Sharing faith (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Notes
Sharing faith
Christian responsibility to share faith
Many Christians believe they have a fundamental duty to share their faith with others and offer a ministry of service through various means including education, medical work, and social justice initiatives. This responsibility stems from Jesus's teachings and commands in the Bible, where Christians are called to spread the Gospel message to all people.
This sense of responsibility is deeply rooted in Christian theology and is seen as a direct response to Jesus's commands. It encompasses both spiritual sharing of beliefs and practical acts of service to demonstrate Christian love.
Missionary and evangelical work
Understanding missionary work
A missionary is a person who is 'sent out' on a religious mission to spread the word and teachings about Jesus. Evangelical work refers to the spreading of faith or preaching of the Gospel done by missionaries. These individuals dedicate themselves to sharing their Christian beliefs with others, often travelling to different communities or countries to do so.
Historical context of missions
Christianity has a rich history of missionary activity. Notable Christian missionaries include William Carey (1761-1834) and Eric Liddell (1902-45), who demonstrated how Christians can combine their missionary or evangelical calling with their professional lives. Through their missionary and evangelical efforts, they helped enable people to be saved through Jesus Christ.
William Carey is often called the "Father of Modern Missions" for his work in India, while Eric Liddell was both an Olympic runner and missionary to China. Their examples show how Christians can integrate their faith with their secular careers and talents.
Biblical foundation for sharing faith
The Bible contains several key passages that instruct Christians to share their faith:
Biblical Commands for Sharing Faith
The Great Commission: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
Preaching to all creation: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15)
Being sent out by Jesus: "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20:21)
The call to follow Jesus: "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." (Matthew 4:19)
These biblical passages demonstrate that sharing faith through missionary and evangelical work is not just encouraged but commanded by Jesus. The first quote instructs Christians to share their faith through missionary and evangelical work. The second emphasises that they should share the Gospel message. The third shows the presence of the Holy Spirit in the world, whilst the fourth shows that Jesus asks fishermen to help him save people by telling them God's message.
These passages form the theological foundation for all Christian missionary activity. They show that evangelism is not optional but a core requirement of Christian discipleship.
Methods of sharing faith
Local level initiatives
Churches engage in various local projects to serve their communities and share their faith:
- Providing support for local people through community services
- Offering practical help such as local food banks or events for children
- Running educational programmes and classes for community members
- Alpha courses and similar programmes provide opportunities for people to explore Christian faith
Local initiatives are often the most effective form of evangelism because they combine practical help with relationship-building, allowing people to see Christian faith in action through acts of service.
National level activities
At a national level, Christian organisations coordinate larger-scale efforts:
- Churches may collaborate across regions and participate in national faith-based events, such as summer camps for children or charity events
- Special event days may be organised where Christians from different areas come together to celebrate their faith
- Many churches across different areas may work together on community projects
- Organisations such as the Church Army work in local communities to spread the Christian message through projects such as homeless shelters
Global outreach
Christianity operates on a worldwide scale through:
- International opportunities for mission work, enabling Christians to share their faith with people in different countries
- Involvement in spreading the Christian message globally through missionary projects
- Working in underdeveloped areas to help with building work or education programmes
- Evangelical work with channels such as God TV to broadcast Christian stories, including conferences and concerts
Global outreach often combines evangelism with practical development work, addressing both spiritual and physical needs in communities around the world. This approach demonstrates the holistic nature of Christian mission.
Modern approaches to sharing faith
The Church has adapted to contemporary times by embracing modern technologies. Social media platforms and digital communication tools now enable Christian messages to be shared more widely and efficiently than ever before. This allows churches and individual Christians to reach global audiences and connect with people who might not otherwise encounter Christian teachings.
These technological advances complement traditional methods of sharing faith, creating new opportunities for evangelism while maintaining the core biblical mandate to spread the Gospel message.
While technology provides new tools for evangelism, the fundamental message and purpose remain unchanged. Digital platforms are simply modern means of fulfilling the ancient command to "go into all the world."
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Christians believe they have a responsibility to share their faith with others through missionary and evangelical work
- The Bible contains clear commands from Jesus instructing followers to "go and make disciples of all nations" and spread the Gospel
- Faith sharing occurs at local, national, and global levels through various practical activities and programmes
- Historical missionaries like William Carey and Eric Liddell demonstrate how Christians can combine professional life with evangelical calling
- Modern technology, including social media, provides new opportunities for Christians to share their message with wider audiences