Learning about the Garden of Gethsemane

In the atrium tomorrow, I will read the four Gospel passages of Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. The kids and I will then meditate and discuss these four different versions of the story. Since several of the kids are rather energetic cherubs who don't like to sit still and just listen, I usually try to find an activity they can do along with the Bible reading.  Thought I would share some of the resources I found on the internet.

Photos of the Garden of Gethsemane
To make the story more real for the kids, I like to show them photos of the Garden and the surrounding area. Our atrium has some older map books that show pictures of Jerusalem in the 1960s; I supplement these with newer photos that I've printed off the internet.  They love discussing how things have changed, and trying to envision what the garden might have looked like in Jesus' time when there wasn't as much development in the area. They are also fascinated with the fact that some of the trees in the garden are very old and may have been around when Jesus was in the garden!  Here are a few photos I found while doing an image search:

Jerusalm Shots: Ancient Olive Tree

Fotosearch: Garden of Gethsemane

Fotosearch: Gethsemane Gardens

TripAdvisor: Mount of Olives and Church of All Nations

Mount of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane

Garden of Gethsemane and Mount of Olives


Coloring Pages
I find that even the older kids enjoy doing coloring pages, especially if I can find pages with more detailed drawings.  Here are some of the pages I will be offering them:

Calvary Kids: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Calvary Kids: More detailed image of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Bible Printables:  Garden of Gethsemane
(this one reinforces the fact that the garden still exists today "in memory of Jesus' life on earth.")

Sermons4Kids: Jesus Praying in the Garden

Make a Miniature Garden
Ann Voskamp, in her blog Holy Experience, suggests creating a miniature Easter garden, complete with stone tomb, out of a clay dish. I think this idea could be adapted to create a miniature Garden of Gethsemane, complete with artificial olive trees and sand pathways. Hmmm, I think I'm going to brainstorm a bit more about this idea; perhaps a project I'll take on during Holy Week!

 

Faith and Family's "Agony in the Garden" diorama

Garden of Gethsemane Diorama
I love the hands on activity of making a miniature garden with the kids, but it might be a bit messy for the atrium. However, a diorama might be the perfect indoor project! The Faith and Family Connections blog has a downloadable .pdf file with complete instructions and artwork for making a "Agony in the Garden" diorama. Can't wait to try this project with my kids and also the students in the atrium!  (Thank you, Jon and Jennifer, for sharing this idea on your blog!)