Wedding at Cana
WEDDING AT CANA
Objectives:
1. Students should identify the water into wine as Jesus’s first miracle.
2. Students should know the word “miracle” and what it means.
3. Students should recognize that the wedding at Cana is part of our wedding service.
Possible Lesson Plans:
- Open with prayer.
- Scripture Reference: John 2:1-11. Why was Jesus in Cana? Who asked him to supply more wine? How was the wine supplied? Remind the students that this was Jesus’s first miracle.
- Discussion: What is a miracle? How do we recognize that a miracle has occurred? Does nature follow a common pattern? Apples fall down, grapes turn to wine, etc. If an apple flew up or water turned to wine, people would notice. Why? What were some types of miracles Jesus did? Brainstorm a bit – healing, raising people from the dead, casting out demons, changing nature. Watch for these in later lessons.
- Talk a bit about weddings. What are the parts of an Orthodox wedding service? (Betrothal, Crowning, Prokeimenon, Gospel, Procession, Cup of wine, Removal of crowns) What happens after the ceremony? (reception/party) What’s a party like? What do you like to have at a party? What might adults like to have? What would it be like to run out of drinks with all those guests?
- Plan a party! Very shortly, we’ll be having our St. Nicholas party and inviting the whole neighborhood. Pretend you’re the steward. Plan it for us – refreshments, activities, games. Just tell us what to buy. And after class today you can deliver the invitations all over the neighborhood!
- Usually, there’s singing and dancing at a Jewish wedding. If you know any Jewish dances, you could do them now, or ask Dr. Pat to visit with her accordion.
- Play a learning game: “Quotations”. Read quotations from the Scripture passage and have the students identify the speaker. For example:
“Fill the waterpots with water.” Jesus
“They have no wine.” Mary
“You have kept the good wine until now.” Steward
“Whatever He says to you, do it.” Mary
“My hour has not yet come.” Jesus
“Draw some now and take it to the headwaiter.” Jesus
- Add to your time line as usual. This is a fun story of a party!
- Close with prayer.