The document discusses several types of religious experiences that some people claim can change their beliefs about God: 1) Miracles - Acts of God that go against the laws of nature, like those performed by Jesus, which helped people believe in him. 2) Numinous experiences - Overwhelming experiences of beauty or awe in nature that convince some people God must exist. 3) Answered prayers - Experiences where prayers seem to be directly responded to by God, strengthening belief. 4) Conversion experiences - Dramatic or gradual changes in belief from one faith or no faith to belief in God. These experiences can profoundly impact one's worldview.

1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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.

4. Think:
Do you think that people can really
hear God’s voice or see visions? Give
reasons for or against your views.

5. 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.

6. Key Glossary words:
• Conversion
• Numinous
• Prayer

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. The Lord’s prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be thy name. hallowed be your name.
Thy Kingdom come, Your Kingdom come,
thy will be done, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven on earth as in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread. Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who trespass as we forgive those who sin against
against us. us.
And lead us not into temptation, Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil but deliver us from evil.

11. 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?

12. 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

13. 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.