Some of today’s reading are tough ones even for adults, but that is no reason not to share them with our chidlren, if you allow the story of each reading to unravel without embellishment or moralising from you they will see the truth in the reading at their own understanding level. If they ask broader questions then they are ready for broader conversations about faith. If you struggle with a passage show them that, because in modelling your own struggle you are setting a pattern for them too. When all else fails or possibly start with this PRAY, pray for you as you struggle and pray for them as they struggle, be honest in your praying. Remember that we are in difficult times for us all and the Bible doesn’t hide difficulties in living and neither should you, for there is hope to be found in this great book.
WHO ARE THESE IDEAS FOR?
For anyone looking for ideas to help share God’s word with everyone including the youngest.
Whether you are preparing traditional worship or an all age or Intergenerational service.
OR you are a parent wanting something for your children to use either in face to face or broadcast services, as you parent from the pews or couch
Or during family devotion times.
I use 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.
Though you will find simple ways into the text here THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THOUGH THAT YOU CAN DO IS SHARE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAITH. I firmly believe that it is in the relationship, that the Faith formation of the next generation truely starts. You will notice that there are very few prompts or questions on this page. This is to allow your child to do the thinking and to work out what is important to them from the texts. Sometimes they may give you an insight or even ask a question? There are no wrong insights or crazy questions, and you are enough, enough to listen, enough to work it out together, ENOUGH to share your love of GOD with your child.
Here is a great presentation on children’s spirituality, but most importantly from the 40 minute mark on, it speaks about the imporantance of teaching through story and explains the process I recommend you use with children.
SEASON: AFTER PENTECOST
We are still in the longest liturgical season, the season after Pentecost. This season takes up half of the year, and it’s liturgical colour is green. There are no major celebrations during this season, and some refer to it as Ordinary Time. For me it is a time to celebrate everyday joys, to see God in the ordinary, in the everyday, and to hear the everyday stories of Jesus.
GETTING READY
If worshipping at home. You may want to set up a space/alter/focal spot, to bring out when you worship or to keep out everyday.
You can do this by setting up a candle, and add the things that remind YOU of God, a cross, a Bible that everyone likes to read from, a word, a special object, even something from one of the readings.
If able to worship in the Church buildings pack a special backpack, as well as filling it with your Covid Safe equipment, add the books or materials required to help your young ones relate to today’s readings.
For adults and older students you might like to take a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. Write a precis of the message (traditional or sensory word), draw or write a response in and keep a record of emotions. You could use a template like this free download
LET’S BEGIN
WELCOME:
SING https://www.snackmusic.com.au/songs/you-are-welcome
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
You might like to start with the Lord’s Prayer if at home, or say the Lord’s Prayer within a set place if following along in a service. Here are 4 options
2 with ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
A more contemplative version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuUo-igXDU&fbclid=IwAR2FasYCU-9mP1PaLQDjweXyhyUnJutt4J28KycjzeUEttWSesipX2jmJxE
Or for a more Intergenerational approach try Number 1 on the Table Settings album by Liturgical Folks
PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE: Name (this doesn’t have to be the real name it might be how you identify them ie, the kind peron who always helps me get a biscuit after church, or the person who always looks sad) and pray for every member of your congregation or extended family you can recall. A Variation is to draw that person as you pray for them.
FIRST READING: Job 1:1,2:1-10
READ: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
DRAW an ear, or you can down load one here, Put a red cross through it, then write or draw all the things that people might say to turn you away from God
PRAY
Sometimes I have a very bad day,
Sometimes it feels that you are not with me,
Help me not to turn away from you
When things don’t go my way
Amen
PSALM 26
For the very young you can find a version in Psalms of Prasise by Danielle Hitchen under the title WALK, You can watch the whole book here you will find it at the 26 second mark.
READ a version of the Psalm by Rev Purdie
DRAW an image from the words in the Psalm that is speaking to you today.
WONDERING QUESTION: I wonder if Job would have written a Psalm like this?
I wonder if you would write a Psalm like this?
SECOND READING: Hebrew 1:1-4, 2:5-12
READ Glory by Nancy White Carlstrom
WATCH from the 9.44 minute mark
a suggestion by Storypath
SING Hebrews 1 :1-2, number on King of the Jungle by Colin Buchanan also on Baa Baa Doo Baa Baa
OR Jesus Came to Earth on Awesome God, By Soveriegn Grace Kids
PLAY: re -tell the story of Jesus’s life. Do this by using your toys or making puppets (you might even ask to be allowed to play with the Nativity set). keep the Bible or story book Bible’s closed and see how many stories you can remember or give a shortened version.
OR find mirrors, a pond, or the Baptismal font, Aluminium Foil, or anything else that reflects and look at your reflection in them.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 10:2-16
There are 2 stories in today’s Gospel readigs, but most children’s storybook Bibles only cover Mark 10: 13-16, leaving out all together the first part of the reading. Below is the only childrn’s book that i know of that looks at both readings. Don’t let this put you off tackling the first part of this reading with children, I like to explain it in its cultural presentation, a story for men to think about the consequences of their actions. Leave the moralising out of telling it, and leave the placement of the story in our setting out. You will be amazed how children respond to this type of telling.
Some wondering Questions for you are
I wonder who this story was meant for?
I wonder what you would leave out of this story and still have all you need in it?
I wonder where you are in the story?
Let them respond in craft or play or by writing?
READ: Meet Jesus in Mark, 10:1-22 read the first 3 paragraphs.
SING Jesus Loves Me a version by Colin Buchanan is here You might like this cute snippet here by Carrie Underwood and son
PRAY
Creator God
May the decisions I make,
not harm another of your creation
Where I see that things should be better
Help me to put them right when I can
becasue you love us all
Amen
SENDING HYMN Tell the World by Hillsong Kids Learn the actions here
Blessings
Wendy L.
Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. Please acknowedge this page if you find it useful.Thank you.
I am writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present and emerging.
The Cross in My Backyard 