First Sunday after Trinity. The Disciples
3 - 7 years.
1. Opening Prayer: "Lord Jesus, thank you for inviting us to be your friends and to tell other people about your love. Amen."
2. Introduction: today's Sunday is about becoming Jesus' disciple or little apostle/messenger. First, the Gospel tells us that Jesus has chosen 12 special disciples. They are like the pupils and Jesus is their teacher. What does it mean to be a pupil in my school group? Do I know my teacher? Do I listen to his or her voice? What are the rules in my classroom? Secondly, what does it mean to be in Jesus' "classroom"? If Jesus teaches about love and kindness to others, how can I practice His teaching? How can I be kind to my parents (maybe bake a cake with them?) How can I be kind to our plants at home (maybe water them?). All these little acts of love and care show that I am Jesus' disciple.
3. Watch this video:
4. Prayers:
- Today we give you thanks Lord Jesus, for calling us to continue your work on earth.
- We pray for our schools and our teachers, we ask you for your blessing upon them.
- We pray for all people of Twickenham, especially those who are not well or sad.
- We pray for our church, St Mary's and all children and parents.
- We ask you for your blessing.
We conclude with the Lord's Prayer (words at the bottom of the page):
8+ years
1. The Opening Prayer: "Lord Jesus, today we remind ourselves about our special relationship with you as your little disciples, boys and girls. Help us to witness that you love all people and that all people are God's children. Amen."
2. The story from the Gospel of Matthew 9.35- 10.8. Let's read it together.
Matthew 9:35-10:8 New International Version (NIV)
The Workers Are Few
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
What does it mean to be Jesus' messenger? First, let's create job's description for Jesus' apostle:
1. Attend the parties with cakes..
2. Have a nice fast scooter or bicycle...
3. Use the newest version of the ipod to communicate the message about God's kingdom...
4. Have really posh clothes to attract attention...
OR... suggest some yours ideas (let say: five) for the job description. Think: priorities.
3. Watch this video:
4. Prayers:
Lord Jesus, thank you for inviting us to be your apostles and messengers.
- With your grace help us to shine with your love
- With your grace inspire our minds and harts to serve one another
- With your grace bless all our neighbours, our teachers and parents.
- With your light shine upon those who are not well physically and mentally.
- With your blessing help us to enjoy every day of our current life.
5. We conclude with the Lord's Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.