Gospel comparison "Which Character Where?"

Which Character Where?

Think about the same story in the different Gospels. Place the characters from the different stories in the venn diagram showing  which gospel they appear in.

What does it tell you about the audience?

Question Starter Grid…

To begin a scripture inquiry a starting point might be using the Question Starter Grid

Read the scripture first so the students have an idea about the story. Begin by asking simple questions about the text .... From all aspects or just one. Try from a historical view eg: What is the date this story was written in? (what month was it? ) When is the most action going to take place? Which setting is the most important? Who is in charge? Why is it set here? How will it unfold?

When children have a few questions on their grid set about asking them to find answers for them.

What is	When is	Which is	Who is	Why is	How is
What did	When did	Which did	Who did	Why did	How did
What can	When can	Which can	Who can	Why can	How can
What would	When would	Which would	Who would	Why would	How would
What might	When might	Which might	Who might	Why might	How might

Whats on your mind? Open minded portraits

This is an activity to help children move beyond the literal aspect of the text. The children must have experienced the text at least four times as a story, reenactment, film version etc. They need to have had many occasions to discuss what they think is happening in the story before this activity.
 They choose a character from the story or you choose for them, you may want to examine a particular understanding from the text that is pertinent to  particular character. The child draws a character portrait of what they think the character looks like using detail from the text to direct them. you could allow them to research eg. What would a Samaritan wear in Jesus' time? What do chief priests wear? What does a woman wear outside in Jerusalem in Jesus' time? (this could actually inspire a whole new inquiry discussion) 
When the illustration is finished cut out the shape and make a page for behind the head in the same cut out shape. Have the child evenly space these three questions on their page.

1/ What am I thinking?

2/ What do I want to change in the story? or 2/ What could improve this story for my character?

or 2/ I think the other characters did that because...... or 2/What could I have done in this story to make it turn out better for the other characters?

3/ As the artist in charge of the character's thoughts what can I do in my world using the lessons/inspiration of the story to make things better/more peaceful/happier/more prayerful ( how can I use my understanding of this story to change my world?)...

The depth of their answers in all criteria will give you an idea of how much they have taken from the story and their level of understanding. This is the victim from the Good Samaritan

I'm thinking: I'm thinking that I am poor and helpless. I'm feeling hurt because the robbers bashed me.
I wish I could change: I wish I could change the people who walked past me.
In everyday life: You should be thankful for what you've got.