Topic 3
How do religious believers respond to
God through worship?
3.6 Responses to God
The next two pages will help you to:
identify ways in which religious
believers respond to God
explore the idea that religious believers
dedicate their lives to their religion.
How do people respond to God?
People respond to God in many ways.
They might dedicate their lives completely to their faith by
becoming a monk or a nun.
They might make a financial donation or give up their spare
time to help others.
Some might feel that their religion teaches them to act in a
certain way, which they try to follow throughout their lives.
Look at these two photographs.
Who do you think the people are?
What do you think they are doing?
The realisation that God exists can have a significant impact on a
religious believer. It can make them change their lives or consider
doing things they have not previously done. Here are some ways in
which they might respond to belief in God.
Changing lifestyle
They may be more aware of the spiritual presence of God, which
could mean a change in lifestyle as they follow the ‘rules’ of God.
Preaching and teaching
This allows believers to share their knowledge and religion with
others. It is a continual process through which others can be
informed of God and the tradition being followed.
Pilgrimage
Many religions have special places of pilgrimage at which believers
can gain strength and feel closer to God. These places offer
believers time to develop a deeper relationship with God, as well as
to trace the roots of the religion.
Service and commitment
Many believers try to dedicate parts of their lives to God in service
and commitment. They are often prepared to give energy, time and
money for their cause.
Activities
1 Discuss with a partner
any other ways that
people may respond
to God.
78
WJEC GCSE Religious Studies
How do religious believers respond to God
through vocation?
Many religious believers feel that they are called to a profession connected to their
faith. This may involve becoming a vicar, priest or minister, or a monk or nun. Others
may become doctors or nurses, or work with those less fortunate than themselves.
Believers with a talent may use it to spread their faith. For example, someone who is a
good singer may choose to perform songs to demonstrate their faith to others.
Activities
Worship (along with prayer) allows believers to communicate with God.
It is a way of developing and expressing faith, and allows believers to
come together as a community. A community is a group of people
who are joined together because they share something in common.
Worship can take a variety of forms, including silent prayer, group
prayer, singing, dancing, listening, reading and reciting. Most religious
traditions have regular sessions of worship.
Muslims pray five times a day.
Christians usually pray every day.
Puja for Hindus is a daily experience.
How important is worship?
2 a Make a list of jobs that could be done
to share faith with others.
b Compare your list with a partner.
What are the similarities? What are
the differences?
A VICAR’S D
IARY
To do today…
3 Take servic
es
3 Prepare se
rmon, Bible
readings an
d hymns for
Sunday wors
hip
3 Visit the si
ck
Worship is very important to all religious believers. It is a form of
communication with God and a way they can thank God or ask for
something. Worship also helps to bring people together and creates
a bond between those of the same faith or believers who hold
similar beliefs.
3 Take funer
al service
3 Attend mee
ting about
fundraising
for church re
pairs
3 Check list
of baptisms
and
weddings fo
r weekend
3 Attend ch
oir practice
3 Suggest Bib
le study for
Sunday Scho
ol
Some religious believers feel that everyday life can get in the way of
religion. To regain their religious focus, they might go on a retreat.
Many religious traditions offer places where believers can:
get away from everything
have time to reflect about themselves and their lives
have time to reflect on their religious beliefs
have time to reflect on their relationship with God.
Often, retreats include time to study, read sacred texts, worship,
pray and share ideas with others.
Do religious believers need to show generosity?
All world religions emphasise helping others. This can take a variety
of forms, such as:
helping those in a local community
volunteering to help others in poorer areas of the world.
Religious believers are encouraged to donate money to charity and
give what they can to others. Islam supports zakat, which means a
percentage of a person’s income is given to help the poor and
needy. Many Christians pay a tithe in the same way.
Research note
Find out how these famous people combine their faiths with
their talents:
Cliff Richard
Richard Gere
Jonathan Edwards
Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens).
Activities
3 a List the times each day that Muslims pray.
b List the times when Christians might pray.
c In your own words, explain what puja
means.
(Others in your class may be able to help you
with these answers. If not, use books or the
Internet.)
4 Imagine you are a journalist. Your editor
has asked you to write a newspaper article
explaining how religious believers respond to
God. Try to write about at least two religions.
Topic 3: Looking for meaning 79