Bible Stories Revision
The Six Days of Creation
The story of why God created the world is found right at the beginning of the Old Testament in the Book of Genesis.
In the 21st Century, the story needs to be approached with caution. Many people find the idea of God creating the world in six days unbelievable and incompatible with the theory of evolution. This is to miss the point.
The story of the Creation seeks to explain WHY God created the world and to explain Mankind's responsibility for looking after God's creation. If you believe that God created the world, HOW he did it can be explained, to some extent, by science.
The scientific theory of evolution is not entirely incompatible with the story found in Genesis. It is as if the ancient writers telescoped the millions of years of evolution into a mere six days. Many scientists believe in God and see in the theory of evolution and in the wonders of creation and in the diversity of life on earth a story even more amazing than that described in Genesis.
Summary
- Day 1 God separated light and darkness and created day and night.
- Day 2 God created the sky and heavens.
- Day 3 God separated the dry land and the seas. Plants grew on earth
- Day 4 God created the sun, moon and stars.
- Day 5 God created fish in the sea and birds in the sky.
- Day 6 God created animals and Man.
- Day 7 The sabbath day of rest.
Important Points
In Chapter 1 of Genesis, God gives mankind the responsibility of looking after his Creation. This responsibility is sometimes called Mankind's Stewardship of the Earth.
The seventh day was blessed and made holy. Mankind was expected to keep this day holy and to take a rest. For Jews, the sabbath day is Saturday. Christians observe the sabbath on Sunday.
The Six Days of Creation
Things to do
Read Chapter 1 of the Book of Genesis for yourself. Remember it is almost like poetry.
Learn what happens on each of the six days. You will need to know this sequence accurately for CE.
Do these three things in your exercise book:
- Make a list of five ways in which mankind has tried to look after the world.
- Make a list of five ways in which mankind has damaged the world.
- Why is it that so many people and organisations damage the world we live in?
Research
On the Internet, or in books, or on a CD ROM, try to find out about one of the following organisations:
- Friends of the Earth
- Greenpeace
Prepare an answer
How does turning off electric lights in empty rooms help the environment?
Form an opinion
Should we keep the sabbath day strictly as a day of rest? Should shops be shut on the sabbath?
Discuss the sabbath with your parents
Find out what Sundays in Britain used to be like up to 1970s.
The Story of Adam and Eve
The story of Adam and Eve is found right at the beginning of the Old Testament in the Book of Genesis, chapters 2 and 3.
In the 21st Century, the story needs to be approached with caution. Many people reject the story and fail to think about it deeply because they get hung up with the idea of all Mankind being descended from two people. This is to miss the point. You can be fascinated by and believe in the theory of evolution and still find important truths in the story of The Fall of Man.
The story of Adam and Eve contains at least three important themes.
- It makes us think about knowing the difference between right and wrong.
- It makes us think about feelings of guilt and shame.
- It makes us think about the fact that life ends and that we are not immortal.
Summary
In the story, Adam is created first by God, who later creates Eve as his companion. Adam and Eve, created in the likeness of God, live as immortals in a paradise, the Garden of Eden. The serpent tempts Eve to eat the fruit of the tree of life, also known as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve eats the fruit and tempts Adam. Adam and Eve feel ashamed of their nakedness and dress themselves in fig leaves. God finds out what Adam and Eve have done and is angry. Adam blames Eve and Eve blames the serpent. God punishes the serpent and Adam and Eve. The serpent becomes an enemy of mankind and must crawl in the dust. Adam must work hard for his living. Eve will suffer pain in childbirth. Adam and Eve are driven out of the Garden of Eden and prevented from ever returning. God shows some pity towards Adam and Eve by clothing them.
The Story of Adam and Eve
Things to do
- Read Genesis Chapters 2 and 3 for yourself. Remember, it is trying to explore true ideas in language which is like the language of poetry.
- Learn the main outline of the story.
- On paper, or as a word–processed document, answer this question:
Are humans improved by punishment? You should write about 150 words.
Research
On the Internet, or in books, or on a CD ROM, try to find out about the evolution of human beings – homo sapiens – from our anthropoid, ape–like ancestors.
Prepare an answer
Are human beings unique in having a conscience? Can other animals tell the difference between right and wrong as we can?
Form an opinion
What does this story teach us about taking responsibility and blaming others?
Discuss any or all of these questions and ideas with your parents
The Story of Cain and Abel
The story of Cain and Abel is found right at the beginning of the Old Testament in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 4.
The story teaches important lessons about human nature and about the importance of looking after one another.
Summary
Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain was the older of the two. Cain grew crops and Abel was a shepherd. One day, Cain and Abel make offerings to God. God was not pleased with Cain's offering of his crops but was pleased with Abel's offering of the best of his flock.
Cain was angry that his offering had been rejected and plotted to kill Abel, which he did. God asked Cain, 'Where is your brother, Abel?' Cain replied, 'I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?'
Cain was punished by being forced to become a wanderer in the Land of Nod. His sin was to stay with him all his life and he bore 'the mark of Cain' to warn people not to harm him.
Important Points
This story ties in with New Testament teaching and can be compared with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Both stories make the point that we have a responsibility to look after other people. Cain may have made his offering to God in the wrong spirit. He became jealous of his brother and of his brother's closer relationship with God. The story shows how anger and jealousy can lead to hate and violence. It is interesting that Cain is not punished with death, but by a life–time's suffering.
Things to do
- Read the story for yourself (Genesis Chapter 4).
- Try to learn and remember its main points.
- Write a paragraph in your exercise book giving your views on Capital Punishment.
The Tower of Babel
The story of the Tower of Babel is found in the first book of the Old Testament, Genesis, in chapter 11.
This story tries to account for the great variety of different languages spoken and for the spreading of different races across the world.
Summary
Long ago, when all the people of the world spoke the same language, they settled on the Plain of Shinar. The people decided to build a city of mud bricks bound together with mortar made of bitumen.
They also decided to build a tower up to heaven to 'make a name for ourselves'. They also believed building the tower would keep people together in one place.
God did not like the idea of the tower or what the people were doing. He was fearful of their ambition. To prevent the people from ever finishing the tower and to make it difficult for them to communicate, God made them all speak different languages and dispersed the people all over the world.
Important Points
This story is about pride and ambition. It is about getting ideas above your station and being too full of your own self–importance. It is about the importance of being humble in the face of God.
Things to do:
- Read the story for yourself.
- Make sure you can spell Shinar.
- Make sure you know what bitumen and mortar are. (How will you remember?)
Prep
On paper (hand–written or word processed) answer this question:
Would the world be a better place if all people spoke just one language?
You will need to write about 150 – 200 words.
Try to find out:
Anything you can about a language called Esperanto.
Try to find out the words for 'mother and father' in as many different foreign languages as you can.
The Story of Noah
The story of Noah is found right at the beginning of the Old Testament in the book of Genesis in Chapters 6, 7, 8 and 9.
The story of Noah is one of several early myths which give an increasing understanding of what God is like and deals with the difficult subject of the punishment of wrong–doing.
Summary
God sees that mankind has become very wicked. He decides to destroy his creation and to start again. God chooses to save Noah and his family because they are good. God tells Noah to build an ark and to put in it two of every kind of animal so they may be saved too.
The flood comes and it rains for 40 days. 150 days later the flood waters recede and the ark settles on Mount Ararat. Noah sends out a raven which returns as it can find nowhere to perch. A week later, he sends out a dove which also returns. After a further week, he sends out the dove again which returns with an olive leaf. A week later still, the dove is released and does not return.
When Noah comes out of the ark, he builds an altar, makes a sacrifice and worships God. God's trust in Noah proves to be well founded. In return for Noah's faith and goodness, God promises never to destroy the world again in an important covenant. The rainbow reminds us forever of God's promise.
Important Points
Many people worry needlessly about the factual accuracy of this story. Some people have even gone looking for the remains of Noah's ark on Mount Ararat. This is to miss the point of the story. The story teaches that God wants mankind to avoid wrong–doing (sin).
Things to do
- Read the story for yourself (Genesis Chapters 6 – 9).
- Try to learn and remember its main points.
- Learn the names of Noah's sons: Ham, Shem and Japheth.
The Near Sacrifice of Isaac
The story of how Abraham came close to sacrificing his son, Isaac, is found in the first book of the Old Testament, Genesis, in Chapter 22.
Abraham and his wife, Sarah, were very old when Isaac was born. God could give Abraham no sterner test than to ask him to sacrifice his beloved son. Obediently, Abraham set out with Isaac and two servants to the Mountains of Moriah. When they drew near, Abraham and Isaac went on alone, carrying the firewood, fire and a sacrificial knife. Abraham avoided answering directly Isaac's question about what was going to be sacrificed. They built an altar and Isaac was placed on the firewood. Just as Abraham was about to strike down with the knife, he heard the voice of an angel, who told him that he had proved his faith in God. The angel told Abraham to sacrifice a ram which was caught by its horns in a thicket.
In return for Abraham's faith and obedience, God promised to look after his many descendants in one of the most important covenants of the Old Testament.
Important Points
God knew that Abraham would be obedient and faithful. Isaac's life was never really at risk (only in Abraham's mind). Sacrifice is about costly giving. The story ties in with the sacrifice made by Jesus on the Cross. The Parable of the Widow's Mite (Luke Chapter 21) also teaches us about making real sacrifices.
The rock on which Isaac was nearly sacrificed is believed to be within the Dome of the Rock, a mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Muslims believe that it was from this same rock that Mohammed ascended into heaven. The Dome of the Rock is a place of pilgrimage for Christians, Jews and Muslims.
Things to do
- Read the story of Abraham and Isaac for yourself (Genesis, Chapter 22).
- Read the Parable of the Widow's Mite (Luke, Chapter 21).
- In books, CD ROMS, or on the Internet, see if you can find out about The Dome of the Rock.
- In handwriting, or as a word–processed document, write a story about someone making a real sacrifice.
- Learn this famous quotation:
'Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.
'John's Gospel, Ch 15, v 13.
Jacob
The story of Jacob is found in the first book of the Old Testament, Genesis, from Chapter 25 onwards.
Isaac and Rebecca were the parents of the twins, Esau and Jacob. Esau was his father's favourite and Jacob was his mother's favourite. The two boys were very different. Esau liked to hunt and to lead an outdoor life. Jacob preferred to stay at home with his mother.
One day, Jacob tricked his older brother out of his birthright. Jacob forced a promise out of Esau in return for a bowl of soup (a mess of pottage).
Some time later, with Rebecca's help, Jacob tricked his father, Isaac, into giving him the blessing he meant to give to Esau.
When Esau found out what had happened, he was extremely angry and Jacob had to flee for his life.
Jacob rested in his flight from his angry brother and had a strange dream. He saw a ladder going from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending. God renewed his covenant with Jacob.
Important Points
For all his deviousness, Jacob is an interesting character. From this story we can learn a lot about rivalry between brothers and it makes us think about the way in which parents treat their children.
The story of Jacob is important because it accounts for the way the covenant passes down the generations. One of Jacob's sons was Joseph. If it had not been for Joseph and his adventures in Egypt, the Israelites would not have survived the famine which struck Canaan.
Things to do
- Read the story of Jacob and make a real effort to remember what happens in it.
- On lined paper, write your own version of how Jacob deceives his father, Isaac. You will need to write about one–and–a–half sides.
- On plain paper, draw a picture of Jacob dreaming his dream at Bethel.
Discuss
How important is it for parents to treat their children fairly?
Should the oldest child have special rights and advantages?
In this country, the government levies a duty called 'inheritance tax'. Should it be easy or difficult for someone to pass on his money to his family? Is it good to inherit wealth that you have not worked for?
The Story of Joseph
The story of Joseph is found in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 37 onwards.
The story tells of the rivalry between Joseph and his eleven brothers. Joseph was the favourite son of his father, Jacob. As a mark of his favour, Jacob gave Joseph a coat of many colours. Jacob annoyed his brothers by telling them of two of his dreams which further increased his brothers' jealousy.
His brothers decided to kill Joseph, but two of them intervened. Reuben prevented Joseph being killed and Judah suggested that he should be sold as a slave to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt.
When Joseph arrived in Egypt, he was sold to Potiphar, the Captain of the Pharaoh's guard. Potiphar's wife fell in love with Joseph and when he spurned her (rejected her advances), she falsely accused Joseph of attacking her. Joseph was sent to prison.
In prison, Joseph met the Pharaoh's butler and baker. Both men had strange dreams and Joseph was able to tell them what they meant. Both dreams came true. The baker was hanged and the butler released.
The Pharaoh was troubled by bad dreams and none of his wise men could interpret them. The butler remembered Joseph who was called to court to interpret the dreams.
Things to do
- Make a list of the names of Joseph's brothers.
- Remember that Jacob is also called Israel and that therefore his sons were the first Israelites.
- The twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) were the founders of the twelve tribes of Israel.
- Write about the two dreams Joseph told his brothers.
- Write about the dreams Joseph was told by the butler and baker.
- Write about the dreams which troubled the Pharoah.
Important Point
Joseph is a most important figure in the Old Testament. His journey to Egypt and his rise to power ensured that the Israelites survived the famine which struck Canaan. The Israelites survived and so did their covenant with God.
The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are to be found in the second book of the Old Testament, Exodus, in chapter 20.
Summary
Moses eventually succeeded in leading the Israelites out of Egypt where =they had been slaves. Moses did not take the Israelites directly to their homeland. For a long time, a whole generation, they wandered in the Sinai Desert, until God thought they were ready to return.
As a nation, God felt the Israelites needed a fundamental set of laws to guide them in the way they conducted their lives.
Moses brought the Ten Commandments down from Mount Sinai, inscribed by God on tablets of stone. When the Israelites worshipped the Golden Calf, Moses was so furious he smashed the tablets and had to return to the mountain to collect a second set. The tablets of stone were kept in the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ten Commandments formed the covenant between God and the Israelites. If the Israelites followed the Ten Commandments, God would make them his chosen people and lead them to the Promised Land.
The Ten Commandments
Worship no god but me.
Do not make images to worship.
Do not use God's name for evil purposes.
Keep the sabbath as a holy day.
Respect your mother and father.
Do not commit murder.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not steal.
Do not accuse anyone falsely.
Do not covet someone else's property.
Important Points
The first four commandments are about our relationship with God.
Respect for our parents is very high up the list.
Commandments 6, 7 and 8 are the three pillars on which a stable society rest.
The ninth commandment covers telling lies in court (perjury) as well as general lying.
The tenth commandment is about a feeling and not an act, although envy could lead someone to act badly.
The Golden Rule
'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'
Jesus said, 'I give you a new commandment, love thy neighbour as thyself.'
This is a basic tenet of Christianity, but it is not unique to Christianity.
The Story of Samson
Samson is famous in the history of the Hebrews because he fought their arch–enemies the Philistines. Many of the stories about Samson show him to be a cruel and violent man, but then, he lived in cruel and violent times. Samson was one of the Judges who ruled Israel before the time of King Saul. His story can be found in the Book of Judges in the Old Testament.
Samson was the son of Manoah. Samson was brought up to be a Nazirite, his life dedicated to God, which was why he never cut his hair but wore it in long braids. Samson wished to marry a beautiful Philistine woman, against his parents' wishes.
Samson and the Lion
Samson killed a lion with his bare hands on the way to meet his Philistine bride. Later, Samson discovered that bees had made a honeycomb in the lion's carcass. (Look at a tin of Tate & Lyle Golden Syrup)
Samson's Riddle
Samson asked the 30 guests at his wedding a riddle which referred to the lion. 'Out of the eater came something to eat; out of the strong came something sweet.' The bet was 30 changes of clothes. Samson's wife tricked him into giving away the answer. The Philistine guests gave the right answer. In order to pay them off, Samson went away and killed another 30 Philistines and took their clothes to honour his bet! Samson left his wife.
'He smote them hip and thigh!'
Samson went on to destroy the Philistine's crops by sending 300 jackals with burning torches tied to their tails to run through the fields. He also killed 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass.
Delilah
Samson fell in love with another Philistine woman, Delilah. She was asked to find out the secret of his strength. Samson told her he could be tied with seven bow strings, new ropes and that he would weaken if his hair was woven into the fabric on Delilah's loom. All lies! Finally, after much nagging, Samson revealed his secret to Delilah. As he slept, Samson's hair was cut off and he weakened. The Philistines imprisoned and blinded him, but slowly his hair grew back.
Samson in the Temple
Samson was brought to the temple of the Philistine god, Dagon, to be mocked by the thousands gathered there. Samson prayed to God for his strength to be restored so that he could avenge himself on the Philistines. Samson destroyed the pillars supporting the temple and he and all the Philistines inside were killed. Samson had been a judge for twenty years.
David and Bathsheba
The story of King David and Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, is found in the Old Testament in the 2nd book of Samuel, chapter 11.
The story is completed by reading the parable of Nathan the Prophet in chapter 12.
Summary
David was the second king of Israel, after Saul. David was a very popular and successful military leader, but once he became king, power went to his head. The beautiful Bathsheba caught his eye and he determined to have her. She became pregnant. David called Uriah, her husband, back from the battlefield so that Uriah might spend time with his wife. Uriah refused to obey, preferring to share the hardships of his men by sleeping outside the palace. David felt he had no option but to arrange for Uriah to be killed in battle.
Uriah was indeed killed in a siege. David married Bathsheba. Nathan the Prophet visited David to tell him of God's displeasure. He did this in the form of a parable. David was to be punished in various ways. Bathsheba's child would die and David would spend his life fighting Israel's enemies.
Important Points
This is a story about a flawed leader. David is still admired for his great achievements, defeating Goliath and Philistines, for instance. But despite his greatness and popularity, he abused his power as king.
Things to do
- We will read these two stories in class and discuss them.
- Make your own notes to summarise Nathan's Parable.
Prep
On paper (hand–written or word–processed) write about 150 – 200 words on the title:
The Qualities of a Great Leader.
Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
The story of the prophet Elijah and his confrontation with the prophets of Baal is found in the Old Testament in the First Book of Kings, chapter 18.
This is a story you need to know in detail for Common Entrance.
The King of Israel, Ahab, had married Jezebel, a wicked woman who did not worship the true God, but favoured the fertility god, Baal, instead. Elijah was a lone voice speaking against the kind and queen who had persecuted and killed the other prophets of the true God. A terrible drought affected Israel as a result of Ahab's and Jezebel's wickedness.
Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. They had to ask their false god to set fire to a sacrificial bull. However hard they tried, they did not succeed. Elijah mocked them. When it came to his turn, he had his altar drenched in water and, in answer to his prayer, God set fire to the offering and to the altar itself! The prophets of Baal were slain.
After the contest, the rain came and the drought ended. Ahab returned to Jezreel. Elijah, full of the power of the Lord 'girded up his loins' and ran all the way back ahead of Ahab in his chariot.
Important Points
This story is about standing up for what you truly believe to be right, despite terrible danger and the fear of death.
This is a story about being brave enough not to do what everyone else is doing and not being frightened to stand out from the crowd.
This story warns us of the dangers of false gods.
Things to do
- Read the story carefully and try to remember its main points.
- Re–tell the story in your own words. I suggest you word–process your version which should be about 150 – 200 words long.
Find out
Find out about someone who has stood out from the crowd for what they believe to be right.
Discuss
What do we mean by the phrase 'false gods' today?
Does material wealth bring real happiness?
Do we give 'celebrities' more importance than they deserve?
Covenants
The Bible reveals the changing relationship between God and Mankind through a number of covenants made over many centuries.
A covenant is a promise or agreement between two parties.
Both parties agree to certain conditions on a 'if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' principle.
Biblical Covenants
The Old Testament
God and Noah
When Noah left the Ark, he built an altar and worshipped God.
God promised never to destroy the world again IF
Noah and his descendants remained faithful to God.
The rainbow was given as a sign of God's covenant with Noah.
God and Abraham
God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation with many descendants and that the land of Canaan (later Israel) would be theirs.
In return, Abraham and his descendants had to remain faithful to God.
Male circumcision was the sign of this covenant for all time.
God and Jacob
God's covenant with Abraham passed down the generations, from Abraham to his son Isaac and from Isaac to his younger son, Jacob.
When Jacob fled from Esau, he dreamt of a ladder from Heaven to Earth and on this occasion, the covenant was renewed.
Joseph
It is important that the covenant passed to Jacob and his descendants because it was Jacob's son, Joseph, who saved his family when famine struck Canaan. Joseph had become the second most powerful man in Egypt and had stored grain.
God and Moses
When the Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt, God told Moses to lead them back to Canaan.
God struck another covenant with Moses on Mount Sinai.
IF the Israelites loved God and followed the Ten Commandments, God in return, would make the Israelites his Chosen People and lead them to the Promised Land of Canaan.
The New Testament
Christians believe that Jesus brought the whole of Mankind a new promise from God.
Jesus taught that IF people loved God, believed in him, and loved their neighbour, their sins would be forgiven and they would be given eternal life.
This new covenant was marked by the sacrifice Jesus made dying on the Cross.
This covenant is different from the covenants of the Old Testament because it applies to anyone, man or woman, of any nationality, who follows the teaching of Jesus.
For Christians, the Bible shows how God revealed his nature, slowly and by degrees, to an ever–widening number of people.
John the Baptist
The story of John the Baptist has to be pieced together from the early chapters of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.
The story of John is important because he prepared the way for the coming of Jesus.
Summary
John was the son of the priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. Zechariah was told by the Angel Gabriel that he was going to have a son. Zechariah was struck dumb until the boy was born because of his disbelief.
Elizabeth, John's mother, was related to Mary the mother of Jesus. John and Jesus were close in age.
When John grew up, he wandered in the wilderness near the River Jordan. He lived on locusts and wild honey and wore a camel skin coat, tied with a leather belt. He drew large crowds when he preached. He told the people who listened that they should prepare for the coming of the Messiah. He told them to beg God to forgive their sins. As a mark of repentance, many people were baptised by being immersed in the River Jordan.
John the Baptist is particularly remembered because he baptised Jesus.
John loudly criticised King Herod (the son of Herod the Great). King Herod had married his brother's wife, who was called Herodias. Herodias persuaded Herod to have John thrown in jail. On Herod's birthday, Salome, Herodias's daughter, danced for the king. He was so entranced by her dancing that he promised her anything she desired as a reward. Herodias told Salome to ask for John the Baptist's head on a plate. Herod could not refuse and John was duly executed.
Important Points
- The Old Testament prophet Isaiah foresaw the coming of John: 'The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'
- John told people that he should not be confused with the Messiah who would come after him: 'I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.'
- When John baptised Jesus, the spirit of God descended on Jesus like a dove and a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'
The Baptism of Jesus and the Three Temptations
The account of the Baptism and Temptations of Jesus is found in St Matthew's Gospel in chapters 3 and 4.
John the Baptist, who was a cousin of Jesus, had been preaching about the coming of the Messiah. To prepare people for the coming of the Messiah, he urged them to make a new start in their lives. This new start was symbolised by their baptism in the waters of the River Jordan. The waters symbolically washed away their sins.
Jesus was baptised by John in the River Jordan. 'After baptism Jesus came up out of the water at once, and at that moment heaven opened; he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove to alight upon him; and a voice from heaven was heard saying, 'This is my Son, my Beloved, on whom my favour rests.'
The Three Temptations
To prepare for his ministry, Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days and nights, a period we remember during the period of Lent.
Jesus was tempted three times by the devil.
- Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread – Man cannot live by bread alone.
- Jesus was tempted to throw himself off the parapet of the Temple – you are not to put the Lord your God to the test.
- Jesus was tempted by earthly power if he would worship the devil – Begone Satan! You shall worship God alone!
Important Points
This story reminds us in a most dramatic way of the temptations to do wrong which everyone faces. Jesus had to prepare himself if he was to carry out God's work.
Moses had fed the Israelites in the wilderness, but Jesus knew he had to meet the spiritual needs of the people.
Jesus knew he should not use his powers to perform 'conjuring tricks' to impress the people. He wanted them to have faith and to believe and to make the choice to believe freely.
Jesus knew that his power was spiritual and not political. He was not involved in the struggle to get the hated Romans out of Israel.
Things to do
- Write an answer to the following question: 'What temptations does a prep school boy face and what is the best way to deal with them?'
The Three Temptations of Jesus
A
After Jesus was baptised in the River.......
by ...... the .......,
He wandered off into the wilderness to be alone.
In the wilderness, he was tempted ....times by the .....
As Jesus was hungry, the Devil first of all said to him,
'Why don't you turn these........into ......'
to which Jesus replied, ',.................'
The Devil then took Jesus up to a high parapet on the ...... and said, 'If you throw yourself down, .....will send his .....
to save you,'
to which Jesus replied, 'Scripture says you shall not put God to the test.'
Finally, the Devil took Jesus up to a high mountain.
'If you ....... me, I shall give you all these .....
to rule,' the Devil said.
Jesus replied, 'Scripture says you shall ......God .....'
B
Draw three pictures to illustrate this story.
C
Write a short paragraph explaining why Jesus went off alone into the desert.