Garden of Gethsemane

Games Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Uses a quiz format to learn about the Garden of Gethsemane.

Scripture Reference:

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done”. Luke 22:42
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Philippians 4:13
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not” Isaiah 53:3

Lesson Objectives:

• The children will learn that before Jesus went to the cross, he spent the night praying to God.
• They will understand that God sometimes requires us to do difficult things, but that we can rely on him for strength.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture ahead of time
• Make true/false cards
• Gather the materials

Materials List:

• True or False cards and box
• Scripture signs
• Bible.

Presentation

Opening:

Greet the children and introduce yourself.

Opening prayer:
Ask the children if they know what Jesus did before he went to the cross. Do they pray before they get ready to do something hard? Tell them you want to help them learn some scripture that will help them to rely on God. Read the key scriptures. Hold up the scripture signs and ask the kids to recite the verses with you.

Dig:

Editor's Note:
The game suggestion here is minimal. It is recommended that you incorporate the quiz content into something a little more game-y.

Tell the kids they are going to play “True or False”. Have them sit in a circle. Each child will have a chance to draw a card and read the statement (if you have a non reader, read it for them). Have the class vote on whether it is true of false, then reveal the answer. (if it was a false statement, give the correction as well). Alternatives: split the kids into two groups. Have the teams take turns answering the questions. If the team gives the correct answer, one team member may spin the wheel. Keep track of the points on the dry erase board. Or, have the teams play giant tic tac toe. (The X’s and O’s are in the cabinet). They lay the X or O down when they answer correctly.

True/False statements
Matthew 26:36-55
Mark 14:32-51
Luke 22:39-52
John 18:1-11

• Jesus went to the "Beautiful Garden" to pray. (False, it was the Garden of Gethsemane. Do they remember what Gethsemane means? “Oil press")
• Jesus asked the disciples to pray with him. (False. Jesus asked the disciples to pray for him)
• Jesus sweated drops of blood as he prayed. (True… see attached medical explanation for this)
• Jesus asked God to “take this cup from me”. (True… make sure they understand what this meant)
• Jesus told the disciples to pray so they wouldn’t be tempted. (True)
• An angel appeared from heaven to strengthen Jesus. (True)
• Jesus sat on a rock and prayed. (False)
• Jesus took a cup of water with him to the garden. (False)
• Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray. (True. The Garden of Gethsemane was at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Be sure they understand what this means)
• Jesus found the disciples asleep. (True. Ask how many times? 3… see Mark)
• The disciples ate dinner while they waited for Jesus to finish praying. (False)
• There were olive trees in the garden where Jesus prayed. (True)
• Jesus told some of the disciples to sit down, but he took Peter, John and James along a little further with him. (True)
• Peter, James and John fell asleep 3 times. (True)
• Jesus was very sad. (True)
• Jesus cut down the tree that was made into his cross. (False)
• Jesus took his mother Mary with him to the garden. (False)
• Jesus picked flowers in the garden. (False)
• Jesus was willing to do what his Father wanted. (True)
• Jesus cried “Abba, Father” when he prayed. (True)
• When the disciples woke up, Peter had come back with the guards to arrest Jesus. (False)
• When a disciple cut off one of the guard's servant's ear, Jesus healed it. (True)

The following was taken from “The Case For Christ” by Lee Strobel, pages 195-6….
Mr. Strobel interviewed Alexander Metherrell, MD, PhD to discuss medical facts about Jesus and the crucifixion. Regarding Christ sweating drops of blood, Dr. Metherrell explains that “it is a known medical condition called hematidrosis. It’s not very common, but it is associated with a high degree of psychological stress. What happens is that severe anxiety causes the release of chemicals that break down the capillaries in sweat glands. As a result, there is a small amount of bleeding into these glands, and sweat comes out tinged with blood.”

Closing:

Close with a prayer before dismissing the children to their parents.

 
A lesson written by psalm_77

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.