1. Aim: What does it mean to be Christian?
Do Now: What do you know about Christianity? What do you want to know?
NY State Standard 2
Common Core RS 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and WS 1, 2

2. I How did Christianity begin?
A) Christians believe that Yeshua (Jesus) was born to Mary (a virgin) in Bethlehem (a Roman territory). He was the son of God. Most historians believe he was born between 6 and 4 BCE.
B) Jesus was raised in the Jewish faith in Nazareth by Mary and Joseph.
C) As an adult, in Jesus, a rabbi, preached to fellow Jews in the Holy Land. *He was still Jewish* His followers were known as the 12 disciples.

4. How Did Christianity Begin Continued…
F)The Romans feared Jesus would lead a revolt against Rome. Jesus was arrested and crucified (hung on a cross and tortured to death). G) The Gospels say Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after his death, remained on Earth for 40 days, then rose to heaven. H) The followers of Jesus (disciples) became known as the apostles. Their goal was to spread the message that Jesus was the messiah.

5. Does the Shroud of Turin Show What Jesus Looked Like?
The Shroud of Turin first appeared in the 14th century. It allegedly is the shroud that covered the body of Jesus after his death. Most scientists believe it was a hoax, but many Christians believe that it shows the face of Jesus.

6. II Christian Beliefs
A) Monotheistic. God takes on three forms; the father, the son, and the holy spirit. “Holy Trinity”. B) Jesus is the messiah and will return to Earth to bring peace. *Jews do not believe that Jesus is the messiah.
The earliest Christians were Jewish! However, St. Paul (5 – 67 CE) argued that because Jesus died for our sins, Christians no longer need to obey all 613 laws of the Torah. *Christianity was now a separate religion from Judaism.

7. Christian Beliefs Continued…
E) Christians believe in heaven and hell. The devil (Satan) was an angel who rebelled against god. F) When Jesus returns to earth, there will be a final day of judgment.

8. III Christian Practices
A) Jews observe the Sabbath Fri – Sat, while most Christians observe it on Sundays. B) Pray in church. C) Baptism: A ritual where Holy Water is used to wash away original sin. (Belief every person is born with sin because we are children of Eve who disobeyed God.) *Jews do not believe in original sin.

9. Christian Practices Continued…
E) Christian Monks and Nuns devote their entire lives to God. They take a vow of poverty and chastity, and often live in a monastery (isolated religious community). Today many do charity work.

10. IV Christian Sacred Texts
Christians refer to the Torah and the Jewish Bible as the Old Testament.
Christians also read the New Testament. Originally written in Greek, the New Testament contains the Gospels (stories about the life and death of Jesus, written after his death).
Unlike Christians, Jews do not refer to the Torah as the Old Testament, as they do not believe that anything comes after it.

11. V Christian Holidays
A) Christmas celebrates the birthday of Jesus. B) Easter celebrates his resurrection. It follows the 40 days of Lent (a time of repentance, when you ask for forgiveness).

12. VI Sacred Christian Places
A) Jerusalem; where Jesus was crucified.
B) Bethlehem; where Jesus was born.
C) Nazareth; where Jesus was raised.
D) Churches
Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem
Built where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified

13. VII All Catholics Are Christian, But Not All Christians are Catholic
Christianity
Protestant
Catholic
Greek Orthodox
Russian Orthodox
Mormonism
Lutheran
Baptist

14. Spread of Christianity

15. Summary Questions Fill in your religion chart for Christianity.
Explain the following quote and what it tells us about Christianity. “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” - Jesus

16. Key Vocabulary Apostles Joseph Baptism Jesus Bethlehem Lent Church
Mary
Christianity
Messiah
Christmas
Monastery
Communion
Monk
Crucifixion
Nazareth
Day of Judgment
New Testament
Devil
Nun
Disciples
Resurrection
Easter
St. Paul
Gospels
Torah
Heaven
Hell
Holy Trinity