Remember
Breath Prayer
Breath in: Day and night
Breath out: You are always by my side
Remember one another
Is anyone celebrating something that happened this week? Let’s share so we can all thank God together.
Is anyone struggling, feeling sad, lonely or scared? How can we pray for one another?
Remember what we learned last week: Go and Make Disciples
Practice the Following Jesus Liturgy (With our youngest kids only focus on the portion that we’re currently learning)
Reflect: I am always with you
Story-tell: Introduce the time by telling the kids that you are going to read a scripture and then we're going to try to repeat it back. The scripture that is going to be read comes from the Book of Matthew. At this part of the story Jesus has already been crucified on the cross, died, and rose again. Now this is what He said to his followers and friends after he had been raised from the dead.
Read and reread Matthew 28: 18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Have a volunteer share whatever portion of the scripture they can remember. With the help of multiple kids, see how much of the verse they can remember.
Ask questions:
Who has all authority?
Who is Jesus giving His authority to?
So that we can do what?
What are we to teach people?
This is a tough job. What encouragement does Jesus give us at the end?
Watch the short clip: God With Us
Activity: Peekaboo
"If they can't see it they don't think it's there."
Even though we can't see Him, God's Spirit is always with us. Sometimes we can feel or sense His presence with us. Sometimes we complete forget that He is near. Then when we remember we're surprised again.
Facilitator: Share a time that you knew God was with you. Share a happy time and a challenging time to teach that God is with us on our good and bad days. Use descriptive language about what was happening in your day and how it felt to have God close.
Invite the Kids to think about a time when God was with them.
1. Explain that we are going to be quiet and invite the Holy Spirit to bring a specific memory to mind. Holy Spirit calls himself the One who brings things to remembrance.
2. Pray - Lord, can you show me a time that you were with me? Wait quietly for one or two minutes.
3. Have the kids draw a picture of their memory using as much detail as they remember. If a child cannot think of anything take a minute to help them identify a time (Ask questions about a time they felt loved, safe, happy. Was God with them then?)
4. Have them title their drawings with a word or phrase that begins, "God was with me when..."
5. Go around and share the memory.
Discuss:
Did everyone have the same type of memories?
Were everyone's memories happy or were some sad?
Did anyone realize that God was with them in a moment that they never realized?
How can we get better at remembering God is with us? What are some ways?
Close and Pray
Lord, sometimes I'm just like a toddler playing peekaboo. When I can't see you I forget that you are with me. I forget that I can ask you for help or that you want to talk to me. I forget that you want to give me good gifts and help me through the day. I forget that you've given me power and authority to speak the Truth and love unkind people. I am so thankful that you promise to ever leave me. Thank you for giving me your Spirit forever.