Differing Christian Views on Worship (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

The role and importance of different forms of worship

• Worship in Christianity is when Christians show respect and appreciation towards God

• Worship can take many different forms, including prayer, Holy Communion or collective worship

• Worship can take the form of “reverence” for God and “paying homage” to God

  • For example, worship as reverence could relate to certain parts of scripture, including:

    • “Every knee shall bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God” (Romans 14:11)

    • “You shall revere your God; I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:32)

  • Worship as “paying homage” could relate to other parts of scripture, including:

    • “Hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9)

    • “How great thou art” (Psalm 145:1–3)

    • “How marvellous are your works oh Lord” (Revelation 15:3)

Liturgical and non-liturgical worship

• Worship can be in the form of liturgical or non-liturgical worship

  • Liturgical worship is when Christians worship according to a set pattern and on a regular basis

    • This is often the preferred style of worship for Catholics and Anglicans

  • Non-liturgical worship is less formal and does not always follow a set pattern 

    • This is often the preferred style of Methodists and Pentecostalists

Liturgical worship

• Clergy (ordained priests, vicars, etc.) play an important and central role in worship

• Prayers are usually read from a book, e.g. the Book of Common Prayer or Common Worship for Anglicans

• Looks the same in different churches that belong to the same denomination

• Full of signs and symbols

• Ordered, structured and follows the same pattern as part of a tradition

Non-liturgical worship

• Clergy may play a less prominent role and may allow others to lead/preach as part of a rota

• Extempore prayers are used (made up on the spot rather than from a book) 

• Has no set pattern or theme and varies from church to church

• More Bible-centred, stripped back to the “basics”

• Reinvents itself to suit the congregation following the direction of the Holy Spirit

• Someone decides the readings, themes, etc. 

Different Christian attitudes to worship practice

Liturgical: Roman Catholic

• The altar is the focal point of the church during the Mass (Holy Communion)

• The Mass is the most important part of the service and takes place every week

• The church is decorated in liturgical colours, e.g. red for Saints Day 

• Has lots of statues and paintings of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and saints

• A crucifix, which is a cross with Jesus on it (emphasising the suffering of Jesus), is present

Non-liturgical: Methodist

• The pulpit is the focal point of the church, as there is great emphasis on the Bible as the inspired Word of God

• Bible readings and the sermon (which is often longer than those in Catholic Masses) are the most important parts of the service

• The church is a simple building with no statues so as not to distract from listening to God’s Word

• Communion takes place once a month at a simple table

• A cross (empty) puts emphasis on the risen Jesus, who has conquered death

Non-liturgical: Charismatic

•  Pentecostal and some Protestant and Roman Catholic churches worship in a charismatic way

• They believe Christians should be free to worship how the Holy Spirit leads them

• Services often include speaking in tongues (praying and speaking in a heavenly language). This usually happens when someone is experiencing the Holy Spirit during worship

• Services can also contain prophecies and healing

Non-liturgical: Quaker meeting

• Takes place in meeting houses (simple buildings or rooms), not churches 

• A meeting begins when two or more worshippers come together to be in the presence of God

• They usually sit facing each other in a square or a circle

• Quakers sit together in silence

  • They believe stillness gives them space and time to listen, reflect and seek a sense of connection with those around them, their deepest selves and God

Views on the use and importance of the Bible in worship

• All forms of Christian worship contain a focus on the Bible in some way

• Most Christians believe that the Bible is inspired by God and contains the Word of God; therefore, it is of great importance to believers

• The apostle Paul, in a letter to Timothy, explained the use and importance of the Bible (Scripture) for:

  • Teaching

  • Reproof and correction (putting people right if they go wrong)

  • Training in righteousness (encouraging people to live in a way that follows God’s teachings)

• The Bible is used in different ways in worship, prayer and study by different Christians

• For Catholic and Anglican Christians, there are set readings in each Mass or Holy Communion service, including:

  • Readings from the Old Testament 

  • A psalm

  • Readings from the New Testament

  • A gospel reading

• The priest or minister will help people to understand and reflect upon the meaning and messages of the readings by delivering a sermon 

• In Protestant churches, such as the Methodist Church, the Bible readings and the sermon are the central features of the Sunday service

  • The sermon is the key part of the service because the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, placed great importance on it

  • It is considered important that people have God’s word explained clearly to them so they can put the Christian message into action throughout their daily lives

  • Methodists often meet during the week to study the Bible and develop their understanding of its teachings

Respectful treatment of the Bible

• All Christians believe that the Bible should be treated with great respect

• The most important way they show respect for the Bible is by reading it regularly and trying to understand it better to get closer to God

• Many Christians attend Bible study groups in their local church or follow formal study courses to achieve a greater understanding

  • Some Christians may learn Hebrew or Greek to be able to read and understand the Old Testament and New Testament in the languages they were originally written in

• In the church, the Bible is treated with great respect during services

  • It may be carried in as part of a procession

  • It is placed on a stand called a lectern to be read from

  • In Catholic and Anglican services, people may stand to listen to the words of the gospel as a sign of respect

• At home, many people have their own copy of the Bible

  • They will read it regularly

  • They will use it in their own prayer

  • They will consult the Bible when making important decisions

  • They will take care of it, for example, by storing it safely when not in use

  • They may give a copy of the Bible as a gift to people on special occasions, such as a baptism