|
|
|
|
|
‹‹ Return
|
Lesson Plans for Young Children, Pentecost 24
Year C, Proper 28 (BCP, pg. 184 or pg. 236), Malachi 3:13-4:2a,5-6; Psalm 98 or 98:5-10; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19
|
|
WAYS TO BEGIN: As usual, spend time greeting the class and talking with individual children about the past week. You will probably want to serve some light refreshments. With Thanksgiving approaching, you may also want to learn a new Grace. One that I learned many years ago at a camp is a particular favorite of mine:
"For the hands that feed us; For the heart that loves us; For the wisdom that guides us; And for the Grace that forgives us; We give you thanks, O LORD. Amen."
THE THEME: The Gospel for today, Luke 21:5-19, concerns the destruction of the Temple and the catastrophic times before the end time. This is a complex and confusing story for young children. I would suggest that rather than read it, to tell it using the words written below:
THE STORY: Luke 21:5-19. "Some people were talking about the Temple, how it was made with beautiful stones, and Jesus points out the one day there will not be a stone left, that the Temple will be destroyed. Now the group of people ask Jesus, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And Jesus answers, "Be careful that you are not led astray by people who claim to speak for me and say they are me and that the end of the world is coming soon. Don't pay attention to them. When you hear of wars and riots, don't be afraid. These things will happen. Nations will be at war; there will be earthquakes, famines and plagues and many signs that may scare you. You may even be arrested and persecuted because you love me. But this will give you a chance to tell everyone about God's love. Don't worry about what to say. I will give you the words and wisdom you need. And don't worry about what will happen to you. Not a hair on your head will die. No matter what, by your strength, you will gain your souls."
SOME QUESTIONS TO TALK ABOUT:
1. What do you think Jesus wants us to learn from this story?
2. Do you ever hear people saying that the end of the world is about to happen? What do you think when you hear this?
3. What kinds of things happen in our world worry you? What scares you?
4. What do you think Jesus would say to you about the things that scare you?
AN ACTIVITY TO DO: Provide large sheets of paper, markers, colored chalk or even paint, if this is possible. Instruct the class to create pictures of those things that scare them in the world. When everyone has finished and had a chance to talk about his or her picture, put them all together on a large sheet of poster board or on a bulletin board with the words "Not a hair of your head will die. By your strength you will gain your souls."
End with a prayer in which the class has an opportunity to pray for anyone in trouble, to pray that bad things won't happen and to pray that Jesus will be by their sides always.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
