Note to the Teacher

If we are honest, we can admit to instances when we manipulated the truth to avoid getting into trouble, hid from the truth when it came with painful consequences, or were unsure about what was really true. As we near the end of the calendar year and the season of Pentecost, it’s a great time to listen as Jesus speaks the truth to Pharisees in Mark’s Gospel.

1. Icebreaker: Box of Lies (10 minutes)

Option 1: Low-Tech

Prepare several small cardboard boxes with lids, each containing an everyday item – school supplies, kitchen utensils, paper products, and so on. Distribute the boxes randomly to students. They will take turns opening their boxes so the boxes are visible only to them. Then they describe their items truthfully or lie about what’s in the box. Other students vote on whether or not the presenter is telling the truth.

Option 2: High-Tech

Divide the group into pairs. Each pair will include one student who describes the item in their box, as above, and another who takes a cell phone video of the presenter. After all descriptions have been completed, watch the videos as a group. Discuss whether those being recorded were obviously lying or telling the truth.

2. Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Today’s scripture catches Jesus in a moment of frustration with those who cared more about the letter of the law than its intent. His words are openly critical of people whose acts of faith are more about being seen than doing the right thing. Then Jesus gives a powerful example, the parable commonly known as The Widow’s Mite (mite means small amount).

Read Mark 12:38-44 CEB.

3. Discussion (15 minutes)

Mark, chapter 12, contains several stories about money and financial concerns, including the story about renters of a vineyard and a passage about paying taxes. Jesus struggles with the outspoken Pharisees (responsible for maintaining Jewish identity and questioning Christ’s teachings) and Sadducees (priests heavily involved in political affairs, the Temple, and its festivals and sacrifices). Mark, the shortest of the four New Testament Gospels about Jesus’ life and teachings, is widely thought to be the first written. It’s also the most action-packed. The religious leaders refused to accept Jesus, which led to conflicts.

The author of Mark’s Gospel tells the long story of a rich man in chapter 10 (also found in Matthew and Luke) as well as references to rent, taxes, and the widow’s offering in chapter 12. Why do you think financial matters were important to Jesus?
If you found yourself in the shoes (sandals) of a Sadducee or Pharisee, what might Jesus say that would be difficult for you to hear?
Can you think of any modern public figures who might find Jesus’ truth related to financial matters in this passage uncomfortable? Explain.
A tithe, as prescribed in the Bible, means to offer ten percent of your income back to God’s work. Reread Mark 12:42-44. The widow obviously offered more than ten percent of what she had. What’s the difference between giving from what we have leftover and giving sacrificially?

4. Activity and Discussion (20 minutes)

If the weather permits, take a walk in the neighborhood where your group is meeting. Ask students to look for signs that indicate societal rules (speed limit signs, stop signs or stoplights, railroad crossing signs, restaurant drive-through directions, etc.). If the weather is inclement, instead brainstorm a list of such rules and have a volunteer write them on butcher paper. As a group, discuss whether exceptions should ever be made to those rules or laws. Who is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and enforcing the rules and/or laws in our homes, schools, and communities? Are those people subject to criticism as Jesus was in today’s scripture? Why or why not?

Total time: 50 minutes

NEEDED RESOURCES:

Several boxes with lids, each containing a small object that is easily described either accurately or with a series of untruths
One or more cell phones for video
Bibles or copies of CEB scripture for the day
Notepad and pen or markers and butcher paper.