ONLINE BIBLE STUDY - NAZARETH

Activities for Bible Study Groups

A Woman’s Life

Interview your own mother, or an older female relative. Try to discover details of her life, to understand her better. Ask some of the following questions, or compose your own:

Mothers and Grandmothers

1. What are the three events in your life that you remember most vividly?
2. Can you describe one of these events?.
3. What have you done that you are most proud of?
4. What did you find most difficult in your life?.
5. Did you learn about Mary and Joseph of Nazareth when you were at school?
6. How were they portrayed?
7. What part did Mary or Joseph play in religious rituals you were involved in?
8. Did you try to imitate any of their qualities in your own life?

You could, if you wish, answer some of these questions yourself, and jot down your ideas and memories.  

You're Not the Only One...

Rejection by the people we know is one of the most painful experiences of life. It forces us to examine ourselves, and to re-assess the people we think we know - just as Jesus had to when the people of Nazareth rejected him.

Read the passage about Jesus' rejection at Nazareth in 'Nazareth Resources', then spend some time thinking about

• Jesus' experience of rejection in his home town
• a time when you yourself felt rejected.

                What did you learn from the experience?

The Things She Knew

Images of Mary Today

Read the heart-breaking 'Prayer for  a New Mother' by Dorothy Parker in 'Nazareth Resources'.

Try to imagine the daily life of Mary or Joseph, living in the little village of Nazareth.

• What are the smells?
• The colors?
• The sounds?
• The smells?
• What is the landscape?
• What time of day is it?
• What is the mood of the people whose eyes meet yours?
• Are the people old or young? Dark or fair? Good-looking or ugly? Tired or energetic?
• What are they wearing?
• What are you wearing (clothing, footwear, jewelry)?

Clothing, Jewelry and Housing in Ancient Times has information on this.

Empathic Reconstruction

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

'Be' a person in Nazareth on the day that Jesus is rejected - either

• a family member who supports him
• one of the townspeople who try to kill him
• or perhaps someone who simply watches from the sidelines.

Explain what happens, as you see it. Empathize with the motives and emotions of the person.

Read the gospel passage in 'Nazareth Resources'and information about daily life in 'Nazareth - Daily Life'. 

Draw up a list of

• the things you know for certain
• the things you would like to know
• background details

Record your findings as a journal entry.

Go to 'RESOURCES' page for information and Bible passages