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 3 ~ Miracles, Parables, & The Light 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. Definitions Miracle: Something amazing and wonderful that happens that cannot be explained except to be attributed to the work of God. Parables: Stories that have a parallel meaning to what happens in them. Prodigal - wastefully or recklessly extravagant

3. Jesus Feeds The Multitudes Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. ~ Matthew 15:32-38

4. All Good Gifts We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land.. But it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand.. He sends us snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain... The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain... All good gifts around us Are sent from Heaven above Then thank the Lord, thank the Lord for all his love... We thank thee then, O Father, for all things bright and good, The seedtime and the harvest, our life our health our food, No gifts have we to offer for all thy love imparts But that which thou desirest, our humble thankful hearts! All good gifts around us Are sent from Heaven above.. Then thank the Lord, thank the Lord for all his love.. I really wanna thank you Lord! All good gifts around us Are sent from Heaven above.. Then thank the Lord, oh thank the Lord for all his love..

5. In May 1652 George Fox climbed to the top of Pendle Hill. This is the north-east of Lancashire, England, near the towns of Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Clitheroe and Padiham. “And the Lord let me see... in what places he had a great people to be gathered.” The first Quaker meeting for worship is said to have been held on Pendle Hill with hundreds of people in attendance.

6. Turn Back, O Man Turn back, O man Forswear thy foolish ways Old now is earth And none may count her days Yet thou, her child Whose head is crowned with flames Still will not hear Thine inner God proclaims Turn back, O man (is your seat comfortable sir?) Turn back, O man (mmm, I like that) Turn back, O man (can you take it?) Forswear thy foolish ways (See ya later, I'm going to the front of the theater) Earth might be fair And all men glad and wise Age after age their tragic empires rise Built while they dream And in that dreaming weep Would man but wake From out his haunted sleep Turn back, O man. (I'll say it again) Turn back, O man. (can you see from where you're sittin’?) Turn back, O man. (hiya big boy) Forswear thy foolish ways Earth shall be fair and all her people one Not till that hour Shall God's whole will be done Now, even now once more from earth to sky Peels forth in joy man's old undaunted cry Earth shall be fair and all her people one C'mere Jesus, I got something to show ya! Turn back, oh man Forswear thy foolish ways! Old now is earth and none may count her days Yet thou, her child whose head is crowned with flames Still will not hear thine inner God proclaims Turn back, oh man Turn back, oh man Turn back, oh man Forswear thy foolish ways! Play it honey!

7. The Parable of the Prodigal Son Jesus wanted to teach his followers about forgiveness, how important it is even though it is hard. He told the story of young man who gave up his family and went away squandering everything his father had given him. He lived a wicked life until he had nothing left and was forced to go home in disgrace. But his father welcomed him back joyfully and threw him a big party. The young man’s brother was angry and jealous. He had stayed home, worked hard, saved his money, and followed his father’s wishes. He wanted to know how his father could forgive his brother. “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and now is found.’” ~ Luke 15:31

8. Another set of parables Jesus taught has to do with the Light. He taught that the Light should be shared with the whole world. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:14-16

9. Light of the World You are the light of the world! You are the light of the world! But if that light is under a bushel, Brrr, it's lost something kind of crucial You got to stay bright to be the light of the world You are the salt of the earth You are the salt of the earth But if that salt has lost its flavor It ain't got much in its favor You can't have that fault and be the salt of the earth! So let your light so shine before men Let your light so shine So that they might know some kindness again We all need help to feel fine (let's have some wine!) You are the city of God You are the city of God But if that city's on a hill It's kinda hard to hide it well You've got to stay pretty in the city of God So let your light so shine before men Let your light so shine So that they might know some kindness again We all need help to feel fine (let's have some wine!) You are the light of the world You are the light of the world But the tallest candlestick Ain't much good without a wick You've got to live right to be the light of the world…

10. Quakers were very inspired by this passage about the Light. Many Quakers call God the Inner Light or Inward Christ. Quakers believe that there is that of God in everyone. Just as Jesus taught, they believe it is not just what you say that matters: “You will say, ‘Christ saith this and the Apostles saith this’; but what canst thou say? Art thou a child of the Light and has walked in the Light, and what thou speakest, is it inwardly from God?” ~ George Fox

11. Queries Do you believe in miracles? Is forgiveness hard for you to do? Why? How can you let your Light shine?