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Activities
for
individuals or groups
'Prophets' in modern-day films
(group or single activity)
Stage 1: Make up a list
List
some films about people like John the Baptist. You can choose
recent films or classics. If this is a group activity, choose films most
people know.
Stage
2: Glance over your list
1.
Have you chosen films that are realistic, showing the nitty-gritty of
ordinary life, or do you prefer films that are inspiring/uplifting?
2.
Do your favorites have both these qualities?
3.
What does this say about you and what you need in a story?
Stage
3: Choose your favorite
4.
What are the central themes in this film?
5.
Is the situation shown in a realistic light?
6.
Do any of the scenes remind you of incidents or experiences in your own
life?
7. Choose one film that appealed to you most.
Stage
4: Think about your choices
Group
activity: discuss these questions, making sure everyone in the group has
a chance to talk about their ideas.
Single
activity: sit down for a few minutes and focus your mind; make a quick
list of your favorites; read through the Stage 3 questions; think
about them as you do other tasks in your day.
Stained
glass window
Read
the gospel accounts of John's life in Luke 1, 3, 7; Matthew 3, 11, 14;
Mark 1, 6; John 1 (you'll find this at Bible
Text for John the Baptist).
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Christ Baptised by John the Baptist,
designed by Edward Burne-Jones |
Draw up an outline of the main events recorded about his life.
Look at some paintings and artworks about him.
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How have artists depicted
him?
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Do you agree with these images?
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What would you add or leave
out?
Now create a layout for a stained glass window celebrating John's life and
achievements. Write a short rationale explaining any symbols you have used
in the picture.
Preparing
the way
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St John the Baptist, Anton Rafael Mengs |
John was the 'voice crying in the wilderness', the one who went before
Jesus, preparing the way.
Thinking about John reminds the reader
that we owe a great deal to the people who went before us, who
built and worked and worried so that we would have what we have.
Talk to an older person about their life:
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what have been their
achievements?
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what have they helped create or set up?
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what have they done
that they are proud of?
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how have they helped create God's kingdom on
earth?
Focus
Questions
1.
What are the most interesting moments in John's story?
2. In the story, who gets what they
want? If you were in the story, which person would you want to meet?
Which person would you want to avoid?
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The Nativity of John the Baptist |
3. What is God's interaction with the main characters? What does this tell
you about the narrator's image of God? Do you agree with this image?
4. What is happening on either side of the story, in the chapters before
and after it? Does this help you understand the
purpose of including this
story?
5. The narrator/editor has chosen to tell some things and leave other
things out. What has been left out of the story that you would like to
know?
6. Are the characteristics and actions of the people in the story still
present in the world? How is the story relevant to modern life, especially
your own?
Famous
Quotes
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'And a voice came from
heaven "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well
pleased."' (Mark 1:11)
'I baptize you with water;
but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie
the thong of his sandals.' (Luke 3:16)
'She went out and asked her mother "What shall I ask for?"
"The head of John the baptizer", she replied.' (Mark 6:24)
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These three quotes come from
three very different characters in the story of John the Baptist.
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Look up the three
quotations in Bible Text
- you will find them high-lighted
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Make yourself familiar
with the context of each one
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Describe each of the three
speakers in your own words.
Extra Websites
The forbidding fortress where John was imprisoned
Bible
Architecture: Machaerus The
Story of John's mother Elizabeth
Bible People:
Elizabeth The extraordinary Temple of Jerusalem,
where Zechariah was a priest
Bible
Architecture: Jerusalem
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