Curriculum Portal

neurologyYou need to know

• Christian practices are the actions and rituals through which Christians express, strengthen, and share their faith in God.
• Liturgical worship follows a set structure and often uses written prayers, Bible readings, hymns, and rituals, especially in Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions.
• Non-liturgical worship is less fixed in structure and may include spontaneous prayer, informal preaching, modern music, and personal testimony, especially in many Evangelical and Pentecostal churches.
• Private worship allows Christians to build a personal relationship with God through prayer, Bible reading, meditation, and reflection outside formal church services.
• Prayer is communication with God, and Christians may use prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.
• The Lord’s Prayer is a model prayer taught by Jesus which includes praise of God, requests for daily needs, forgiveness, guidance, and deliverance from evil.
• A sacrament is an outward ritual sign of inward spiritual grace, and most Christians recognise baptism and the Eucharist as especially important sacraments.
• Baptism is the Christian rite of initiation using water, symbolising cleansing from sin, entry into the Church, and new life in Christ.
• Infant baptism expresses the belief that God’s grace is given before personal understanding, while believer’s baptism expresses a personal adult or mature commitment to follow Jesus.
• The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion, Mass, or the Lord’s Supper, commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper and his sacrifice through bread and wine.
• Roman Catholics believe in transubstantiation, meaning the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, while many Protestants view the bread and wine as symbolic reminders of Jesus’ sacrifice.
• Pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place for spiritual growth, healing, penance, or a deeper connection with God.
• Lourdes is a Catholic pilgrimage site in France associated with visions of Mary and healing, while Iona is a Scottish island pilgrimage site associated with prayer, community, and Celtic Christianity.
• Christmas celebrates the incarnation, the Christian belief that God became human in Jesus, and Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
• The local church supports believers and the wider community through worship, teaching, pastoral care, youth work, food banks, and practical service.
• Mission means spreading the Christian faith, and evangelism means actively sharing the message of Jesus with others through words and actions.
• The Great Commission is Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations, which motivates many Christians to support mission and evangelism.
• The worldwide Church works for reconciliation by helping divided communities rebuild relationships, forgive, and seek peace after conflict.
• Many Christians respond to persecution by praying, campaigning for religious freedom, supporting persecuted believers, and continuing to witness to their faith.
• Christian charities such as Christian Aid, CAFOD, and Tearfund respond to poverty by providing emergency aid, long-term development, education, healthcare, and campaigning for justice.

• Compare liturgical, non-liturgical, and private worship by identifying their main features and explaining how each helps Christians express faith.
• Explain the significance of baptism and the Eucharist using accurate Christian vocabulary and clear links to beliefs about salvation, grace, and Jesus’ sacrifice.
• Analyse how prayer influences Christian life by linking specific types of prayer to worship, moral decision-making, comfort, and relationship with God.
• Evaluate different Christian views on infant baptism, believer’s baptism, and the Eucharist, using denominational examples where relevant.
• Explain the importance of pilgrimage by using named examples such as Lourdes and Iona and linking them to healing, reflection, community, or spiritual renewal.
• Explain how Christmas and Easter express central Christian beliefs, especially incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and salvation.
• Assess the role of the Church in the local community by using concrete examples such as food banks, youth work, Street Pastors, or pastoral care.
• Explain how mission and evangelism are connected to the Great Commission and show how Christians may share faith through preaching, service, media, or personal example.
• Evaluate Christian responses to global issues such as poverty, persecution, and conflict, using named organisations or examples to support judgements.
• Construct GCSE-style evaluation answers by presenting developed arguments on both sides, using accurate religious evidence, and reaching a justified conclusion.