What can you see in this picture?

The picture shows a statue of the Virgin Mary weeping. Using this example, explain how miracles could help people to believe in God.

Can ‘religious experiences’ change a persons’ belief in god?

Aims:• To know and give examples of religious

experiences including numinous, miracles, conversion and prayer

• Understand how religious experiences may lead to belief in God

Religious Experience:

Many people claim to have had a religious experience – some studies suggest that it may be as many as 75% of the population. They don’t have to be dramatic, but might be an answered prayer or simply the feeling of God being with them, but such an experience can make a significant difference to how a person views the world and may change their life in an important way.

Think:

Do you think that people can really hear God’s voice or see visions? Give

reasons for or against your views.

What is a miracle?

A miracle is an act of God that goes against the laws of nature and is performed for religious reasons.

Jesus performed many miracles during his ministry to make known who he was and illustrate his teaching.

Key Glossary words:

• Conversion• Numinous• Prayer

Numinous:• A numinous experience is when something

completely astonishes you. It is such an experience that words are not enough to describe the feeling, but it leaves you knowing that there must be something more powerful than you.

• Often people refer to things in the natural world that are so beautiful they feel overwhelmed by them – for example, the view from a mountain top or a beautiful sunrise. For others it may be an experience such as the birth of a baby. For some people this experience in so strong that it convinces them that God must exist.

• Where does Hopkins see God? http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/gerard-manley-hopkins-pied-beauty-poem-only/8661.html

Prayer:

• Prayer is the way that religious people communicate with God through words or silent meditation.

• Prayer often means drawing closer into a real and loving relationship with God and is a vital part of Christian belief and practice.

• The more a Christian prays, the more they will become convinced of the reality of God as a Father who hears them and cares about them. Christians share their hopes and fears with God, as well as giving him thanks for the things he has done in their lives.

A useful mnemonic:

• P – Petition (Asking for things for yourself or others)

• A – Adoration (Telling God how great he is)

• C – Confession (Saying sorry for your sins)

• T - Thanks

The Lord’s prayer:Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.Thy Kingdom come,

thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name.

Your Kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as in heavenGive us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins,as we forgive those who sin against

us. Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

What about this version?

dad@hvn,ur spshl.we want wot u want&urth2b like hvn.giv us food&4giv r sins lyk we 4giv uvaz.don't test us!save us!bcos we kno ur boss,ur tuf&ur cool 4 eva!ok?

How do Christians Pray?

A Christian may pray alone or with a group. Many Christian prayers are formal and liturgical (read from a written form of service). However, other Christians prefer to pray spontaneously, devising prayers to meet particular needs. Some believers meditate quietly, focusing their thoughts on the nature of God, on a verse from scripture, or on listening in order to hear God’s voice.

Christian prayer for young people

What about conversion?• Some believers have conversion

experiences, during which they change their beliefs from one faith to another, or from no faith to believing in God. Some conversions are dramatic, like St. Paul (formerly Saul) a famous early Christian.

• Other conversions are much gentler, and come after years of quiet searching for a relationship with God.