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Many teachers have found the reflective style of storytelling that has been developed within Godly Play to be a very helpful and effective way of opening up the Bible with children. For similar stories told in this style see Bible Storybags.
The 40-day period of Lent is often linked to Jesus'
experience in the desert following his baptism and before he began his
preaching ministry (Mark 1:12-13). The story of the temptations (Matthew
4:1-11), and the idea of fasting for a long period are both parts of the Lenten
tradition. Here is an idea for a session with your class linked to this story.
Lent is traditionally the time Christians get ready
for the events of Holy Week and Easter Sunday. This festival is so important
that it needs preparation space so that they can think through what it really means.
Lent is a time to pause and do this before trying to carry on as Christians
throughout the rest of the year.
In the same way, Jesus went into the desert to
pause and get ready for the work God wanted him to do. He was offered three
other ways to bring God's Kingdom into this world but each one of them avoided
the cross. Tell this story using the visuals.
Gather the group in a semicircle, using a back row
of benches or chairs if necessary so that all the children can see the
following presentation of the story clearly.
Tell the story using some carefully chosen items
that you draw out of a golden box, in the style of Godly Play. You will also
need the following items (try to find the most beautiful and attractive
examples you can for each of these).
A gold-coloured box large enough to contain:
Carefully place all these items (except the jug of
water) into the box in reverse order, ending with the base cloth. Place the jug
in reach of the place where you will be sitting, so that you can take it up at
the appropriate moments. Sit the children in a circle and quieten them for the
story by using the gold box as a focus. Tell the story simply, using the words
below and focusing on the story rather than the children. The story should be
set out from right to left (from your perspective), so that children 'read' the
story from their left to their right.
This box is the colour gold. Gold is a precious and
valuable colour. The story of Jesus is precious and valuable, even more
valuable than gold. Before Jesus started his work for God, he needed to get
ready by taking time to be alone. I wonder if this is the story of how Jesus
got ready for God? Shall we see what is inside the box?
Gently slide the lid off the box in such a way that
it rests on the front of the box, obscuring the contents from the children's
view. Take out the large sand-coloured base cloth and spread it out on the
floor in front of you. In silence, and when you are ready, lay the river along
the width of the base cloth to your right-hand side. Allow the material to wind
across the base cloth in the manner of a river.
The River Jordan winds its way through a deep,
green valley; sleek and fat, basking in the midday sun. It was here that John
the Baptist met with Jesus. Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John to be
baptised by him. When John saw Jesus, he said, 'Surely, it is I who should be
baptised by you.' But Jesus replied, 'No, for now this is how it must be, for
in this way we shall do all that God requires.'
Gently set one of the basins in a fold of the
river, about halfway along its length, and slowly pour water into the bowl,
keeping the jug high so that the water makes a sound as it is poured.
When Jesus was baptised, as soon as he came out of
the water he saw the heavens open. The Spirit of God descended in the form of a
dove and rested upon him. The voice of God was heard to say, 'This is my own
dear Son, with whom I am very pleased.'
Float one of the feathers in the water.
Then the Spirit of God led Jesus into the desert.
Gently lay the sand-coloured desert cloth on to the
base cloth, so that one edge is next to the river. This cloth needs to be
rucked up, producing a sand dunes effect along the length of the base cloth.
Miles and miles of hot dry sand.
Open the small card box containing sand and slowly
sprinkle sand on cloth. It is most effective if the sand makes a noise as it
falls on the cloth.
For 40 days and 40 nights Jesus was alone in the
desert, preparing himself for the work that God wanted him to do. After this
time Jesus was very hungry.
Place the three stones centrally on the desert
cloth, but to the right-hand side.
The devil came and sat beside him. He took up a
stone, warmed by the midday sun.
Take up a stone and hold it in the palm of your
hand.
The stone looked like a loaf of bread, warm and
fresh - straight from the oven. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'it would
be a piece of cake for you to turn this stone into bread.' Jesus looked at the
devil and this is how he replied. 'The scripture says, "Human beings
cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks."'
Replace the stone on the cloth and take up the
scroll. Place the scroll centrally on the middle of the desert cloth.
Then the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, the Holy City,
and set him on the highest point of the temple (where even angels fear to
tread). Looking over the precipice, they could see the people far below: like
ants at prayer. 'If you are God's Son,' said the devil, 'throw yourself over
the edge. What an amazing bungee jump that would be - all the exhilaration,
without the belt and braces.' And he quoted the scripture back at Jesus:
'"God will put his angels in charge of you to
protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands to keep you from hurting your feet on
the stones."'
Jesus looked at the devil and this is how he
replied. 'The scripture also says, "Do not put the Lord your God to the
test."'
As you say the words, 'Do not put the Lord your God
to the test' take up the snake and gently throw it on to the desert cloth to
the left-hand side of the scroll, so that it rests across the width of the
cloth. After a pause, place the model of a church centrally on the desert cloth
to the left-hand side of the snake.
Then the devil took Jesus to the highest mountain
and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their greatness. 'How's this
for the promised land?' he said. 'All this will I give you if you bow down and
worship me.'
Jesus looked at the devil and this is how he
replied. 'Go away, Satan!' he said. 'The scripture says, "Worship the Lord
your God and serve only him!"'
Then the devil left Jesus and angels came and
refreshed him with their care, in preparation for the work he had to do.
Place the second blue china bowl on the far left-hand
side of the desert cloth, fill it with water, repeating the action used for the
first bowl, and place the second white feather on the surface of the water.
Reflective questions:
Pause and then sit back and look around at the
children. Follow the presentation of the story by some wondering questions in
the style of Godly Play:
