Schools & Families Department

Student Workbook

Welcome! A Cathedral has stood on this site in London since 604 CE. Daily Christian worship has taken place here for over 1400 years. Worship means ‘to show how much something is worth to you’ and this magnificent building is built for the glory of God and to show how much He means to us. As you look around the building, think about how the life of Jesus 2000 years ago has shaped the lives of millions of people today.

Introduction

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Map of the Cathedral Floor & West End of Crypt

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Section A – Jesus’ Birth

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Section B – Jesus’ Childhood

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Section C – Jesus’ Baptism

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Section D – Jesus’ Life and Ministry

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Section E – Jesus’ Last Few Hours

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Section F – Jesus’ Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion

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Section G – Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension

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Section H – Christian Living: Life after Death

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Section I – Christian Living: Following Jesus

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Contents

Introduction

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Map of the Crypt & Cathedral Floor

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Cathedral Floor

Crypt E

C

B

G

D

F

G

Main Entrance

Stairs

Stairs

Stairs Stairs

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A

A

H

D

Stairs Stairs

Jesus’ Birth – Henry Moore, Mother and Child. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in what is now Palestine. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but it is estimated at about 4 BCE. The Bible tells us that he was born in a stable and that his mother, Mary, conceived the child by the power of the Holy Spirit. This unusual statue shows a mother and child who could be Mary and Jesus.

SECTION A: Jesus’ Birth

� Why do you think the artist has used this style to represent the mother and child?

� Do you think this is appropriate or would you prefer a more ‘realistic’ representation of Mary and Jesus? Explain your answer.

Jesus’ Birth - American Memorial Chapel stained glass window Study the left-hand stained glass window in the American Memorial Chapel. At the bottom is Mary with the baby Jesus on her lap. She is receiving gifts from the Magi (wise men).

Gold Used to make a wonderful smell when worshipping God. This gift emphasises that Jesus is God made flesh.

Frankincense An ointment used on dead bodies. This gift emphasises that Jesus died for the sins of all humankind.

Myrrh Used to make all kinds of precious objects, including royal crowns. This gift emphasises that Jesus is the King of Kings.

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SECTION B: Jesus’ Childhood

Jesus’ childhood – Memorial to Radolph Caldecott. The writer and artist, Randolph Caldecott, specialised in stories for children and his works were very popular. This memorial shows a small child mourning his death. Jesus’ own childhood is something of a mystery as the gospels do not tell us very much. However, ancient gospel accounts, not included in the Bible tell of Jesus performing small miracles as a child, such as healing his friends, and turning mud into sparrows!

� Why do you think that not much is written in the Bible about Jesus’ childhood?

The Bible does tell us one story: Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. 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 favour with God and men.

Luke 2:49-52 (New International Version)

� What does this story tell us about Jesus character?

� How do you think this story might comfort Christian parents?

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SECTION C: Jesus’ Baptism

Baptism – The Font Jesus was baptised in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. This was the beginning of his personal ministry and he was about thirty years old. Today, Baptism is the ceremony which marks a person’s entry into the Christian faith. Water is used as a symbol of washing away sin, and dying and rising to new life with Christ. At St. Paul’s, we usually baptise babies, and their parents promise to bring them up to be Christians.

� Why is having the font by the main entrance to the Cathedral appropriate?

� Why do you think we usually baptise babies rather than adults at St. Paul’s?

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During the Baptism service, parents are godparents make special promises on behalf of themselves and the baby:

• Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God? • I reject them.

• Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil? • I renounce them.

• Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour? • I repent of them.

• Do you turn to Christ as Saviour? • I turn to Christ.

• Do you submit to Christ as Lord? • I submit to Christ.

• Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life? • I come to Christ.

� Do you think it is right for parents and godparents to make promises about faith and life-style on behalf of the baby, or should the decision be up to the individual when he or she is old enough? Explain your answer and show that you have thought about more than one point of view.

Baptism is a sacrament. This means “An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual blessing.”

Put more simply, a sacrament is one of a number of ceremonies that Christians go through which they believe brings them closer to God.

� What other Christian ceremonies do you think could be sacraments? How might they help a Christian feel closer to God?

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After Jesus was baptised, he spent his life preaching about the Kingdom of God. Look at the memorial to Thomas Fanshaw Middleton. The inscription on the memorial reads:

Thomas Fanshaw Middleton DD First Protestant Bishop of India

Born 26th January 1769 Died 8th July 1822 This monument was erected by the joint contribution of

members of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel

� In what ways do you think that Middleton try to be like Jesus during his life?

� Do you think it was right for Christians like Middleton to go to other countries and preach their faith? Explain your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.

SECTION D: Jesus’ Life and Ministry

� How do you think the people reacted to Jesus message?

Jesus’ Life and Ministry – The Bible The Bible doesn’t say how long Jesus was preaching, although we estimate it to have been about three years. The Gospels are the writings in the Bible that tell us about this time. Gospel means ‘good news’. Stand under the Dome, facing forwards and look up at the mosaics above the pillars and find the pictures of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the gospel writers. In Christian art they are always depicted with special symbols so that they can be identified.

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Christians often call the Bible the Word of God. The Bible is read during worship, often from the large brass eagle lectern in the centre of the nave. Some Christians disagree about how to read the Bible. 1. Fundamentalist Christians – the Bible is the literally God’s words

to us all and means exactly what it says. All of it should be read and obeyed.

2. Liberal Christians – the Bible is a set of guidelines written down by men, but it was written in a particular time and place, and you cannot just apply it to today without careful consideration, and many bits are just out of date. You should look at the overall message rather than looking for specific instructions.

� These are two extreme views. Which do you think is easier to believe? Explain your answer and show that you have thought about more than one viewpoint

Look carefully and see if you can work out what they are:

Matthew Mark

Luke John

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SECTION E: Jesus’ Last Few Hours Bread and Wine The Bible says that on the night before he died, Jesus celebrated a meal with his disciples. They shared bread and wine. Today, Christians still remember this meal and enact it regularly. At St. Paul’s we do this twice every day and use the altar under the Dome and the High Altar in the Quire.

� What does the wine represent?

Sharing bread and wine is a SACRAMENT (see notes under Baptism).

� What thoughts and feelings do you think a Christian might have about the people sharing the bread and drinking from the same cup during the ceremony?

� How do you think sharing bread and wine might make a Christian feel closer to God?

� What do Christians call the final meal that Jesus had?

� How do you think a Christian might feel about Jesus when they eat the bread and wine?

� What do they call the re-enactment that they do today?

� Some churches might share bread and wine just a few times a year. Why do you think St. Paul’s has the service so often?

� What does the bread represent?

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SECTION F: Jesus’ Arrest,Trial & Crucifixion

After Jesus shared the meal with his disciples, he was arrested and put on trial. The gospels give slightly different accounts, but all agree that he was eventually taken to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate who sentenced him to death by crucifixion.

� This carving is in the pulpit. Jesus is wearing a crown of thorns on his head. Why do you think he was made to wear this?

Jesus’ Crucifixion Look carefully at it the mosaic which shows Jesus’ Crucifixion

� What are the main differences between the way this mosaic artist has chosen to show the scene and the pulpit carving?

� Which version do you like best and why?

� On what day of the year do Christians remember Jesus’ trail and crucifixion?

This day is one of the few weekdays when St. Paul’s does not allow tourists to sight-see. The Cathedral is open for prayers and special services only.

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� Do you think this is a good thing? What problems do you think might arise? Explain your answer and show that you have considered different points of view.

A representation of Jesus on the cross is called a crucifix.

� Why do you think some Christians like to pray in front of a crucifix?

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SECTION G: Jesus’ Resurrection & Ascension

After he died, Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb. This had to be done hurriedly before sunset because the Sabbath was about to began. There was no time to make the customary preparations to the body before the tomb was sealed and the day of rest began. The mosaic in the South East quarter dome shows what happened next. Jesus rose from the dead.

� How has the artist shown that Jesus is now alive again?

� What is the name of the festival which marks Jesus’ resurrection?

� Suggest three ways in which Christians might celebrate the day. 1. 2. 3.

Jesus’ Ascension After his resurrection, Jesus spent a further 40 days preaching and teaching people. The Bible says that he appeared to many people, including over 500 at one time. At the end of the period of 40 days, Jesus ascended (went up) to heaven.

� Space rockets and telescopes have proved that Heaven is not a literal place up in the sky, but why do you think religious people still speak of ‘going up’ to heaven?

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SECTION H : Christian Living—Life after death

Christian Living – Life after Death Find the memorial called the “Gates of Death”. This was designed to make people think about what happens when we die.

� What is written above the memorial?

� What objects do the angels hold? These are symbols of judgement.

Christians believe that one day, Jesus will return. At that time God will judge all people. Those who are considered righteous will live with God and those who are not righteous will live apart from God.

� What is the name given to the place where the unrighteous will go?

� How have artists, poets and some religious people traditionally described that place?

Christians do not believe that anyone can get to Heaven by being good. We are all sinful people, no matter how hard we try not to be. Instead they believe that God sent Jesus to die on the cross as a sacrifice on our behalf. He was completely without sin and took the punishment that we deserved and because of this we have a chance to be with God,

Jesus said: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you some-thing to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. Matthew 25:31-46 (new International Version)

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SECTION I: Following Jesus

The Light of the World Now find the painting by William Holman Hunt.

This painting shows Jesus, as he was pictured by and Englishman about a hundred years ago. Note that he has blond hair and blue eyes. Considering that Jesus lived in the Middle East, it more likely that he had darker hair, skin and eyes.

� How has the artist tried to make Jesus look like a holy person?

� Why do you think artists often make Jesus look like someone from their own culture? Do you think this is a good or a bad thing for an artist to do? Explain your answer and show that you have thought about more than one point of view.

The painting shows Jesus carrying a lantern and is called the Light of the World. In the Bible, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John Chapter 8 verse 12)

� What do you think Christians take this to mean?

� There are some words written beneath the painting. Write them here. These are from the Bible, from the book of Revelation chapter 3 verse 20.

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� What do you think the door in the painting represents and why is Jesus knocking at it?

Christian Living – The Body of Christ St. Paul’s Cathedral is the Mother (main) Church for the Christians of London.

� Christians often refer to themselves as members of the Body of Christ. What do you think they mean by this?

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St. Paul wrote: 14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honour to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

1 Corinthians 12:14-27 (New International Version)

Glossary

A Ascension—’Going up’. After he came back to life, Jesus taught his followers for forty days. He then went up to Heaven, possibly on a cloud. (see Acts 1:9)

B Baptism—The ceremony in which a person is welcomed into the Christian faith. Sometimes water is sprinkled over the person’s head, or they may be fully immersed. It is a sacrament

C Crucifix—Picture or statue depicting Jesus on the cross. Crucifixion—Roman death penalty for non-Romans. It involved the criminal being stripped naked and large nails being driven through the wrists and feet. The victim usually took several days to die, through blood-loss or suffocation. It was a most humiliating death and the descriptions we have in the Bible are actually the most detailed that survive, because not even Roman writers felt like describing it. Communion—see Holy Communion

F Font—Basin of water used for baptising people. Fundamentalist—Someone who believes the Bible is literally true.

G Godparents— Supporter of a baptism candidate, often friends or relatives of the parents, who make promises on the baby’s behalf. Gospels—’Good News’. Four books of the New Testament section of the Bible. Each Gospel contains accounts from Jesus’ life. Although there are differences between the four accounts, there are also many similarities.

H Heaven—Where God lives. Holy Communion—Sharing of bread and wine as symbols of Jesus’ body and blood. Holy Spirit—Part of God. The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Trinity. He is the part that Christians believe is with them now, helping them to follow Jesus.

J John the Baptist—Jesus’ cousin who became a preacher before him. John baptised people in the River Jordon and Jesus went to be baptised there himself.

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L Liberal—Someone who believes the Bible is important and has good teachings, but was written by humans, may contain mistakes, and needs to be read questioningly.

M Magi—wise men who visited Jesus as a baby. Mary—Name of several women who followed Jesus, most notably his mother.

N Nativity—Jesus’ birth.

P Palestine—In 1948, the UN created the state of Israel by dividing up the country of Palestine. The idea was to solve centuries of conflict between Jews and Arabs by creating separate homelands for them. However, this proved very controversial, particularly as many Arabs were deprived of land they had owned for centuries, and Jews were not given some of the key areas that they believed to be theirs by right. Bethlehem, Jesus’ birthplace, is officially under Arab-Palestinian control. Jerusalem, is split between Arabs and Jewish control. Prayer—Communication with God.

R Resurrection—Jesus’ coming back to life, three days after he died and was buried.

S Sacrament—’Outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual blessing’. A ceremony which Christians take part in which they believe brings them closer to God. Stained glass—Coloured glass used in church windows. It often depicts scenes from the Bible and was a useful teaching tool in the days before people could read.

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