What are the main practices of Christianity studied in Unit 2 Part A?
Christianity practices for Unit 2 Part A: forms of worship and prayer, the sacraments (baptism and the Eucharist), the role and importance of the Church and the local community, the major festivals (Christmas and Easter), pilgrimage, and mission and charity (evangelism and helping others).
A focused answer on Christian practices for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2 Part A, covering worship and prayer, the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist, the role of the Church, the festivals of Christmas and Easter, pilgrimage, and mission and charity.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers the main practices of Christianity studied in Unit 2, Part A. You need to explain worship and prayer, the sacraments (baptism and the Eucharist), the role of the Church and the local community, the major festivals (Christmas and Easter), pilgrimage, and mission and charity. The exam rewards accurate practice plus the meaning behind it, supported by a source of wisdom.
Worship and prayer
The sacraments
The Church and the community
Festivals and pilgrimage
Mission and charity
Try this
Q1. What is baptism? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. A sacrament that welcomes a person into the Church using water; some Christians practise infant baptism, others believers' baptism of those old enough to choose.
Q2. Explain why pilgrimage is important to many Christians. [Short explanation]
- Cue. It is a journey to a holy place such as Jerusalem, Rome, Lourdes or Iona to grow closer to God, strengthen faith, seek healing or forgiveness, and join with other believers.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC Unit 2 (a)2 marksWhat is meant by a 'sacrament'?Show worked answer →
The short (a) question (AO1). Give an accurate definition with one developing point.
Definition. A sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace, a sacred ritual through which Christians believe God's grace is received.
Develop it. Examples include baptism (welcome into the Church) and the Eucharist (sharing bread and wine in memory of Jesus); some Churches recognise seven sacraments, others two.
Top marks. An accurate definition plus a developed point earns both marks.
WJEC Unit 2 (b)5 marksDescribe how and why Christians celebrate the Eucharist.Show worked answer →
The (b) describe question (AO1). Reward developed, accurate description with a source of wisdom.
Point one. Christians share bread and wine, recalling the Last Supper, when Jesus said "this is my body" and "this is my blood" (1 Corinthians 11), so it remembers his death.
Point two. It is celebrated in church, led by a priest or minister; Christians differ on what happens to the bread and wine, but agree it unites believers with Christ and one another.
Point three. It is a central act of worship that gives thanks (the word means "thanksgiving") and strengthens faith.
Top band. Developed points with accurate reference to belief or scripture.
Related dot points
- Islam practices for Unit 2 Part A: the Five Pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj), worship in the mosque, the major festivals (Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha), and the meaning of jihad (the greater and lesser struggle), as expressions of Muslim belief and community.
A focused answer on Muslim practices for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2 Part A, covering the Five Pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj), worship in the mosque, the festivals Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha, and the meaning of jihad.
- Christianity core beliefs and teachings for Unit 1 Part A: the nature of God (omnipotent, loving, just), the Trinity, creation and the Word, the Incarnation, the life and teaching of Jesus, the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, salvation, grace and atonement, and beliefs about life after death (judgement, heaven and hell).
A focused answer on Christian beliefs and teachings for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1 Part A, covering the nature of God, the Trinity, creation, the Incarnation and Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection, salvation and atonement, and beliefs about life after death.
- Issues of Relationships (Unit 2, Theme 3): the nature and purpose of marriage, attitudes to sex, cohabitation, divorce and remarriage, the family and its purpose, the roles of men and women and gender equality, and contraception and family planning, including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the ethical theme Issues of Relationships for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2, covering marriage, sex, cohabitation, divorce, the family, gender roles and equality, and contraception, with religious and non-religious responses.
- Issues of Human Rights (Unit 2, Theme 4): human dignity and equality, prejudice and discrimination (including racism and religious discrimination), social justice and the work of justice, poverty and the responsible use of wealth, and freedom of religion and freedom of expression, including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the ethical theme Issues of Human Rights for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2, covering human dignity and equality, prejudice and discrimination, social justice, poverty and wealth, and freedom of religion and expression, with religious and non-religious responses.
- The WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure: the two units (Religion and Philosophical Themes; Religion and Ethical Themes), the Part A and Part B division, the (a) to (d) question ladder and its mark tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 assessment objectives, the use of sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the extended evaluation question.
A focused guide to the WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure and question types, covering the two units, Part A and Part B, the (a) to (d) question ladder and tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 objectives, sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the evaluation question.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Religious Studies specification (3120) — WJEC (2017)