GCSE Christian Beliefs & Teachings PDF

GCSE Component Paper 1: Christian Beliefs & Teachings Lesson Booklet Name: ___________________________ Teacher: _________________________ 1  Contents Christianity Beliefs and teachings...

GCSE Component Paper 1: Christian Beliefs & Teachings Lesson Booklet Name: ___________________________ Teacher: _________________________ 1  Contents Christianity Beliefs and teachings L1: The Trinity and the nature of God L2: The Incarnation, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit L3: Jesus’ Ministry, Parables & Teachings L4: The Crucifixion L5: Resurrection and Ascension L6: Atonement and the role of Jesus in Salvation L7: Heaven and hell & Judgement  L1: The Trinity & The Nature of God What is the Holy Trinity? The idea of the Trinity is that there is one God who consists of three different ‘persons’, all of which are equally God. The one God is made up of three ‘persons’ – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit What the creation story reveals about God’s nature and the role of God the Father? The Beginning 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. […] 26Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. [….] 8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. […] 15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” 18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” But for Adam[f] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[g] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib[h] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. [Eve is tempted by the serpent and eats from the forbidden tree. Adam accepts the fruit from Eve, disobeying God. God punishes them – see below] 16 To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” 17To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”  Homework 1: Nature of God, Trinity Question Answer What does omnipotence mean? Give 2 examples of God’s omnipotence? What does omnibenevolence means? Give 2 examples of God’s omnibenevolence? What does Just mean? What story can you use to support the idea that God is Just? 4  L2: The Incarnation, God the Son & Holy Spirit How does the Virgin Birth prove the incarnation for Christians? The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.” 29 She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant. 30 The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor [a] with God. 31 You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. 32 He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever, and his kingdom will never end.” 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’m a virgin.” 35The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God. 36 “Elizabeth, your relative, is six months pregnant with a son in her old age. People said she couldn’t have a child. 37 But nothing is impossible for God.” What do Jesus’ actions tell us about the role of God the Son? Key Words: Saviour: Jesus’ role to lead people away from sin and therefore save their souls so they can enter heaven In John 3:16[NIV] it is written: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” One of the most important acts Jesus did was to die on the cross – the crucifixion. Jesus’ role as a saviour is shown throughout the bible through many of the accounts of his life. One such example is the healing of Jairus’ daughter in the book of Mark: Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. 35While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing[c] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” 37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.  L2: The Incarnation, God the Son & Holy Spirit Christians believe that once Jesus had left the earth, God sent the Holy Spirit to influence, guide and sustain earth and all life on it. The Holy Spirit is believed to be the unseen power of God at work in the world in the past, present and future. The Holy spirit comforts and guides those who are in need and acts as the immanent part of God in the world that answers prayers. This influences Christians to always believe that God is with them and will see them through difficult circumstances Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you [….] 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Homework 2: Incarnation & Holy Trinity Question Answer What is the Holy Trinity? What is the role of God the Father? Who is God the Son? What is the incarnation? What is the Annunciation? What did The Angel Gabriel say to Mary? What is the role of God The Holy Spirit? 7  L3: Jesus’ Ministry: Parables and teachings Jesus is often referred to as ‘The Good Shepherd’ as he guided people (his sheep) to lead a better life. Jesus also refers to his disciples as ‘Fishers of men’ – he taught them how to spread God’s word. “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.... and I will make you fishers for men.“ Matthew 4.19 How & What did Jesus teach? Parables are stories with moral messages. Jesus used these stories to teach people about how God wanted them to live. The Good Samaritan: Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” What does The Parable of the Lost Coin teach Christians? 8“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” How did Jesus deal with Sinners? The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”  Homework 3: Jesus’ Ministry & Parables Question Answer What is Jesus known as? What is a Ministry? What are parables – give an example Explain the moral of the parable of the Good Samaritan What quality does Jesus show in the story of Mary Magdalene? What quote supports the idea that Jesus said not to judge? 9  L4: The Crucifixion The purpose of God becoming incarnate in the person of Jesus was to be a role model and teach people how to live a good life. The final part of Jesus’ purpose on earth was to atone for all of human’s sins by sacrificing himself on the cross. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son”. Jesus is betrayed by one of his disciples 47While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[d] Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Jesus is put on trial and beaten The Trial of Jesus Jesus was bought before the reliigous leaders and asked if he was guilty of the crime of blasphemy: Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ the Son of the Blessed One?’ “You have said so,” said Jesus.” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[e] 65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 After being found guilty, Jesus was sent to Pontius Pilate, who was the Roman governor of Judea at the time, Pilate offered the choice of who to condemn to death to the crowd, as was tradition. The crowd chose to free Barabbas, a well-known criminal, thereby condemning Jesus to death. The Crowd even shouted “crucify him”. Jesus is mocked by the soldiers 27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. 27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.  L4: The Crucifixion Jesus is Crucified and forgives the repentant sinner and those who condemned him 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[c] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. [d]” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The death of Jesus 44It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last. 47The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.  Homework 4: Crucifixion Question Answer What does Jesus say about the bread and wine during the last supper? Why does Jesus go to Gethsemane? What does Judas do? What does Jesus say when the disciples fight the guard? What does Jesus say before he takes his last breathe? What does Jesus say to the other man being crucified next to him? 12  L5: The Resurrection and Ascension The resurrection of Jesus The Resurrection: After his death, Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross and placed into a rock tomb with a heavy stone covering its entrance. There are different accounts of the resurrection but all are clear that Jesus rose again on the third day – “He is Risen!”. Luke’s version: 24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. Jesus Appears to his disciples 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. The Ascension Ascension: Christians believe that after a 40 day period, Jesus left earth to return to heaven. During this 40 day period after his resurrection, Jesus met with each of his disciples, ate with them and proved that he had conquered death. He showed them the scars on his hands to prove that it was really him, and he made sure that the disciples were ready to continue the work he had started once he was gone. - “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven” - Before Jesus left, according to Mathew’s Gospel, he gave his disciples the Great commission, to spread Christianity in his absence. ‘ “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” 13  Homework 5: Resurrection & Ascension Question Answer What is the resurrection? What does the Angel say to the disciples? How does the resurrection influence Christians? What is the Ascension? What did Jesus do for the 40 days between the resurrection and ascension? Before Jesus ascends, what does he tell his disciples 14  L6: Atonement & The role of Jesus in Salvation Key words: Salvation – saving a soul from sin Salvation through good works – going to heaven due to your good deeds Salvation through grace – going to heaven due to God’s forgiving nature Salvation through law: going to heaven by following Jesus’s teachings and the teachings in the scripture Why is Jesus’ death so important to Christians? Salvation means to save a soul from sin. Sin is any act that breaks God’s rules, and this leads to separation from God. Christians believe that everyone is born with sin due to original sin – when Adam & Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. After creating Adam and Eve, God gave them a single command, which was not to eat fruit from the tree of knowledge. “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” However, Adam and Eve disobeyed the commandment. They were tempted by the serpent to eat fruit from the forbidden tree. Christians believe that this act of disobedience to God bought about evil and suffering. As punishment, instead of living in the paradise of the Garden of Eden, God sent Adam and Eve to Earth to suffer.Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the LORD God said to… woman, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” 17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Jesus’ role in salvation The original sin committed by Adam and Eve as well as the constant disobedience of humans through acts like violence, murder and idolatry ruined the relationship between humans and God. Christians believe that Jesus repaired this relationship by being crucified and taking on everyone’s sins – he took the punishment ‘ so sinners do not have to. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world’. 1 John 2:1-2 What does the parable of the sheep and the goats teach Christians about salvation? 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”  L6: Atonement & The role of Jesus in Salvation Salvation through Grace What does the parable of the prodigal son teach Christians about the salvation? 21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.  Homework 6: Afterlife, Judgement & Salvation Question Answer What is Sin? Example What is Salvation? What is salvation through good deeds? Scripture What is salvation through grace? scripture Why might free-will cause sin? What is original sin? How does it impact Christians? How does the belief in salvation influence Christians today? What is the atonement? 17  L7: The afterlife, judgement & Salvation The belief in resurrection complements the belief that there is another life when this one ends. Christians believe that human beings receive eternal life as a gift from God. The afterlife either begins upon death or at the Day of Judgement when Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead, as the Apostles’ Creed says. ‘I believe in…The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting.’ What does the story of the rich man and Lazarus teach Christians about the afterlife and judgement? 19“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Heaven – Some Christians are universalists which means that they believe that God will forgive all sins so everyone will go to heaven and no one goes to hell. Some Christians believe Heaven is reserved for Christians wh0 accept Jesus as Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, the life. No one gets to the father accept through me.” In the bibel, Jesus states, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also”. This shows that heaven is a place where people can be with God. The bible also states that, ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Hell – Hell is depicted as a place of pain and torment. In the bible it is described as a place ‘Where the fire never goes out’ and where there is ‘gnashing of teeth’. Some Christians believe that Hell is not a real place as an omnibenevolent God would not create a place of torment. 18  Homework 7: Afterlife, Judgement & Salvation Question Answer Complete the quote: ‘For God so loved the world…’ What are the two different beliefs about resurrection? What is Agape? What does the parable of the sheep and the goats teach about salvation & judgement? Who do Christians believe go to heaven? Complete the quote, ‘In my fathers house…’ Who do Christians believe go to hell? How is hell described? 19