On our second day of the film, I can already see how moved you are. I know you have learned about all Christ endured, but it's truly hitting home. You are affected in so many ways, and I'm glad you are able to experience Christ's Passion on a more mature and deeper level.

For today's response, I'd like you to mention one image or moment in the movie thus far that has struck you, and add a small reflection upon your image. Perhaps it's not biblically based; that's not the point. The director, Mel Gibson, took from the Gospel and prayed about how to portray Christ in the best light.

For me, so far, the image of Jesus standing back up from being beaten, only to continue getting scourged was ironically beautiful. I am proud to call him my Christ, watching him not be defeated by just lying there. He is victorious. He is a winner. He is not a crying baby. Of course, he was in deathly pain, but what a true man it takes to stand there and just take it again. And again. And again. How many times have we scourged him with our sins? It makes me feel like he experiences that level of pain each time we let him down.


I pray that the movie experience continues to open your eyes and hearts to be more like our Savior.

Good afternoon!

Today in class, we discussed different things since 215 is ahead of 208 due to buddies and field day meetings. Here's a quick recap of a few important notes regarding Chapter 8:

- The infancy narratives include some similar, yet different stories.

In regards to Jesus in the Temple, reflect on ALL these questions but select one to reply to this post (please restate the question, with your answer below it). Please read each other's responses.

1. Since Jesus was already the Son of God, why did he have to "grow" in understanding and wisdom? (2:40, 52)

2. How do you evaluate Jesus' carelessness in not going home with his parents when they left Jerusalem? (2:43-44) Was Jesus at fault or his parents?

3. Why was Jesus so engrossed in the Temple? (2:46-49) How was this interaction with Jerusalem's top teachers important for his own development? How did this represent something that was absolutely necessary for him to do? How did this relate to his calling?

4. Why was it important for Jesus -- and for us -- to grow "in favor with God and men" (2:52)? How is our relationship with people vital to our spiritual growth?

Homework:
1. Complete the top of the chart from the Infancy Narratives worksheet.
2. Watch the short video below for discussion tomorrow. (You do not need to reply to this post). You need to know what "contradict" means ahead of time. Look it up.
3. Reply to this post by Thursday (midnight) reflecting on one of the four questions above.
4. Create a timeline of all the stories from the Matthew and Luke narratives. First, it's best to prewrite/ brainstorm your list before you actually begin charting it so you know the order. Below you will see just three examples of some timelines I found online (not related to the infancy narratives). They are boring and don't include pictures, but the format is for you to get the idea. The fourth example would get extra credit for going over and beyond my expectations. You do not need dates, just the order and labeling of the Gospels.

To get an "A", here's what I'm looking for:

1. All twelve stories from both Gospels (the Canticles, the circumcision, and the geneology do not need to be included).
2. An icon that represents each event (no two icons can be the same).
3. Clear labeling of each story that it either belongs to Matthew or Luke
4. NEATNESS and color! No pencil. God didn't create the world in black and white.
5. A creative and logical format that is easy for the reader to follow the events.
6. All fit on one page.
7. Effort and care.

Here is an online quiz to help you review for this unit. Click here.

First things first, Room 208, your Gospel Introduction Chart is due TOMORROW. Not sure where Thursday came from, but nevertheless, there you go.

Today we began Luke 2 and Matthew 1, comparing and contrasting the birth of Jesus Christ.

Notice how none of the information is inconsistent; Matthew and Luke have similar things to say, just different perspectives on the story.

Tomorrow we will talk more in depth on the similarities and differences between the stories.

For now, respond to the following prompt:
How, if at all, would your faith be affected if we had no infancy narratives in the Gospels?

Your response is due by Wednesday at midnight. To get a 100% I want at least 3-5 sentences explaining the importance (or non-importance) of the inclusion of these stories. Also explain one of the stories of the infancy narratives.

Any generic comment or any comment that lacks proper punctuation, grammar, or writing skills may receive 0 credit.

Happy New Year, once again, Seventh Grade!

I hope your holiday season was a memorable one! As mentioned in class today, we often ask each other, "What did you GET for Christmas? What did you GET? What gifts did you GET?"

Hmm, I know we GOT a lot of things that made us happy, but what did you DO that made you happier? What could you have done? (These do not need to be answered through the comments.  There is no post due for today).

We began the infancy narratives section of the New Testament, beginning right before Jesus' birth. We read about the Annunciation of John's birth to Zechariah.

This first story in Luke is to show how special and significant the birth of John the Baptist is.  But it also has lessons for us as Jesus' disciples. Zechariah certainly lives his life to follow the God he loved, but his faith falters. He doubts God. What can we learn from his faith that we can apply to our own faith?

Your responses will not count for a grade, but I welcome them.

P.S.- Here is some interesting information that I came across in regards to the reason Zechariah was "chosen by lot" to burn the incense. It comes from the Jesus Walk website.

At that thime, the priests were divided into 24 groups or divisions (1 Chronicles 10:7-18), of which Zechariah's "division of Abijah" is eighth in the rotation. Priests and their families would live in Jerusalem or in various nearby villages, but when their division was called up for duty for a week, twice each year, the priests would come to Jerusalem to work in the Temple. Each day about 50 priests would have been on duty, with perhaps 300 on duty during a given week.[4]

"This day, Zechariah is "chosen by lot" [meaning they drew numbers, or in our day, picked a name out of a hat] to go inside the temple and burn incense on the Altar of Incense in the Holy Place. It is considered a great honor [ and a once in a lifetime opportunity]. Since there were a large number of priests, no priest was allowed to serve as the officiating priest more than once in his lifetime.