Jesus Without Language

It’s easy to trivialise or minimise the importance of the temple to the people of Jerusalem. We often mistakenly think of it as a large building and ignore the huge structure that it stood on. The whole setup was considered one of the wonders of the ancient world and bigger than 30 football pitches in size. The idea of it being removed or destroyed must have seemed impossible. Here are a few suggestions to get the wiggles out and learn though play as you launch into this lesson.

Part of the picture – Give each child a piece of paper with a squiggle on it. Have them complete the picture. You could also do this with a piece of jigsaw puzzle and have them verbally describe what is missing.
Link: The disciples only saw a tiny bit of the whole picture; they couldn’t imagine the temple not playing a big role.
 

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Here are the images you need for the hero’s attributes linked to ‘Destruction of the Temple (Mark 13)’
Each hero set contains a high quality graphic of the character, a take home bible card and a colouring page.

The images are displayed small here, click on the image you wish to have, then save the image that loads.
(These images are not copyright free, they are for personal/classroom use only.)

The destruction of the temple is a story that comes up in the lectionary and yet is over skipped. However, in a world where unimaginable things crumble this story shows Jesus lovingly preparing his disciples to put their trust in something more solid than man-made constructions.

 
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If you want the teachers page then please click on the image for the pdf.

Essential Teachers notes:
This is such a gloomy passage and it may seem like one you’d prefer to skip but it’s a passage that covers one of the central themes to Jesus’s ministry – making God your foundation. While the parable of the wise and foolish builder may be more visually friendly, the prediction about the fall of the temple reminds children that no matter how huge and real and solid something is, God is always bigger. In a world where the unthinkable happens, where violence seems to win, where nature destroys and empires fall this passage offers comfort.

Tell this story or a similar one of your choice from a favourite bible translation or story book. This version is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.

Main Passage : Mark 13:1-8

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