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Discussion Questions
- Do you have something “private” posted on the Internet? What are the pros
and cons, in your opinion, of putting something private on the Internet for
the world to see?
- Do you read a specific blog or watch videos that somebody else posts? What
specific things are you interested in watching? What makes a blog or a video
interesting, boring, or worthwhile?
- Have you ever thought about what you would like to say right before you
die? What sentence would sum up your life and your thoughts?
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Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, April 1, 2007.
(Text links are to
oremus Bible
Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings
for Year C at
Lectionary Readings.)
Luke 19:28-40 Procession
with Palms
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 22:14—23:56 or
Luke 23:1-49
For lectionary humor and insight, check
the weekly comic
Agnus
Day.
Gospel Reflection
In the Middle Ages, it was believed that what a person said or did right
before their death symbolized their entire life. Therefore, when a famous person
died, one or more scribes were present that listened for the last utterances of
the person close to death and wrote them down for posterity. One example of this
practice is what happened at the death of Martin Luther in Eisleben, Germany. It
is said that on his deathbed he was asked whether he still believed all the
things he had taught throughout his life. He answered “yes.” This final
affirmation out of the mouth of the great reformer was worth gold in the eyes of
his followers since the medieval Catholic Church had said that Luther would
recant once he would be close to death. In the morning when Luther was found
dead, somebody discovered a note written in Luther’s handwriting. It said, “We
are beggars, that is true.” Both statements, his final affirmation of his
teachings as well as his humble submission to the will of God, symbolized what
Luther wanted to be all about: a man of strong convictions who nevertheless
wanted to put his life into the hands of God.
In the long Gospel reading from Luke, we also witness the last words and last
actions said and done in the final hours of Jesus Christ’s life on earth. Again,
these words and actions represent the essence of what Jesus was all about. He
celebrates a last meal with his disciples and provides them—and us—with a way
that we can still experience him when we celebrate Holy Communion. He speaks to
his disciples and gives them—and us—final advice. He shows his human fear at
Gethsemane and finally submits to the will of his—and our—Father. Even when his
own life is threatened, he thinks of others and performs a final miracle. He
stands up to his persecutors and accepts his destiny on the cross. Care for
others, love, conviction, unfaltering faith in God; these are some
characteristics that describe Jesus’ life and death.
The way a person dies sometimes says something about the way a person lived.
We do not know when and how we will die. But we have at least some control over
our lives now. We can already think about what our life should represent, what
the essence of our life could be. Do you want to be known as faithful person? A
person who dedicated your life to others? Someone who encourages others to
become baptized or become more active in church? Do you want to be known as a
hands-on person who works in very concrete ways to help God’s kingdom appear on
earth? If you would describe your life as a Christian in a few words now—what
would it be?
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Discussion Questions
- What do you think was the essence of Jesus’ life? How would you describe
his life and his role as our Savior to someone who was unfamiliar with him?
- Jesus did not have an obituary or a gravestone in the traditional sense.
But an inscription on his cross said “This is the king of the Jews.” Do you
think that this describes Jesus appropriately? What inscriptions, in your
mind, would fit better?
- In the United States, many people wore and still wear “What would Jesus
do?” (WWJD) bracelets. This question also refers to what people think is the
essence of Jesus’ life. How can we determine what Jesus would do today? Can
the question “What would Jesus do?” help us to find answers to some of the
difficult questions that our modern world faces today such global warming,
questions or war and peace, abortion, the death penalty, issues of sexual
behavior, the role of women in church and society? Would you rather wear a
bracelet that said “What would Jesus do?” or one that said “What did Jesus
do?” Why? Is there a difference?
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Activity Suggestions
- A group-reading of the Passion Story
- Distribute copies of the reading from Luke (Luke 22:14-23:56) and
highlighters among your group. Assign the different parts to the
participants. Ask them to read through the entire text on their own marking
the passages that their character speaks. Then, have your group read the
entire text out loud.
- In order to read through the entire text, you need youth to read the
roles of the following characters: a narrator, Jesus, Simon Peter, the
apostles, the servant woman at the fire, the unknown man at the fire, the
men who arrested Jesus, the elders and high-priests, Pilate, the crowd, the
leaders of the crowd watching the crucifixion, the second person crucified,
the third person crucified, and the soldier watching the crucifixion
(Depending on the Bible translation you use, their exact names and
designations might vary. Double-check the speaking roles before you begin
this activity. Also, ask if everyone found their part before you begin the
group reading.).
- You may have to vary this assignment, depending on the number of youth
in your group. If you have a small group, assign more than one speaking role
to each young person. If your group is larger, assign several youth to read
the parts of the apostles, the crowd, etc. If possible, see to it that each
person in the room is assigned at least one role.
- Discuss the following questions:
- Which of the last statements of Jesus in Luke do you think represent
Jesus’ life best and why?
- Which one of the actions of Jesus do you think is most important for
us and why?
- Jesus’ last words
Have your participants look up the other Gospel stories about Jesus’ last
hours. Have them write down all of Jesus’ last words. Talk about what these
different last words might tell us about Jesus’ life and what they can mean
for us today.
- The essence of our lives
You may not want to do this
activity if a youth in your group recently experienced the death of a close
relative. Also, if you are visiting a cemetery or mausoleum, talk about how
your group can exercise respectful actions and behavior in these settings.
- Bring in a sample of obituaries and inscriptions of gravestones from the
local cemetery. If the cemetery is nearby, take a quick walk and let your
participants write down inscriptions on gravestones that impressed them.
Invite discussion about the content of these obituaries and gravestones.
- What do you think makes a “good obituary”? What do you think is
absolutely necessary, what is additional information? How much should an
obituary or an inscription on a gravestone say about the person who died?
- Invite your youth to write down their obituary and an inscription for
their own gravestone.
Closing Prayer
Graceful God, throughout our lives we do many things and speak many words.
Some of our words and actions give honor and praise to you; some of them do not.
We are sorry for the things we did and said that did not further your presence
on earth and hurt other people or ourselves. Help us to be mindful of what we
say and do. Help us to be mindful of the example of a God-pleasing life that
your son Jesus Christ, our Lord, provided for us. Amen
Contributed by Pastor Claudia Bergmann
Eisleben, Germany
Permission
to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2007 Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. ELCA Youth
Ministries. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens,
e-mail: rod.boriack@elca.org.
Program Resources
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