Q.1
Jesus taught (in the Lord's Prayer) that we should only expect, and be grateful for, 'our daily bread' ~ rather than being greedy and gluttonous. What is the usual title of the short prayer said in many Christian households and institutions, before beginning a meal?
  • The Grace
  • Grace
  • Table blessing
  • Commendation
Q.2
Some people believe (rather unfairly) that relatively strict Christians are miserable folk who frown on anyone else having any fun, and who will make themselves even more miserable at the least opportunity. An example of this might be their practice of 'giving up something for Lent': which of the following is NOT part of the rationale for it?
  • During the annual commemoration of Jesus' '40 days and nights' in the wilderness, which takes place in the weeks prior to Holy Week and Easter, many Christians adopt the discipline of 'denying themselves' some relative luxury (such as chocolate or alcohol).
  • Some Christians actively make space in their lives for more positive behaviours, such as more determined private prayer &/or study of the Scriptures.
  • Some Christians give up their church attendance and concentrate entirely on their private spiritual life.
  • Many Christians put aside money that they would have spent on 'extravagances' and donate it, instead, to some Christian or other good cause.
Q.3
Even non-Christians are usually aware and grateful to take part when Shrove Tuesday comes round, the day before the 'fast' of Lent (see Q.2 above) begins on Ash Wednesday. Which of the following most aptly explains what Shrove Tuesday really means?
  • As many 'tempting' foods as possible should be eaten up before the fasting period starts
  • This offers a good excuse to 'blow out' on richer foodstuffs such as meat and fats
  • Hence the internationally famous labels 'Carnival' ( = 'farewell to meat' [as in 'carnivore'!]) and 'Mardi Gras' ('Fat[ty] Tuesday) and the last big public parties before the serious season begins
  • The Carnival gives people the chance to 'get sins out of their system' in one big go, if they feel the urge, before Lent begins: hence all the display and dancing at some high-profile public carnivals
Q.4
The other penitential season in the Church's year is Advent, consisting of three (or occasionally, nearer four) weeks' run-up to the positive traditional festival of Christmas. Young people, in particular, may have an Advent Calendar to count down the passing days until Christmas. Which of these observations is NOT directly relevant to this custom?
  • 'It seems strange and sad that many Advent Calendars these days bear no other obvious connection to Christmas: instead of cosy coaching and Nativity scenes, they may as easily feature rude, violent and commercial characters from films etc.'
  • 'Along with Christmas cards, they are in the shops way too early each year ~ almost before Hallowe'en, which itself is a pretty questionable 'festival' stirred up by commercial interests (i.e. the card-selling industry, and its close allies in the kitsch and confectionery businesses)'
  • 'How odd that during a penitential, preparatory season, children should be regularly eating even small quantities of chocolate from behind the calendar windows!'
  • '... And it can be quite a job tracking down actual 'religious' Christmas cards, marked in a special category of their own on the shop shelves, these days!'
Q.5
Which of the following (only) are rituals mandated in Christian Scripture, i.e. the New Testament?
  • Fasting during Lent &/or Advent
  • Fixed prayers at specified times of day
  • Ceremonial washing before worship
  • Baptism and Communion, for and among believers
Q.6
A fairly radical question, now: On which of the following would a true Christian most probably say that their faith is founded?
  • Rules
  • Rituals
  • Relationship with God
  • Revelation
Q.7
Continuing from Question 6, there are certain minimum and widely-established rituals built into Christian worship (and often, the 'church' premises where it is conducted) ~ including acknowledgement of the Ten Commandments, and Jesus' summary of them, whose texts can be seen on display in various forms, and which make an authoritative basis for confession as a necessary prelude to worship. What are the key relationships enshrined in the Commandments, and Jesus' summary?
  • Our honest and honouring relationship with God
  • Our honest and honouring relationship with others around us
  • Our putting God first, and therefore not offending others of His people around us
  • Obeying rules about social and family conduct so that we stay on the right side of God
Q.8
The Christian urge for ritual has given rise to many beautiful, valuable and comforting artefacts and behaviours down 2,000 years, including church buildings and their embellishments, and evocative forms of words and music. But the very birthday of the Church ~ itself now a major festival with rituals of its own ~ did not require any such 'script' or 'properties' (in the sense of a rehearsed, theatrical presentation). What, according to the report in Scripture, prompted those first believers into action, and in fresh ways?
  • God's Spirit coming upon them in the form of wind and fire while they were at prayer
  • A blinding light and the voice of Jesus from the sky
  • An earthquake accompanied by thunder
  • A message from the Prophets
Q.9
In its role as a focus for the community, the Church (generally or specifically) regularly hosts ritual gatherings or events which may well have a religious dimension to them, but are not primarily Christian. Which of these is the LEAST evidently, or directly, based in faith &/or the liturgical calendar?
  • Harvest Festival
  • Remembrance Day
  • St Valentine's Day
  • Hallowe'en
Q.10
Some Christians are privately more comfortable than others when, within (most usually) a communion service, The Peace is reached. What is expected to happen at this point?
  • The priest or leader prays for world peace
  • Members of the congregation wish one another 'God's peace' and go around shaking hands
  • A flexible period of silent ('peaceful') private prayer is held
  • There is either absolute silence, or perhaps very gentle contemplative music, while people gather their thoughts and prepare to confess their sins
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