11/3/12 Lent 3

Bible Reading

John Chp 2 vss 13 -22

Theme: What makes you ANGRY?

Preparation

The "cleansing of the Temple" by Jesus is an important Gospel story, as it is one of the few stories of Jesus' life taht appears in a ll four gospels.

Find an image of "the Angry Christ" by Filipino artist Lino Pontebon. (If you have the pack "The Christ we share" there is one in there.)

Introduction

Ask the children what kind of things make them ANGRY. You'll know how far to take this from their answers. Note for later if anyone makes a comment about being angry on someone else's behalf.

The Message

Show the image of the angry Christ and ask for reactions - it is clear it is a picture of Jesus, as it is labelled by the artist.

Read or tell the story of the cleansing of the Temple and suggest it is probably the inspiration for the painting.

Explain how Jesus was angry because the temple authorities had filled the main courtyard where people came to pray to God with animals and stalls and noise. More than that, they were "ripping off" the people who had come to pray because if they wanted to buy a gift to leave at the temple they had to buy it in the temple market (where the prices were much higher) rather than bringing something in from outside. The worshippers were being cheated by the people who were supposed to be holy and religious! Jesus acted by driving the cheats out of the Temple - although this probably only worked for a little while - as soon as Jesus had gone they would have all been back again!

Link back to your original question - Jesus was angry on behalf of other people who couldn't stand up for themselves - he was trying to help them worship God in peace. Were any of your replies about being angry on behalf of others? Perhaps at this stage you could ask some of the adults about what makes them angry in this global way.

Jesus didn't only get angry - he acted. Are there any of the issues which made people angry that you could do something about in a focussed way (e.g. a fundraising event for a charity)? Do you want to take this further? (There might also be something internal to the school which needs dealing with e.g. bullyiing.)

Prayer

Pray that when we start to feel angry for the sake of others that we will do something contructive about it and not be eaten up by it.

 

Also this week you could look at the story of Esther - a famous story where the bad guy is outwitted and the Jews saved. THis is the story which is told at Purim which Jewish neighbours will have celebrated on 8th & 9th March.