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Basic 1 · Religious and Moral Education · Religious Worship

How People Worship

In this topic you will learn how Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists worship.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Describe Christian worship
  • Describe Islamic worship
  • Describe Traditional worship

What you already know

  • The three main religions in Ghana

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Religious Practices
Sub-strand
Religious Worship
Indicator
B1.2.1.1.1 – Name the three main types of worship in Ghana

Introduction

People worship God in different ways. Some sing and dance. Some kneel and bow. Some pour libation. All of them show respect to God.

1. Christian Worship

  • Christians meet in church, mostly on Sundays.
  • They pray, sing and read the Bible.
  • A pastor or priest preaches a sermon.

2. Islamic Worship

  • Muslims pray five times a day.
  • They wash before praying. This is called ablution.
  • They pray on a prayer mat, facing Makkah.
  • They meet at the mosque on Fridays for Jumu'ah prayer.

3. Traditional Worship

  • Traditionalists pour libation to call on God and the ancestors.
  • They worship at shrines with drumming and dancing.
  • They celebrate festivals like Homowo and Odwira.
Christians singing in church, Muslims praying on mats, an elder pouring libation
Figure 1: Acts of worship Draw one act of worship.Illustration: Sirbus

Remember: Each religion worships God in its own way. We respect them all.

New words

prayer
Talking to God.
sermon
A talk about God given at worship.
ablution
Washing before Islamic prayer.
libation
Pouring a drink on the ground while praying.

Summary

  • Christians sing, pray and read the Bible in church.
  • Muslims pray five times a day, mostly on prayer mats.
  • Traditionalists pour libation and drum at shrines and festivals.

Class activity: Worship Role Play

  1. Each group acts out one way of worship respectfully.
  2. The class names the religion.
  3. Say one thing all three religions do.

You need: Bible, Qur’an, Prayer mat, Printed photographs of traditional Ghanaian worship

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. How many times do Muslims pray each day?

    • A. Five
    • B. Two
    • C. One
    • D. Ten
    Show answer
    Answer: FiveMuslims pray five times a day.

  2. 2. Which is part of Traditional worship?

    • A. Pouring libation
    • B. Reading the Qur'an
    • C. Singing in church
    • D. Ablution
    Show answer
    Answer: Pouring libationTraditionalists pour libation.

  3. 3. Christians read the Bible during worship.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueThe Bible is their holy book.

  4. 4. Muslims wash before praying.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueThis is called ablution.

  5. 5. A talk about God given in church is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: sermonPastors preach sermons.

  6. 6. Write one thing Christians do during worship.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any one: pray, sing, read the Bible, listen to a sermon.These are acts of Christian worship.

Homework

  1. Ask an adult how your family worships. Tell the class.