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Matthew 28: 1-10
· How many woman go to the tomb?
· What are their names?
· What might it mean that Mary Magdalene is named specifically and her companion is called “the other Mary”?
· Specifically, is there any mention of sex or prostitution here?Mark 14: 1-9
· What is the name of the woman who anoints Jesus?
· What’s ironic about what Jesus says in verse 9 about this woman?
· Where is Jesus when the woman anoints him?
· Does this passage give any indication that it is Mary Magdalene who anoints Jesus here?Mark 16: 1-11
· How many women go to the tomb?
· What are their names?
· To whom does the Risen Lord appear?
· What does this text say about Mary Magdalene? (See verse 9)
· Does this text give any indication or explanation of what the “seven demons” were? Specifically, is there any mention of sex or prostitution here?
· How do the male disciples respond to Mary Magdalene’s telling them that Jesus rose from the dead?Luke 7: 36-50
· What is the name of the woman who anoints Jesus in this passage?
· What are her sins? Is there any mention of sex or prostitution?
· Does this passage give any indication that it is Mary Magdalene who anoints Jesus here?Luke 8: 1-3
· What does this passage say Jesus did for Mary Magdalene?
· What were the demons? Is there any mention of sex or prostitution?
· What does this text say that the women, including Mary Magdalene, do for Jesus?
Luke 24: 1-12
· How many women go to the tomb?
· What are their names?
· How do the male disciples respond to Mary Magdalene’s telling them that Jesus rose from the dead?John 20: 1-10
· Who goes to the tomb?
· How do the male disciples respond to Mary Magdalene’s telling them that Jesus rose from the dead?
Before you meet:
Read the article, "Mary Magdalene: Apostle to the Apostles."
Step by Step
- Write the question on the board or easel pad: Will the real Mary of Magdala please stand up?
- Make and label two columns: Assumptions Facts
- Ask all to tell what they know about who Mary Magdalene was. Record their answers in the Assumptions column.
- Point out that much of what we think we know about Mary of Magdala is not based on what the Bible says of her.
- Divide into seven groups or pairs. If your group is not large enough, divide into two groups or pairs.
- Assign the Bible passage cards: One each to seven groups/pairs, or three to one group/pair and four to the other.
- Have each group/pair find and read the passage, and answer the questions on the back of the card.
- When all are ready, share the answers to the questions in the large group.
- Record what you learn about Mary under the column, Facts.
- Discuss: Why do most people assume that Mary Magdalene is a reformed prostitute?
- Read and discuss together the article "Mary Magdalene: Apostle to the Apostles."
- Point out that the word "apostle" is Greek and means "ambassador."
- What does it mean that Mary Magdalene is "the apostle to the apostles"? (This is an old title by which the Greek churches used to refer to her.)
- View the reproduction of the icon of Mary of Magdala.
- With the icon in view, read aloud John 20: 11-18.
- Write a letter to Mary of Magdala apologizing on behalf of the church for misunderstanding her through the centuries, and tell her about the situation of women apostles in the church today.
- Compose a prayer giving God thanks and praise for the life and witness of Saint Mary of Magdala.
- Search the Internet for other images of Mary of Magdala. Post them under your "Will the real Mary of Magdala please stand up?" columns as "assumption" or "fact."
