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GCSE · Christianity

RS.CP11 Evaluating the Reasons for and Importance of Christian Pilgrimage

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

Which one of the following best describes a common personal reason why Christians go on pilgrimage, in the context of Christian belief and practice?

To find a place where God is more powerful than elsewhere
To deepen personal faith through focused prayer and reflection
To avoid local church responsibility for the rest of the year
To take part in a compulsory rite that all churches require

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

Give two reasons why individual Christians might choose to go on pilgrimage, naming the Christian context of seeking spiritual benefit or worship.

(Total for Question 2 is 2 marks)

Explain two ways pilgrimage can help to deepen a Christian's faith, in the context of an individual visiting a holy place for devotion.

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Explain two reasons why Christians might go on pilgrimage seeking healing, and refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer, naming the scripture used.

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

Give three reasons why groups of Christians sometimes go on pilgrimage together rather than alone, naming the communal Christian context.

(Total for Question 5 is 3 marks)

Explain the importance of pilgrimage for some Christians today.

(Total for Question 6 is 6 marks)

Explain two ways pilgrimage might affect the daily life and practice of a Christian after they return home.

(Total for Question 7 is 4 marks)

Give two ways in which pilgrimage can be an act of penance for a Christian, naming the context of repentance.

(Total for Question 8 is 2 marks)

Give two benefits of shared corporate worship during a pilgrimage for a local church community when the pilgrims return, naming the communal Christian context.

(Total for Question 9 is 2 marks)

Explain two contrasting Christian beliefs about whether pilgrimage is necessary or unnecessary, and refer to a source of wisdom or authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 10 is 5 marks)

Evaluate the view that pilgrimage is essential for Christians today. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to Christian arguments, and reach a justified conclusion.

(Total for Question 11 is 12 marks)

Evaluate the view that pilgrimage is unnecessary for Christians today. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to Christian arguments, and reach a justified conclusion.

(Total for Question 12 is 12 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.CP11 Evaluating the Reasons for and Importance of Christian Pilgrimage

Question 1

B1 correct option identified, deepen personal faith through focused prayer and reflection, cao
Answer: To deepen personal faith through focused prayer and reflection.

Question 2

B1 one reason, e.g. to seek physical or spiritual healing, oe
B1 one reason, e.g. to give thanks to God or express gratitude, oe
Answer: Any two distinct reasons from the specification, for example: to seek healing; to give thanks to God.

Question 3

B1 point 1: pilgrimage provides concentrated time for prayer and reflection, oe
B1 development: this focused time can lead to clearer understanding of beliefs and a stronger personal commitment, oe
B1 point 2: visiting a place linked with Christian history or a saint can make aspects of faith feel more real, oe
B1 development: the emotional or sensory experience can strengthen belief by creating a tangible connection with tradition, oe
Answer: E.g. concentrated prayer and reflection leading to clearer commitment; a tangible link to Christian history making belief feel more real.

Question 4

B1 point 1: pilgrimage provides a place to ask God for physical or spiritual healing, oe
B1 development: pilgrims may join in prayer, receive pastoral care, and take part in rituals that express hope and faith in God's healing, oe
B1 point 2: pilgrimage can encourage repentance and trust in God, which some Christians associate with spiritual renewal and healing, oe
B1 development: the change of environment and supportive community can strengthen faith and psychological wellbeing, aiding perceived recovery, oe
B1 accurate reference to scripture used as a source of wisdom, e.g. James 5:14 about calling the elders to pray for the sick, oe
Answer: E.g. visiting a healing shrine to ask God for healing and receive pastoral prayer; pilgrimage encouraging repentance, trust and community support which can aid recovery, supported by James 5:14 about calling the elders to pray for the sick.

Question 5

B1 to share corporate worship and prayer, strengthening communal faith, oe
B1 to support one another through shared experience, oe
B1 to celebrate and give thanks together as a church group, oe
Answer: Any three: to share corporate worship; to support one another; to celebrate and give thanks together.

Question 6

Level 3 (5-6): A detailed, well-organised answer that explains several reasons why pilgrimage is important for some Christians, supported by accurate reference to belief, practice or scripture, with clear links made between the reasons given.
Level 2 (3-4): An answer that explains some reasons why pilgrimage is important, with some relevant supporting detail, though links between points may be limited.
Level 1 (1-2): One or two isolated relevant points are made about the importance of pilgrimage, with little supporting detail or explanation.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Pilgrimage offers concentrated time for prayer and reflection, helping believers to grow spiritually.
- It can provide occasions for healing, repentance and renewal, supported by communal prayer and pastoral care.
- Shared pilgrimage strengthens church unity by enabling corporate worship and mutual support.
- Visiting places connected to Christian history, saints or scripture can make faith feel more tangible and real.
- Some Christians use pilgrimage to express gratitude to God after receiving blessings or answers to prayer.
- Pilgrimage may change long term behaviour by renewing commitment and inspiring service to others.

Question 7

B1 point 1: it might lead to increased personal prayer and devotion, oe
B1 development: the pilgrim may adopt new spiritual habits or Bible reading that continue the inward change begun on pilgrimage, oe
B1 point 2: it might inspire greater service or charitable action in their local church or community, oe
B1 development: renewed commitment may motivate practical acts of love, fundraising or volunteering, oe
Answer: E.g. increased daily prayer and new spiritual habits; renewed commitment leading to more service and charitable action locally.

Question 8

B1 one way: visiting a holy site and praying for forgiveness, oe
B1 one way: carrying out acts of sacrifice or hardship to show repentance, oe
Answer: Any two: praying for forgiveness at a holy site; undertaking hardship or sacrifice as an act of repentance.

Question 9

B1 one benefit: stories and testimony from pilgrims can encourage and strengthen the faith of others, oe
B1 one benefit: new ideas for worship or outreach learned on pilgrimage may be shared and adopted, strengthening church life, oe
Answer: E.g. testimonies encourage others; new worship ideas or outreach practices strengthen church life.

Question 10

B1 belief 1: some Christians believe pilgrimage is valuable or necessary as a special act of devotion that can deepen faith, oe
B1 development: this is supported by the idea that visiting holy places or following saints' examples makes faith tangible and can lead to spiritual renewal, oe
B1 belief 2: other Christians believe pilgrimage is unnecessary because God can be worshipped and encountered anywhere, oe
B1 development: this view is supported by teaching that God is omnipresent and that true worship depends on faith and obedience rather than place, oe
B1 accurate reference to a source of wisdom or authority used to illustrate one side, e.g. Luke 17:11-19 showing Jesus healing without a shrine, oe
Answer: Contrast: some say pilgrimage deepens devotion by making faith tangible; others say it is unnecessary because God is present everywhere and worship depends on faith not location, illustrated by Luke 17:11-19 where healing occurs without a shrine.

Question 11

Level 4 (10-12): A well-developed, balanced evaluation that gives reasoned arguments for and against the view, refers to Christian beliefs, teachings or scripture, and reaches a justified conclusion relevant to the question.
Level 3 (7-9): A clear evaluation with arguments on both sides and some reference to Christian belief or practice, but the conclusion may be less fully justified.
Level 2 (4-6): Arguments are given for and against the view but are limited in development, and reference to Christian beliefs or scripture may be brief or general.
Level 1 (1-3): Simple, undeveloped statements of for or against with little or no reference to Christian belief; no real conclusion.
Indicative content:
- Arguments that pilgrimage is essential: it provides extended time for prayer and reflection which many find necessary for deepening faith; places linked to Christian history or saints make beliefs more tangible and can lead to conversion or renewal.
- Pilgrimage as a means of healing, repentance and gratitude that some Christians see as a vital expression of faith, supported by communal worship and pastoral care.
- Arguments that pilgrimage is not essential: God is omnipresent and can be worshipped anywhere; true faith and obedience matter more than location.
- Practical objections: not everyone can afford or is physically able to go on pilgrimage, and insisting it is essential risks excluding and judging other believers.
- Scriptural and theological considerations: use of passages such as James 5:14 and Luke 17:11-19 to illustrate differing emphases on prayer, healing and the presence of God.
- Possible balanced conclusion: pilgrimage may be essential for some believers as a powerful means of grace and renewal, but it is not a universal requirement for Christian faith and practice.

Question 12

Level 4 (10-12): A well-developed, balanced evaluation that gives reasoned arguments for and against the view, refers to Christian beliefs, teachings or scripture, and reaches a justified conclusion relevant to the question.
Level 3 (7-9): A clear evaluation with arguments on both sides and some reference to Christian belief or practice, but the conclusion may be less fully justified.
Level 2 (4-6): Arguments are given for and against the view but are limited in development, and reference to Christian beliefs or scripture may be brief or general.
Level 1 (1-3): Simple, undeveloped statements of for or against with little or no reference to Christian belief; no real conclusion.
Indicative content:
- Arguments that pilgrimage is unnecessary: Christian doctrine emphasises that God is everywhere and worship is not confined to special places, so pilgrimage is not required for salvation or authentic worship.
- Passages and teachings emphasising faith, obedience and daily discipleship over ritual journeys, and examples such as Jesus healing people without a shrine to show God's presence is not limited to places.
- Arguments that pilgrimage can still be valuable: it can lead to spiritual renewal, communal worship and healing for those who undertake it; examples such as some pilgrims to Iona or Lourdes may be used as evidence although practices themselves are not described in detail.
- Practical and pastoral considerations: pilgrimage may be transformative for some but making it unnecessary in doctrine prevents exclusion, while recognising its pastoral benefits for believers who choose it.
- Possible balanced conclusion: while pilgrimage is not doctrinally essential for all Christians, it remains a valuable practice for many and should be respected as one legitimate way to grow in faith.

Evaluating the Reasons for and Importance of Christian Pilgrimage - Worksheets, Questions and Revision