Becoming An Apostle

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Monica

How many of you have ever seen someone draw a name out of a hat to choose one person for something special? What are some reasons we might put names in a hat? Allow children to answer. Back in the time of Jesus they would sometimes draw names too. During that time, they believed that the God would help them choose the best name. We might draw names to pick someone to win a prize, or to choose someone to go first. In Jesus time they drew names to help them with really important decisions, like choosing a new apostle!

After Jesus died one of his special friends, Judas decided he didn’t want to be an apostle anymore. So the rest of Jesus’s friends had to choose a new apostle Let’s read to find out how they might have done that. Read Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 from Ralph Milton’s Lectionary Story Bible Year B. I find it very interesting to think about how Jesus’s friends might have chosen a new apostle. First they thought about what was important in a new apostle. What were some of the characteristics they felt an apostle needed to have? Allow children to answer that they wanted someone who was with Jesus from the time of his baptism and who saw Jesus alive again. Once they decided on what was important the thought of two people who both had the characteristics they were looking for and who were good and kind and tried hard to live in God’s way. But they still had to choose. So they drew a name.

In Jesus’s time they believed that there should be only 12 apostles. Do you remember what an apostle is? Allow children to answer if they can.That’s right, an apostle is a leader that help us live in God’s way. Do you think that if we counted up ALL the leaders in all the

churches that help us live in God’s way there would still be only 12? Pull out a hat with slips of paper in it. On each slip of paper should be written the word YOU. I’ve got a hat here, let’s see who God thinks should help people live in God’s way. Have several children draw slips of paper. God wants you, and you, and you, and you…God wants all of us to be an example of how to live. We don’t need to wait for someone to draw our name from a hat! We are all called to be a witness to living in God’s way!

Dive Deep

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Monica

Who likes to go swimming? What is your favorite thing to do when you swim? Allow children to answer (if no one says it, comment about how fun it is to jump or dive in the water). I love swimming on a hot day, because when the cool water is all around me it makes me feel so much better!

Don’t you wish you could go do this right now?!? Show Cool Pool Video: Swimmers in Slow Motion on YouTube. Doesn’t that look like fun? Diving deep into that cool water! We’ve talked before about the way Jesus used stories to help people understand his message. Well today’s story will help us understand how much God and Jesus love us. Read John 15:9-14 from Ralph Milton’s Lectionary Story Bible Year B. This version is necessary for the lesson to make sense because it compares God’s love to cool water.

Why do you think I showed you this video earlier? Begin playing the video again (either mute or turn down the sound so you can continue talking). How does this video relate to the story I just read? Allow children to answer. As you watch the video again, imagine that you are jumping into that water…like you are jumping into God’s love. And it is all around you. When you jump into a pool of water and then climb out do you leave all the water behind in the pool? Or does some of it come with you? It comes with you right? You are covered in it. It changes you by making you wet. God’s love is like that. Once you jump in the pool of God’s love you are changed. The water of God’s love drips off you so that you can share it with others. Just like Mary encouraged Peter to share God’s love with someone he didn’t like very much. This summer, every time you go swimming I want you to remember that God’s love surrounds you, just like the water in the pool. All you have to do is dive in!

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Every Wednesday I share a lesson based on the lectionary. These lessons are meant to be used for a children’s moment (aka children’s sermon, children’s liturgy, children’s church, etc), sunday school, or even as a family devotion in your own home.

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God Loves Everyone

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Monica

Note to parents and leaders: I like Ralph Milton’s adaption of today’s scripture for children. Because small children will have a hard time understanding castration, the reasons for it as well as it’s implications, Milton’s version of the story is changed to that of a person who is small.

Have you ever been teased or heard someone being teased? How do you think it feels to be teased by others? Allow children to answer. Sometimes people get teased because of how they look, or things they do. People were even teased in the time of Jesus.

Our scripture story today comes from the book of Acts. In this story, Taharka was often teased about being small. Let’s read to find out what he learns. Read Acts 8:26-38 from Ralph Milton’s Lectionary Story Bible Year B. Taharka knew what it felt like to suffer for something that wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t help that he was small, but people teased him anyway. He worked really hard to be the best person he could be, but sometimes he still found it hard to love himself. He almost couldn’t believe that God loved him no matter what. Do you ever worry that something about you isn’t good enough? Allow children to answer. God loves all people! It doesn’t matter what we look like, if you are smart, or play an instrument, or are good at sports. It doesn’t matter if you are tall or short. GOD LOVES YOU! And Jesus taught us that we should love all people too, especially when they are different from us.

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Sheep and Shepherds

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Monica

Do you have an animal in your home? What kinds of animals do you or most of your friends have? Allow children to answer. Does anyone have any sheep at home? Well during Jesus time many people had sheep.

Jesus liked to tell stories to teach people lessons. So since most people he knew had sheep he used a story about sheep to help them learn something important. Let’s read to find out what he told them. Read John 10:11-18 from Ralph Milton’s Lectionary Story Bible Year B. I want you to really remember the story Jesus is telling so I’m going to read it again, and you are going to help me act it out. Choose someone to be Jesus and a few children to be sheep. I’m going to read the scripture again and I want you to act out what you hear. Re-read the scripture pausing to give directions as needed (stop before the wolf comes). Choose someone to be the wolf. You could use another child, or it might be fun to randomly call on an adult for the congregation. Continue reading through the shepherd chasing away the wolf. Now choose someone to look after the sheep that is not the shepherd (have the shepherd sit down). Again you could choose a child or randomly call on someone from the congregation to take that role. Continue reading through the caretaker running away and the wolf catching a sheep. Have the wolf and the caretaker sit down and bring back the shepherd. Continue reading. Pause when the shepherd knows the sheep by name and ask the child/shepherd to call the names of the people pretending to be sheep. As you continue reading pause to give directions for the children to act out as needed. Once you have finished the scripture have your helpers sit back down.

That was really fun to act out the scripture wasn’t it?! What did we learn about shepherds? Allow children to answer. Jesus used this story to explain about his love for us. What did the scripture teach us about Jesus? Allow children to answer. That’s right! Jesus is always there watching over us, he knows our name, Jesus would do anything for us…because he loves us so much! How lucky we are to have a shepherd like that in our lives!

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Share a Meal

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Monica

What is your favorite meal? Allow children to answer. In your family do you ever have any special meals? Maybe for a holiday or a special occasion? What makes those meals special? Allow children to answer. In my family…(share a personal story about a special meal).

In our scripture story today the disciples share a special meal with a special guest. Let’s read to find out what happened. Read Luke 24:36b-48 from Ralph Milton’s Lectionary Story Bible Year B. What were Jesus and the disciples doing during this story? Does anyone remember? Allow children to answer that they were eating together. Sharing a meal together and talking about God has been a Christian tradition for a very long time. Can you think of any times that we eat together here at church? Allow children to answer. They may share about potlucks, pancake breakfasts, or other meals the congregation participates in. If no one brings up communion say, Do we ever eat here during the worship service? Hopefully children will recognize that communion is also sharing a meal. Sharing in communion is one way that we remember Jesus. It makes us feel like he is right next to use sharing the bread too! It helps us remember that Jesus is alive in us! I bet the disciples felt that way too when they shared a meal.

During their meal Jesus talked with the disciples. What message did Jesus have for them? What did he want them to go do? Allow children to answer that he wanted them to share the stories of Jesus with other people. Were the disciples excited to go out and share the stories of Jesus? Allow children to answer. Sometimes people, especially grownups, worry what our friends will think if we start talking about Jesus. But Jesus tells us that God will help us feel strong enough to share the stories of Jesus! I think it’s easiest to tell the stories of Jesus when we are sharing a meal…just like the disciples did. Invite a friend to eat with you and take that opportunity to share about Jesus!

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Seeing is Believing

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Monica

Did you know I can lift up _____________ (a child’s name) using just a plastic bag? Seriously! I can! …Don’t believe me? Do you need me to prove it? Place plastic bag so the top third is hanging off the side of a table (be sure the bag has no holes). Put a heavy book on top of the bag and then have a child sit on the book. Hold the top of the bag to create a neck like a balloon and blow into it. The child will be lifted up by the air blown into the bag. Now do you believe me?

Our scripture story today is about a man named Thomas. Thomas had trouble believing things he couldn’t see. Let’s read to find out more about Thomas’ story. Read John 14:1-7 and John 20:19-29 from Ralph Milton’s Lectionary Story Bible Year B. Thomas asked lots of questions. Do any of you ever ask lots of questions at home or at school or even at church? There is nothing wrong with questions! Some people got frustrated with all of Thomas’ questions (I bet that has happened to some of you too), but not Jesus! He didn’t mind Thomas’ questions at all.

After Jesus died Thomas’ friends told him that Jesus was alive again, but Thomas had trouble believing it. He needed to see to believe. Today we know many stories about the love of Jesus. But we don’t get to see to believe. We have to believe without seeing. Remember when I lifted up __________? What was it that lifted him/her up? Allow children to answer that it was air that lifted the child up. Can you see the air? But you know it’s there, right? How do you know? Allow children to answer (they feel it, they can see it blow things, etc) And the air is strong! It was strong enough to lift up a person! You can’t see the air, but you can see how the air affects everything around it! We can’t see Jesus, but we can see how the love of Jesus is always around us. It affects everyone and everything!

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We See Jesus

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Monica

“Every living thing has a beginning, a time to be alive, and an ending, or death. During our lifetime our bodies are busy doing work. Dying is a part of life for every living thing. (excerpt from When Dinosaurs Die by Marc and Laurie Brown)” Many of us have had someone that we knew and loved that has died. Maybe a friend, a family member, or even a pet. When someone special dies, it can be a very hard and sad time.

Our scripture story today is about a woman named Mary of Magdala. Mary was a special friend of Jesus (his mother was also named Mary, but the Mary in today’s story is a different Mary). This story takes place just after Jesus died. Just like many of us, Mary felt very sad when someone so special to her died. Let’s read to find out what happened. Read John 20:1-18 from Ralph Milton’s Lectionary Story Bible Year A.

Light the re-lighting candle and hold it up. During Jesus’ lifetime his body was busy doing work. He used his life to help others and to love all people. He shined light into the world. But some people didn’t like Jesus’ message and they tried to blow out his light by ending his life. Blow out the candle and watch it light up again. But Jesus was special, his light could not be put out. His body is gone, but his light is still with us. It shines in me, it shines in you, and you, and you, and you. Just like Mary Magdala, WE SEE JESUS. We see Jesus when we see people loving one another. We see Jesus when we see people feeding the hungry, We see Jesus when we see people helping those in need. We see Jesus in your smiles and your hugs. This is just a candle, I can put it out by dipping it in water (put out candle in a cup of water). But Jesus light can never be put out. It shines always through us. As you leave here today let Jesus’ light shine brightly in you so that all you meet can say…WE SEE JESUS!

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Jesus Enters Jerusalem

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Monica

Does anyone know the special name we use for this Sunday? Allow children to answer. This Sunday is called Palm Sunday. We are going to read about why it’s named Palm Sunday in a minute but before we do I want to talk to you about what happens between Palm Sunday and Easter. Read children “Jesus Gets Ready to Die” from Ralph Milton’s Lectionary Story Bible Year B. It does an excellent job of explaining that Palm Sunday is the beginning of a sad story. Today we are going talk about how the story begins.

Have you ever seen someone important arrive somewhere? Maybe in a movie, or on TV? What was it like when that important person arrived? Allow children to answer. They may describe a movie star on the red carpet or the president’s entourage. When the people see someone important how do they act? Allow children to answer. In Jesus’ time someone really important, like a king or a Roman general, would have ridden into town on a magnificent horse…but Jesus does something different. Let’s read to find out what happened when Jesus came to Jerusalem. Read Mark 11:1-11 from Ralph Milton’s Lectionary Story Bible Year B.

Jesus made a choice to enter into the Jerusalem in a different way than a king or Roman general. What did he do differently? Allow children to answer. Jesus chose to enter into Jerusalem on a donkey. Mark also tells us that Jesus plans to return the donkey to it’s owner. Which is different than what a king or Roman soldier would have done. And yet, as Jesus enters into Jerusalem he is treated like a king. Not because of how Jesus comes into Jerusalem, in fact Mark tells us that Jesus remains silent…Jesus doesn’t ask to be treated like someone special. He is treated like a king by the people! Think back to how important people are treated nowadays. You told me that people scream and cheer and take pictures. I think the people of Jerusalem also screamed and cheered for Jesus. They didn’t take pictures of course, but what did they do? Allow children to answer. They laid down their cloaks and palm branches so that even the donkey would have a soft place to walk. Every year on Palm Sunday we remember that Jesus never asked to be someone important. And yet because of the love he showed everyone, people will always remember him that way. Even now, many Many MANY years later we still lay down Palm leaves to honor Jesus.

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Written on Your Hearts

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Monica

Ok, I’ve got a secret. (in a stage whisper) When I was a kid I used to write on my hand with pen. I’d draw pictures or write words, and it used to really bug my mom. Have you ever done that? Do you think we could write on our hearts? I think that would be really hard to do!

Today’s Bible story is from the book of Jeremiah. In this story Jeremiah is having a conversation with God. Let’s listen to the story. Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 from Ralph Milton’s Lectionary Story Bible Year B. This Bible story was written for a group of people that had had a very difficult life. Some of them may have started to wonder if there even was a God. Jeremiah wanted them to remember that God is always with them in their hearts. That God has a dream for them. But the people thought they were too busy. What were some of the things that kept them busy? Allow children to answer. What things keep us busy today? Be prepared with some props of common things that keep people busy (cell phones, keys, sports balls, food packaging, etc) As children generate ideas of things that keep us busy have that child stand up and either use the prop or mime the activity. Then have one child be Jeremiah. Give that child some label stickers (like name badges) with the words “Remember God loves you.” As the child portraying Jeremiah walks down the line have him put a sticker over each person’s heart. Have Jeremiah and all the remaining children not participating say, “slow down and remember God loves you” to each person as they receive their sticker. When a child receives a sticker they should stop their “busy” activity. This story from Jeremiah reminds us that God is always in our hearts, and that God has a dream for us written on our hearts. Every day we need to slow down from the busyness in our lives and think of God’s love. I have a few more reminders of God’s love. Could you help me by giving them to others in the congregation? Have children take the remaining stickers and place them over the hearts of some of the adults. Or take the stickers with them to hand out during the day.

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His Love Endures Forever

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Monica

Last week we learned that people have been singing about God for a long time. Does anyone remember the name of the book in the bible that has some of those songs in it? It’s called the book of Psalms. Many people feel closer to God when they sing. One way that I feel closer to God is if I sing the scriptures. So we are going to practice doing that today!

Near the beginning of today’s Psalm it says, “his love endures forever” and toward the end of the psalm it says, “sing songs of joy.” Those two lines reminded me of a song I know. Have you ever heard this song? Sing or play the first verse to “Forever” by Chris Tomlin. As you sing the song, sing the lines quietly but sing out on the phrases “his love endures forever” and “sing praise.” Did you hear how the song goes between a line of words and then the phrase “his love endures forever?” Was there any other part you heard repeated? See if children remember that sing praise is also repeated. Today instead of singing this song as it’s written we are going to sing our scripture. So I will read a line from the scripture and then together we will sing “his love endures forever” and then I’ll read another line from the scripture and we’ll sing “his love endures forever…sing praise, sing praise.” Let’s practice just those two parts now. You may want to invite the congregation to join you in singing the lines “his love endures forever” and “his love endures forever…sing praise, sing praise.”

Now that we know our parts, let’s sing today’s scripture. Remember I’ll read a line and then we’ll sing, then I’ll read another line, and we’ll sing again. We’ll keep repeating that until our scripture is done. The scripture for today is Psalm 107:1-3, and Psalm 107:17-22. Read a line of scripture and then invite the children and congregation to sing their part. If you are using the Message Bible version this is how it might go:

Oh, thank God—he’s so good! his love endures forever
His love never runs out. (I’d leave this line out because in essence you just
sung it)
All of you set free by God, tell the world! his love endures forever…sing
praise, sing praise
Tell how he freed you from oppression, his love endures forever
Then rounded you up from all over the place, his love endures forever…sing
praise, sing praise
from the four winds, from the seven seas. (again I’d leave this line out and
continue on with vs 17)

Continue until you finish Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

Wow! What a beautiful job you did singing this Psalm! This Psalm doesn’t say that life will always be perfect. In fact, sometimes life is really yucky and hard. But what we have to remember is that God’s love endures forever! And because we have God to turn to in the tough times we sing praise!

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ChildhoodSpirituality.com

Living spiritual lives together

Category Archives: Children’s Ministry

Becoming An Apostle

Dive Deep

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God Loves Everyone

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Sheep and Shepherds

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Share a Meal

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Seeing is Believing

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We See Jesus

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Jesus Enters Jerusalem

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Written on Your Hearts

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His Love Endures Forever

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