The Tell-It-Together Gospel: Mark: Bible Translation by Paula Gooder; Interactive Storytelling Tips by Bob Hartman

By Paula Gooder and Bob Hartman

A fresh new translation of Mark's Gospel by renowned Biblical scholar Dr Paula Gooder, with interactive storytelling tips from well-known children's author and performer Bob Hartman. Ideal for use in churches, in all-age worship, in children's groups and at home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: SPCK
• Release date: Oct 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9780281079230

Paula Gooder

Paula Gooder is one of the UK's leading biblical scholars and is passionate about making the best of that scholarship accessible to a wide audience. She is Canon Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral, a Reader and the author of numerous bestselling titles.

Book preview

THE TELL-IT-TOGETHER

GOSPEL: MARK

THE TELL-IT-TOGETHER

GOSPEL: MARK

Translated by Paula Gooder

Interactive storytelling tips by

Bob Hartman

Contents

Introduction

Mark 1

Mark 2

Mark 3

Mark 4

Mark 5

Mark 6

Mark 7

Mark 8

Mark 9

Mark 10

Mark 11

Mark 12

Mark 13

Mark 14

Mark 15

Mark 16

Introduction

The idea for this book emerged out of a conversation between Bob and Paula a few years ago. Bob wondered what it would be like to do his Bible storytelling with the actual text of the Bible, rather than a retold and cut-down version, but was unsure if any of the published translations would be quite right for what he had in mind. Paula had always wanted to try her hand at a modern translation of the text. So we decided to try something together. The Tell-it-Together Gospel is the result of this. You will find here a new translation of Mark’s Gospel interwoven with suggestions for how to ‘tell it together’ using actions and audience participation. We hope that you will find it a fun way to tell the Bible story and to get as many people as possible, of all different ages, to join in.

A note on the translation . . .

The translation is a completely new translation of the Greek text by Paula Gooder. As far as possible, we have kept as close to the original as we can. At the same time, we were aiming for a lively, engaging translation that would make sense to as many people as possible, so we have used modern words and phrases in order to communicate some of the power of Mark’s Gospel. But, at the same time, we have left in words that some people won’t know, such as ‘Pharisees’ or ‘Corban’, because they are there in the original.

Staying faithful to the original while producing a readable text that sounds modern can be difficult to navigate, so sometimes it was necessary to add in a word or two to help the modern reader to make sense of the action. We tried to do this as little as possible, but occasionally we needed to explain who ‘they’ were in the text, as Jesus and his disciples (or someone else) had been introduced such a long time ago that the phrase didn’t make sense as it stood.

. . . and a note on the actions

We have tried to spell out the actions as clearly as possible, in both the bold type we have used and in the instructions given. Being clear and confident is the best way to pass those instructions on to the members of your audience.

Tell them exactly what you want them to do and how you want them to do it. Model it for them, then do it with them, to give them confidence to do it too.

Read through the text and the actions ahead of time. Practise. The more familiar you are with the actions, the more confident everyone will be.

Do it with a smile on your face, unless the action calls for you to be serious or sad. Playfulness is key.

If another person is available, it can be really helpful for one of you to read the text and the other to lead the actions.

If there is some action you genuinely think won’t work, feel free to leave it out or change it.

Above all, create a welcoming environment, where everyone is invited to join with you as you climb into the text and ‘tell it together’!

Mark 1

How it all began

¹ The good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, began like this. ² Just like the prophet Isaiah had written a long time before:

‘Look out! (Have everyone shield their eyes with one hand, as if looking far in the distance.) I am sending my messenger in front of you. He’ll make a way for you.’

³ A voice is shouting in the desert (have everyone shout the next two lines after you): ‘Make a way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.’

(Now ask, ‘So who do you think is the messenger? Who is making the path straight? Here he comes . . .’)

⁴ John, the one who baptized people, was in the desert. He was telling people about a baptism that turned their lives around so that all the wrong things they had done could be forgiven. (Tell everyone to turn and face a different direction, shake their heads, as if they are shaking off water, and shout, ‘I’ve changed direction! I’m forgiven. Hooray!’) ⁵ Everyone came out from that area – from Judea and Jerusalem – and, as they admitted what they had done, John baptized them in the River Jordan. (Tell everyone to turn and face a different direction, shake their heads, as if they are shaking off water, and shout, ‘I’ve changed direction! I’m forgiven. Hooray!’)

⁶ John’s clothes were made from camel hair, which he tied with a leather belt, and he ate locusts (everyone say, ‘Icch!’) and the honey (everyone say, ‘Mmmm’) you can find in the wild. ⁷ He told the people: ‘There’s someone coming after me who is stronger than I am. I am not good enough even to bend down and take his sandals off. ⁸ I baptize you with water (have everyone turn and face a different direction, shake their heads as if they are shaking off water, and shout, ‘I’ve changed direction! I’m forgiven. Hooray!’), but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

Jesus’ arrival on the scene

⁹ At that time, Jesus came from Nazareth (which is in Galilee) and he was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ As soon as he came up out of the water again (have everyone shake their heads as if they are shaking off water and look up), he saw the sky split apart and God’s Spirit coming down on him, looking like a dove. (Have everyone make a cooing sound.) ¹¹ And a voice came out of heaven (have everyone put their hand to their ear, as if they are listening): ‘You are my Son. I love you and am delighted with you.’ (Have everyone smile a broad smile.)

¹² Right away, God’s Spirit sent Jesus into the desert. (Everyone looks worried and says, ‘Oh, my!’) ¹³ He was in the desert for 40 days being tested by Satan. (Everyone looks more worried and says, ‘Oh, dear!’) There were wild animals with Jesus and the angels looked after him. (Everyone gives a relieved sigh and says, ‘Oh, good!’)

Jesus began to tell people the good news!

¹⁴ After John was arrested (everyone whispers, ‘Oh, no!’), Jesus came into Galilee, telling people the good news of God (everyone shouts, ‘Oh, yes!’) ¹⁵ and saying: ‘God’s kingdom is close. (Everyone looks around.) Turn your life around and believe in the good news.’ (Now everyone