Jesus speaks about the future (Mark 13:1-8)
Gospel ConversationsRev Michael Godfrey describes this week's gospel as "a prickly little scripture," and it is a difficult one. As we approach Advent, we begin Mark's "Little Apocalypse": Jesus' predictions of the destruction of the Temple and other tragedies. What do the rumours of disaster 2000 years ago tell us about maintaining hope and avoiding despair and apathy in the face of our own crises? We are fortunate to be joined by Bishop Cam Venables from the Western Region of the Diocese of Brisbane this week, together with our own Gillian Townsley and Trish Franklin. Together with Michael they tease out these and other questions to help us tackle what is, to us, a very strange section of the Gospels.
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Keep watch (Mark 13:24-37)
These verses are part a longer private conversation that Jesus was having with Peter, Jame and John, as they sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple. They asked Jesus, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
PohutakawaIn today's passage, the gospel writer says: “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.
Here in New Zealand, this image of the ripening fig tree could also be seen in the blooming Pohutakawa trees. When you see these ordinary green trees start to turn red, you know that Christmas, and summer, is on its way... Pohutakawa craftPohutakawa Christmas Decoration activity. Print off the template (either page 1 - black and white, or page 2 - colour), trim and add some string for attaching to the tree or hanging. You could print these out larger on A3 if you wanted to get a bigger bloom!
Download template (both) Colour template Greyscale template |
Gospel ConversationsA new church year! And we start, as we usually do, with one of the rather disturbing New Testament passages which have often been understood to refer to the "end times." Wars and rumours of wars and fig trees! Fortunately we have a great team to lead us through the puzzles of this teaching of Jesus. Jerry Morris, Joel Stutter, and Emma Wilson join Michael Godfrey to launch us into "year B" of the lectionary.
Intergenerational ideasAn intergenerational worship resource from Intergen Australia, written by Elizabeth Waldron Anstice.
intergen.org.au/product/advent1yearb2023 Red Light, Green LightUse this stop/go signpost game to introduce the theme of John the Baptist being a signpost to Jesus.
Supplies: Two circles of card: one red, one green To play, one person is chosen to be the traffic cop. All the players stand on the starting line about 5 metres away from the traffic cop who has his back to the rest of the players. When he says "green light" and holds up the green circle behind his back, players try to run to the finish line to "Win" But if the traffic cop says "red light," he quickly turns around and players have to stop in their tracks. If the traffic cop catches a player moving, he sends them back to the starting line. First person to cross the finish line wins and becomes the new traffic cop. Debrief: Talk about where children see stop lights (eg: traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, train crossings) and what other signposts they've seen on the road that point out things ahead (eg: school ahead, horses crossing, elderly people ahead). Explain that today we will be hearing about John the Baptist who was like a signpost pointing the way to Jesus coming. Games: Be ready!Play some games that keep the children 'on their toes' - they have to be prepared for the next instruction, just like the passage tells us to watch and wait. Some group games could include:
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