Christianity for Children Christianity is a World religion based on the teaching of Jesus Christ. There are about 2 billion Christians in the world - there are a great many variations within the religion. Jesus was born to Mary about 2000 years ago. He is known by several names: Son of God Light of the World Lamb of God The Good Shepherd. This page sets out to describe the life and teaching of Jesus and includes some of his better known stories. It describes the main beliefs of Christians. It is written for little children - primary school age, it is therefore very simple. Light of the World Lamb of God The good Shepherd One day Jesus rode into Jerusalem riding on a donkey and telling everyone that he as the king. This upset many people and led to his crucifixion. Jesus was betrayed by one of his apostles. He was tried and even though he was not found guilty he was crucified - that is hanged on a cross until he was dead in the custom of the Romans, Jesus' Life Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph about 2000 years ago in the city of Bethlehem. There is lots about Jesus' birth at page: When Jesus was about 30 years old he started to travel the country He was telling people about God He was healing sick people. He chose twelve men to help him -the apostles They became his friends and helpers After he had died they told everyone else about him and his teaching. Jesus' teaching often upset the Romans who were in charge of the country at the time. They thought he was a trouble maker. After his crucifixion though Jesus rose from the dead He appeared to his disciples telling them not to be afraid and to tell others about him. This all happened at Easter. On Good Friday - the Friday before Easter Sunday Christians remember the day Jesus was crucified and three days later on Easter Sunday we celebrate the fact that he rose from the dead. He is the way of Salvation when we die. His death was so that those who believe in him will have their sin forgiven. He is the sacrifice that paid for sin and return us to God. No other sacrifice is sufficient to cleanse us of our sin. 1
Jesus' Teaching Jesus taught people to look after each other and trust God. He believed that the Old Testament was the word of God and told everyone that he had come to fulfil the word of God not replace what they Jews believed in. Much of his teaching was through stories called parables. The Good Samaritan and The Lost Sheep are examples of his parables. Jesus also taught people by example. He wanted people to copy what he did. There are two main rules which Jesus told his followers to live by: Love God with all your heart, mind and strength. Love your neighbour as yourself. Jesus said: "I am the way the life and the truth - no one comes to the Father but by me" Christian Beliefs Christians believe that God made the world. They get their name from their leader - Jesus Christ who was God's son. Christ is not Jesus' name but a Greek word meaning Messiah - God's chosen one. They believe the God speaks to them through people called prophets and Jesus. Jesus was born or came to Earth because people were forgetting God - Jesus came to tell us all about God and remind us how to behave. The Holy Trinity Christians believe that God is made up of three aspects: God the Father - who made the world, God the Son - Jesus Christ and a part called the Holy Spirit. These three parts make up the one true God. 2
Christian Celebrations - Sacraments Christians celebrate various events in their lives, they consider many of these to be sacraments. The Salvation Army and the Society of Friends do not practice these sacraments, they believe that they lead a sacramental life. Baptism : Most Christians believe this is a sacrament. Baptism is when a baby is symbolically washed with holy water - representing the sins being washed away and being reborn as a Christian. Babies are not old enough to make promised for themselves so God parents are chosen to represent the child. Sometimes a baptism (often known as the Christening) may be performed where the whole person is submerged under water - this again represents being born again (after burial of old self under water) as a Christian but normally this is when the person being baptism is not a baby. The holy water used at a baptism is usually held in a font. Sometimes these are small and functional, other times they are large and elaborate. Confirmation : Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe this is a sacrament. When the child is old enough to make his or her own promise to God - they confirm the promise made by God parents at the Christening. Very often they dress in special clothes - girls in white dresses and veils and boys in smart shirts, jackets and trousers. Marriage: Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe this is a sacrament. Two people get married and become a new family. They will love each other and be companions for life. Some denominations do not allow couples to be divorced, others are more lenient and realise that it is not always possible for couples to stay married. The wedding services has promises that the couple make to each other. There is a lot of ritual involved. Death -Extreme Unction (anointing the sick and dying): Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe this is a sacrament. Marriage Joining Jesus A funeral service is held for Christians who die, this seems like a sad occasion for the family but it is also happy because the person who has dies is joining Jesus. Many Christians wish to receive extreme unction before they die - this prepares them to meet God in death. The Lord's Supper - Holy Communion: Most Christians believe this to be a sacrament. When Jesus had the last supper he took some bread, broke it and shared it with the disciples. He passed a big cup of wine round the group. He told them that he must die to save mankind and they must always share the bread and wine in remembrance of him. Ever since then Christians have held services called: Mass, Eucharist, Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper where they have shared blessed bread and wine and given thanks for Jesus life, death and resurrection. Holy Communion 3
Holy Orders: Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe this is a sacrament. Becoming a member of the clergy in these denominations is considered a sacrament. It often requires a very strict personal lifestyle that makes it very difficult. Reconciliation: Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe this is a sacrament. Sins takes away the closeness with God. When one sins, it causes damage to the person and their relationship with God. Through reconciliation, that damage is repaired. 4
Christian Festivals Christmas Christians celebrate Jesus' birth on December 25th. It follows a month of preparation (Advent) and involved lots of festivities, school plays telling the story of the nativity, exchanging Christmas cards and presents, special meals, special decoration - very much like big festivals in other world religions. Shrove Tuesday and Lent Shrove Tuesday is four weeks before Easter. It is celebrated by making pancakes and traditionally having pancake races etc. The idea is to use up all of the rich food - eggs and flour ready for the month long fast to prepare oneself for the Easter celebration. On Ash Wednesday (the day after Shrove Tuesday and the start of lent) Christians remember Jesus - they go to church and have the sign of the cross marked on their foreheads in ash. Holy Week:Palm Sunday - Maundy Thursday On Palm Sunday - the first day of Holy week Christians remember when Jesus rode into Jerusalem riding on a donkey - people threw palm leaves down on the road like a red carpet might be laid in front of a king. Palm crosses are given to the congregation to help them think about the week ahead. Maundy Thursday is a reminder of the last supper - when Jesus celebrated the first communion with is apostles. Good Friday The day that Jesus died on the cross. There are services in all Christian churches at the time Christ was crucified. These are very solemn occasions quite unlike what will occur three days later. Easter Sunday The most important festival for Christians. It is a very joyous occasion marked in churches by wonderful music and flowers. Out of church by the exchange of cards and Easter eggs - a symbol of spring and new life as Jesus' death brought new life to Christians. Whitsun On the day of Pentecost when the Jews celebrated their harvest festival. Jesus, his apostles and many people who followed him were together in Jerusalem. Suddenly it seemed like a wind rushed through the crowd, everyone suddenly could understand many languages new to them. It was a visit from the Holy Spirit and he gave everyone there new power in their bodies so that they could go and spread the word of God. 5
Christian Groups There are a lot of different Christians - denominations. There are: Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Brethren, Orthodox, Quakers, Presbyterians and Mennonites to name a few well known groups. These groups share a great number of beliefs and all try to live like Jesus. After Jesus died his disciples carried Jesus' message far and wide and started to set up churches. Over the years these churches developed different ideas about the religion and developed the different denominations. Missionaries are groups of Christians who carry the message to other people. In the past they were responsible to converting a great number of people to Christianity. All over the world Christian churches opened - all developing in slightly different ways to provide for its own community. Saints used to mean anyone that was a Christian but now it means a particularly good Christian whose work has been recognised and keeps working after his or her death. Monks, nuns, priests, vicars, and missionaries all devote their whole lives to serving God. Christian people all try to make sure they live as far as possible like Jesus. Even in business they have to be honest, caring and trustworthy. They all should help with some charity work to make life better for the underprivileged. 6
Christian Symbols A Cross to remind us that Jesus died on the cross to save us. This is the main Christian symbol. There are many different types of crosses. Jesus was a carpenter like his earthly father but most of his friends and many followers were fisherman - the fishing boat is a symbol of his followers, there is a cross on the top of the mast and the x/p are the first letters of Christ's name in Greek. A symbol of the holy spirit and peace. The dove appeared at Jesus' baptism. The Chi Ro symbol - the first letters of Christ in Greek. Alpha and omega - the beginning and the end of the Greek alphabet - demonstrates that God is first, and last - eternal! The symbol of the fish - The fish symbol was created using the Greek letters which spell out ICTHUS : Jesus Christ God's Son Saviour. ICTHUS also means fish - so the fish symbol was used when the early church was being persecuted. This was a secret sign scratched on the walls of buildings or drawn on the floor in the sand, to tell people where a Christian meeting was being held. It is still frequently used today. 7
The Bible The Bible is a library of books named after what the Greeks called it: Biblio or 'The Books'. It is split into two sections: The Old Testament which tells the stories of Jewish history The New Testament which tells the story of Jesus life and teaching. The old testament is the story of the creation of the Earth and Jewish history. The new testament is the story of Jesus. Some more sacred writings have been found. These are called the Dead Sea Scrolls. Scholars are studying them to see what new history they hold. Christians also have Hymn books Prayer books These are for use in Church or personal worship but most sacred writings are in the Bible. The Bible is translated into 2000 languages There is at least one copy in every church It was first printed in English in 1535 It is made up of 66 books written by different writers It was written over about 1000 years It is made up of stories, poems, psalms, prayers, laws and letters. The first four books of the New Testament are called the gospels - which means Good News! The New Testament is 27 books - 5 history books, 21 letters and the Book of Revelation which is a prophecy about the future. The gospel of Mark tells the story of Jesus 40 years after his death. Matthew's and Luke gospels are similar telling us what the writer thought we ought to know about Jesus' life. The Gospel of John was written later. Other books of the New Testament are The Acts of the Apostles and the letters. These tell the story of the first few years of Christianity how the message was spread and how people were converted. Paul who was a very important teacher wrote the letters and his letters contain many lessons for the early Christians. This is the history for the Christian church - just as the Old Testament is the history for the Jewish religion! The bible is the best selling book of all time! 8
Clergy Christian clergy wear special clothes - often cassocks, like a full length robe with a belt round the middle often with a clerical collar - a simple white band round the neck of his shirt. For services they might add a surplus - a shorter white gown decorated with embroidery or cotton lace having cape effect sleeve. The roles that they carry out vary greatly depending upon the needs of their congregation : For special events clergy might wear more elaborate vestments including stoles and robes. See what a Catholic Priest wears See what an Anglican Vicar wears See what an Anglican Vicar does in his day and what a Bishop does in his day. Lead their people and teach them God's way Prepare and present services in their church Look after the spiritual needs of the sick and needy or old folks Teach the children about God Administer the sacraments Write sermons to teach people in church Very often they may have to organise the timetable of services, social events in their church Carry out charitable events They might help any of their congregation that is in trouble They might go to the hospital to comfort relatives of the sick or dying Some Christian denominations ask clergy to hear their confession 9
Artefacts Some Christians have artefacts to help them focus whilst praying: A cross - from the very plainest to most ornate is usually found in some form in a Christian establishment. Sometimes this is in the form on Jewellery, earings or a pendant, sometimes on a picture, sometimes a cross to hang on a wall or stand on a surface. Statues are very popular - they are nearly always in Catholic churches and very often in homes. Little medals, candles, prayer cards all make up artefacts in everyday use by Christians. Some groups do not like not use them, others carry some of them at all times. Other things that may be found are beautifully ornate and decorated prayer books. St Christophers have often been put on chains and key rings for travellers. Religious Icons are part of many Orthodox Churches decor, also many Orthodox Christians have them at home. 10
Worship The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen. Here is the prayer that Jesus taught everyone. He said that God is his Father and our Father. When we pray we pray with Jesus to our Father. We cannot see God is in our hearts in our minds or in heaven. We know he is there, God hears us and wants us to talk to him. God's name as holy. When we hear the name of God we should be happy because God made all things. God made us and loves us. We are praying for the work of God to be done, we want him to make us good and kind - like he wants us to be. We are praying for food, clothes, warmth etc. - all of the things a good father would give to his child. We ask him for forgiveness - and to forgive everyone else! He knows that we are his children and any father will forgive their child whilst they are learning and growing. He knows that we make mistakes. We ask to be kept away from wrong doing so that we can be good. Christian worship can take place anywhere, in almost any form. Anything that is done in the name of God is worship. For some people that may be dancing, singing, reading passages from the bible or saying prayers. It can be in church, at home - in fact anywhere! 11