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8. The eye of a needle (pages
16-17)
Text from the book
'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.'
Some people spend all their time thinking about money… or about
their possessions … or about themselves.
Jesus suggested there were more important things in life. He used
stories to illustrate what he was trying to say. Do you think Jesus
had a sense of humour?
Aims of the book
Pupils will:
- explore some of the key sayings of Jesus;
- be aware of what friends and enemies said about him;
- reflect on the layers of meanings in the words.
Learning objectives
Pupils will:
- know that Jesus used stories, sometimes humorous ones, to put
across a message;
- reflect imaginatively on Christian ideas about the Kingdom of
God;
- consider Jesus teaching on money and wealth.
Background
There are all sorts of explanations for this – people write about
a gate called the Needle’s Eye in the walls of Jerusalem – but it
is clear it is a metaphor, a symbol. Jesus is not condemning wealth
for itself, but the lust for money and the greed associated with
it. He was also saying that everything is possible for God and God
can do what is impossible for human beings. Christians don’t have
to take everything Jesus’ says literally; he uses signs, symbols,
parables and metaphors to help people reflect and gain deeper insights.
Bible references: Mark 10. 25
Ways of using the picture
It was once thought to be impossible to go to the moon but not
any longer.
Make a list of five ‘impossible’ things. Why do you think they
are impossible? Will they always be impossible? Money can be one
form of greed; what other types of greed are there? Are we damaged
by greed?
Some people have given up everything to follow Jesus. Discover
some of their names and work in groups on people like Nikki Cruz,
St. Francis, Albert Schweitzer and Mother Teresa.
Key words
- Kingdom
- Wealth
- Money
- Greed
- Sacrifice
- Citizenship
- Metaphor
Activity
You will need:
A set of 10 cards for each of your working groups consisting of
the following words or phrases: Fashionable clothes, Love of God,
A winning lottery ticket, Friendship, Good health, A new computer,
Compassion, Love of your family, The latest bicycle, A season ticket
to watch your favourite football team
As a class group, explore the cartoon on page 16. What makes a
good story? What is Jesus trying to say with this ridiculous scenario?
Move into a discussion about what is meant by ‘rich’, and ‘wealthy’.
Is it possible to be ‘rich’ or ‘wealthy’ but have no money?
Set up a class discussion considering, for example, whether winning
the lottery could bring happiness – what are the pros, what are
the cons.
Jesus was trying to encourage his followers to live differently,
to prepare themselves for the Kingdom of God. This would involve
re-thinking their priorities in life. What are our priorities…?
In small groups prioritise the following list (you could add your
own examples according to the interests of the pupils), giving each
group a set of cards. They should devise arguments to support the
priorities they have chosen.
What are the most important things in life…
Fashionable clothes
Love of God
A winning lottery ticket
Friendship
Good health
A new computer
Compassion
Love of your family
The latest bicycle
A season ticket to watch your favourite football team
Re-form as a class group to share the results of the activity.
Round off the discussion by considering if it is easy to follow
the teachings of Jesus. Perhaps Christians need a good sense of
humour!
Learning outcomes
Pupils will have:
- grappled with some of the challenges set by Jesus’ story of
the camel trying to get through the eye of a needle.
- reflected on the meaning of ‘wealth’ and ‘riches.
- been introduced to the Christian term ‘Kingdom of God’.
Extension work
Discover the stories of Christians who have been prepared to make
a stand for their beliefs and in doing so have challenged the accepted
norms of society, for example, Rosa Parks, Oscar Romero, Desmond
Tutu.
Find out about the work of Traidcraft and its support for fair
traded products.
Web sites
http://www.pauline.org
This is an enjoyable and colourful story based on this bible passage
of the camel and the needle's eye. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader
to download the 'pdf' document, but it is well worth the wait.
http://www.bibletopics.com/biblestudy/43.htm
One of many interpretations of the bible passage.
© Alan Brown and Alison Seaman, 2002
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