34 - St. Mark the Apostle

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen

Lesson No. ( 34 )

References 

The story of the Coptic Church, Iris El Massry. 

St. Mark, H.H. Pope Shenouda III. 

Notes for Servants 

May we have such a service full of love and sacrifice! This is a strong zeal that St. Mark and all the holy men of the church have! 

As the Lord was with St. Mark in his service and helped him to endure all pains and sufferings because he was honest and sincere, the Lord will also be with us if we are honest and sincere in our service. 

Objectives 

General: How Christianity came to Egypt. 

Specific: 

The children will be able to ... 

1. Learn that St. Mark was one of the seventy, he wrote one of the four Gospels and he was the first Pope of Egypt. 
2. Understand the meaning of the word ‘preach.’ 
3. Talk to their friends about God. 

Bible Verse 

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” Mark 16:15 

Teaching Aids 

An icon or a picture of St. Mark - Candles are to be lit and put around it. 

Instruction 

(1) Review last week's lesson. 

(2) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week. 

(3) Servant give the main events in St. Mark's life briefly - his martyrdom and how Christianity came to Egypt. 

(4) Teacher should prepare the appropriate questions to emphasize the objectives during the

lesson. 

Story Time 

St. Mark was one of the seventy apostles whom the Lord Christ chose. He witnessed the miraculous works of Christ such as healing the sick and raising the dead. 

After Christ's resurrection and ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit, St. Mark came to Egypt to speak to the Egyptians about Christ. The first city he went to was Alexandria, the city close to his homeland. 

In Alexandria, he prayed for his mission and message. He walked in the streets of the city until his sandals were worn out. Annianus, the shoemaker, mended St. Mark's sandal but the needle pricked his hand while mending the sandal and he cried out, "The One God." The apostle put some mud on his finger and he was healed at once. 

The shoemaker was amazed to hear St. Mark speaking about Jesus and to be healed by the power of Christ. St. Mark told him about the many miracles performed by Christ. The shoemaker and his household believed. Annianus was ordained a bishop. Christianity spread and Christians grew in number. 

Discussion 

1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children. 

2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity. 

Learning Activities 

Colouring Page.