Activity Part I, Gospel Reading  

1. Read the Gospel passage aloud to your students as they follow along. Then discuss the focus and reflection questions with them as a class.

Focus Questions

Lower Elementary Gospel Reading, Mark 9:30-37

1. What did Jesus teach His disciples about as they travelled to Galilee? Jesus taught about how He would have to suffer, die, and rise again on the third day. This is the second prediction of His Passion and Resurrection. He taught the same thing in last week’s Gospel. 
2. What were the disciples arguing about? The disciples were arguing about which of them was the greatest. 
3. What do you think Jesus meant when He told the disciples “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all”? Accept reasoned answers such as the “greatest” in the Kingdom of God will be those who are humble and selflessly love and serve others rather than themselves.

Activity Part II, Who Is the Greatest

1. With a partner, in groups, or as a class, help your students create a list of five ways they can love and serve others in the Kingdom of God using the Who Is the Greatest? worksheet. 

Activity Part I, Who Is the Greatest?

1. Have your students complete the Before Reading the Gospel chart from the Who is the Greatest? worksheet.

Activity Part II, Gospel Reading

1. Have students read the Gospel passage, or read it aloud to your students, and then answer the focus questions. You may have students answer them on their own or you may discuss them together as a class.
2. Review and discuss the answers to the focus questions.

Focus Questions

Upper Elementary Gospel Reading, Mark 9:30-37

1. What was Jesus teaching His disciples as they traveled to Galilee? How is this similar to what Jesus taught His disciples in last week's Gospel? (Mark 8:27-35) Jesus taught about how He would have to suffer, die, and rise again on the third day. This is the second prediction of His Passion and Resurrection. He taught the same thing in last week’s Gospel.
2. What were the disciples arguing about? The disciples were arguing about which of them was the greatest.
3. What is Jesus' answer to the disciples argument? “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
4. How did Jesus use a child as an example? Jesus uses a child as an example, showing that the innocence, awe and wonder, joy, and peace of a child is more desirable in the Kingdom of God than ambition and pride. When we accept these qualities in others and in ourselves, we accept Christ, and we accept the Father.      

Activity Part III, Who Is The Greatest?

1. Have students complete the After Reading the Gospel chart from the Who is the Greatest?
2. Conclude by having students work with a partner to create a list of three rules for membership in the Kingdom of God.