Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

Topic 1:
Features of Worship:
 Cross: a decoration in the church
o A reminder of the sacrifices Christians have to make
o Used for procession
 Font/baptistery: used for infant baptism
o Area in the church used for baptism
 Lectern: announcement made from it in the church
o Podium for reading bible passages
o Sermons can be preached from it
 Pulpit: Strictly for preaching sermons
o A feature of worship
 Altar/communion table: Where the priest conducts the service
o Where the eucharist is carried out
o The priest pronounces the benediction from the altar
 Crucifix: a representation of Christ hanging on the cross
o Serves as part of dressing for the roman catholic priest

Found on the altar:

 Crucifix
 Chalice
 Candles
 Altar table

Eucharist/Holy Communion:
 This is my body given for you
 Eat this in remembrance of me
 This is my blood shared
 Drink this in remembrance of me
Methods of building a successful church:
 Through evangelism
 Having an ordained priest
 Having societies that involve in the welfare of the church
 Having daily eucharistic services
 Encouraging members to give (tithes, offerings)
 Celebrating Christian festivals
Importance of public declaration:
 An act of showing maturity to take responsibility for your faith
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

 A way to evangelise your belief

 A way of spreading the good news of Christ
 Serves as encouragement to others
 To strengthen your faith
 The congregation serves as witnesses
 Taking part in communion strengthens your faith
During the service of the Eucharist/Mass:
 Body and blood of Christ are given to believers
 Believers make confession
 Scriptural passages are read (old/new testament)
 Greetings of peace are exchanged
 Absolution from sin is pronounced (priest)
 Benediction is pronounced (priest)
 Reflection on the sacrifice of Christ
 Renewal of faith through the words of the nicene greed
 Thanksgiving/ offerings are given

Sunday Worship:
 It is the Lord’s day of worship for Christians
 Christians were told never forsake the gathering of believers
 To listen to the sermon
 To strengthen their faith
 To receive the eucharist
 To receive blessings from the priest
 To pay tithes and other blessings
 To pray for others and intercede for other believers

 Christians go to church on Sunday because it is regarded as the ‘Lord’s Day’,

the day on which Jesus was resurrected.
 Paul, in his letters or epistles in the New Testament in the Bible, developed
the idea of the Christian community as the ‘body of Christ’ . Christians saw
this as an explanation for the way the church should develop. So historically,
Christians have churches for these sorts of reasons. But also, Christians go to
Church simply to accept that there is a God and that worshipping God is
important, that the life and teaching of Jesus can be best expressed in
worship, and that through the people you meet in church the way you act in
the world is important. So you worship – through hymns, prayers, and certain
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

rituals like the Eucharist or Holy Communion, and you act kindly and in
Christian love to others around you in church and in the community of the
world.
 Family service: form of private worship involving family members
Roles/Significance of vicar/minister/priest:
 He presides over worship
 Performs the sacrament of holy baptism
 Preaches the sermon
 In charge in the day-to-day operations in the parish/church
 He presides over church council meetings
 He pronounces absolution from sin on the congregation
 He pronounces the benediction
 He administers the holy eucharist
 Listens to confessions
 Joins couples in wedlock

Roles of Bishop:
 Performs the sacrament of confirmation
 Ordains priests
 He is in charge of the Diocese
 He transfers priests from one church to another
 He is in charge of the account of the Diocese
 He presides over the synod
 Resolves conflict amongst priests
 Clarifies doctrinal doubts, misunderstanding and misinterpretation
 Attends the Lambert conference in England (once every 10 years)

Topic 2:
The Trinity:
 God the Father: He is the creator of heaven and earth
o He is the almighty
o He is transcendent, but yet imminent
o Revealed himself through his son
o He is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscience
o He is the sustainer of the universe
o Revealed himself through the wind
 God the son: He was conceived under the Holy Spirit
o He was born of the Virgin Mary
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

o He was crucified
o He died and was buried
o He suffered under Pontius Pilate
o He resurrected on the third day
o He ascended into heaven and is sat at the right hand of the father
o He will come again to judge the living and the dead
 God the Holy Spirit: He is the helper promised by Christ
o He is the comforter
o He imparts gifts upon the believer
o He is the 3rd person in the trinity
o He empowers Christians
o He is the counsellor
o He convicts the world of sin and judgement

The Apostles’ Creed:

 I believe in God the father, creator of heaven and earth, I believe in Jesus Christ, his
only begotten son, conceived of the holy spirit, born of the virgin Mary, He suffered
under Pontius Pilate and was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again and he ascended into heaven and is sat at the right hand
of the father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the holy
spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins and
life everlasting.
Jesus of Nazareth:
 The traditional boyhood home of Jesus
 Where Jesus preached a sermon in the synagogue

 Significance/meaning of Salvation: Healing the broken relationship between man

and God
o The centre of our salvation is through Jesus Christ
o Restores man to his pride and place in God’s own creation
o It assures man of eternal life
o It gives man boldness to approach the throne of grace
o Spiritual protection is guaranteed

 Significance/ meaning of Resurrection: Jesus resurrected on the third day and

showed his power over death
o Death is not final
o It gives hope to the bereaved
o It shows Jesus’ power over death
o The keys of hades was taken from Satan
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

o There will be resurrection of the death either to eternal life or eternal

damnation
Ten Commandments:
 I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me
 You shall not make yourself an idol
 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy
 Honour your father and mother
 You shall not murder
 You shall not commit adultery
 You shall not steal
 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour
 You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods (wife, house, slave, etc)

 Bible: Divinely inspired

o Holy books
o Basis for God’s judgement
o Contain wisdom for Christians

Old Testament teaches:

 Creation story
 The fall
 The destruction of the world
 Covenant
 The commandment
 The activities of the Prophets
 The slavery of the Israelites
 Transition into the promise land

Importance of the New Testament teaches:

 The epistles
 Confirms the prophesy of the old testament
 It shows the formation of the early church
 Talks about the apocalypse
 The birth of Jesus
 The massacre of the babies
 His baptism
 His miracles are documented in the new testament
 The faith of believers are solidified through the teaching of the new testament
 Doctrines of churches are inspired by the new testament
 His revelation to the gentie world
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

 Crucifixion
 Death
 Ascension

Literature in the Bible:

 Poetry:
o
o salms
o Ecclesiastes
o Song of Solomon
o Proverbs
 Law Books:
o Genesis
o Leviticus
o Exodus
o Numbers
o Deuteronomy
 Historical:
o Samuel
o Kings
o Joshua
o Chronicles
o Ruth
o Job
o Nehemiah
 Apocalyptic:
o Daniel
o Revelation
 Gospel:
o Matthew
o Mark
o Luke
o John
 Epistles:
o Acts
o Philippians
o Romans
o Galatians
o Corinthians
o Timothy
o Jude
o Peter
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

 Prophetic:
o Joshua
o Malachi
o Isaiah
o Jeremiah
o Hosiah
o Lamentation
o Obadiah
 Wisdom books:
o Psalms
o Proverbs
o Job
o Ecclesiastes

Topic 3:
 Advent: 4 weeks of prayer preparation before Christmas
o Referred to as “The coming of Christ at the end of history”
o Falls on the Sunday nearest to the 30th of November
o Colour: Purple
 Christmas: Remembers the birth of Jesus (25th of December)
o Priests vestments and the altar and the lectern are covered in white and gold
 Epiphany: Revelation of Jesus Christ to the genties
o The night before/ the twelfth day that often takes place on the 6th of January
o Colour: green
o Episodes: Turning water into wine at a wedding at Cana at Galilee
 His baptism in river Jordan by John the Baptist
 The 3 Gifts of the Magi:
 Gold: Signified royalty
 Frankincense: Priesthood
 Myrrh: Suffering and death
 Lent: A period of selflessness at which you fast and give up something pleasurable
for 40 days and nights
o Starts on Ash Wednesday
o Colour: Purple

How Christians Observe Lent:

 Fasting
 Praying
 Staying away from personal pleasures
 By Studying the bible
 By reflecting on the incidence of Christ’s suffering
 By practising charity
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

 Practising hospitality
 Helping the poor and needy

Holy Week:
Colour: Purple
 Palm Sunday: Rode into Jerusalem as King
 Fig Monday: Chased traders from temple
 Holy Tuesday: Jesus was questioned by Jewish authorities
 Spy Wednesday: Betrayed by Judas
 Maundy Thursday: Last supper
 Good Friday: Crucified (colour: Red)
 Holy Saturday: Lay in tomb

 Easter: Celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus

o Colours: white and gold

How Christians observe Easter:

 Observing mass
 By retelling the story preceding his resurrection
 Exchange of gifts
 Party
 Bible passages on resurrection are read

Significance of Easter:
 Shows death has no power over Christ
 Gives Christians hope about resurrection
 It gives Christians boldness and confidence about their religion
 It shows the fulfilment of prophecies
 Signifies the fulfilment of Christ’s mission on earth
 Marks the end of animal sacrifices to atone for sins

 Ascension: The day Christ ascended into heaven

o Colours: white and gold
Significance of Ascension:
 It marks the successful completion of Christ’s mission on Earth
 The promised holy spirit was re-emphasised
 Christ promised to return again
 Jesus promised to return again
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

 Jesus promised his disciples he was going to prepare a place for them
 He encouraged his disciples to be united in one
 He makes intercession for his people

 Pentecost/ Whitsun: When the disciples were given the holy spirit
o Colour: Red

Biblical events at Pentecost:

 The holy spirit descended upon the apostles
 Peter preached
 They spoke in tongues
 3000 souls were won to Christ
 Prophesy of prophet Joel was fulfilled
 The gift of the holy spirit were imparted on the apostles
 The birth of the church began

 Sunday: Weekly remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the
week
o The Lord’s day
o Day of rest for most Christians
How Christians observe Sunday:
 Christians reading from the gospels or from the old testament
 Hearing a sermon
 Prayer
 Celebrating the Lord’s supper
 A day of rest and recreation
 Christian children attending Sunday school

 Pilgrimage: A spiritual journey to a place of religious significance/relevance

Reasons to go on Pilgrimage:
 Some places are associated with healing miracles
 To re-strengthen faith and help people feel closer to God
 To see particular churches associated with special people/events
Places of Pilgrimage:
 Lourdes: A town in south-western France
o Site of St. Bernadette’s vision
o Bernadette joined the Sisters of charity and became a Nun in 1877
o The underground spring in the grotto is said to have healing powers
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

 Rome: Centre of Christian church in the west

o Has a separate area within it called the Vatican city and it is where the Pope,
the head of the Roman catholic church lives
o Site of St. Peter’s Basilica protected by the fortified Castel Sant’Angelo
o St. Peter was crucified in Rome, and was buried under the altar of St. Peters
Basilica
o St. Paul was put to death in Rome during the Christian persecution of 64 CE

Historic Places:
 Bethlehem: Believed to be the birth place of Jesus
o Rachel, the wife of Jacob, and the mother of Joseph died here
o The story of Ruth in the bible took place in Bethlehem
o This is where David is thought to have been born and where he was anointed
King of Israel
o According to the old testament the Messiah will come from Bethlehem
o In the new testament, it of course appears as the birthplace of Jesus
o The cave where Jesus was born is under the Church of Nativity
o In the 5th century St. Jerome built a monastery there
o St. Jerome translated the old testament into Latin from the original Hebrew
o St. Jerome translated the new testament from the original Greek into Latin
o Bethlehem has many churches, convents, schools and hospitals funded by
Christians from all over the world
 Nazareth: A city in lower Galilee, Northern Israel
o It is the traditional boyhood home of Jesus
o It Is the place where Jesus preached a sermon in the synagogue
o A well called St. Mary’s Well
o Roman Catholic Church of the annunciation, said to be where Archangel
Gabriel appeared to Virgin Mary and told her that she was to be the mother of
Jesus
o There is Gabriel Church (Greek catholic Church) which is also believed to
be the site of annunciation
o The synagogue church is built on the traditional site of where Jesus preached
o The church of Joseph stands on what is believed to be the site of Joseph’s
carpentry shop
o The mensa Christi, “Table of Christ” church, is where tradition says Jesus
dined with the apostles after his resurrection
o Basilica of Jesus the Adolescent is on hill above the church
 Jerusalem: Holy city for 3 religions
o Temple of the Jews stood on the Temple mount before it was destroyed
o Western or wailing wall- the remains of the temple
o Muslim dome built on the temple mount
o It represents the earthly version of the heavenly Jerusalem
o The first mention of Jerusalem in the Bible is when Abram meets Melchizedek
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

o The holy church of sepulchre built over the cave where Jesus’ body was
placed after his death
o Church of the Resurrection
o The Armenian church
o The Coptic church
o The Ethiopian church
o The Greek orthodox church
o The Roman catholic church
o The Syrian Church
o The church of St. Anne (Mary’s mother)
o The Armenian Cathedral of St. James
o The tomb of the Virgin
o The church of St. Stephen in the north of the city
o The great church of St. Mary on the Temple hill
o Mount of olives where Jesus prayed with his disciples on Maundy Thursday
o The upper room which is a building supposedly standing on the site of the last
supper
o Via Dolorosa, the route which Jesus took, carrying his cross

Topic 4:
 Infant Baptism/dedication:
o Child dressed in white symbolizes purity
o The members congregate around the font
o The biological mother hands over the child to the godparents
o The godparents hand over the child to the priest
o The priest sprinkles water over the child
o The priest makes the sign of the cross on the baby’s forehead
o The priest declares blessings upon the child
o The godparents undertake vows on behalf of the child

 Believers’ baptism:
o Baptism of adults when you have come to the age of knowledge
o This is done by immersion into water
o The believer undertakes vows to renounce sin and the devil
o The believer is immersed in water symbolizing death to sin and being alive to
new life/righteousness
o The believer is now a fully-fledged member of the church/is qualified for
confirmation
o Sometimes believers wear white

 First communion:
o Taking of the Holy Eucharist for the first time
o Candidates wear white
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

 Confirmation:
o Sermons, hymns and bible passages are said
o Candidates renew the vows undertaken by the godparents as an infant on their
behalf
o The bishop resides over candidates
o Candidates kneel before the Bishop and he lays his hands over them
o The bishop imparts the gift of the Holy spirit upon those to be confirmed
o Bishop pronounces blessing/benediction upon the candidates
o Candidates wear white

 Marriage ceremony:
o The bride is handed over to the groom by her father
o The bridge is dressed in white symbolizing purity
o The priest joins them together
o They exchange vows:
 I, Peter, take you, Jane (I, Jane, take you, Peter)
 To be my wife
 To have and to hold
 From this day forward
 For better, for worse
 For richer, for poorer
 In sickness and in health
 To love and to cherish, til death do us part, according to God’s holy
law; and this is my solemn vow
o They exchange rings
o Before the congregation they are pronounced husband and wife
o They sign the marriage register
o Thanksgiving
o Couples read bible passages
o Priest preaches
Reasons to be married in the church:
 To receive blessings from God
 To have believers serve as your witnesses
 To marry a Godly believer
 To receive a validated marriage certificate
 Divorce is less likely to occur
Reasons/ Importance of keeping marriage vows:
 Feeling of belonging to the other/ shows ownership
 A sense of maturity to accept responsibility that marriage imposes
 To authenticate the wedding ceremony
 Man and woman are one in the eyes of God
 Mutual support
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

 Procreation
 Proper relationship for intimacy
 Way to respect the sanctity of the institution
 Vows are made directly to God
 Sign of respect to God

 Funeral rites:
o Corpse is brought into the church in a solemn procession
o Requiem mass is sang
o Tribute about the dead is read
o A minute’s silence is observed in honour of the deceased
o Sermon preached
o Scriptures pertaining to resurrection are read
o Some sayings are recited by the priest during
o Congregation pay their last respects
o Prayers are said by the graveside for safe repose
o Family members/loved ones throw in flowers
Prayers said at funerals:
 Prayers of hope for the living
 Prayers of comfort for the bereaved
 Prayers of the safe repose for the dead
 Prayers of gates of eternal life to be opened
 Prayers of the soul of the deceased to be at peace
 Benediction
Traditional roles of men, and women and the family:
 The man:
o To provide for the family
o To be the religious head of the household
 The woman:
o The help-meet for the husband
o She submits to her husband
o She bears children
o She protects the husband’s properties
 The Children/family:
o They are to obey their parents
o To show they love each/ one another
o They are to emulate good behaviours from their parents

Topic 5:
The two greatest commandments:
Religious Studies Christianity Syllabus

 Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength
 Love your neighbour as yourself
Ways to love your God:
 By not having another God except the Lord
 By not making any graven image
 By not taking the name of the Lord in vain
 By keeping the sabbath day holy
 By honouring your father and your mother
Love in human relationships:
 Love is kind
 Love is patient
 Love is not rude
 Love is not selfish
 Love is not proud
 Love is not envious
 Love is not easily angered

 CAFOD: Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (1962)

o To promote human development and social justice in witness to Christian faith
and Gospel values
o To help prevent poverty and suffering in the developing world
 Christian Aid (1945):
o Works with local organisations to help the poorest communities and
campaigns against issues (such as: trade justice, climate change and Third
World debt)
 Tearfund (1968):
o Works with local churches across the world to help end poverty
o Brings justice to people

 Agape: Unselfish love

 Eros: Sexual love
 Storge: love for things
 Phileo: Brotherly love