Bible Study – Kingdom (Christ The King Sunday)
Share: Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.
During the last weeks of Ordinary Time, the Gospel of Mark continues with the Kingdom of God is open for all people. We hear this message in the readings about the rich man, the disciples jockeying for position, the blind man, the saints, the poor widow, and even Pilate as he queries Jesus about being a king. We don't have to pass an entrance exam; we are already in the Kingdom. Through all the changes that occur in our lives, what will not change is God's love for each of us. The kingdom that Jesus is proclaiming is already here and yet is also still to come – the undercurrent of Advent, which is coming near.
My kingdom is not of this world. My kingdom is not won in a battle. Clearly, the kingdom Jesus offers comes a very different way than we expected. Jesus refuses violence. Instead, he speaks the truth and waits for ordinary people to hear his voice and choose to follow him. The ordinary gathers energy for the extra–ordinary to come
Today we will fast-forward in the life of Jesus to his encounter with Pilate, shortly before Jesus is crucified. As we read the passage for today, let's look for clues as to why this Sunday is called Christ the King Sunday.
Opening Prayer: Thank you, God, for the kingdom you have prepared for us and for Jesus who shows us the way. Amen.
Please open your Bibles to John 18:33-37 and read or read the scriptures below.
John 18:33-37
33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Reflection Questions: (See answers at the bottom of the pages)
- What clues tell us that this Sunday should be called Christ the King Sunday?
- Why is Pilate asking Jesus all these questions?
- We have had many stories this fall where people asked Jesus something and he gave them an answer different from their question or he responded with a question for them. Let's look for this happening in this passage:
- What does Jesus answer to these questions of Pilate:
- Are you the king of the Jews? (verse 34)
- What have you done? (verse 36)
- So, you are a king? (verse 37b)
- What is different from most governments about the kingdom Jesus is describing?
Click here for the young learner’s lesson.
Videos (Click on url)
Christ the King B John 18:33-37: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAwi8U2C5CM or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVtk9S3rRWE
Gospel of John Summary: A complete Animated Overview Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfh_wOsauk
Song: Crown Him with May Crowns - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbx_r5ltTJI
A Child of the King - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TkuimZtCng or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQKreHhbNx8
Activities:
Crown Memory Verse Placards: Be creative and draw a crown on a small folded piece of construction paper that can stand on your dresser or kitchen table. The crown can be drawn on the outside and the inside of the card write the verse “Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.””
Crown Wall Sign: Use butcher paper and draw a crown and decorate around the area. Write words JESUS, KING, LORD, REIGNS, CROWN HIM and the Bible Verse: “Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”” Display it on the wall in your room.
Christ the King Sunday – Maze: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/christ-the-king-sunday-maze
Born To Be King – Crossword: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/born-to-be-king
Born To Be King - Word Search: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/born-to-be-king-3
Born To Be King – Decoder: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/born-to-be-king-1
Born To Be King – Fill in the Blank: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/born-to-be-king-2
Prayer: Thank you for the stories you we have had this year that assure us that you love us. Amen.
Answers to the Reflection Questions:
- What clues tell us that this Sunday should be called Christ the King Sunday? (Its message is that Jesus the Christ is King. The Gospel for the last Sunday of Pentecost, although different for each lectionary year, focuses on the same theme.)
- Why is Pilate asking Jesus all these questions? (The leaders of the Jewish people had become convinced that what Jesus was teaching was not from God and so they wanted him arrested. Pilate was the person in charge of the government there.)
- We have had many stories this fall where people asked Jesus something and he gave them an answer different from their question or he responded with a question for them. Let's look for this happening in this passage:
- What does Jesus answer to these questions of Pilate:
- Are you the king of the Jews? (verse 34)
- 34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
- What have you done? (verse 36)
- 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
- So, you are a king? (verse 37b)
- Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
- Are you the king of the Jews? (verse 34)
- What is different from most governments about the kingdom Jesus is describing? (No army, no fighting, people told to listen for the truth, and verse 37b)
