An Introduction To The Life Of Jesus For Quakers Inspired By The Musical Godspell

1. An Introduction To The Life Of Jesus For Quakers Inspired By The Musical Godspell Lesson 2 ~ Being Both Curious &Faithful Suitable for ages 11 and older. These materials are meant for free distribution to individuals and nonprofit organizations. Images are from the public domain courtesy of Wikipedia.

2. Some Introductions & Definitions Elijah: Prophet from the Old testament who foretold the coming of the Messiah Jezebel: A woman in the Old Testament who was known for being evil. Ascension: When a person rises into heaven after dying. Job: A man in the Old Testament who had lots of problems and bad luck Blessings: Good things that happen in our lives Righteousness: Being good for its own sake. Disciple: A person who follows of one set of teachings and helps spread them. Jesus’ disciples were: Simon (Peter), Andrew, brothers James (the Great) and John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas (Doubting Thomas), James (the "Less"), Matthew, Simon , Judas Iscariot, Thaddaeus, & Mary Magdalene. They and their followers are also known as the Apostles. ~ Matthew 10:1 & Mark 3:13

3. Young Jesus In The Temple Every year Jesus’ parents took the family to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. On such a trip when he was twelve, his parents started to return home with their companions from their home town, but soon realized he was missing. After three days of looking they found him in the temple, sitting with the teachers, listening and asking questions. He had impressed everyone with his understanding and his own answers. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. ~ Luke 2:39-52

4. Learn Your Lessons Well I can see a swath of sinners settin’ yonder And they're actin’ like a pack of fools Gazin’ into space lettin’ their minds wander ‘Stead of studyin’ the good Lord's rules You better pay attention, build your comprehension There’s gonna be a quiz at your ascension Not to mention any threat of hell But if you're smart you'll learn your lessons well! Every bright description of the promised land mentions You can reach it if you keep alert Learnin’ every line and every last commandment May not help you but it couldn't hurt First ya gotta read ‘em then ya gotta heed ‘em Ya never know when you're gonna need ‘em Just as old Elijah said to Jezebel You better start to learn your lessons well!

5. Confidence & Curiosity Like Jesus, George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, was very smart even though he did not go to school as a child. His mother taught him to read. “When I came to eleven years of age,” he said, “I knew pureness and righteousness; for, while I was a child, I was taught how to walk to be kept pure. The Lord taught me to be faithful, in all things, and to act faithfully two ways; ...inwardly to God, and outwardly to man.” ~ George Fox This confidence and questioning nature set George on a life of spiritual seeking which included Bible reading and study. From an early age he questioned why the church did things the way that they did.

6. Blessing the Lord Jesus believed and taught that it is God who is responsible for all the blessings or good that happens in our lives. He taught that in good or bad situations we should be grateful for whatever good we can find. Jesus felt all the credit should go to God and therefore that we should seek God’s approval. He also taught that for all the trouble we have to go through, if we are good, and are thankful to God we will go to heaven after we die.

7. Bless the Lord Oh bless the Lord my soul His praise to thee proclaimed And all that is within me join To bless His holy name Oh yeah Oh bless the Lord my soul His mercies bear in mind Forget not all His benefits The Lord to thee is kind He will not always chide He will with patience wait His wrath is ever slow to rise Oh bless the Lord And ready to abate And ready to abate And ready to abate And ready to abate Oh yeah! He pardons all thy sins Prolongs thy feeble breath He heals thine infirmities And ransoms thee from death He clothes thee with his love Upholds thee with his truth And like an eagle he renews The vigor of thy youth And bless His holy name Whose grace hath made thee whole Whose love and kindness crowns thy days Oh bless the Lord - bless the lord my soul Oh bless the Lord my soul! Bless the Lord my soul Oh bless the Lord my soul! Bless the Lord my soul Oh bless the Lord my soul! Bless the Lord, bless the Lord my soul! Bless the Lord my soul!

8. The Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger & thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. Blesses are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:3-12

9. Jesus spent a lot of time meeting people and talking with them. He welcomed questions and debate. This allowed people to make up their own minds about what he said. Quakers believe that we need to ask questions and be curious so we can be both seekers and publishers of Truth.

10. All For the Best [JESUS] When you feel sad, or under a curse Your life is bad, your prospects are worse Your wife is crying, sighing... And your olive tree is dying, Temples are graying And teeth are decaying And creditors weighing your purse... Your mood and your robe Are both a deep blue You'd bet that Job Had nothin' on you... Don't forget that when you go to Heaven you'll be blessed... Yes, it's all for the best... [JUDAS] Some men are born to live at ease, Doing what they please, Richer than the bees are in honey Never growing old, never feeling cold Pulling pots of gold from thin air The best in every town, Best at shaking down Best at making mountains of money They can't take it with them, But what do they care? They get the center of the meat, Cushions on the seat Houses on the street where it's sunny.. Summers at the sea, winters warm and free All of this and we get the rest... But who is the land for? The sun and the sand for? You guessed! It's all for the best... [BOTH] You must never be distressed - Yes, it's all for the.... All your wrongs will be redressed Yes, it's all for the.... Someone's got to be oppressed! Yes, it's all for the best!!!

11. Early Quakers got into a lot of trouble for their beliefs. Many suffered terrible torture and prison. But they were strong in their belief that God loved them and would eventually help them. There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things, in hope to enjoy its own in the end. Its hope is to outlive all wrath and contention, and to weary out all exaltation and cruelty, or whatever is of a nature contrary to itself. …I found it alone, being forsaken. I have fellowship therein with them who lived in dens and desolate places in the earth, who through death obtained this resurrection and eternal life. ~ James Naylor

12. Queries What are your questions about God and what faithful living means? Do you have your own answers? Who do you give credit to for the good things in your life? What does it mean to you to be a seeker and publisher of Truth?