Religious activities

Key Unit Competence: Explain the origin of Christianity and Islam

Introductory Activity

Every institution has its own history: initiators or founders, headquarter, 

hierarchy, inauguration date, fundamental rules, aims or finalities, 

adherents or customers. 

Discuss the above mentioned elements in relation to Christiantity and 

Islam.

2.1. Christianity

2.1. Learning activitiy :

Using various resources, research on the birth, founder, mission and 

expansion of Christianity in the world

The name Christians was used firstly at Antioch to mean disciples or followers 

of Christ (Acts 11: 25-26). This name was given not by Jesus’ disciples 

themselves but by the society of Antioch. It was also used by Agrippa, an 

unbelieving King when he was in controversies with Paul (Acts 26:28). Peter 

used it when he comforted Christians to glorify God by accepting persecution 

basing on their name (1Peter 4:16)

Christianity then is a religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus 

Christ. The essence or fundamental nature of Christianity turns around 

believing on life, death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians 

believe God sent his Son Jesus to save the world (John 3:16).

2.1.1. The precursor of Jesus

John the Baptist, precursor of Jesus who was about to come

The precursor also called the herald refers to the announcer of what about 

to happen. John the Baptist, son of Elizabeth and Zechariah became the 

precursor of the coming God’s Kingdom among people (Mark 1:2-3; Malachi 

3:1; Isaiah 40:30). The teachings of John the Baptist were emphasized by the 

baptism in Jordan River: baptism of conversion. He called people to prepare 

the paths for the Lord and to produce good fruits (Luke3:9) He showed the 

conditions to that heavenly Kingdom to many levels of people: the crowds, 

tax collectors and soldiers (Luke 3: 10-14). The values from His predications 

are repentance, sharing, honesty and respect for human rights.

John the Baptist declared to be precursor and lesser than whom he came 

to prepare for “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to 

stoop and loosen the thongs of His sandals. I have baptized you with water; 

he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark1:6-8)

Christianity is one of three monotheistic religions that consider Abraham as 

their ancestor: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Christianity is based on the 

life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth: Jesus is Christ, the Anointed by 

the Spirit of God, the Son of God and the Savior of all people, the Messiah 

who was prophesied into the Old Testament

The main teachings of Christianity then, turn around one God triune: God is 

one the Father Creator of heaven and earth; the Son who is Incarnated Verb 

of God who died and rose for human Salvation and the Holy Spirit who 

animates the lives and inspires the Church

This central theme Christian teaching was also recalled by Paul to 

Romans: “for if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe 

in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is 

with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth 

that you profess your faith and are saved. For the Scripture says, “No one 

who believes in him will be put to shame” (Romans 10:9-11)

2.1.3. Jesus and His Mission

Short biography of Jesus

This is the Jesus’ biography on earth remembering that before everything 

the Word was and the Word was with God (John 1:1-11)

The Annunciation by angel Gabriel and the spiritual conception (Luke 1:26-

35

Parents are Mary and Joseph descended from King David. Birth time: Under 

the reign of King Herod, the great who ordered the massacre of innocent 

babies and Augustus Caesar emperor of Rome with a decree of government 

census. He was born at Bethlehem. The shepherds and the Magi came to 

pay Him respect. At the 8th day He was dedicated in the Temple according to 

the Jewish custom. At early age He was taken to exile in Egypt. 

The growth place is Nazareth. At 12 years old He disappeared at Jerusalem 

on the Feast of Easter. He was found after three days (Luke 2:41-49). At 

30 year old he entered into the public life. He received the baptism by John 

the Baptist that followed by His 40 days of fasting temped by devil. He 

started teaching in Galilee and the message was to call for repentance and 

believing in the Gospel because the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mark1:14-

15). He chose 12 Apostles (Mark3:13-19). He performed many miracles and 

He used to teach in parables (comparisons aiming at teaching). 

At 33 years old He concluded the process of Salvation by ultimate sacrifice: 

He offered Himself at the Last Supper. It follows his crucifixion on Calvary, 

His death and Resurrection after three days. He appeared to eleventh and 

at the 8th He reappeared to Tom. He stayed with Apostles until the 40th day 

when He went back in Heaven (The Ascension). On the Pentecost (50th day 

of His resurrection), Jesus fulfilled the promise to the Apostles: they received 

the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Mission of Jesus

Firstly, Jesus declared his mission when He returned to Galilee and taught 

in Synagogue “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed 

me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to 

captives and to recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 

and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord” (Luke 4:17-19). 

Several times Jesus declared His main mission: Proclamation of Good 

News of eternal life to the entire world. For Jesus all categories of people 

are children of God. He comes to increase hope of the neglected people 

especially: Sinners called gentiles, sick people, wives, children, slaves and 

all the oppressed people in general.

He came to gather all human kinds in one Kingdom without distinction “I 

came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke19:10). He performed 

miracles to prove the power of God Kingdom of God among people. But, His 

target was not human kinds body, He came to heal spiritual injuries and the 

blindness of hearts (John 9:1-12) and His Kingdom did not belong to this 

world (John 18:36-37)

He came to save sinners and to call them for repentance. So God hates 

sin but loves sinners who repent perfectly “It is not the healthy who need 

a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous to repent but 

sinners” (Luke 5:31-32)

2.1.4. Pentecost event

The Pentecost was a Jewish feast called Shavuot. It was primarily a 

thanksgiving for the first fruits of the wheat harvest but it was later associated

with a remembrance of the Law given by God to Moses on Sinai Mount. In the 

early church, Christians often referred to the entire 50-day period beginning 

with Easter as Pentecost.

Shiphrah N.Gichaga wrote: Pentecost was one of Jewish festival with 

the Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. For Jews Pentecost was a 

commemoration of God’s giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. It 

was a harvest festival commonly called the Festival week’. Every Jew was 

expected to bring to the Temple the first fruits of the harvest as thanksgiving. 

The feast was held 50 days after the Jewish Passover. (Shiphrah Gichaga 

N: 2009)

The Christian Pentecost refers to the 50th day after the Resurrection of Jesus 

when Jesus fulfilled the promise made to His Disciples: reception gift of the 

Holy Spirit. The spirit came in form of wind, fire and different tongues. God 

manifested His presence through a mighty wind and fire as the light Apostles’ 

mission. The Holy Spirit enabled Apostles to speak different tongues and 

everybody there understood in his/her own languages (Acts 2:8). It is a Sign 

that they would evangelize many nations.

What became the role of the Holy Spirit to the Early Church?

• He would act as advocate, counsellor and comforter

• To make understanding deeply Jesus’ Words and teachings(remind 

and Explain parables and mystery such death and Resurrection and 

holy Trinity)

• To reveal the truth about God and His Word then to fight against 

heresies

• To continue Jesus’ work of renewing the people of God for example by 

forgiving sins (John 20: 22-23) and by others holy and efficacious signs

• Power to Apostles to be true witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem, Judaea, 

Samaria and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8)

• Power to discern and find out the sinful hearts: cheating of Sapphira 

and Ananias (Acts5:1-11)

The gift of the Holy Spirit to Christian (Isaiah 11:1-3; 1 Corinthians 12:1-32)

• Wisdom: perfection of Faith. It helps to make deep understanding of 

all truth about God, His plan for us and to order our relationship with 

created world. By wisdom we love God by loving creatures rather than 

loving things more than God

• Understanding: it helps to gain certitude about our beliefs and meaning 

of the essence of the believed truth

• Counsel: perfection of cardinal virtue of prudence. It helps to judge 

best to act well 

• Fortitude: also called courage, it refers to strength to follow through on 

the actions suggested by counsel

• Knowledge: it gives us ability and skills to do well what we judged

• Piety: it is a willingness to worship and serve God

• Fear of the Lord: it is a perfection of virtue of hope. It helps us to 

desire not to offend God. There are also gift of faith as total confidence 

in God, of performing miracles, of prophecy, of distinguish spirits,

of speaking in tongues and of interpretation of them.

With the help of the Holy Spirit Christians generate the following fruits as the 

Scripture says in Galatians 5:16-26: peace, joy, love, kindness, patience, 

self-control, faithfulness, gentleness and generosity.

The Illustration below shows the fruits of the Holy spirit

In addition, Christians live virtues of modesty, humility and goodness or 

mercy

2.1. Application activity: 

1. How do the teachings of John the Baptist help you to live in the 

society?

2. Summarize the biography of Jesus 

3. What and how did Jesus accomplish His Mission? 

4. Explain the basis of Christian teachings

5. How did the Pentecost become the public foundation of the 

Church?

6. How does the Holy Spirit manifest Himself in your life at school 

like at home?

2.2. Islam

.2. Learning activitiy :

Using different resources, personal information and knowledge you got in 

previous school years make a research and share the results about Islam: 

Its foundation, beliefs and its holy book

Islam means Submission to Allah. This submissiveness is also talked by 

Jan Thompson. Literary the word Islam means Surrender and Muslim 

means the one who surrenders to Allah (Jan Thompson: 2005, p2). Islam 

also means Peace because by surrendering Muslim makes peace. The 

Islamic concepts:

• Allah: Muslim name for God

• Allahu Akbar: God is the most great

• Bismillah: in the name of Allah, the Merciful, and the Compassionate.

• adhan: first call to prayer

• du’a: personal prayer

• jumu’ah: Friday prayer

• qiblah: direction for prayer (where Muslims orient regard in prayer)

• mihrab: alcove in the wall in mosque that shows the qiblah

• minbar: a piece of furniture in Mosque serves to raise imam or a 

preacher of Friday midday sermon, so that he can be seen and heard.

• wudu: washing that Muslims perform before prayer

• salam: peace

• imam: a leader of a prayer, or the one stands in the front of other 

worshippers.

• khatib: preacher of the Friday sermon

• masjid or mosque: Muslim place of worship

• mu’adhin or muezzin: person who calls Muslims to prayer

• Makkah: the holy city of Islam, in Saudi Arabia (Mecca)

• prostration: a taken position of Muslims in a prayer to show they 

surrendered their lives to Allah

• The dome: a part of building in hot countries sometimes over the prayer 

hall that allows air to circulate.

• the minaret: a tall tower

• moon and star: signs to Muslims of the greatness of the Creator

• The five-pointed star: it symbolizes the five Pillars of Islam

• Muhammad: the greatest prophet of Islam, the Messenger of Allah

• The Quran: the sacred book for Muslims

A Muslim common prayer known as Swalat is made in the carpeted Mosque. 

But, Jan Thompson wrote that a “prayer mat laid down at home or even at 

the side of the road, becomes a mosque or a place of prostration” (Jan 

Thompson: 2005, p1

When a Muslim goes to mosque to pray must wash feet before but visitors 

must not. When worshipper washes another one’s feet he proves respect 

to him. The cleanness or hygiene rite before prayer shows respect to Allah. 

Ordinary women do not get regular time to go to mosque to pray by many 

family responsibilities. If they go there they will pray separately with men so, 

they do not distract each other. In this case also if there is washing room, the 

room for men will be separated from the men’s one. 

A mosque has three uses: it is first a place of worship; it can be used as a 

college or Islamic school. Lastly it is a community centre used for all kinds 

of activities. 

2.2.1. Bibliography of Muhammad

Muhammad is believed as God’s Prophet. The first pillar of Islam which 

is about faith testifies it “there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the 

messenger of Allah (La illaha illallahu Muhammad-ur-Rasulallah)

Short biography of Muhammad

Muhammad was born in Makkah (Mecca) in Arabia about 570 of Christian 

era.

His father is Abdullah was a trader who was died few moths before the birth 

of Muhammad. He became trader like his Father. Died, he was buried in 

Yathrib which became Madinah.

His mother is Amina who died at 6 years of Muhammad

He was taken in charge by his grandfather Abdul Muttalib who later died

Muhammad was left in uncle’s hands Abu Talib, son of Abdul Muttalib

Muhammad looked after uncle’s sheep and he went with him on trading 

expeditions.

He founded a league to protect the safety and rights of strangers in Makkah

He earned the reputation of being an honest and reliable businessman, and 

he was called “al-Amin”, the Trustworthy. 

He impressed khadijah, the rich widow for whom he worked

At his 25 years old he had a very happy marriage with khadijah with 40 years 

old.

As long asKadhijah was alive, Muhammad did not take other wife while 

polygamy was allowed. Muhammad took 12 wives in all during his time at 

Madinah.

In Makkah, arabs used to worshiped about 365 idols while Allah was known 

too. Muhammand and the arabs called Hanifs took decision to become 

monotheist, believing that there was only one God, Allah.

Muhammad liked to play alone to the Cave Hira on a mountain called Jabal 

al-Nur which means Mountain of Light. One night when he was 40 years 

old He received a vision from Archangel Gabriel who gave him Arabic word 

to recite. This is how Islam started getting the Quran about 610 AC. The 

night of first vision of Muhammad known as the Night of Power is called 

Laylat-ul-Qadr. Many Muslim commemorate this Night in the night of 27th

in Ramadan. He became a preacher of one God and opponent to idolaters. 

His wife did in 619. On 16th July 622 Muhammad with Abu Bakr set out by 

night on the journey to Yathrib, late in the honor of Muhammad called alMadinah (the town of prophet). This is what Muslims call Hijrah that means 

emigration. The reason is that there was a serious group who wanted to 

assassinate him. The Muslims were many that time and the Muslims’ title

• The Companions: all muslims who knew Muhammad in his lifetime

• The Emigrants: all those who had come with Muhammad to Yathrib

• The Helpers: all citizen of Yathrib who converted to Islam

Death of Muhammad: from Jan Thompson we read that in March 632 he 

went on pilgrimage to Makkak (Mecca) for the last time where he delivered a 

famous speech to his fellow pilgrims. He enforced the five essential practices 

known as five Islamic pillars. A few months later; Muhammad died of fever 

and was buried in Madinah. His tomb is still there, under the dome of the 

prophet Mosque, with the tombs of his two successors, Abu Bakr and Umar 

(Jan Thompson: 2005, p34)

Historically an era refers to a system of chronology dating from a particular 

event. It can be also defined as a memorable or important date or event

especially one that begins a new period in the history of a person or thing. 

When we simply consider an era as an epoch we will conclude that the end 

of an era is the beginning of another. Examples of eras: the zero years is 

known as Christian era from the birth of Jesus

The year 622 is considered as Muslim era or the foundation of Islam. It is 

linked with Hijrah that became the beginning of Muslim calendar. It became 

also the first time the community ran to Islamic lines. 622CE became the 

1AH (1anno Hegirae) for the Muslims and the Muharram is the 1st Month in 

Islamic calendar, so the 1st Muharram is the New Year’s Day. On this day 

Muslims commemorate the Hijrah (Jan Thompson: 2005, p32

2.2.3. Pillars of Islam

This is an extract from the last Muhammad’s sermon “O People, listen to me 

in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month 

of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to” 

(Jan Thompson: 2005, p33). The Islamic faith is based on six pillars such as: 

beliefs in Allah, beliefs in Angels, beliefs in holy books (Quran and Gospel 

not the whole Bible), beliefs in Messengers or prophets, beliefs in Last Day 

and beliefs in predestination. But Islam itself is based on five pillars that 

follow:

Shahadah: it is a declaration of faith: Abdul Wahid Hamid tells us that the 

Arabic word Shahaadah means Witness or Testimony (Abdul Wahid Hamid: 

1989, pp20-21). There is no god except Allah and Muhammad is His Prophet.

Salat (Prayer): every Muslim is called to pray five times per day kneeling 

towards Mecca. Those prayers are: Fajr: The Morning Prayer between dawn 

and sunrise, Zuhr: prayer of after midday, during the early afternoon, Asr: 

prayer of the late afternoon, Maghrib: prayer of just after susnset and Isha: 

prayer of the night prayer

Sawm: it is an islamic fasting during the month of Ramadan. Muslims fast 

from food and drinks as long as the sun is out. 

Zakat: it is a practice charitable giving to the poor or alms-giving. It is done 

in money, materials or services. 

Hajj: Pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) at least once in lifetime

The fundamental sources of Islam are the Quran as Word of God and 

the Sunnah as the examples of prophets Muhammad PBUH (Peace and 

blessings Be Upon Him). By Sunnah we understand the sayings, actions, 

silence and disapprovals of the Prophet. Sunnah is also linked to the 

Hadith which refers to the recorded expressions, quotes and Quran 

interpretation from the Prophet Muhammad about religious duties. Hadith 

is considered to be the second to the Quran. The hadith helps to understand 

the Quran and this last helps to explain the hadith.

2.2. Application activity: 

1. Here are the islamic and arabic terms, give their meaning in 

English: Bismillah, Allah,Swalat and Allahu Akbar.

2. Discuss the values should the society get from grandfather and 

uncle of Muhammad

3. Why is year 622 considered as starting of Muslim era?

4. How does each Islamic pillar help Muslim to live well with his/her 

and with others?

2.5. End unit assessment

1. Explain the mission and the teachings of John the Baptist

2. Breakdown the basis of faith in christianity and in Islam

3. Summarise the biography of Jesus and of Muhammad

4. Generalise the role of the Holy Spirit sent to the Apostles on the 

Pentecost

5. Interpret the necessity of hygiene of Mosque and cleaneness of 

body before a prayer

6. Develop the found letters added to the name of Prophet 

Muhammad PBUH

7. Justify the link between the Quran and the Hadith