Basic 7 · Religious and Moral Education · Worship
Leaders and Objects of Worship
In this topic you will identify the leaders of worship and the sacred objects used in Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion, and explain their roles and meanings.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Identify the leaders of Christian worship and their roles
- Identify the leaders of Islamic and traditional worship and their roles
- Explain the use and meaning of objects used in worship
What you already know
- Places and times of worship
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Religious Practices
- Sub-strand
- Worship
- Indicator
- B7.2.1.1.1 – Identify the types of worship in the three major religions
Introduction
In a church, someone leads the prayers, someone preaches, someone directs the choir and someone reads the Bible. Each leader has a special role in helping the congregation worship.
1. Leaders in Christian Worship
| Leader | Role |
|---|---|
| bishop or archbishop | oversees many churches in a diocese |
| priest, pastor, minister or reverend | leads services, preaches, gives sacraments and counsels members |
| deacon or elder | assists the pastor and cares for members |
| catechist | teaches the faith and leads services in some churches |
| choirmaster and worship leader | lead singing and music |
| ushers | welcome people, show seats and collect offerings |
| Sunday school teacher | teaches children about the Bible |
2. Qualities of Good Leaders
The Bible teaches that church leaders should be humble, honest, self-controlled, kind, faithful in marriage and able to teach (1 Timothy 3:1–7). Jesus taught that leaders should serve others: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" (Mark 10:43).
3. Objects Used in Christian Worship
| Object | Meaning or use |
|---|---|
| Bible | the holy book; God's word |
| cross or crucifix | the death and resurrection of Jesus |
| altar | the place for Communion and offerings |
| bread and wine | the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion |
| water | baptism and cleansing from sin |
| candles | Christ as the light of the world |
| hymn books and instruments | singing praises to God |
| collection bowls or bags | receiving offerings |
4. Respect for Sacred Objects
Christians treat these objects with respect. The Bible is not thrown on the floor; communion bread and wine are handled reverently; and the altar area is kept clean and orderly. Respect for these objects shows respect for God.
5. Lay People in Worship
Ordinary members, called lay people, also take part in leading worship. They read scripture, lead prayers, sing in the choir, play instruments, teach Sunday school and serve as ushers. Every member has a gift that can be used to serve God and the congregation (1 Corinthians 12).
6. Training of Christian Leaders
Most churches train their clergy in seminaries, theological colleges or Bible schools, such as Trinity Theological Seminary in Accra, where they study the Bible, church history, preaching and counselling. After training, they are ordained in a special service, often by a bishop or senior minister. Catechists and lay leaders receive shorter training. Good training helps leaders teach correctly and care well for their members.
New words
- clergy
- Ordained leaders such as priests and pastors.
- lay people
- Church members who are not ordained.
- crucifix
- A cross with the figure of Jesus on it.
- usher
- A person who welcomes worshippers and shows them seats.
Summary
- Christian worship is led by bishops, priests, pastors, deacons, catechists and music leaders, helped by ushers and lay people.
- Good leaders are humble servants, as Jesus taught.
- Objects such as the Bible, cross, altar, bread, wine and water have special meanings.
Class activity: Who Does What?
- Match cards naming church leaders to cards describing their roles.
- Match objects of worship to their meanings.
- Present your matches to the class.
You need: Bible, Qur'an, Printed photograph of a Ghanaian traditional shrine
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The holy book of Christians is the…
- A. Bible
- B. Qur'an
- C. hymn book
- D. dictionary
Show answer
Answer: BibleGod's word.2. Bread and wine in Holy Communion represent…
- A. the body and blood of Christ
- B. creation
- C. the Holy Spirit
- D. the church building
Show answer
Answer: the body and blood of ChristLast Supper.3. Ushers welcome worshippers and show them seats.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueTheir role.4. Church members who are not ordained are called ______ people.
Show answer
Answer: layNon-clergy.5. State three roles of a pastor or priest.
Show answer
Answer: Leads services, preaches, gives sacraments (or counsels members).Any three.6. Explain Jesus' teaching on leadership in Mark 10:43.
Show answer
Answer: True greatness comes from serving others, so leaders should be humble servants.Servant leadership.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Religious Practices
- Sub-strand
- Worship
- Indicator
- B7.2.1.1.1 – Identify the types of worship in the three major religions
Introduction
In the mosque, the Imam leads the prayer and the muezzin calls the faithful. At a festival, the chief and the priest pour libation. Each leader plays a sacred role.
1. Leaders in Islamic Worship
| Leader | Role |
|---|---|
| Imam | leads the congregational prayers and gives the Friday sermon |
| muezzin | makes the call to prayer (adhan) |
| Chief Imam | the senior Muslim leader of a town, region or the nation |
| mallam or ustaz | teaches the Qur'an and Islamic knowledge |
2. Objects in Islamic Worship
| Object | Use |
|---|---|
| Qur'an | the holy book, recited in prayer |
| prayer mat | a clean place for Salat |
| prayer beads (tasbih) | counting praises of Allah |
| water | for ablution (wudu) |
| kettle or jug | holding water for wudu |
3. Leaders in Traditional Worship
| Leader | Role |
|---|---|
| chief | the link between the living and the ancestors; leads festivals |
| traditional priest or priestess (ɔkɔmfoɔ) | serves a deity, performs rituals and gives guidance |
| linguist (ɔkyeame) | speaks for the chief and often pours libation |
| family head (abusuapanin) | leads family rituals and libation |
| diviner | consults the spirits to find causes of problems |
4. Objects in Traditional Worship
| Object | Meaning or use |
|---|---|
| stools | seats of the ancestors' spirits; symbols of authority |
| drink (schnapps or palm wine) | used for libation |
| calabash | holding water or drink for rituals |
| white clay (hyire) | purity and victory |
| drums | calling the spirits and accompanying worship |
| animals for sacrifice | offerings for thanksgiving or cleansing |
5. Respect for Leaders
In all three religions, believers respect their worship leaders by greeting them properly, listening to their teaching and supporting their work. Leaders, in turn, are expected to live upright lives, because their conduct affects the faith of others.
6. Training of Islamic and Traditional Leaders
Imams and mallams usually begin by learning the Qur'an by heart in a madrasa and then study Arabic, Hadith and Islamic law, sometimes in universities abroad. Traditional priests and priestesses are often called by a deity, sometimes through spirit possession, and then train for several years under an experienced priest, learning rituals, herbs, taboos and the history of the deity. Chiefs learn customs from elders and linguists.
New words
- Imam
- The leader of Islamic congregational prayer.
- muezzin
- The person who makes the call to prayer.
- tasbih
- Prayer beads used to praise Allah.
- ɔkɔmfoɔ
- A traditional priest or priestess.
Summary
- The Imam leads Islamic prayers and the muezzin calls the faithful; objects include the Qur'an, prayer mat and tasbih.
- Chiefs, priests, linguists and family heads lead traditional worship.
- Traditional objects include stools, drinks for libation, calabashes, white clay and drums.
Class activity: Leaders and Objects Display
- Create a display table with pictures or safe models of worship objects from the three religions.
- Label each with its use and meaning.
- Explain the display to visitors respectfully.
You need: Bible, Qur'an, Printed photograph of a Ghanaian traditional shrine
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The person who leads prayer in a mosque is the…
- A. Imam
- B. muezzin
- C. pastor
- D. linguist
Show answer
Answer: ImamPrayer leader.2. White clay (hyire) in traditional worship symbolises…
- A. purity and victory
- B. mourning
- C. anger
- D. hunger
Show answer
Answer: purity and victoryJoy and purity.3. The muezzin makes the call to prayer.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueAdhan.4. Prayer beads used to praise Allah are called ______.
Show answer
Answer: tasbihCounting praises.5. State two roles of a chief in traditional worship.
Show answer
Answer: Links the living and the ancestors; leads festivals and rituals.Any two.6. Why are stools important in traditional worship?
Show answer
Answer: They are believed to hold the spirits of the ancestors and are symbols of authority and unity.Spiritual and political.
Homework
- Write a paragraph on the role of one worship leader in your community.