The Worldwide Church (1RB0)

The Church across the world

Christianity began with a small group of followers in one corner of the world. Today it is the largest religion on Earth, with Christians of many denominations on every continent, together forming one worldwide Church. This module looks at how that Church keeps growing through mission, works together across denominations through ecumenism, and stands with those in need.

The key words

Four ideas run through this module:

Local and worldwide

The Church works on two scales at once, in the local parish and across the whole world.

Match each idea

The Great Commission

According to the Great Commission, what did Jesus tell his followers to do?

• Go into all the world and share the good news
• Stay in one place and keep the faith private
• Build the largest possible churches
• Give up teaching others about Jesus

The worldwide Church

Select the TWO statements that describe how the worldwide Church works.

• Christians carry out mission, sharing their faith across the world
• Different denominations work together through ecumenism
• Each denomination refuses to speak to any other
• The Church stays inside a single country

Mission and growth

The Christian Church began with Jesus' first followers and, after the coming of the Holy Spirit, the apostles carried the message outward. In Mark 16:15 Jesus tells them to go into all the world and preach the good news, and in John 20:21 he sends them out as God sent him. Through centuries of mission, the Church has become truly worldwide, and today it is growing fastest in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The worldwide Church in words

Sharing the Christian faith around the world is called _____, and spreading the good news so others believe is _____. When different denominations work together for unity, this is _____. The Church also supports Christians who are _____ for their faith, and works for _____ where relationships have broken down.

How the Church grew

Put these stages in the spread of the Christian Church into order.

• Jesus gathers his first followers
• After Pentecost, the apostles preach the good news
• The faith spreads across the Roman world
• Missionaries carry the gospel to other continents
• Christians are found in almost every country today

Sharing the faith

A local church wants to play its part in the worldwide Church. Help it make three good choices.

• The church wants to share the good news of Jesus with others. What is this called?
• It joins with the Catholic and Methodist churches nearby for a shared service. What is this an example of?
• It hears that Christians abroad are being persecuted for their faith. How can the worldwide Church best respond?

What is ecumenism?

What does ecumenism mean?

• Different Christian denominations working together for unity
• One denomination refusing to mix with others
• Leaving the Christian faith altogether
• A festival held once a year

The worldwide Church

Tap the TWO statements that are TRUE of the worldwide Church.

• Christians share their faith through mission and evangelism.
• The worldwide Church exists in only one country.
• Ecumenism means denominations working together for unity.
• Christians are told to keep the good news to themselves.
• The Church never helps people in other countries.

The worldwide Church

Explain how the Christian Church works as a worldwide body. Write in clear, full sentences.

• Explain what is meant by the worldwide Church
• Describe how Christians carry out mission and evangelism
• Explain what ecumenism is and give an example
• Explain one way the worldwide Church helps those in need