TWO MOST POPULAR RELIGIONS IN THE
WORLD:
Christianity
Islam/Muslim
CHRISTIANITY: WHERE IT’S PRACTICED
CHRISTIANITY
• The religion centered on belief in JESUS as the
Son of God.
• CHRIST – from the Greek word “christos” meaning
“anointed” or messiah.
• 1st Century AD – Christianity grew slowly
• 2nd Century AD – “ took root
• 3rd Century AD – “ was widespread
AT THE TIME OF JESUS’ BIRTH, THE FOLLOWING
PEOPLE WERE IN POWER:
King of Judea: Herod
Roman Governor General: Pontius
Pilate
Roman Emperor: Augustus
HISTORY
• Jesus = a Jew born in Bethlehem – regional tax
collecting/census center (under Roman control)
• According to the Gospels, Jesus was born from a
virgin (Mary). “The Immaculate Conception”
• Grew up in in the city of Nazareth in Galilee –
(modern-day Northern Israel)
• Baptized by John the Baptist, began his ministry
• Because his teachings emphasized spiritual
equality, they appealed to many, especially women
and the poor
HISTORY:
 According to Matthew, Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in
he wilderness to endure temptation from Satan.
 Jesus next began gathering his disciples, and traveled
throughout Galilee, teaching and preaching.
 Jesus delivered the famous Sermon on the Mount, were he
taught many of his well-known lessons, including the
Beatitudes, or statements beginning with “Blessed are….”
 With his teachings of equality, Jesus appealed especially to:
the poor and women.
HISTORY
• Many Jews see him as a threat – call him a false prophet
• Caiaphus, the High Priest of Jersusalem, meets with the Governor
General, Pontius Pilate.
• Judas betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
• Jesus and his disciples ate the Last Supper, and Romans arrest him.
• Jesus is tried and charged with blasphemy. Jesus went on trial a total of 6
times on his last day of life. 3 for religious court and 3 for Roman Court.
• Pontius Pilate (Roman governor of Judea) allows Jesus to be crucified
• Crucifixion – “Good Friday”
• Resurrection – Easter Sunday
• Christianity is spread by 12 disciples but especially Saul/Paul. He wrote
the majority of books in the New Testament.
HISTORY
> According to custom, the Roman governor released one
prisoner for the Jews on Passover.
 Pilate let the crowd choose between Jesus and Barabbas.
 Pilate washed his hands of Jesus’ death, and Jesus was
crucified. His resurrection occurred two days later.
 The person most responsible for the growth of Christianity
is Paul/Saul.
 He was struck down on the road to Damascus and became
a follower of Christ.
Paul traveled all over the empire, acting as a missionary.
He also wrote several books in the New Testament.
The Romans didn’t pay too much attention to Christianity
until it started to grow in popularity. The emperor, Nero,
would persecute Christians by putting them in the
coliseum to fight or be mauled by animals.
Diocletian issued a decree outlawing Christianity.
Constantine was secretly married to a Christian and
issued the famous Edict of Milan in 313 A.D. This
granted religious freedom throughout the Roman
Empire, making Christianity legal, but not the state
religion.
Under the emperor Theodosius, all other religions were
outlawed.
ORGANIZATION
• Original Church was Catholic or universal
• Pope
• Cardinals
• Archbishops
• Bishops
• Priests
• 1054 AD – Great Schism – Eastern Orthodox
• 1500s AD – Protestant Reformation
• Today: 3 Branches – Catholic, Eastern Orthodox,
Protestant
TEACHINGS/BELIEFS
• God is a Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• Faith/Belief = Salvation
+++Differences
- The Eucharist – actual or symbolic?
- Baptism – age/sprinkle v. immersion
-predestination
-confirmation
-marriage/divorce
-confession/penance
QUIZ TODAY
Test on Friday – 30-40 Multiple Choice
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism
Christianity
Judaism
Power points will be posted on my website
The test will be broken down by religion:
paragraph to read and with questions over the reading AND
questions from class discussion/power points
TEAM NAME: 5 MINUTES
Rules:
1. Everyone must have a say in the name.
2. Everyone must agree on the team name.
The name can be based on things that teammates have in common or the name can
celebrate their differences. The name must be appropriate.
TEAM HANDSHAKE AND CHEER: 5 MINUTES
Rule:
1. Everyone’s hand must touch at some point in the handshake.
2. When you let go, the team must make a sound or shout an appropriate word or
phrase. This can somehow symbolize the team name.
You can use the handshake and cheer to greet each other and celebrate success
throughout the trimester.
TEAM LOGO: 5 MINUTES
On White paper
This can include words or colors
Everyone must be involved in creating the team logo or banner.
TEAM SHIELDS
Every person on each team gets one shield.
Each person will fill in the information and decorate it however you please but appropriate
Cut out and glue/tape all of your team shields on a poster
Put your team name on the poster
Put your team logo on the poster
Make sure team members names are on the back of the poster
All information/pictures must be appropriate or a score of 0 will be given and Mrs. Elam will then
determine the teams
Formative Assessment Score – 30 Points