Unit 3 World Religions Lesson #6 Christianity

Aim: What does it mean to be Christian? Do Now: What do you know about Christianity? What do you want to know? NY State Standard 2 Common Core RS 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and WS 1, 2

I Life and Death of Jesus A) Yeshua (Jesus) was born to Mary (a virgin) in Bethlehem. Jesus was raised Jewish by Mary and Joseph in Nazareth. As an adult, Jesus preached to fellow Jews in the Holy Land. His followers were known as the 12 disciples. Most historians believe Jesus was born between 6 and 4 BCE.

I How Did Christianity Begin B) The Romans feared Jesus would lead a revolt against Rome. Jesus was arrested and crucified (hung on a cross and tortured to death). According to the Gospels, Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after his death, remained on Earth for 40 days, then rose to heaven. C) The followers of Jesus (disciples) became known as the apostles. Their goal was to spread the message that Jesus was the messiah.

So Who Really Founded Christianity? II Christian Beliefs A) Monotheistic. Jesus is the son of God. God takes on three forms; the father, the son, and the holy spirit. “Holy Trinity”. B) Jesus is the messiah and will return to Earth to bring peace. *Jews do not believe that Jesus is the messiah. So Who Really Founded Christianity? The earliest Christians were Jewish! However, St. Paul (5 – 67 CE) argued that because Jesus died for our sins, Christians no longer need to obey all 613 laws of the Torah. *Christianity was now a separate religion from Judaism.

II Christian Beliefs E) Belief in heaven and hell. The devil (Satan) was an angel who rebelled against god. F) When Jesus returns to earth, there will be a final day of judgment.

III Christian Practices A) Observe the Sabbath (mostly on Sundays). B) Pray in church. C) Baptism: A ritual where Holy Water is used to wash away original sin. Original Sin is the belief every person is born with sin because we are children of Eve who disobeyed God.) *Jews do not believe in original sin.

III Christian Practices E) Christian Monks and Nuns devote their lives to God. Vow of poverty and chastity, may live in a monastery (isolated religious community). Many do charity work. Discussion Question: Why do you think they need to be in isolated communities?

IV Christian Sacred Texts Christians refer to the Torah and the Jewish Bible as the Old Testament. Christians also read the New Testament. Originally written in Greek, the New Testament contains the Gospels (stories about the life and death of Jesus, written after his death). Unlike Christians, Jews do not refer to the Torah as the Old Testament, as they do not believe that anything comes after it.

V Christian Holidays A) Christmas celebrates the birthday of Jesus. B) Easter celebrates his resurrection. It follows the 40 days of Lent (a time of repentance, when you ask for forgiveness).

VI Sacred Christian Places A) Jerusalem; where Jesus was crucified. B) Bethlehem; where Jesus was born. C) Nazareth; where Jesus was raised. D) Churches Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem Built where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified

VII All Catholics Are Christian, But Not All Christians are Catholic Christianity Protestant Catholic Greek Orthodox Russian Orthodox Mormonism Lutheran Baptist

Spread of Christianity

Activity Students will complete Religions Matrix in which they organize characteristics of each religion including: Values/Beliefs; Objects; Places; Gods; Rituals. Students will complete Judaism section of the “Pilgrimage Sites Graphic Organizer” in which they provide evidence for the importance of each pilgrimage.

Closing Exit Slip Question: What does it mean to be Christian Homework: Unit 3 # 6 on the Unit Outline

Summary Questions Fill in your religion chart for Christianity. Explain the following quote and what it tells us about Christianity. “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” - Jesus

Key Vocabulary Apostles Joseph Baptism Jesus Bethlehem Lent Church Mary Christianity Messiah Christmas Monastery Communion Monk Crucifixion Nazareth Day of Judgment New Testament Devil Nun Disciples Resurrection Easter St. Paul Gospels Torah Heaven Hell Holy Trinity