1. INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY GRADE 9 WORLD HISTORY/ SOCIAL STUDIES

2. Connection between Judaism & Christianity The old testament of the Bible talks about a future Messiah - An “anointed one” – a savior or a liberator to a group of people or the world. According to Jewish tradition, the Messiah would be a future King in the line of David that would restore Israel to its former glory. Judaism rejects Jesus Christ as the Messiah, but remember, the first Christians were Jews.

3. The First Christians were Jews According to the first books of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem to Joseph and Mary. Bethlehem is located in modern day Israel. As a teenager Jesus grows up as a Jew and attends Jewish synagogues. At a very earlier age, he displays incredible wisdom, and challenges the Pharisees (Jewish teachers/Priests)

4. Jesus Ministry begins when he was about 30 years old During his life Jesus performs more than 30 major miracles, including raising the dead to life, curing the sick and blind and walking on water. Jesus has 12 disciples or followers of Christ. The disciplines are called by the Lord to be followers.

5. What do Christians believe? Jesus is The Son of God Jesus Christ was the son of God. Jesus claim to be divine was the hardest things for Jews to accept. Hence, major Jewish leaders during the time of Jesus, conspired to put Jesus to death on the cross for this claim.

6. What do Christians believe? Jesus Died on the Cross for the Sins of Humanity & was raised from the dead God had a plan to send his son to earth for a mission to save humanity. When Jesus died on the cross, he was taking the sin of the world through his body – the last ultimate sacrifice for all time. The body of Jesus is placed in a tomb and he rises from the dead three days later. After his death and resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples on several occasions to prove he is alive

7. What do Christians Believe? Easter Celebrations – March/April every year Good Friday Christ is put to death. Easter Saturday Easter Sunday The Resurrection. Jesus Christ is raised from the dead. The giving of eggs at Easter, is suppose to symbolize new life.

8. What do Christians believe? You are saved by Grace, not by works According to Christian teaching there is nothing you can do to earn your way into heaven or salvation. It is only by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior, and recognizing that you are a sinner, that salvation and everlasting life is possible. However, once you are Christian, you will want to do good works, (eg: serving others), but these actions do not earn your salvation.

9. What do Christians believe? That Jesus Christ offers forgiveness for all sins If you truly confess your sins and repent, you can be forgiven.

10. What do Christians believe? Personal Relationship with God Christians believe in a personal relationship with God rather than a legalistic rule book of do’s and don’t.

11. What do Christians believe? Love is the greatest commandment Jesus taught that “love” was the greatest commandment. As Christians, the old testaments commandments are still important, but Jesus Christ gave a new commandment “that you love one another”

12. What do Christians Believe? The Holy Trinity Catholics and most Protestant Christian dominations believe in the Holy Trinity – The Father, The Son & The Holy Spirit/Ghost However, don’t be confused by this – many Christians interpret this is as one God, expressed in three persons or dimensions. If Jesus Christ was the son of God, he was also God.

13. What do Christians Believe? That Christ will return a second time Most Christian groups believe in the second coming of the Lord. Jesus will return to the earth to Judge humanity for all time.

14. TASK Research the Miracles of Jesus Christ. Website: http://www.jesus.org/life-of-jesus/miracles/what- miracles-did-jesus-perform.html Go to the above, website, choose any ONE of the miracles listed here. Describe the miracle in about 120 words (who, what, when, where) Quote one verse from the bible about this miracle. Include 2 images/photos regarding each event. Put it onto a Word Document.