unit 5 passion week--lesson 5 nt5.5 the garden of gethsemane · 2018-04-03 · introduction: this...

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NT5.5 Garden of Gethsemane © Beverly Wilson 2018

Unit 5 Passion Week--Lesson 5

NT5.5 The Garden of Gethsemane

Scripture: Matthew 26: 30-75; Mark 14: 26-72; Luke 22:31-71; John 18:1-27

Lesson Goal: We will learn how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for His disciples. As followers

of Jesus we are to be loyal to Him. Introduction: This is the fifth lesson in Unit 5: The Passion Week--the last week of Jesus' life here on earth.

This lesson is about what happened on the night before Jesus was crucified. After eating the Lord's Supper Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane where He asked His disciples to pray with Him. Soon after Jesus was betrayed and arrested. All the disciples swore that they would die before disowning Jesus. But just a few hours later, they all ran away. It is easy to say we are devoted to Jesus, but our words are meaningless if our faith is not strong. Point out the event on the wall chart of the events in Jesus' final week.

Attention Getter: “Pretend” Have you ever pretended to be somebody that you weren't? It is fun to dress up as Superman or Superwoman but you know that you aren't really that person. In this lesson we are going to talk about Judas. He was a disciple who pretended to believe in Jesus but he really didn't. He betrayed Jesus because he never really loved Him in the first place. We will also talk about all the other disciples but especially Peter. They all swore that they would die before disowning Jesus. But just a few hours later, they all ran away. To deny or disown Jesus means you act like you don't know him or pretend you are not a believer around certain people.

Opening Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, Help us to follow you and do what you want us to do. Thank you for sending Jesus to be our Savior. Thank you that He died on the cross for our sin so we can go to heaven. Help us to trust you like He did. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Memory Verse: Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that

we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Lesson Video: http://youtu.be/JuLVAmiJHow

Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples. He told them that He was going to die very soon. Then Jesus began what we call today "The Lord's Supper." He broke bread and said that it was like his body which was going to die. Next he drank from a cup and said the wine was like his blood that was going to shed on the cross. Then Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him. When Jesus put his bread in the same bowl as Judas, He was telling Judas that He knew that he was the one who planned to betray Him. Judas then left to tell the chief priests where they could find Jesus.

After Jesus and His disciples had sung a hymn, they left the upper room and walked up to the Mount of Olives. This was a place Jesus often went to pray.

"All of you will desert me," Jesus again told them, "for God has declared through the prophets, I will kill the Shepherd, and the sheep will scatter. But after I am raised to life again, I will go to Galilee and meet you there."

The disciples had followed Jesus for three years. Surely they would not leave him now! Peter said to him, " I will never desert you no matter what the others do!" Peter thought he would be loyal to Jesus. To be loyal means to be true to God and to give Him your faithful love.

"Peter," Jesus said, "before the cock crows a second time tomorrow morning you will deny me three times."

"No!" Peter insisted. "Not even if I have to die with you! I'll never deny you!" And all the other disciples vowed the same.

http://youtu.be/JuLVAmiJHow

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They came to an olive grove called the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and told the others to, "Sit here, while I go and pray." Jesus knew that they would need God's special strength for the time just ahead. They needed to pray.

Jesus knew what was going to happen next. He knew He would be nailed to a cross and suffer a cruel and painful death. Jesus began to be filled with horror and deepest distress. He told Peter, James, and John, "My soul is crushed by sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and watch and pray with me."

Jesus went on a little farther and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the awful hour awaiting him might never come."Father, Father," He pleaded, "everything is possible for you. Take away this cup from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." Jesus knew that if he gave up there would be no hope or salvation for anybody!

Jesus returned to find the three disciples asleep. Jesus woke them and told Peter, "Watch with me and pray lest the Tempter overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak."

While Jesus was praying an angel appeared to him and strengthened him. When Jesus returned the second and third time after more prayer the three disciples had fallen asleep once more. The disciples should have been praying and asking God for help but instead they were sleeping!

The third time Jesus returned to them He said, "The time for sleep has ended! Look! I am betrayed into the hands of wicked men. Come! Get up! We must go! Look! My betrayer is here!" Suddenly the darkness was shattered by the light of bright torches. That moment Judas arrived with a crowd of Roman soldiers equipped with swords and clubs. This mob had been sent out by the chief priests and other Jewish leaders.

Judas had agreed to show them who Jesus was by greeting Him with a kiss. The soldiers seized Jesus and arrested Him. The other disciples must have been struck with fear and shock. Peter was furious . He pulled out his sword and began to swing it wildly. He struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

But Jesus told Peter to put his sword away."Don't resist anymore," Jesus insisted. Peter did not understand that Jesus' arrest was a part of God's plan.

Then Jesus reached out touched the place where the man's ear had been and restored it. Then Jesus reminded the disciples that He could call armies of angels to fight for Him but He wasn't going to because this was a fulfillment of prophecy.

Jesus was led off to the high priest's residence. All the other disciples deserted Jesus and fled. John and Peter however followed Jesus but kept their distance. Peter followed, right into the courtyard of the high priest and sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire. He wanted to see what was happening to Jesus.

The chief priest and Jewish leaders were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put Him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against Him, but their statements did not agree. "Some claimed, "We heard Him say," I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands."

"Are you not going to answer?" The High Priest asked Jesus. But Jesus remained silent. The high priest asked Jesus, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?"

"I am," said Jesus, "and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

At hearing this the High Priest tore his clothes, "Why do we need any more witness?" he asked. "You have heard this blasphemy. What do you think?" They shouted, "Crucify Him!" Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"

Some began to spit at Jesus. They blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took Him and beat Him.

While Peter was in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. She looked closely at Peter and said, "You were with the Nazarene, Jesus. Peter denied it. "I don't know what you're talking about," He replied.

Later out by the gate, another girl noticed Him and said to those standing around, "This man was with Jesus." Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath, "I don't even know the man," he said.

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Men who had been standing there came over to Peter and said, "We know you are one of His disciples, for we can tell by your Galilean accent." Peter began to curse and swear. "I don't even know the man," he said and immediately the cock crowed.

Jesus turned around and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what Jesus had said earlier, "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." Peter went away and cried bitterly. How could he who had promised the Lord that he would be faithful turn his back on Him so quickly?

In this lesson, we have talked about two disciples--Judas and Peter. Both denied the Lord but in very different ways. Peter was a believer and in his heart he truly loved the Lord and wanted to follow Him. When he realized that he had denied Jesus, he was so sorry that he wept bitterly. He repented of his sin and ask Jesus to forgive him. God forgave Peter and gave him many more chances to be loyal and strong for Him.

But when Judas Iscariot found out that Jesus was going to be crucified, he had a very different response. He realized that his thirty pieces of silver would not bring him happiness. Judas went back to the chief priests and elders and tried to give the money back. Judas was sorry he had betray Jesus but he did not repent. Judas did not tell God he was sorry for his sin. Instead he was full of anger, bitterness, and resentment. He felt hopeless and full of despair. That is what happens to people who follow their own selfishness. They are like Satan and end up destroying themselves. That is just what Judas did! The Bible says that he went out and hanged himself.

As Christians, we, too, want to be loyal to Jesus. But sometimes we fail Him like Peter did. Can you think of a promise you have made to Him, but didn’t keep? Perhaps you promised to obey your parents and then you didn't do it. 52. Maybe you promised to read your Bible and pray and then you forgot. Or you might have wanted to give money to missionaries but ended up spending it on yourself. You might have wanted to tell your friends about Jesus and then got afraid to do it.

If we fail to do what we have promised God, we need to confess our sin and tell God we are sorry. We can pray and ask Jesus to forgive us and He will! We can't be loyal to the Lord by ourselves. We need God's strength and grace. We get that through prayer. Remember let’s be loyal to Jesus!

Review Questions/ Game: “Checker Game” Preparation: Place at least twenty red and twenty black checkers or plastic game pieces in a small paper bag. Procedure: Divide the children into two teams and have them take turns answering questions. As a child answers the question correctly, he can reach into the bag and pull out a checker for his team. If the checker is red, he gets to keep the checker and draw again. If he draws a black checker he keeps it but his turn is finished. At the end of the game the team with the most checkers (red and black) wins the game.

1. What shocking thing did Jesus tell His disciples as they walked over to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives? (All of the disciples would deny that they ever knew Him.)

2. What does it mean to deny the Lord Jesus? (To live as though He’s not important to you.) 3. Which of the disciples strongly protested when Jesus told the disciples they would all deny that they

ever knew Him? (Peter) 4. What does it mean to be loyal? (To be true to those who deserve your faithful love and support.) 5. Why is it sometimes easier to say that you are a loyal, faithful follower of Jesus than to be one? (You

have to risk being different than the crowd; dare to go against what your friends think is cool.) 6. What is the best way to guard against turning away from Jesus at a difficult time? (To pray. Ask for the

strength it takes to be loyal.) 7. What happen that night, before Peter denied Jesus three times? (A rooster crowed twice.) 8. What did Jesus ask Peter and John to do while He prayed? (Stay here and watch with Me.) 9. What did Peter and John do while Jesus prayed? (They fell asleep.) 10. How many times did Jesus return to the disciples and what did he find? (He returned three times to

find them all sleeping.) 11. What prayer did Jesus pray when he was alone in the Garden of Gethsemane? (Not my will but your

will be done. Prayed for disciples of all time that they would be one.) 12. What was the cup that Jesus asked the Lord to pass from Him? (The cup was the His death on the

cross.)

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13. What did Jesus sweat that showed He was in great agony when He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane? (He sweat drops of blood.)

14. Who came to minister to Jesus while He was praying in the Garden? (An angel came and strengthened Him,)

15. Fill in these blanks: When Jesus came to the disciples and found them sleeping, He said, “The spirit indeed is __________, but the flesh is __________.” (willing; weak.)

16. How did Judas show the Roman soldiers who Jesus was? (He greeted Him with a kiss.) 17. What did the high priests and religious leaders give to Judas for betraying Jesus? (thirty pieces of

silver) 18. When the soldiers came and arrested Jesus, what did Peter do? (Peter drew his sword and cut off the

soldier’s ear.) 19. What kind thing did Jesus do for the servant of the High Priest? (healed his ear) 20. When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, how did Jesus react to them? (He willingly went with them

and did not resist his arrest.) 21. Who did Jesus tell the disciples he could call for help if he needed it? Why did He not call for help?

Jesus could call for 70,000 angels to help but He didn't because He willingly died on the cross for us. 22. If you had been in the garden that night when they came to arrest Jesus, what do you think you would

have done? (We probably would have denied him too.) 23. Who followed Jesus when He was arrested? (Peter and John followed but kept their distance. Peter

followed, right into the courtyard of the high priest and sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire. He wanted to see what was happening to Jesus.)

24. What crime did the high priest say that Jesus committed? (He said that Jesus committed blasphemy which means that He claimed to be God. But He was not guilty because Jesus really was God in human form.)

25. What was the punishment for the crime of blasphemy? (Jesus would have to die on the cross.) 26. What did the temple guards do to Jesus during this first trial? (Some began to spit at Jesus. They

blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took Him and beat Him.)

27. What three people did Peter deny that he knew Jesus to? (Peter denied to a young servant girl, another girl who said she saw him with Jesus, and to a man who said that Peter had a Galilean accent like Jesus.)

28. What happened after Peter denied Jesus and Jesus looked at him? (The cock crowed the second time. Jesus looked at Peter. Peter was overwhelmed with sorrow and ran out and wept for denying Jesus. Peter repented of his sin.)

29. What happened to Judas after he betrayed Jesus? (He was sorry he did it and tried to return the temple money but they wouldn’t take it. He was depressed, angry and bitter and went out and hung himself.)

30. What will you do or say next time someone asks you if you are a Christian? 31. What should we do if we fail Jesus and deny Him? (We should repent, confess our sin, and ask God

for forgiveness. We should ask God to help us not commit that sin again.)

Bible Memory Verse Activity: Bean Bag (Grades K-5) Preparation: Bible; a beanbag, small ball, or soft stuffed toy (something children can pass quickly); a pianist or recorded music Say” Our memory verse is Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." In this verse the Lord is commanding us to pray for courage to stand for Him when we are tempted. By praying we can get strength to be loyal to Him. Have children locate the verse in the Bible. Read the verse aloud with children several times. Procedure: Have the children stand in a circle. Give the beanbag to one child. Start the music. The first child passes the beanbag to the right and says the first word of the memory verse. The second child says the second word and passes the beanbag to the right, and so forth. Continue until all know the verse, and then stop the music. The child holding the beanbag is out and sits down. Continue playing until only one child is left. To end the activity, have all children say the verse together.

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Group Learning Activity: “Bundle of Sticks” Object Lesson (Grades K-5) Purpose: To understand why Jesus prayed for His disciples to be united as One Preparation: You will need a bundle of small sticks which by itself could be easily broken, but when with other sticks is too strong to be broken. Procedure: Read John 17:11 “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-the name you gave me-so that they may be one as we are one.” Say: “I am looking for someone who is very strong to help me this morning. Who would like to help? (If no one volunteers, choose someone.) You look pretty strong to me. Do you think you can break this stick? (Hand the child one small stick that can easily be broken.) Wow! You are strong! You easily broke that stick. Let's see if you can break these sticks. (Hand them the bundle of sticks that are bound together. After giving the child time to try to break the bundle of sticks, continue with the sermon.) “The sticks in this bundle are just like the stick that was so easily broken. Yet when they are bound together, they are much stronger than they are when they are by themselves. Even the very strongest person here this morning could not break this bundle of sticks.” “These sticks can teach us an important lesson about the church. Sometimes when we think of the church, we think of a building where we come to worship, but the church isn't a building. The church is made up of men, women, boys, and girls who have chosen to follow Jesus. You, me, all of the people here today -- all of us together -- we are the church.” “Some people say, "I can be a Christian without going to church" -- and that may be true -- but by ourselves we are not very strong. When Satan tries to tempt us to do something that we know is wrong, it may be difficult to resist him if we try to go it alone. But if we stand together with others who follow Jesus, they will be a source of strength and encouragement. We will be much stronger than we would be by ourselves.” “One day, Jesus went off by himself to pray. He prayed for his disciples because he knew that his disciples had to live in the world and that they would be tempted by the evil things of the world. He also knew that if his disciples would come together as one, they would be much stronger than they would as individuals. So he prayed and asked God to protect them and to help them to be one, just as he and his Father were one.” “When Satan tempts you to do things that you know are wrong, remember the lesson of the sticks -- there is strength in unity.” Close in prayer asking for God’s protection and help to remain faithful to Christ.

Group Learning Activity: Bible Study: “Jesus’ Journey to the Cross” (Grades 3-5) Preparation: Print copies of the map of Jesus’ Journey to the Cross below—one for each student. Students will need Bibles and colored marking pens. Procedure: Look up the following scriptures. Locate the numbered place on the map where this event occurred in the city of Jerusalem. Match the colored marker with its location and the description. Review the story events associated with each place on the map as it is located and identified.

1. The Lord’s Supper—John 13:1-30; Mark 14:12-26 (Color blue) 2. Jesus Prays and is arrested.—Mark 14:32-52 (Color red) 3. Jesus before the High Priest—Mark 14: 53-65- Mark 15:1 (Color purple) 4. A. Jesus before Pilate—Luke 23:1-7 (Color orange.)

B. Jesus before Herod—Luke 23:8-12 (Color pink.) C. Jesus sent back to Pilate—Luke 23:13-25 (Color green.)

5. The Crucifixion—John 19:16-30 (Color black.) 6. Jesus’ Burial—John 19: 31-42 (Color brown.) 7. He is Risen!—Matthew 27:62- 28:10 (Color yellow.)

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Group Learning Activity: “Jigsaw Puzzle” (Grades K-5) Preparation: You will need a jigsaw puzzle. Procedure: Read John 17: 22-23 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Say: (Hold up a Jigsaw puzzle.) “Do you enjoy working jigsaw puzzles? Jigsaw puzzles can be a lot of fun. (Open the box to reveal the pieces of the puzzle.) Wow! Look at all the pieces of this puzzle. The pieces of this puzzle are in many different sizes, shapes, colors. If you look at one piece of this puzzle, you don't get very much of the picture, do you? No, the pieces are not very important by themselves, but when they are all joined together and become one, they show the total picture.” “This jigsaw puzzle can teach us an important lesson about the church. The church is made up of many individual members. Like the pieces of this puzzle, the members of a church come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. Jesus himself prayed that the church would be one so that the world would see God's love in us. You and I are part of the picture. Jesus wants us to love one another, help one another, and serve one another. When we do that, we become one, just as Jesus prayed we would be, and when we are one, the world can see God's love in us.” “Unfortunately, just as it is sometimes difficult to put all of the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together, the individual members of the church sometimes have a hard time being one with each other. We may hear people in the church saying things like "I don't like the songs we sing" or "The preacher preaches too long." When we say things like that and concentrate on our own likes and dislikes, we are no longer being one. We are like the individual pieces of the puzzle. The world cannot see God's love in us. They don't get the whole picture.” “If you ever find yourself thinking about yourself, rather than being united with others in the church, remember that Jesus prayed that we would be one. When we are one, bound together by Christ's love, the world will see God's love through us.

Group Learning Activity: “Arm Link Game” (Grades K-5) Preparation: No objects needed Procedure: Have children line up in front of the teacher. First child will come up and link elbows/arms with one arm of the teacher; the next child will come up and link up with the 1st child, etc until everyone is linked together. Try to walk together without UN linking the arms. For a little more fun with finding strength and "togetherness" in unity, form a circle with the arms linked and walk in a circle, first one direction and then the other. Say: “In our lesson we learned that in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed that his disciples would be united as one. Jesus knew that his disciples would face many struggles as they were given the job of fulfilling the Great Commission. The disciples would need to stand together against temptations and struggles. Unity would bring strength as they spread the gospel around the world. We too are strong as a church when we support one another and encourage one another. What are some ways that you can help and encourage others?” Variation of Game: Children can go outside and one by one can try to get into a chalk drawn circle. This can symbolize UNITY and standing together. To make this a little more fun, the teacher can draw a smaller circle and children can one by one try to fit into this circle, and continue until the children fit very closely together.

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Craft Learning Activity: “Prayer Beads Craft” (Grades 2-5) Preparation: Each student will need the following set of materials: 1 small cross or heart with a metal hanging ring or hole punched in top, lacing cord, 1 red bead - red is for praise - we praise our Lord (Adoration), 1 purple bead - purple is for repentance - we are sorry and want to do better (Confession),1 yellow bead – yellow like a happy face--is for thanksgiving (Thanksgiving), 1 blue bead- blue is for asking - the (blue) sky is the limit – we can ask God about anything, (Supplication/Send help), 1 white bead- white is for dedication - we dedicate our day to God so that we may show His love in the world Say: “Today’s story is about a time that Jesus prayed to God.” Open Bibles to Mark 14: 32-42. Read the story or have the students read. Mention that one of the other Gospels says that God sent an angel to Jesus to give Him strength for what lay ahead. Today we’re going to talk about 4 different kinds of prayers. It is always OK to talk to God and ask for help and say little one-sentence, or even one-word, prayers throughout your day. When you pray at church, before going to bed or in the morning or whenever you want to say a prayer to God, you can practice using the 4 parts. It’s called an “ACTS” prayer:

A- Adoration (telling God how wonderful He is!) C – Confession (telling God we’re sorry for the things we do wrong) T – Thanksgiving (telling God thank you for things) S – Supplication or "send help" (asking God for help for someone else or yourself) At the end of a prayer we say what? Amen! It means “So be it!”

Tell them that God always answers our prayers! Sometimes the answer is not what we expect or want! God answers our prayers in different ways. God answers either: Yes! No! Wait, not yet! Or I have a better way! Say: “In our story, what type of prayer was Jesus praying? (He was praying a prayer of Supplication. Jesus was asking God if this cup of suffering could be removed. Jesus said He was willing to do whatever God’s will was.) What type of answer did God give?” (He said No to Jesus’ request, but sent help)

Procedure: Start by threading the cross onto the center of the cord and bring the two ends together. Thread a white bead over both ends of the lace, followed by a blue, yellow, purple and then red bead. Tie the ends together. Tell the children to start their prayers with the red bead. God asked us to put Him first with praise. Then at the purple ask for forgiveness for the things they did wrong. At the yellow bead, say a thank you prayer. At the blue say prayers for the people they care about. At the white, remember to offer their day to God and at the cross say the Lord's Prayer as Jesus taught. Review the following: ACTS, the 4 answers God gives to prayer, prayer hand.

Craft Learning Activity: “Praying Hands Silhouette” (Grades K-3) Preparation: Each student will need 2 different colors of cardstock—one light and one dark. Examples: yellow and green, pink and red, etc. The students will need scissors, pencils, and glue. Procedure: Print the Praying Hands pattern onto cardstock. Poke a hole in the center of the hands and then cut the outline of the hands. Trim the paper along the outside lines. Place the cut-out on the cardstock of the other color. Glue into place. Place the completed project in a document frame and hang it on the wall! Say: ““During the Passion Week just after the Last Supper Jesus and his disciples entered into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus prayed alone for His disciples that they would be strong through His suffering on the cross. He wanted them to remain faithful and to be united as one. The disciples were tired and slept

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despite Jesus’ request for them to pray. Jesus also prayed, “Lord, let this cup pass from Me.” The cup was His upcoming death on the cross. Jesus knew that His suffering would be great. The Lord sent an angel to minister to Him and give Him strength. We too, should use Jesus’ example of prayer. God wants us to pray every day.” (Go over the ACTS prayer in the Prayer Beads Craft Activity.) Ask students to commit to pray every day. Allow students to take home the craft picture to help them remember to pray. Encourage students to display the praying hands in a prominent place.

Craft Learning Activity: “Garden of Gethsemane” Diorama (Grades K-5) Purpose: To make a diorama of the Garden of Gethsemane in order to remind students of the events in the lesson. Say: “During the Passion Week just after the Last Supper Jesus and his disciples entered into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus prayed alone for His disciples that they would be strong through His suffering on the cross. The disciples were tired and slept despite Jesus’ request for them to pray. Both Judas and Peter denied him but their response was quite different. To help us remember these events we are going to make a “Garden of Gethsemane” diorama with Jesus’ praying. As we make this diorama let’s think about the events in the Garden so we can use our diorama to tell others about the Passion Week.” Preparation: You will need an empty shoe box for each student, green construction paper, scissors, glue, green wrapping paper, printed copy of pattern below and colored markers. Procedure: Make a diorama of the Garden of Gethsemane with an empty shoe box. Cover the shoe box with green wrapping paper. Print the pattern pieces on poster board. Have children color the patterns and cut out the pieces. Glue the patterns of Jesus praying and the rock to the bottom of box. Trace hand prints on green construction paper. Glue hand prints around the box and in the box to give depth as shown.

Snack Learning Activity: “Praying Pretzels” (Grades K-5) Preparation: You will need a bag of twisted pretzels and napkins to serve them on while you talk about their meaning. Procedure: Distribute a small pile of twisted pretzels to each student. Allow students to eat as you talk. Say: “Pretzels were first made by monks who gave them as rewards to children who had learned their prayers. The special twisted shape looks like the folded arms of a child praying. The word pretzel means reward. What does it mean to pray? (Prayer is simply talking to God.) We can talk to God anytime, anywhere, and about anything. God can even hear our thoughts.” Encourage students to start praying before they go to bed, when they get up in the morning, or anytime. Say: “In this lesson we learned that Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He knew that his death on the cross was coming soon and He needed God’s strength to complete the task. Jesus also prayed for His disciples.” Say: “What things do you pray about? Is there anything that you don't talk to God about? (We can talk to God about anything but sometimes we may think that what we are praying about is not important to God). Should we keep praying if God doesn't answer our prayers?” (Yes!) Encourage the kids to not always 'ask' for things but thank God for all they have, and to ask for forgiveness when they pray.

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Snack Learning Activity: Olives (Grades K-5) Preparation: Bring a jar of olives to class. Procedure: As students arrive ask them to guess how many olives are in the jar. Award a prize to the student who is the closest to the correct answer. You can allow students to taste the olives. The olive garden today consists of very old, gnarled trees. The garden was not filled with pretty flowers and grass. It was a dark place both physically and spiritually because this is the place where Jesus was betrayed. Gethsemane is derived from the Hebrew expression Gat Shemen which means olive press, a reference to the natural abundance of these trees and to the presence of oil presses in the region. An olive press would have crushed the olives in order to draw out the oil. The Garden of Gethsemane had many olive trees. In a place meaning "olive press" Jesus experienced the pain of betrayal and arrest. This garden had many olive trees in the time of Jesus and continues to have many. Olive trees do not have rings, so determining their age is difficult. It is believed that no olive trees survived the destruction of Titus in 70 A.D., who was credited with razing all of the olive trees in Jerusalem. Nearly 2,000 years later, though, some of these trees may be shoots of the very ones Jesus visited His friends under!

Life Application Challenge: “Talking About Jesus” Procedure: Talk about times that it would be easy to deny Jesus. For example, it is hard to stand up for Jesus when other kids are making fun of the Bible or laughing about a person who goes to church. Sometimes it is hard to tell your friend about Jesus or invite them to church. It is hard to remember to pray and read your Bible every day. It is hard to not believe false statements in our science books when it talks about evolution. Encourage children to think about asking Jesus to be their Savior. Tell them to talk to their parents or you if they have questions.

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Jesus Prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane

Hebrews 4:16

"Let us pray with faith..so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

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unit 5 passion week--lesson 5 nt5.5 the garden of gethsemane · 2018-04-03 · introduction: this...

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