also believe it follows the pattern for baptism set out in the New Testament.

Question 10

State three ways that congregational prayer is different to individual prayer.

Answer 10

Congregational prayer is different to individual prayer because it involves praying with a group of Christian believers. Sometimes in congregational prayer everyone will say the same prayer out loud, reading from a service book. Congregational prayer does not focus on praying for the specific needs of each individual.

Question 11

List the four different types of prayer.

Answer 11

The four different types of prayer are adoration, confession, intercessions and thanksgiving.

Question 12

Describe what is meant by praying in the Spirit.

Answer 12

Praying in the Spirit means to pray an inspired prayer, led by the Holy Spirit.

Question 13

What is meditation?

Answer 13

Meditation is when a believer focuses, in stillness and often silence, on God.

Question 14

What is grace?

Answer 14

Grace is a prayer of thanksgiving offered before eating a meal.

Question 15

What is a pilgrimage?

Answer 15

A pilgrimage is a physical journey with a spiritual significance.

Question 16

List three places that Christians may go on pilgrimage.

Answer 16

Walsingham, Rome, Jerusalem or Lourdes are all possible answers.

Question 17

What caused Lourdes to become a place of pilgrimage?

Answer 17

A series of visions of God to a 14-year-old girl names Bernadette Soubirous. Then a spring appeared at the site and was believed to have healing powers.

Question 18

Why is Jerusalem a significant place to many Christians?

Answer 18

Jerusalem is the place Jesus lived towards the end of his life and it is where he died, was buried and seen alive after his resurrection. Many Christians want to spend time in the places where Jesus was.

Question 19

Where would a pilgrim go to visit the site of St Peter’s bones?

Answer 19

Rome is the site of St Peter’s bones.

Question 20

What is Advent?

Answer 20

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and it marks the start of the liturgical year in Catholic and Anglican churches. It marks the period of waiting for the celebration of Jesus’ birth and for Parousia.

Question 21

Give three reasons why Christmas is important to Christians.

Answer 21

It is important because:
• it is the celebration of Jesus’ incarnation
• it created the way for there to be reconciliation between God and humanity
• it gives hope for humanity.

Question 22

What day starts Holy Week?

Answer 22

Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week.

Question 23

Describe what is being remembered on Maundy Thursday.

Answer 23

Maundy Thursday remembers Jesus washing the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper, with his command for his followers to love one another. It is also the time when Jesus established the practice now known as Eucharist.

Question 24

On which day is there a vigil held and why?

Answer 24

There is a vigil on Easter Saturday evening. It is a time when the wounds of Jesus are recalled.

Question 25

What is celebrated on Easter Sunday?

Answer 25

Jesus' resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday.

Question 26

What is the purpose of infant baptism?

Answer 26

Infant baptism welcomes the child into the Christian Church.

Question 27

What is the link between infant baptism and confirmation?

Answer 27

When a child who has been baptised reaches the age where they can make their own decision about belonging to the Christian faith, then they choose to be confirmed.

Question 28

Name two denominations that practise infant baptism.

Answer 28

Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican practise infant baptism.

Question 29

State three elements that you would expect to be part of a Christian wedding service.

Answer 29

The exchange of rings, the exchange of vows and the signing of the register are part of a Christian wedding service.

Question 30

What is a stefana?

Answer 30

A stefana is the silver crown that is held over the heads of the bride and the groom at an Orthodox wedding. It represents the royalty of marriage.

Question 31

In which denomination is this part of a marriage service?

Answer 31

A stefana is part of an Orthodox marriage service.

Question 32

What is the purpose of the vows in a Christian wedding service?

Answer 32

Wedding vows are the promises to love and support one another in all circumstances until death.

Question 33

What is the sipping of wine from the cup symbolic of in an Orthodox wedding service?

Answer 33

Sipping of wine from the cup is a reminder of Jesus' miracle at Cana when he turned water into wine. It is a symbol of the shared life that the couple are about to begin.

Question 34

List the four features of a Christian funeral service

Answer 34

The four features are Bible reading, prayers, eulogy, sermon in which the minister reminds the mourners about life after death. You could also include Requiem Mass in this answer.

Question 35

State why prayers for the deceased are especially important in a Roman Catholic funeral service.

Answer 35

Prayers for the deceased are believed to help a person's soul move from purgatory to heaven.

Question 36

Which denominations may include a Requiem Mass as part of their funeral service?

Answer 36

Catholic and Orthodox funeral services may include a Requiem Mass.

Question 37

What is the purpose of the committal?

Answer 37

The committal is when Christians believe that they are committing the dead person to God's care.

Question 38

What is the relationship between marriage and Christ that is explained in Ephesians 5:31-33?

Answer 38

Marriage is an image of Christ and his commitment to the Church. In Ephesians 5, Christ is described as a groom and the church as his bride.

Question 39

How may Jesus' claim in John 11:25 provide comfort to mourners during a funeral service?

Answer 39

Jesus' claim in John 11:25 leads mourners to understand that after physical death there is an eternal life awaiting them in heaven.

Question 40

In what way may Corinthians 15:51 provide mourners at a funeral with a sense of hope?

Answer 40

Corinthians 15:51 may give mourners hope that one day they will be reunited with those who have died before them and they will go on to live for eternity.

Question 41

What is meant by Missio Dei?

Answer 41

Missio Dei means God's activity or mission.

Question 42

What two aims did the WCC identify for Christian mission?

Answer 42

Two aims are the goals of conversion and of reconciliation.

Question 43

Name a Christian organisation that has a strong tradition of evangelism.

Answer 43

The Salvation Army has a strong tradition of evangelism.

Question 44

Describe the form of worship most common in churches that have emerged from the house church movement.

Answer 44

Charismatic worship is the form of worship most common in churches that have emerged from the house church movement.

Question 45

Identify a Bible teaching that directs Christians towards missionary work.

Answer 45

Mark 16:15 that tells believers to 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation'. Romans 1:16 or Acts 1:8 could also be used for this answer.

Question 46

What is ecumenism?

Answer 46

Ecumenism is the idea of creating Christian unity as it seeks to unite Christians from different denominations.

Question 47

What three areas does the World Council of Churches focus on?

Answer 47

It focuses on: • visible unity • promoting common witness • engaging in Christian service by meeting human needs.

Question 48

List three ecumenical communities.

Answer 48

Taizé, Iona, Corrymeela are ecumenical communities.

Question 49

Name one organisation that works to help the persecuted church and summarise what it does.

Answer 49

The Barnabas Fund directs aid to Christians facing persecution and publicises the cases of persecuted Christians and communicates this to governments. It uses petitions, letter-writing campaigns and constant prayer for the persecuted.

Question 50

How does the work of Tearfund reflect Jesus' teaching in John 13:34-35?

Answer 50

Tearfund reflects Jesus' teaching as it works to show love to those in poverty around the world. It does this by working with local partner churches. For example, it has helped communities develop handicraft skills to make and sell items.