What is happening here? What advice might a Christian have for this person? Why?

Homework Due: Next week Complete the following 8 mark Part C question: Explain how Christians make moral decisions. (8marks)

Thursday 12 th Sept 2013 L.O: - Analyse why some Christians prefer to look to the Church for moral guidance rather than the Bible Explain how conscience can help Christians to resolve moral problems Understand the structure and mark scheme for 8 mark questions L.O: - Analyse why some Christians prefer to look to the Church for moral guidance rather than the Bible Explain how conscience can help Christians to resolve moral problems Understand the structure and mark scheme for 8 mark questions Christians, Conscience and the authority of the Church c/w Pair & Share: Think back to last lesson. 1)Tell your partner one reason why Christians use the Bible for guidance. 2) Your partner should tell you another reason. 3) Continue until you run out of reasons. Pair & Share: Think back to last lesson. 1)Tell your partner one reason why Christians use the Bible for guidance. 2) Your partner should tell you another reason. 3) Continue until you run out of reasons.

Bible - The holy book of Christians Church- The community of Christians Authority - Source of power/guide church- Christian place of worship

Christians believe that the Bible is the word of God, dictated by God to the writers of the Bible books. This means that the Bible is God’s guidance to humans and so it has absolute authority for Christian decision-making The Bible contains God’s teachings on behaviour, this can be seen in the Decalogue, which gives Christians very clear moral guidance: 2 examples of this? The Bible contains the teachings of Jesus on how to live. As Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, they should follow his teachings about moral decision making. e.g. sermon on the mount The Bible records events in the life of Jesus. This means many Christians ask themselves how Jesus would behave in this situation and then follow his example. As Christians believe Jesus is God’s son, his example must be the best one to follow.

Not all Christians agree that the Bible should be used for moral decisions… Why do you think this is?

Some Christians would use the Church to tell them what the Bible means for today, so they would put the authority of the Church over the Bible. Other Christians would use their own conscience or reason to decide whether to follow the Bible in making a moral decision in the twenty-first century. Some Christians believe that the Bible was written by people inspired by God. They believe that, although it has authority for moral decision-making, many of its attitudes reflect the social situation at the time of the writers and need to be revised in the light of modern knowledge.

Comprehension – Watch the clips and note down: 1) 2 ways that people use the church to guide their moral decisions 2) 4 reasons why Christians may prefer to use the Church as authority for moral decisions rather than the Bible. Comprehension – Watch the clips and note down: 1) 2 ways that people use the church to guide their moral decisions 2) 4 reasons why Christians may prefer to use the Church as authority for moral decisions rather than the Bible. How the Church guides Christians Talking to other Christians Listening to the priest or vicar Praying and worshipping God together Accepting the authority of the Church to explain and teach God’s word

Christians believe the Church is the Body of Christ = how Jesus works in the world. Therefore, the Church should have the same authority as Jesus Christ Most Christians believe that God did not stop speaking to people after the last book of the Bible was written. They believe that God speaks to the world today through the Church. The Church is the community of Christian believers. Therefore it must be guided by God and so be able to make moral decisions on issues. If individuals were to make their own decisions then there would be lots of different opinions about how to behave

The Pope is believed to have been selected by God so has supreme authority. He and the Council of Bishops, authorise teaching on moral and religious issues to Catholic Christians through the Catechism or from official letters from the Pope, which are known as encyclicals The Catholic Church Making Moral Decisions – the Church

Let your conscience be your guide!

What is a conscience? A way in which people, religious and non-religious, can judge their moral actions Makes us feel guilty if we do things that are wrong It is the inner part of a person where the sense of what is right & wrong is developed It is a kind of guardian, prompting the believer to respond rightly to their moral code Some say it is the voice of God within us

RAG Cards! Hold up your RAG cards to show whether you agree with the statements Euthanasia should be allowed in some circumstances There are situations where it might be necessary to steal Abortion should not be permitted Conscience: An inner feeling of rightness or wrongness of an action

I’ll follow my conscienc e… What does the Church say on this moral issue? What does the Bible say on this moral issue? ‘A human being must always obey the certain judgement of his conscience…’ Catechism of the Catholic Church ‘Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honourably in every way.’ Hebrews 13:18

‘A human being must always obey the certain judgement of his conscience…’ Catechism of the Catholic Church ‘Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honourably in every way.’ Hebrews 13:18

Recap How do Christians make moral decisions? 10 commandments Church Guidance Conscience Prayer Jesus The Christian Community Famous Christians

Explain how Christians make moral decisions (8 marks)