ONLINE BIBLE STUDY -  JERUSALEM

Here are some activities for a Bible Study Group

David captures Jerusalem

The Stepped Stone Structure  Click for information

Make a dramatic reading of David's capture of Jerusalem, as reported by the Jewish historian Josephus (see Jerusalem Resources).

Note the derision (bravado?) of its defenders, and David's response.

You might like to compare this with the capture of Troy, in Homer's Iliad, Book 12. Both these stories describe the battle for a city and the struggle between attackers and defenders. Both come from a heroic tradition of armies, battles and warfare.

Herod and Mariamme

Research the lives of Herod the Great and his beautiful wife Mariamme - fascinating, wilful, spoilt Mariamme, who realised too late the danger she was in.

Herod: Bible People would be a good place to start.

Herod Condemns Mariamme  Click for information

Then click on the image at right for Josephus' version of the story.

The rooms of the palace, described in Resources, were probably the setting for the tragic story of their marriage, and her execution.

• Why did King Herod kill this woman?
• Was it simply jealousy, or were there other reasons?
• Did sh 'bring it on herself'? 
• Does the story give you an insight into the Massacre of the Innocents, described in Matthew 2:16-18?

Jesus and Jerusalem

Israel in the Time of Christ  Click for map

Have a careful look at a map showing the relative positions of Jerusalem and Nazareth, noting the boundaries of the provinces Samaria, Galilee and Judea. Use a topographic map if possible, to see fertile areas and land formations.

• Jesus was from rich farmland; the land around Jerusalem was far less fertile.
• Jesus was from a village, and he mingled mostly with village people; Jerusalem was sophisticated, cosmopolitan.
• Jesus studied the Scriptures, and loved them; the focus in Temple worship was on ritual.
• Lineage was important to the powerful families in Jerusalem; there were murmurs about Jesus' parentage.

In what light would Jesus have seen Jerusalem? How would the city leaders in Jerusalem have seen him?

                                     OR

Read one of the Gospel extracts about Jesus in Jerusalem (see Resources)
Choose one of the stories and imagine you are there. You want to know more about the event.

• What are the questions you might ask?
• What is the background of the people present?
• What are the sights, smells and sounds you encounter?
• What is happening? What is being said?

Imagine you are an evangelist, and write a description of the event.

JERUSALEM - RESOURCES has extra images and information

Plan of the Temple of Jerusalem                                          Click for more information

            Photos of Jerusalem at GALLERY PAGE