I Love my Seminary Peeps

On Wednesday we were celebrating the Fall of Israel and figuring out the Who's Who of 600 BC. I know the destruction of Jerusalem doesn't really seem like something to cheer about, but honestly, for the last month it seems like every chapter we've read in Isaiah and Jeremiah has talked about how Israel will be destroyed but will be gathered again in the last days... fun to talk about once or twice or maybe three times, but honestly I was READY for Jerusalem to finally hit the dust so that we could move on to repairing and rebuilding. So...

We took turns "bowling" over Jerusalem... of course we had to improvise with water bottles and a basketball, but it was fun. I don't think the kids were quite as excited about the destruction of Jerusalem as I was... maybe they are more righteous... but they (meaning mostly the boys) were excited to go bowling in the middle of class. (FYI, I did make them answer a scripture mastery question before taking their turn so there was at least some kind of learning associated with the activity, however minimal!)

Then we did a "Who's Who of 600 BC". If you have read the Old Testament lately you'll know that after 2 Kings, nothing goes in order. In fact, many of the prophets are contemporaries and preach in different areas during the same general time frame. (The Bible Dictionary "Chronology" page is really interesting and helpful for understanding this.) Each of the kids were paired up and given a person who lived during the 20 years leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and were asked to share about their person via a mock "newscast" and with the help of some kind of visual...

Caleb and Nathan taught that the prophet Jeremiah was thrown in prison multiple times even though what he predicted was coming true. People though he was a traitor.

Playdough rendition of Jeremiah in prison.

Logan and Brittney newscasting about the prophet Ezekiel who taught refugees from an earlier invasion of Jerusalem living just outside of Babylon.

Brittney and the little, tiny, rather boring playdough man, Ezekiel.

Ty newscasting about Daniel and Shadrak, Meshak, and Abenego (sp?) who were taken as young boys to be trained in the court of Babylonian king Nebechanezzer (sp?). Cody is acting it out as Logan and Nathan hold "tele-prompters." :)

Cameron and Audrey teaching us about a wealthy and proud Jew named Laban (who we read about in the Book of Mormon, but totally helps us understand what people were like right before the fall of Jerusalem).

Laban (red) and Nephi (blue). This picture doesn't do it justice... they took Laban apart and then "redressed" Nephi!

Celsee and Sophia telling us about Lehi, who tried to prophecy to the Jews but was threatened and then commanded to flee Jerusalem before its destruction.

I think this is Lehi wandering in the wilderness. 

 We don't do crazy stuff like this every day, but we had a blast with it this time and I hope that even though it wasn't the deepest, most spiritual lesson, that it will help them understand the Old Testament (and Book of Mormon) a little better.

I can't believe I only have 5 weeks left with these kids. This is the hardest calling and hardest job I have ever had, but it has been so fun and rewarding. I think I will really miss doing this next year!