CHRISTIANITY

1. FOUNDER

Jesus Christ: The central figure in Christianity, believed by Christians to be the Son of God and the
Savior of humanity. His teachings, life, death, and resurrection are the foundation of Christian faith.

Example: Think of Jesus as the main character in the story of Christianity, whose actions and words
set the path for believers to follow.

2. SACRED TEXTS

Bible (Old Testament and New Testament): The Bible is the holy book of Christianity. The Old
Testament contains the religious writings of the Jewish faith, while the New Testament focuses on
the life and teachings of Jesus and the early Christian church.

Example: The Bible is like a library of books that tells the story of God’s relationship with people, with
the Old Testament like the history and the New Testament like a biography of Jesus.

3. DOCTRINES

Trinity: The belief in one God in three persons: the Father (Creator), the Son (Jesus Christ), and the
Holy Spirit (God's presence in the world).

Example: Imagine water in three forms—ice, liquid, and steam—all different, yet all still water. The
Trinity is similar in that God is three distinct persons but still one essence.

Virgin Birth: The belief that Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Example: The Virgin Birth is like a miracle that shows Jesus was special and sent from God.

Deity of Christ: The belief that Jesus is both fully God and fully human.

Example: If you think of a superhero who has both human and super powers, Jesus is believed to be
both God (with divine powers) and man (experiencing human life).

Resurrection: The belief that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion, proving his
divinity and victory over sin and death.

Example: Imagine a hero who defeats death and comes back to life, showing that good ultimately
wins. The Resurrection is like that, symbolizing hope and eternal life.

Last Judgment: The belief that Jesus will return at the end of time to judge the living and the dead.

Example: The Last Judgment is like the final exam in school, where everything you’ve done is
reviewed and you receive your final grade.

4. GOD

Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit): Christianity teaches that God exists as a Trinity—three persons
in one God. The Father is the Creator, the Son is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is God’s presence in the
world.
Example: Think of a three-leaf clover with each leaf representing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—
distinct yet part of the same whole.

5. SECTS

Roman Catholic: The largest Christian denomination, with the Pope as its leader. It emphasizes
tradition, sacraments, and the authority of the Church.

Greek/Eastern Orthodox: Similar to Roman Catholicism but split from it in the 11th century. It has a
strong focus on liturgy and the mystical experience of God.

Protestantism: A movement that began in the 16th century as a protest against certain Catholic
practices, leading to many different denominations like Lutheran, Baptist, and Methodist.

Example: Imagine Christianity as a tree with different branches—each branch represents a different
denomination, but all are connected to the same roots.

6. ISSUES

Ecumenism: The movement to promote unity among different Christian denominations.

Example: Ecumenism is like different teams coming together to play for the same goal, even though
they have different strategies.

Sexuality Issues:

A. Contraception: Different denominations have varying teachings about birth control, with some
accepting it and others opposing it.

B. Homosexuality: There is ongoing debate within Christianity about the acceptance of LGBTQ+
individuals, with different denominations taking different stances.

C. Ordination of Women: The issue of whether women can serve as priests or ministers, with some
denominations allowing it and others not.

Example: These issues are like different rules in different sports—each team (or denomination) might
have its own set of rules, and they don’t always agree on what’s best.

APOSTLE’S CREED

The Apostle's Creed is one of the earliest and most widely used creeds in Christianity. It is a
concise statement of Christian faith that summarizes key beliefs about God, Jesus Christ, and the
Holy Spirit. The creed is named "Apostle's Creed" not because it was written by the apostles
themselves, but because it is believed to reflect the teachings of the apostles.

Content of the Apostle's Creed

The Apostle's Creed is traditionally divided into three parts, corresponding to the three
persons of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
1. Belief in God the Father:

"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth."

2. Belief in Jesus Christ:

"I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended to the dead.
On the third day He rose again;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
He will come again to judge the living and the dead."

3. Belief in the Holy Spirit:

"I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen."

Key Points of the Apostle's Creed

Trinitarian Structure: The creed affirms belief in the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Historical Context: It reflects key events in the life of Jesus Christ, including His birth, suffering,
death, resurrection, and ascension.

Communal Belief: The creed emphasizes the unity of the Church ("the holy catholic Church"), the
community of believers ("the communion of saints"), and the hope of eternal life.
Use in Christian Worship

Liturgical Recitation: The Apostle's Creed is often recited during Christian worship services,
especially in Roman Catholic, Anglican, and many Protestant churches. It is used in baptisms, as a
profession of faith, and in daily prayers.

Teaching Tool: It serves as a summary of Christian doctrine and is often used in catechesis (religious
instruction) for new believers.

Example of Understanding

Creed as a Statement of Faith: Imagine the Apostle's Creed as a pledge or a summary of what
Christians believe. Just as a pledge represents a commitment to certain values, the Apostle's Creed
represents a commitment to the core beliefs of Christianity.

THE LORD'S PRAYER OR THE BEATITUDES

The Lord's Prayer, also known as the "Our Father," is one of the most important and well-known
prayers in Christianity. According to the New Testament, it was taught by Jesus to his disciples as a
model for how to pray. The prayer is found in two places in the Bible: Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-
4.

Text of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

"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,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.”
Key Elements of the Lord's Prayer:

1. Addressing God as Father: The prayer begins by acknowledging God as "Our Father," emphasizing
a personal and communal relationship with God.

2. Praise and Reverence: "Hallowed be thy name" expresses reverence and respect for God's holy
name.

3. Seeking God's Kingdom and Will: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done" reflects a desire for God's
rule and will to be established on earth.

4. Daily Needs: "Give us this day our daily bread" asks for provision for our daily physical and spiritual
needs.

5. Forgiveness: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" highlights the
importance of forgiveness—both receiving and offering it.

6. Guidance and Protection: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" asks for God's
guidance and protection from moral and spiritual harm.

The Beatitudes

The Beatitudes are a series of blessings that Jesus delivered during the Sermon on the Mount, found
in Matthew 5:3-12. They describe the attitudes and characteristics of those who are blessed in God's
kingdom.

Text of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)

1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Meaning: Those who recognize their spiritual need and dependence on God are blessed.

2. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Meaning: Those who grieve, especially over their sins or the suffering in the world, will receive
comfort from God.

3. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

Meaning: Those who are humble and gentle will be rewarded with God's blessings, including the
earth itself.

4. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

Meaning: Those who passionately seek justice and righteousness will find fulfillment.

5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."

Meaning: Those who show compassion and forgiveness to others will, in turn, receive God's mercy.

6. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Meaning: Those who are sincere and have pure intentions will have a deep relationship with God.

7. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Meaning: Those who work for peace and reconciliation will be recognized as God's children.

8. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven."

Meaning: Those who suffer for doing what is right are blessed, as they are promised God's kingdom.

9. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you
falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven."

Meaning: Those who face persecution for their faith in Christ should rejoice because they will be
greatly rewarded in heaven.

Key Themes of the Beatitudes:

Spiritual Humility: The Beatitudes emphasize a humble, self-aware approach to life that is centered
on dependence on God.

Moral Integrity: They encourage living a life that reflects God's justice, mercy, and purity.

Hope and Reward: They promise comfort, satisfaction, and reward, especially in times of suffering or
persecution.

Easy-to-Understand Example:

Lord's Prayer: Think of it as a simple guide for talking to God, asking for help with daily needs, saying
sorry, and asking for protection.

Beatitudes: These are like life lessons that teach us that God blesses those who are kind, humble,
and who do what’s right, even when it’s hard.

(HOMEWORK)

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most famous parables taught by Jesus. It is found in the
Gospel of Luke (Luke 15:11-32) and is often used to illustrate themes of forgiveness, repentance, and
God's unconditional love.

Read about the “Parable of the Prodigal Son” and write a summary about its story.