WELCOME:
You have found a page that uses easily found ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings with children. Instead of sifting through many websites, facebook , pinterest, instagram, and blog posts; this is a one stop shop where I have done the sifting for you to find theologically and developmentally appropriate material for your congregation or family
These ideas can be used in a church setting as you parent in the pews or in your own home while connecting to a broadcast service or for your daily family devotions.
Today is the day we acknowledge the Baptism of Jesus, it is the first Sunday after Epiphany (when we acknowledge the arrival of the Magi. The litergical colour is white (but if you find that offensive you may like to use Gold instead).
If worshipping at home you might like to prepare a space to worship which can be permanent or set aside and bought out when you are having private or family devotions.
You might like to start by finding a tablecloth in the liturgical colour, find a candle( I prefer battery operated ones around children) and add any other touches that remind you of the present season, for example a dove, a cross, etc.
You might like to start with the Lords prayer if at home, or either of these suggestions can be used when the Lord’s Prayer is said within a set service.
either IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
Or if you are looking for a more contemplative version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuUo-igXDU&fbclid=IwAR2FasYCU-9mP1PaLQDjweXyhyUnJutt4J28KycjzeUEttWSesipX2jmJxE
If you like colouring in, by registering with Illustrated Ministries you can recieve a free colouring in page for one of today’s readings? https://www.illustratedministry.com/free-resources/?ck_subscriber_id=136888700
FIRST READING: GENESIS 1:1-5
READ: The Whirl Story Bible pp.6-7
OR The Spark Story Bible p.7 (except last paragraph)
OR The Jesus Storybook Bible pp.18-20 (only the first 4 sentances of p.20)
DO: Create something from scratch, eg. bake a cake, build a city, draw something, write a story
PRAY
God
who created the world
and all in it from nothing
Thank you
for bringing light
to dark spaces
Amen
PSALM 29
For the words in Bold do these actions
The Lord our God is strong and mighty! (show your muscles)
All glory belongs to our God! (put your hands up and open wide above your shoulders)
His name is magnificent, (open your mouth in wonder)
His voice echoes with power!(place your hands near your mouth like a megaphone)
How does this Psalm make you feel?
Describe those feelings, Show how these feelings look like in your body or draw it, or point out what it feels like from a set of emotional cards https://innovativeresources.org/resources/card-sets/bears-cards/ or the Bears App https://innovativeresources.org/resources/digital-applications/bears-app/
SECOND READING: ACTS 19:1-7
READ: Paul, originally called Saul, was travelling and came to Ephesus ( a town in Modern day Turkey).
He found 12 believers there and asked them if they had recieved the Holy Spirit.
No, they said, we know nothing of the Holy Spirit.
They explained they had been Baptised according to John.
Paul explained that John Baptised people who were sorry for their sins.
But had always told them to believe in the one who came after him, Jesus.
The believers at Ephesus heard more and wanted to be Baptised in Jesus’s name.
Paul, laid his hands on them.
The Holy Spirit came to them
And they began to speak in Tongues and tell others of things to come.
DO: You could print each line out on a seperate A4 sheet, and ask your family to draw a picture for each line. When all are done, you will have made a picture storybook of this passage.
HINT: You can increase the font size for younger readers.
ASK: If you have been baptised ask about your own baptism or ask about the Baptism of someone you know.
GOSPEL READING: MARK 1:4-11
READ: Meet Jesus in Mark by Matthew Sleeman Mark 1:1-20, start at 2nd sentance and finish at the end of the 3rd sentance in paragraph 2
OR The Beginner’s Bible pp. 303-307
OR for the youngest The 5 minute Bible Stories pp. 114-115 or My First Read-aloud Bible pp.150-151
CRAFT: This is my favourite craft and I have used it over the years https://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/01/printable-baptism-of-jesus-spinner.html
You might also prefer the colouring in page
Blessings
Wendy L.
Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine and acknowledge this page if you have found it useful.
The Cross in My Backyard 