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Basic 4 · Religious and Moral Education · Religious Worship

The Purpose of Worship

In this topic you will state the purposes of worship in Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion.

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

  • State reasons why people worship
  • Compare purposes across the three religions
  • Explain how worship affects behaviour

What you already know

  • Forms of Christian and Islamic worship

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
B4.2.1.1.2 – State the purpose of worship in the three main religions

Introduction

Why do people go to church, the mosque or the shrine? Worship has important purposes for believers.

1. Purposes of Worship

Why people worship
PurposeExplanation
to praise Godto honour God for His greatness
to thank Godfor life, health and blessings
to ask for helpfor needs, protection and guidance
to seek forgivenessfor wrongs done
to grow closer to Godto build a relationship with God
to unite believersworshipping together builds fellowship
A church, a mosque and a traditional shrine with worshippers
Figure 1: Worship in three religions Draw one purpose of worship.Illustration: Sirbus

2. Worship and Good Behaviour

  • Worship reminds people to obey God's laws.
  • It teaches honesty, kindness and patience.
  • It brings peace and hope.

New words

praise
To honour and speak well of.
forgiveness
Pardon for wrongs done.
guidance
Direction on what to do.
fellowship
Friendship among believers.
blessing
A gift or favour from God.
relationship
A connection between people or with God.

Summary

  • People worship to praise and thank God.
  • They ask for help, guidance and forgiveness.
  • Worship unites believers and brings them closer to God.
  • Worship encourages good behaviour.

Class activity: Purpose Match

  1. Read prayer examples from the three religions.
  2. Match each prayer to its purpose.
  3. Discuss which purposes are shared by all three religions.

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. Which is a purpose of worship?

    • A. To thank God
    • B. To fight
    • C. To steal
    • D. To waste time
    Show answer
    Answer: To thank GodWorship includes thanksgiving.

  2. 2. Friendship among believers is…

    • A. Fellowship
    • B. Conflict
    • C. Pilgrimage
    • D. Fasting
    Show answer
    Answer: FellowshipWorship unites people.

  3. 3. Asking God to pardon wrongs is seeking…

    • A. Forgiveness
    • B. Money
    • C. Food
    • D. Revenge
    Show answer
    Answer: ForgivenessThat is forgiveness.

  4. 4. All three religions worship to praise God.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TruePraise is shared.

  5. 5. Worship has no effect on behaviour.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseIt encourages good behaviour.

  6. 6. A gift or favour from God is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: blessingThat is a blessing.

  7. 7. Give three purposes of worship.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any three: praise, thanks, help, forgiveness, closeness to God, unity.People worship for many reasons.

  8. 8. How can worship make someone a better person?

    Show answer
    Answer: It reminds them to obey God's laws and practise honesty, kindness and patience.Worship shapes character.

Homework

  1. Write a short prayer of thanksgiving.