Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION IV-A CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF BATANGAS
TAYSAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MAHANADIONG, TAYSAN, BATANGAS

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET 5

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEM
Christianity

Name of Learner: ____________________________

Grade Level: ____________________________
Strand/Track: ____________________________
Section: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________

A. Background Information for Learners

Hello Learners! This module is intended to keep you informed and abreast of one of the world’s famous
religions, Christianity. Know its founder and brief history, core teachings, beliefs and practices, varieties and
some issues and concerns. Enjoy and learn as you explore the world of Christianity!
B. Learning Competency with code
MELC 5: Examine the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and related issues of
Christianity.

C. Directions/ Instructions
After going through with this unit, you are expected to:
1. Read and follow each direction carefully.
2. Accomplish each activity for the mastery of competency.
3. Use the Learning Activity Sheets with care.
4. Always aim to get at least 80% of the total number of given items.
5. Write your answer on yellow paper.

D. Exercises/Activities

Introduction
What I Need to Know
After going through with this activity sheet, you are expected to:
1. know the history of Judaism and its founders;
2. understand the core teachings, beliefs and practices in Jewish culture; and
3. Identify the issues involving Judaism.

Vocabulary List
For easy understanding of this module, you must be familiar with the terms or words that you will
encounter as you go along this learning journey. Take a look at the words with the given definitions. Come on
and let us start!

TAYSAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Mahanadiong, Taysan, Batangas
(043) 786-6254
 taysanseniorhighschool@yahoo.com
 Word Definition
Religion - the belief in a God or in a group of
Gods.
- an organized system of beliefs,
ceremonies, and rules to worship a
god or a group of gods.
Christianity - the religion that is based on the
teaching of Jesus Christ.
- the religion derived from Jesus
Christ, based on the Bible as sacred
scripture, and professed by Eastern,
Roman Catholic and Protestant
Bodies
Doctrine - a principle or position or the body
of principles in a branch of
knowledge or system of belief.
- a set of ideas or beliefs that are
taught or believed to be true.
Sacred - holy, dedicated to God, worthy of
religious veneration, not to be
violated.
Trinity - the unity of Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit as three persons in one
Godhead according to Christian
dogma
Resurrection - the rising of Christ from the dead.
- the rising again to life of all the
human dead before the final
judgment.
Sect - a religious group that is a smaller
part of a larger group and whose
members all share similar beliefs.
Roman - of, relating to, or being a Christian
Catholic church having a hierarchy of priests
and bishops under the pope, a
liturgy centered in the Mass,
veneration of the Virgin Mary and
saints, clerical celibacy, and a body
of dogma including
transubstantiation and papal
infallibility.
Eastern - of the Eastern Catholic churches
Orthodox that accord primacy to the patriarch
of Constantinople and adhere to the
Byzantine rite.
Protestantism - a member of one of the Christian
- churches deriving from the
Reformation.
Word Definition
Bible - the sacred scriptures of Christians
comprising the Old Testament and
the New Testament.
- the book of sacred writings accepted
by Christians as coming from God.
Old - Testament - the first part of the
Testament Christian Bible containing the books
of the Jewish canon of Scripture.
New - the second part of the Christian
Testament Bible comprising the canonical
Gospels and Epistles and the book of
Acts and book of Revelation
Creeds - a brief authoritative formula of
religious belief. - an idea or set of
beliefs that guides the actions of a
person or group.
Gospel - the teachings of the Christian
religion.
Ecumenism - ecumenical principles and practices
especially as shown among religious
groups (such as Christian
denominations)
Gospel - the message concerning Christ, the
kingdom of God, and salvation.
Scripture - the books of the Bible.
- a body of writings considered sacred
or authoritative.
Advent - the coming of Christ at the
Incarnation.
Monotheistic - the belief that there is only one God.
2
What’s New?
ACTIVITY 1: “Poem Analysis”
Please read the poem from the letter of Paul to the Philippians that gives an idea about Christianity. After
reading the poem, answer the questions following it. Write your answers on yellow paper.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

Who, though he was in the form of God,
Did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
He humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death
– even death on a cross.
Therefore, God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name,
that is above every name
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the Glory of God, the Father.

ANSWER ME
1. What is the poem about?
2. What does it say about Christianity?

What is it?
Discussion: Christianity

What is Christianity?
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
Its adherents, known as Christians, believe that Jesus is the Christ, who is coming as the messiah was
prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, called the Old Testament in Christianity, and chronicled in the New Testament.
It is a religion that was meant to be universal. Jesus Christ’s evangelical command, “Go and teach all
nations” to His disciples shows that He intended His teachings not just for the Jews, but for all the world (Brown
1991,8-10). Christianity is a religion that developed from Judaism; some of its first followers were originally
Jews. What distinguishes Christians from Jews is that the former accepts Jesus Christ as the Messiah, or the
Savior, while the latter considers Jesus as just another prophet of God, and the real Messiah is yet to come.
The essential Christian beliefs are recorded in creeds, and there are different versions of such creeds.
The common element, however, is the acknowledgement of the Holy Trinity – belief in God the Father, Jesus
Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It was the Father who created the world, and Jesus often speaks about Him
in the Gospels. Jesus is the only Son of God, sent to save the world from sin. The Holy Spirit appeared in the
Baptism of Jesus and was also sent down to the disciples to guide them in spreading Christianity. The Spirit is
believed to guide all believers. While the God of Christianity is agreed to as having one entity, there are greater
majority of Christians who believe that this God is a Trinitarian one: Father, Son and Spirit (Molloy 2005,
361,363).
3
 The whole of Christian conviction could be summarized in Jesus’ two great commandments: “Love the
Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as you love
yourself” (Matthew 22: 37- 40). The life of the Christian is centered on these two things: praise and thanksgiving
for God, and acts of love to humankind (Brown 1991,15).
Christians also believe in the life after death. After death, the soul of a person will be judged according
to his/her deeds in his/her life in the world and will either go to Heaven, to dwell with God, or to Hell and be
separated permanently from Him. There is also a belief in Purgatory, where there is temporary punishment for
those who do not yet deserve to go to either Heaven or Hell. But there are also some Christian groups who
believe in the establishment of the Kingdom of God with the creation of the new heaven and the new earth
where they would dwell. At the end of time, there is agreement that all souls will be reunited with their bodies,
just as Jesus resurrected from the dead, and there will be final judgement (Molloy 2005, 364).
Apart from centering their lives on Jesus, Christians, especially Catholics are also devoted to Mary, the
Mother of God. Catholics, Orthodox and some Protestants feel close to Mary, and consider her their mother.
Mary has also been viewed as the helper of those who suffer. Even Martin Luther retained veneration for Mary
in the salvation story of his reformed Protestantism (O’ Collins and Farrugia 2003, 370- 371).

Who founded Christianity?

Christianity originated with the ministry of Jesus in the 1st century Roman province of Judea. According
to the Gospels, Jesus was a Jewish teacher and healer who proclaimed the imminent kingdom of God and was
crucified c. AD 30–33.
While the main tenets of Christianity originated with Jesus Christ, it was His 12 disciples, and eventually
apostles who institutionalized and established the bureaucratic structures of the religion. We see in the Book of
Acts, the book after the Gospels, the accounts of His disciples after His ascension to heaven. Fifty days after
His resurrection, the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of God, came down upon the followers of Jesus, in the form of
fire and wind, to inspire them to spread their leader’s teachings (Molloy 2005, 350-351). This is celebrated as
the feast of the Pentecost, and it is considered to be the birth of the Christian Church (Brown 1991,34).
The early Christian Church in Jerusalem was composed of many Jews. Both Judaism and Christianity
were strong religions for about 40 years after Jesus’ death, but with the destruction of the Second Temple of
Jerusalem in 70 C.E., they disappeared. The non-Jewish early Christians were spread through the Roman
Empire through the missionary, Paul (Molloy 2005, 352).

Jesus of Nazareth
Much of what we know about Jesus Christ could be found in the Gospels. Even though he knew the
Hebrew Scripture well, he was not a scholar, nor a writer (Molloy 2005, 349).
According to the accounts in the Gospels, he was born of a virgin named Mary, who was supposed to
wed Joseph of Nazareth, a carpenter. Joseph was a descendant of King David, and due to the Roman
emperor’s decree of census, he and Mary had to go to Bethlehem, David’s homeland. In that land, Jesus was
born in a manger, because there was no lodging available to them. Jesus’ birth is celebrated annually on
December 25 as Christmas.
We know little of His childhood, except perhaps when He was found by His parents speaking with the
teachers in the Temple of Jerusalem. He was 12 years old then. The next account of Jesus in the Gospel was
during His baptism and His temptation in the desert for 40 days, which happened when he was “about 30”.
From there, He began His public ministry, teaching the people of Israel.
Since He was raised as a Jew, Jesus obeyed the Laws and learned the Hebrew scriptures.
Nonetheless, He still thought independently, questioning the people on strict adherence to the teaching at the
cost of injustice and lack of love. Perhaps His greatest emphasis was on universal, unconditional love. He
taught that we must forgive people endlessly (Matthew 18:22). He even asked for forgiveness for those who
crucified Him (Luke 23:34). He asks us to love everyone, even our enemies (Luke 6:27) (Molloy 2005 348).

4
 Jesus was condemned to death due to His unorthodox teachings, through the initiative of the chief
priests and Pharisees He was criticizing. His passion and death is commemorated during the Holy Week, which
culminates at Easter, where he supposedly rose from the dead.

Basic Teachings
Jesus used parables – short stories with hidden messages – in his teachings. Some of the main themes that
Jesus taught, which Christians later embraced, include:
• Love God.
• Love your neighbor as yourself.
• Forgive others who have wronged you.
• Love your enemies.
• Ask God for forgiveness of your sins.
• Jesus is the Messiah and was given the authority to forgive others.
• Repentance of sins is essential.
• Don’t be hypocritical.
• Don’t judge others.
• The Kingdom of God is near. It’s not the rich and powerful – but the weak and poor–who will inherit this
kingdom.

In one of Jesus’s most famous speeches, which became known as the Sermon on the Mount, he
summarized many of his moral instructions for his followers.

How did Christianity begin?

Christianity began in the 1st century AD after Jesus died, as a small group of Jewish people in Judea,
but quickly spread throughout the Roman empire. Despite early persecution of Christians, it later became the
state religion. In the Middle Ages it spread into Northern Europe and Russia.

Timeline of Significant Events in the History of Christianity

Time Event Time Event
c. 4 B.C.E.-c. 29 C.E Life of Jesus 1483-1546 Life of Martin Luther
c. 4-64 C.E. Life of Paul 1492 Expulsion of Jews and Muslims
from Spain
313 C.E. Issuance of the Edict of 1509-1564 Life of John Calvin
Toleration by Constantine
making Christianity legal
354-430 C.E. Life of Augustin 1517 Beginning of the Protestant
Reformation
476 C.E. Collapse of the Roman 1534 Founding of the Church of England
Empire of the West by King Henry VIII
c. 480- c. 547 C.E. Life of Benedict 1565 Christianity enters the Philippines
638 C.E. Muslim Conquest of 1805-1844 Life of Joseph Smith
Jerusalem
1054 C.E. Split between Eastern and 19XX Founding of Iglesia ni Cristo
Western Christianity
1099 Conquest of Jerusalem 1948 Founding of the World Council of
during the First Crusade Churches
1347-1351 Black Death 1962-1965 Modernization of Catholicism by the
Second Vatican Council
1453 Conquest of Constantinople

5
 by Muslim forces

Practices
Although there have been different forms of Christianity, much of their rituals are shared. The most
important among them are believed to be signs of God’s grace, called sacraments.
People who want to be converted to Christianity will have to undergo baptism. The person is cleansed
with water, to signify repentance and cleansing. Catholics and Orthodox baptize babies, while some Protestants
baptize only those who are willing (Molloy 2005, 403-4).
During the Last Supper, Jesus broke the bread and shared the wine to represent His Body and Blood,
and the Apostles were sharing His sufferings. This is commemorated through the sacrament of the Eucharist,
where Christians gather in the church, and share the Body and Blood of Christ. Some churches use literal bread
and wine, while others interpret it symbolically (Molloy 2005 404-405).
These two are the most important sacraments in Christian practice. Others include confirmation which
is a blessing of initiation after baptism; reconciliation, where someone confesses his/her sins and gets
absolution; matrimony, where two people commit themselves with each other for life with God as the center;
ordination, where someone commits himself to priesthood; and anointing of the sick, which is usually taken by a
sick person (Molloy 2005, 405-406).

Activity 2:
Complete the table by providing the needed information based on the passages that you have read. Copy and
answer this in your journal.

Religion Founder Origin Core Teachings Beliefs or Practices

Christianity 1. 2. 3. 4.

Varieties or types of Christianity

For about 300 years since the death of Peter and Paul, the Romans persecuted Christians. “Christianity
was declared illegal, and many Christians died for their faith.” But when Constantine became the first Christian
emperor of the Empire (East and West), Christianity was more and more accepted, until it became the religion
of the Roman Empire at 380 CE (Brown 1991,36). Constantine ruled as an emperor of both Western and
Eastern until his death in 337 CE. He transferred the capital from Rome to Byzantine, which he renamed
Constantinople (Higgins 2007,76).

Eastern Orthodox
With the capital in Constantinople, the Eastern Roman Empire flourished, but at the cost of the political
and military power of the Western Empire (Higgins 2007,76). When the Latin-speaking Western Roman Empire
fell in the 5th century BCE, Western Christianity developed independently. The Greek-speaking Eastern empire
developed its own form of Christianity until 1453. This Eastern Church is called Orthodox Church because they
settled on traditional beliefs throughout its reign (Molloy 2005, 374)
Protestant Reformation
With the successful spread and development of the Western Roman Church, they earned financial and
political support from the people. At one point, during the construction of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the
papacy was asking for contributions, in return for “indulgence,” which shortens the time that a soul would spend
in purgatory. Martin Luther, a German priest, “opposed the idea that anything spiritual can be sold” (Molloy
2005, 386-388). As such, he posted on the door of the Castle church of Wittenberg his proposed changed and
reforms, in the form of 95 theses. Luther was asked to retract his statements, but he refused to do so. He

6
“affirmed the supreme authority of the scripture and rejected both the papal authority and the binding force of
decisions rendered by ecumenical councils” (Higgins 2007, 88).

Luther pushed for “the right of every individual to radically question and reinterpret Christian belief and
practice, “which was called the Protestant Principle (Molloy 2005, 388). There are many kinds of Protestants
and here are some of them.
Martin Luther translated the Christian Bible into German, to allow the liturgical practices to be more
open to the people who do not understand Latin. “Over the years, Lutheranism has retained Luther’s original
enthusiasm for the Bible, a trust in God, and excellent church music” (Molloy 2005, 389)
The Protestants seek to find what is essential to the Christian experience. It places great emphasis on
the individual’s own ability to establish a personal relationship with God summarized terms of return to simple
Christianity, the centrality of Jesus, the guidance of the Bible, the importance of faith, direct relationship with
God, and the value of individual judgement.

Roman Catholics
As a response to several Protestants, the Roman Catholic Church started what we call the Catholic
Reformation or Counter Reformation, which began with the Council of Trent in 1545. They had to reform some
of their own rigid doctrines to respond to the reforms of the Protestants. They affirmed Luther’s conviction that
the scripture has binding authority, but the interpretations is entrusted to the Church officials, and not to
individuals. Salvation is decided to require faith, hope, and love, as well as good deeds (Higgins 2007, 93). As a
result of the Protestant Reformation, Catholicism defends the following beliefs and practices: the importance of
good works, the value of tradition, a guided interpretation of the Bible, hierarchical authority, veneration of Mary
and the saints, and the seven Sacrament.

Varieties or types of Christianity

Topic Orthodox
Bible - Accept the 39 Old Testament
Composition and 27 New Testament books,
of but also a collection of books not
found in the original Hebrew
Bible. These are known
as Deuterocanonicals i.e. a
second canon of scripture
Holy Spirit The third person of the Trinity,
proceeding from the Father
alone as in the original Nicene
Creed. The Father sends the
Spirit at the intercession of the
Son. The Son is therefore an
agent only in the procession of
the Spirit.
Marriage and Marriage is a mystical union
Divorce between a man and a woman.
Divorce is generally only allowed
in cases of adultery, though
there are exceptions.
Protestant Roman Catholic
Protestants reject the Agrees with Orthodoxy as to
deuterocanonicals as the validity of these books.
not being inspired
scripture and term
them Apocrypha (Greek
: 'Hidden Things').
The Holy Spirit Agrees with the Protestant
proceeds from both the view.
Father and the Son. The Ambrose of Milan (340-397)
Nicene creed includes wrote: 'When the Holy Spirit
the filioque (Latin: 'and proceeds from the Father and
the son'). the Son, He is not separated
from the Father, He is not
separated from the Son'.
Marriage is a contract, Marriage is seen as an
but is not unbreakable. unbreakable contract & a type
Divorce is discouraged, of Christ and the church.
but permitted as Remarriage after divorce is
evidence of human not permitted unless there is
weakness. Some some canonical impediment
denominations permit to the marriage. In this
remarriage in church. situation, an annulment may

7
 be granted.
Mary - The Assumption is accepted and Both are denied. The Both are dogmas of the
Assumption it is agreed that Mary claim that Mary was church. The church has not
and experienced physical death, but sinless is rejected - only yet decided whether Mary
Immaculate the Immaculate conception is Christ was sinless. actually experienced Physical
conception of rejected. Orthodox belief is that death. The dogma of the
the guilt of original sin is not Immaculate Conception states
transmitted from one generation that Mary, was at conception
to the next, thus obviating the 'preserved immaculate from
need for Mary to be sinless. all stain of original sin' and
should not be confused with
the virgin birth.
Sacraments There are at least seven Generally, only two The number of Sacraments is
Sacraments (known as sacraments (also known fixed at seven and is the
'Mysteries' in Orthodoxy): as Ordinances) are same list as that in Orthodoxy,
Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, recognised: Baptism with the exception of
Holy Orders, Holy Unction, and the Eucharist (often Chrismation, which is
Marriage (Holy Matrimony) and called 'Holy generally known as
Penance (Confession). The list Communion' or the 'Confirmation'.
is not fixed. 'Lord's Supper').
Saints A special group of holy people, All Christians are saints, The position is very similar to
who are venerated. They may called to imitate Christ. Orthodoxy. For sainthood, it is
act as intercessors between God Only Christ may also required that at least two
and Man and may be invoked in mediate between God verifiable miracles have
prayer. and Man. occured as a result of the
intercession of that person.
Salvation Salvation is "faith working Salvation is the free and Salvation is by grace,
through love" and should be unmerited gift of God to specifically sanctifying grace,
seen as a life long process. The man. It is obtained by which is given initially through
Ultimate aim of every Orthodox grace through faith in Baptismal regeneration and
Christian is to obtain Theosis or Christ alone. Through then maintained through the
union with God. This is done Christ's atoning Sacraments, which are
through living a holy life and sacrifice, we are 'channels of grace'.
seeking to draw closer to God. rendered acceptable to
God and judged
righteous (justified) in
his sight.
Source: http://christianityinview.com/comparison.html

Activity 3:
Performance Task: Interview a couple in your neighbor about their religion. Ask why they prefer to belong to
such religion and what beliefs and practices they value. Here are some questions you can use in your interview.
Write your answer on yellow paper.

Format:
Interviewer: ________________
Interviewee: ________________

Question 1: What do you think is the most fundamental aspect(s) of your religion?

8
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 2: What do you want others to know about your religion?
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 3: What do you think is the most unique aspect of your religion?
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 4: What makes you a strong believer in your faith?
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 5: What are some of your religious traditions, rituals? Which do you favor most?
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 6: How does observing or performing these rituals affects your daily life?
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 7: What are some of the symbols of your religion and what do they symbolize?
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 8: Does your religion provide a guide for your future path?
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 9: Does your community of faith always stand behind you in a time of need? How?
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 10: How does your faith handle societal issues such as premarital sex, intermarriage, teen pregnancy
and divorce?
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 11: What do believe about deity/ies?
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 12: Describe your feelings about your relationship with deity/ies?
Answer: __________________________________________________________
Question 13: Do you have any type of scripture or literature that you read and follow?
Answer: ____________________________________________________________
Question 14: Do you pray? If so, how do you pray?
Answer: _____________________________________________________________
Question 15: How does your religion react to provide understanding for violence in society?
Answer: _____________________________________________________________
Question 16: What is your view on same-sex marriages or homosexuals?
Answer: _____________________________________________________________
Question 17: How do you feel about other religions?
Answer: _____________________________________________________________
Question 18: Is there a reason or explanation as to why people suffer?
Answer: ______________________________________________________________
Question 19: What do you think will happen to non-believers of your religion after death?
Answer: _____________________________________________________________
Question 20: How does your religion conflict with science?
Answer: _____________________________________________________________

Activity 4: Reflection
How do you describe your experiences during the interview? Share your insights by writing 5-sentence essay
on yellow paper.

Rubrics for the Interview

Criteria 10 7 4
Above expectation Meets expectations Below expectations
Analysis Response provides an Response provides an Response does not
9
 in-depth analysis of the in-depth analysis of the provide an analysis of
given questions. Shows given questions. Shows the given questions.
an understanding of the a little understanding of Shows no understanding
lesson content. the lesson content. of the lesson content.
Examples were given to Examples were given to Examples were given to
explain the concept explain the concept explain the concept
presented. presented. presented.
Clarity The thoughts were The thoughts were The thoughts were
clearly expressed. The slightly clearly. The unclear. There is no
organization of words in organization of words in organization of words in
a sentence was clearly a sentence was not a sentence.
exemplified. clearly exemplified.
Writing Skills Clear writing, complete Clear writing, complete Unclear writing,
sentence, no errors in sentence with minimal incomplete sentence,
grammar and spelling. errors in grammar and ample error in grammar
spelling. and spelling.

Rubrics for the essay

Points Criteria
15 points Well-organized, ideas presented clearly
8 points Organized, ideas presented
5 points Not well-organized, limited ideas.

Activity 5: Examine the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and related issues of
Christianity through the statements below. Determine if they are True or False. Write T or F on the blank.
__________ 1. Christianity is a religion which originated with the ministry of Jesus and was spread through his
disciples and apostles after His death.
__________ 2. One of the practices to be taken into consideration to become a Christian is to undergo baptism
which is one of the important sacraments in Christianity.
__________ 3. Christianity is a pluralistic form of religion because of its belief in the Trinity.
__________ 4. The basic teachings of Jesus as the founder of Christianity can be summarized into two things:
Praise and thanksgiving to God and Acts of love to humankind.
__________ 5. Having three major varieties or types of Christianity is one of the issues that this religion
encounters.
__________ 6. Christianity is a religion that is meant to be universal because Jesus intended His teachings not
just for the Jews but for all the world as His command to the disciples “Go and teach all nations”.
__________ 7. The Eastern Orthodox is a variety of Christianity which settled on traditional beliefs.
__________ 8. The sacrament of the Eucharist is only practiced among the Roman Catholics.
__________ 9. The practices and beliefs among the types or varieties in Christianity varies but they are one in
centering their lives to Jesus and His teachings to love God and his mankind.
__________ 10. Christianity enters the Philippines in 1965 as reflected in the timeline of significant events in
the history of Christianity.

10