Whether you are worshipping at church or at home, or if you are a parent or involved in paid Ministry here are some ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for this week with children, even the very youngest.
START WITH: THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
FIRST READING: Genesis 29: 15-28
READ: The Lion Picture Bible: pp.52-53
OR Brave Girls Bible Stories by Jennifer Gerelds, The Game Plan pp 33-37 https://www.koorong.com/product/brave-girls-bible-stories-thomas-nelson-publishing_9780529108982?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3uLBj-ra6gIV0g0rCh0qdQl1EAQYASABEgKuMfD_BwE#product-tabs
Two weeks ago we had the story of another sibling rivalry, Jacob and Esau, today we have the feminine equivalent Leah and Rachel.
PLAY: families.
PRAYER
Leah relied on God, she prayed, while Racheal was hard working sweat natured and pretty took her pain to her husband not to God.
What should you be telling God about rather than telling others to fix it?
PSALM
PSALM 105: 1-11, 45b,
To learn more about this Psalm and to find some questions to engage your family read http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalms-105-106–107-history-psalms.html
READ: https://www.psalmsforkids.com/psalm-105/ The word covenant is used extensively in this version, if you have very young children substitute the word promise, note that it mentions the stories we had in the readings over the last few weeks, now might be a time to remember what we have read?
You can do this by bringing up something that you did or read in the First readings for the last Month, suitable for everyone
OR you might like to photocopy some pictures of each of the stories and see if family members can tell you about the stories . suitable for the 5’s and up
OR you can name a toy as eg. Jacob and ask your child to tell you something about the story of for eg. Jacob suitable for the 5’s and up
SING/LISTEN: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/seeds-of-character-vol-6/#
OR VIDEO https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/give-thanks-psalm-1051-3/
OR Psalm128
Psalm 128: Live long and prosper
May you live to be old (double over and shake your hand)
May you live well with God (pat your stomach)
May love fill your home and your family (make a love heart with your hands)
May you enjoy your work and do well (pretend to dig, or sew)
May you live to enjoy your children’s children (shield your eyes and look into the distance)
May happiness find you, and peace rest upon you. (give yourself a hug)
The Lord bless you! (point to someone in the room and then at yourself)
Words from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-128-live-long-and-prosper.html, actions by me
SING/LISTEN: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/walk-in-his-ways-hand-motionssplit-screen/
SECOND READING: Romans 8:26-39
READ/WATCH: The Night Gardener by the Fan Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxwxyKnBgcM as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-july-30-2017/
Colouring In: https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/illustrated-worship-resources/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2020?variant=31520646987874 You can find it as the 2020 Summer Series( the season in the Northern Hemisphere) and for $Aus 19, you will have colouring pages until the 30th of August.
SING/LISTEN:https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/things-hand-motionssplit-screen/
OR one for the parents https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/god-us-romans-828-31/
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
READ: The Lion Story Bible The Mustard Seeds, p.187
OR WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlLiRsDKk7g
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-b3T7HfXYY
OR READ: FAVOURITE PARABLES FROM THE BIBLE or STORIES JESUS TOLD by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen, The Precious Pearl pp.32-57
and READ: The Beginner’s Bible, A Fisherman’s net pp.351-356
CREATE: Take an A4 placed portrait and draw a very big tall tree, then fold it into 4 lengthwise. Pleat the middle 2 sections. And watch your small tree grow.
OR Jesus taught using stories, parables, which tell more than what they first appear. Have fun in your family making up parables. You could make this fun by siting round an outside fire and drinking hot chocolate (with marshmallows) or inside around the fireplace again drinking hot chocolates (with marshmallows)
OR Make bread, watch the yeast grow
PRAY
God,
help me listen to your stories (cup your hand around your ear)
and to tell them to others (cup your hands around your mouth)
Amen (one clap)
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 