Transcript Food and fastingx

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201:2935&version=ESV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?se
arch=%20Genesis%202:15&version=ESV
Food and fasting…
By the end of the lesson…
• explain what special foods Christians have
• evaluate own views on Christian attitudes to
food
The use of food and fasting as a
response to God
Many religions have food laws telling them
what they must and must not eat.
Question:
What are the food laws in Christianity?
Food and Fasting
No!
There are no religious food laws in
Christianity
It seems likely that Jesus ate meat and
there are stories in the New Testament of
Jesus performing miracles providing fish
and bread for hungry crowds (Luke 5: 4-6)
Luke 5:4-6
When we had finished speaking, he said to Simon
“Put out into deep water, and let down the net for a catch”
Simon answered
“Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught
anything. But because you say so, I will let down the
nets.”
When they had done so, they caught such a large
number of fish that their nets began to break. So they
signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and
help them, and they came and filled both boats so full
that they began to sink
• http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?se
arch=Acts+10%3A9-16&version=KJV
Food and Fasting
Some Christians are vegetarians for non-religious
reasons, but most are not (Stewardship).
Christians have no rules about not eating meat or about
how to prepare foods in a particular way. When
Christians visit non-Christian countries, there are no
problems with what they may or may not eat (humanely).
In Acts of the Apostles, The story of the vision of Peter
shows how Christians were given permission to eat all
kinds of creatures (Acts 10:9-16)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+10%3A9-16&version=NKJV
Symbolic Foods
Some foods are used symbolically as part of
worship. In the Eucharist, also known as Mass,
Holy Communion or the Last Supper, bread
and wine are ways of showing Jesus’ continued
presence in the world.
This is blessed
(consecrated) by the
minister, vicar or
priest as the body
and blood of Christ
and shared with the
congregation. This
reminds them of the
Last Supper Jesus
had with his
disciples before his
crucifixion
1 Corinthians 11:23-25
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took
bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and
said, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?se
arch=1%20Corinthians%2011:2325&version=KJV
Food and Fasting
Other foods are traditionally eaten on Christian festivals,
such as hot cross buns on Good Friday or mince pies at
Christmas, but these are customs and not things that
Christians are expected to do for religious reasons
Harvest
festival
In Britain, thanks
have been given
for successful
harvests since
pagan times.
Harvest festival:
occurs closest to
the autumn
equinox (about
Sept. 22).
Then - Farmers made loaves of
bread from the fresh wheat crop.
These were given to the local
church as the Communion bread
during a special service thanking
God for the harvest.
On the equinox, night and day are nearly exactly
the same length – 12 hours – all over the world;
derived from Latin, meaning "equal night".
Today - People bring
in produce from the
garden, the allotment
or farm. The food is
often given to the
poor or senior
citizens, or used to
raise funds for the
church, or charity.
Harvest Festival
Harvest Festival began as a way of saying
thank you.
God is the owner
“The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
Trust God to Provide
“So do not worry, saying,
‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we
drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For
the pagans run after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows that
you need them. But seek first his
kingdom and his righteousness, and
all these things will be given to you as
well.” (Matthew 6:31-33)
“In the course of time Cain
brought some of the fruits of the
soil as an offering to the LORD.”
(Gen 4:3-4)
Fasting
What is fasting?
Why do you think people fast?
What could it symbolise?
Do you know any examples of when people fast?
What is Lent in Christianity?
FASTING
• Fasting is a time of choosing to go without food
and sometimes drink as well.
• Some people believe that times of fasting help
religious faith, because fasting encourages
self-discipline and it is a constant reminder of
human dependence on God and the need to be
less selfish (Think of others less well off).
• Devotion and commitment to their faith and God
Fasting
Jesus says that fasting is a private matter
between God and the individual
(Matt 6:18)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%206:18&version
=KJV
Monks and nuns often eat a very simple diet, as
a way of showing that they have given their lives
to God.
Q – How does that show they have given their
lives to God?
Most Christians do not
regard fasting as very
important, but many
Christians choose to
give up luxuries during
Lent
(40 days before Easter)
to remind themselves
of the suffering of
Jesus and as a way of
concentrating on things
they may have done
wrong.
Fasting/Lent
• ‘man does not live on bread alone, but from every word that comes
from God’ (Mathew 4:4)
What?
When?
Why?
Bible quote
Love life live Lent
What would you give up? (40 days and
nights)
- In 2006 a multimedia campaign ‘Love Life
Live Lent’ gave inspiration for simple
things people could do to spread
generosity/happiness
- Text to get suggestions
-
http://www.livelent.net/index.html
And there’s homework!!!!
Homework:
Explain Christian beliefs about the use of
food and fasting (6 marks) (Point and explain)
- Unlike other religions, there are no food laws in Christianity
- No laws about what they can and cannot eat
- Some Christians are vegetarians (non-religious reasons), most
aren’t
- Eucharist (Mass, Holy Communion, or Last Supper) – bread and
wine symbolises the body and blood of Christ
- Fasting – what is it? Why might some Christians fast? When (Lent)
reminds them of the suffering of Christ
Conclusion, don’t have any strict rules to follow
Explain Christian beliefs about food and fasting (6 marks)
 There are no laws in Christianity about food and fasting unlike in other
religions, they can eat what they like and when they like with one or two
exceptions.
 In Acts of the Apostles, the story of the vision of Peter shows how
Christians were given permission to eat all kinds of creatures (Acts 10:9-16).
 Some Christian foods are symbolic e.g. in the Eucharist (Holy
Communion) which reminds Christians of the Last Supper, bread
symbolises the body of Christ and wine symbolises his blood. At church, this
is blessed by the vicar and shared with the congregation to remind them of
Jesus’ last supper with his disciples before his crucifixion.
 Fasting is a time of choosing to go without food and sometimes even
drink. It encourages self-discipline and reminds Christians of their
dependence on God.
 Some Christians fast during Lent at Easter and some give up luxuries
 instead of food, to remember the suffering of Christ when he fasted for
40 days and 40 nights. Jesus says that fasting is a private matter
between God and the individual (Matthew 6:18)
Make a quiz on this topic
that includes 20 questions.
Write down an answer
sheet
(4) Food
• Write down 2-3 bible quotes which give
reason to the fact that Christians eat all
fruit, vegetables and meat.