Echoing the Word > Sample Issue

If you are not a member you can subscribe now. Existing members may login.

	Echoing the Word	06-02-2006
	Vol. 5 No. 1, 2006 The Gospel of Mark

Failure and Loneliness

Michael Trainor offers a powerful reflection on the Gospel of Mark, providing a historical background and tracing the many important themes that emerge from this early Christian community. Significantly, Michael also explores how the message of Mark’s Gospel might speak intimately to the particular situation of Australian Christians today, in a time where many of us might experience feelings of failure, fear or loneliness.

Editorial

Joanna Coleiro, fsp
In preparing this issue on the Gospel of Mark, I was reminded of how important it is that educators stay in touch with current and sound Catholic biblical scholarship - particularly in the area of the Gospels.

Scripture

A Seed Alone – Mark 4:26-29

Antoinette Collins explores the richness of Mark chapter 4, bringing our attention to the parables of the seeds and how they might encourage us in our faith and our belief in the goodness and freedom of the reign of God.

Liturgies & Activities

An Interview with Mark

A Reading Drama

Clare Horan offers a wonderfully creative and interactive reading drama in the form of an interview with none other than Mark himself! Through this conversation, students will develop a great sense of how Mark’s Gospel came to be written, of the community of Mark, their relationship and knowledge of Jesus, and of the ongoing relevance of Jesus’ message.

Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark

Nicola Edghill’s two activities focus on the theme of discipleship. The first activity looks at the opening passages of the Mark’s Gospel while the second activity invites students to explore specific events in the Gospel and what each event tells us about the qualities of true discipleship.

Introducing Mark

Margaret Carswell provides a comprehensive teaching guide for introducing students in junior, middle and senior school to the Gospel of Mark. Margaret’s three outlines provide teachers with key points to emphasis, the reasoning for each exercise as well as a practical guide on how to engage with the task in the classroom environment. An essential and useful resource for all teachers and catechists.

Jesus Calms the Storm

Nadine MacAninch's activity invites students to explore Mark’s account of Jesus’ calming of the storm at Galilee. Students are asked to cut out and arrange the different parts of this narrative in order before drawing each in the boxes provided.

The Year of Mark's Gospel

Nadine MacAninch's activity provides an informative fact file on the Gospel of Mark along with ‘true or false’ questions for students to complete afterwards. A simple and informative learning activity for the classroom or parish setting.

Website Reviews

Helpful Sites for Home & the Classroom

Daniel Ang reviews three engaging web sites for the classroom and parish, including New Testament crossword puzzles that might form the basis of a fun individual or group scripture project. Also reviewed is Cybersmart Kids Online, an important and interesting Australian web site for all parents, teachers and students of every age who are exploring and engaging with the World Wide Web.

Theology

Truth and Meaning in Mark

Tony Densley reflects on the meaning of Mark and we might come to know and love God more through the reading of this Gospel. Tony confronts our own human, often tangled, journey towards the truth and how Mark’s faith-filled record of the story of Jesus can encourage and deepen our understanding of what it means to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

Reviews & Resources

Children's Literature

Jan Grajczonek reviews three engaging books for use in the religious education classroom, The Gift of Nothing, The Postman’s Dog and Me, All Alone, at the End of the World. In different ways, all three books touch on the theme of relationship, with others, with self and the environment in which we live.

Resources for Religious Education

Paul Taouk reviews two books for primary years’ students. A-Cross the World: An Exploration of Forty Representations of the Cross from the Worldwide Christian Church explores the many and various depictions of the cross while Ready-to-Go Scripture Skits…that teach serious stuff is a practical, “hands-on” resource for exploring Scripture through drama and skits in the classroom.

For the Catechist

Teaching Tip: Using Scripture in the Classroom

Ann Maree Whenman provides some key teaching tips on using Scripture in the classroom. In particular, Ann Maree emphasises the need for variety, for understanding children and the resources that speak to them, and nurturing our own love and understanding of Scripture as the Word of God.

The Gospel of Mark and Discipleship

The Yr B Synoptic Gospel for Catechists

Ann Maree Whenman begins the year with a reflection on the key theme of discipleship found in the Gospel of Mark. Ann Maree focuses on how this Gospel speaks powerfully to the catechist of today, calling and challenging them to God-centredness, ongoing conversion and commitment as a disciple of Jesus.

Religious Literacy

Teaching Scripture in the Early Years

Some Things to Keep in Mind

Jan Grajczonek discusses the importance of encouraging biblical literacy in religious education curricula as well as some key points in choosing the most appropriate bible to use with children in their early years. Jan encourages teachers to familiarise themselves with each Gospel as a different and unique reflection on the life of Jesus and provides some creative ways of exploring these stories in the classroom.

Using Technology in R.E.

The Year of Mark

Nadine MacAninch provides a helpful guide for teachers to encourage their students’ understanding of the rich social and culture context of Mark’s Gospel. Nadine provides some creative activities including a “fact and fiction” file and web site links that could be used for a research project or even a “Gospel of Mark” trivia game!