What Is ChrIstIanIty With some two billion followers Christianity is the most widespread religion in the world Like Islam and Judaism Christianity is monotheistic It teaches that This map shows countries where a majority of the population is Christian Each color represents a different branch of Christianity 4
Vocabulary Monotheistic religions teach the belief that there is only one God rather than many gods or none at all there is only one God and that God created the world Christianity is based on the life death and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth who lived long ago in the Middle East Christians believe that Jesus is the Christ or chosen one whom God sent to the world to save people Central to Christianity is love for God above all things Christianity also tells people to love one another and to be forgiving humble and kind Christians believe that Jesus was sent by God to save humanity Christianity has three main branches Roman Catholicism Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism Despite these different branches Christians see themselves as one worldwide community 5
BelIefs and PraCtICes Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God He was sent to Earth where he had to suffer die and be resurrected to make up for people’s sins Christians view Jesus’s new life after death as hope that they too may be granted everlasting life Christians also believe in the Trinity The Trinity which means the three is the idea that three figures are united in one God God the Father God the Son Jesus and God the Holy Spirit This fifteenth-century painting shows Jesus’s resurrection Christians believe they too will have everlasting life 6
In church Christians pray sing and listen to Bible readings and a sermon a talk given by a priest or a minister The Holy Spirit is thought of as a helper sent to guide and teach people Christians gather together to worship in churches Sunday is the most common day of worship Services usually involve singing prayer Bible readings and a sermon Compare and Contrast How are the three figures of the Trinity different What do they have in common 7
