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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain different forms of Christian worship and prayer and why they are significant.

      Key learning points

      1. Worship refers to the act of showing adoration, reverence and praise to God.
      2. There are different forms of worship within Christianity, including liturgical, non-liturgical and informal worship.
      3. Approaches to worship differ across denominations.
      4. Prayer is a key feature of worship and involves communicating with God.
      5. Prayer and worship help build relationships with God, create a community feel, and help Christians experience God.

      Keywords

      • Liturgical worship - a church service which follows a set structure or ritual

      • Non-liturgical worship - a service which does not follow a set text or ritual; sometimes spontaneous or charismatic

      • Prayer - communicating with God through words of praise, thanksgiving or confession, or requests for his help or guidance; listening to and speaking to God

      • Worship - showing adoration and reverence; offering praise to God

      Common misconception

      All Christians worship in the same way.

      Worship differs across Christian denominations, with some denominations, such as the Catholic Church, practising liturgical worship, and others, such as the Religious Society of Friends and Pentecostal Churches, practising non-liturgical worship.

      Teacher tip

      You may wish to provide students with some examples from the Book of Common Prayer to support slide 34.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the Trinity in Christian belief?

      the three Gospels
      three separate gods
      Correct answer: one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

      Q2.
      What do Christians believe happens on the Day of Judgement?

      Correct answer: people are judged and go to heaven or hell
      everyone is given a second chance
      people become angels

      Q3.
      What does the belief in heaven and hell encourage Christians to do?

      avoid going to church
      fear death
      Correct answer: live morally and follow Jesus’ teachings

      Q4.
      What does the word ‘incarnation’ mean in Christianity?

      Correct answer: God becoming human in Jesus
      Jesus being buried
      Jesus rising to heaven

      Q5.
      What event does the resurrection refer to?

      Jesus’ birth
      Correct answer: Jesus rising from the dead after crucifixion
      Jesus going to the temple

      Q6.
      Why is the Holy Spirit important to Christians?

      it appeared only once
      it exists in heaven only
      Correct answer: it is God’s presence with believers today

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      During liturgical worship, Christians often sing traditional songs called .

      Correct Answer: hymns, Hymns

      Q2.
      One common feature of worship across all denominations is , where Christians communicate with God.

      Correct Answer: prayer, Prayers

      Q3.
      What is liturgical worship?

      worship with no structure
      Correct answer: worship with a set structure and pattern
      worship done at home only

      Q4.
      What is a key feature of non-liturgical worship?

      it always includes the Lord’s Prayer
      it happens only on Sundays
      Correct answer: it is spontaneous and not fixed

      Q5.
      What is a reason Christians value prayer?

      Correct answer: it helps them to build a relationship with God
      it helps them to become priests
      it replaces Bible study

      To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Forms of worship, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...