1. Aim: To know about birth or initiation ceremonies. Starter: Explain two reasons why religion might benefit young people. (4 marks) One reason why religion might benefit young people is... An example of this is... This helps young Christians because... Another reason is that.... An example of this is... This helps young people because...

2. Think, pair, share 2 mins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwSKkKrUzUkwww.youtube.com/watch?v=HwSKkKrUzUk

3. Key terms Initiation ceremony A ceremony to welcome someone into a religion. Baptism The initiation ceremony in Christianity. Rituals Symbolic actions that happen during a ceremony like baptism.

4. What happens at baptism?

5. Baptism Baptism is a way for Christian families to have their child initiated into the church family. For Christians, baptism marks the start of their journey of faith and becoming a member of the Christian family. The parents and godparents to promise to teach the child about the religion and set them a good example.

6. When a child is baptised, the priest pours water from the font onto the baby’s head in a washing action. He says, ‘I baptise you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.’ What do you think the washing action represents?

7. SymbolMeaning This is worn to show that the person is pure and has no sin. This is used to mark the special sign on the forehead. In the past it was used by Kings to show that they were special. This shows that the new Christian is special to God. This is used to wash away the person’s sins. This is lit to show that the person will live like Jesus did – he is the ‘light of the world’ who will guide them in their lives. This symbol is marked on the forehead to show that the person is now a member of the Christian community.

8. SymbolMeaning This is worn to show that the person is pure and has no sin. This is used to mark the special sign on the forehead. In the past it was used by Kings to show that they were special. This shows that the new Christian is special to God. This is used to wash away the person’s sins. This is lit to show that the person will live like Jesus did – he is the ‘light of the world’ who will guide them in their lives. This symbol is marked on the forehead to show that the person is now a member of the Christian community.

9. Why baptise? Christians do this in accordance with Jesus’ teaching... ‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ (Matthew 28:18-20). To receive eternal life "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5). To receive the spirit ‘Be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 2:38)

10. ‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ (Matthew 28:18-20). "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5). ‘Be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 2:38)

11. Christians disagree about when a person should be baptised. Adult baptism Some people believe you should only be baptised when the child is old enough to understand what they are doing and make the choice to follow Jesus for themselves. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=adu lt+baptism&oq=adult+baptism&gs_l=youtube- reduced.3..0i5.2482.4916.0.5254.13.12.0.1.1.0.222.15 29.5j5j2.12.0...0.0...1ac.1.Lfp6BkfdKq4 http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=adu lt+baptism&oq=adult+baptism&gs_l=youtube- reduced.3..0i5.2482.4916.0.5254.13.12.0.1.1.0.222.15 29.5j5j2.12.0...0.0...1ac.1.Lfp6BkfdKq4

12. Infant baptism Others think that it is not right to exclude babies and very young children from being in the Christian family just because they can't yet understand what's going on. http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clip s/a-christian-baptism/5963.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clip s/a-christian-baptism/5963.html

13. Brain time! What are the arguments for infant or adult baptism? See if you can fill in the grid.

14. Infant BaptismAdult Baptism Which Christians do this? Advantages Disadvantages

15. ‘We should not baptise babies.’ What do you think? Do you think that babies should be baptised or should we wait until a person is old enough to choose for themselves? I think that people should be baptised when they are.... I think this because...........Christians would agree with me because....

16. Extension Homework Find out about Muslim initiation ceremonies. Find out about the Adhan, how sugar is used and Aqiqah. Write half a page in your books.