lesson 17 god’s kingdom of peace - sun valley,...

Summary of Today’s StoryIn the moving passage of Isaiah 2:4, the prophet sees a time when, by the people’s own choosing, there will no longer be any war. The people themselves will “beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.”

Isaiah 11:1-10 describes the peaceable kingdom that will come about when the spirit of the Lord rests upon the one who comes “out from the stump of Jesse.”

L E S S O N 17GOD’S KINGDOM OF PEACE

Where You’ll Find Today’s StoryIn the BibleWe recommend the New Revised Standard Version Bible.

Isaiah 2:4 (swords into plowshares)Isaiah 11:1-10 (the peaceable kingdom)

In Children’s BiblesIf you plan to use a children’s Bible for storytelling, write the page numbers of today’s story in the space below.

In Our Sunday LectionaryToday’s story is told in church on the following Sunday:

Year A: First Sunday in Advent; Second Sunday in Advent

© 2012 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

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Weaving Our Story with the Biblical StoryToday, we too dream of peace in this world.

In Isaiah’s day, Israel was constantly under threat of domination by its neighbors, and especially by the up-and-coming conquering warhorse Assyria. War was always on the horizon, if not right in their midst. Looking into the face of war, Isaiah counters with a vision of peace, when all nations will stream to the Lord’s house to learn the Lord’s ways, walk in the light of the Lord, the light of peace.

Often we see Isaiah’s dreams as being inspiring but unrealistic, though we may fervently pray that God will somehow allow these dreams to come to pass in our lifetime. We pray for the reign of God to happen, we pray for “God with us,” Emmanuel, even as we sing the Advent hymn, “Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free.”

Our task, in the expectation of God’s coming, is to be faithful disciples of God, to live in the “already” of God’s reign, even when the world acts as if it is “not yet.” To live in the light of the Lord, even when the world stumbles around in darkness.

Heaven knows that we live in a time of darkness, a time that urgently calls for the light of Christ. The last century was perhaps the darkest of centuries, marked not only by two world wars and innumerable other wars, but also by the slaughter of six million of God’s Chosen People. This century has begun with terror and war and injustice all over God’s good earth.

Yet we proclaim the beginning of God’s rule with the coming of Christ. Clearly the best way for us to usher in the reign of God is not by waiting passively for it, like spectators when the football team comes out into the field. We anticipate Christ’s

coming best by being active partners in that reign, loving our neighbors as ourselves—especially the brokenhearted, those left behind by human sin, left behind to go hungry, to go homeless, to suffer from the violence of war.

If Advent is a time of urgency, we can be urgent in caring for the world that God created, in feeding the hungry, in speaking out against injustice and oppression, war and violence, and in working for the kind of world that God intends for us to live in.

Isaiah saw in his vision a world torn by war transformed into a world ruled by God. He saw a world in which the weapons of war are turned into instruments of justice, instruments that will bring a bountiful abundance of the fruits of the earth to all people. He showed his people an image of their city Jerusalem living in unity and at peace, something that they can look forward to in hope.

Isaiah’s images are so powerful to us that “swords into plowshares” has become part of our common vocabulary, so concretely touching is its vision.

In the same way, “the lion lies with the lamb” touches our souls profoundly with its picture of utter peace. Many have heard about the “Peaceable Kingdom,” and many may be familiar with the famous painting depicting the animals peacefully coexisting in this kingdom.

From a Christian point of view, Isaiah here proclaims the coming of Christ and the peace and righteousness that will be realized upon his coming.

What lies behind these stories is the prophet’s deep awareness of God’s character, the essence of which is love and justice, mercy and righteousness, forgiveness and compassion. When we can also embrace these qualities that come from God, we can—at least as individuals—embody the peaceable kingdom that knows not weapons to maim and kill but only those tools to feed and to nourish.



The Episcopal ThreadThis picture of peace resonates well with our Episcopal Church’s vision of peace and justice in this world.

Look at the fifth question that we are asked in our Baptismal Covenant (p. 305): “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” And we respond as a body, “We will, with God’s help.”

In this question, justice and peace go together. In Isaiah, the vision of peace is offered, but Isaiah—as all of the prophets—takes for granted that peace comes only when justice is done.

The public policy branch of the Episcopal Church Center has published a number of statements on our need to work for justice and reconciliation, and against injustice and retaliation for wrongs done to us. The most recent statement comes as a result of the United States leadership contemplating a preemptive strike against Iraq in 2002.

For prayers for peace, see pages 815-816 in the Book of Common Prayer, including a prayer “For Our Enemies,” which asks for reconciliation for us all.

GatheringAs the children enter the room, engage them in a simple activity. For younger ones,

this might be a simple coloring activity, a lump of clay to shape or a picture to draw. Older children also may be given some clay to work with. Or invite the children to make a simple craft that can be used during the storytelling time: a sword-to-plow picture or animal puppets. See the “Peaceable Finger Puppets” on page 20 in this lesson.

In addition, on pages 8-13 you’ll find several Gathering Activity handouts that relates to today’s lesson.

Older children will also appreciate a brief time to renew friendships and to catch up on the week’s happenings with each other. This fellowship time is important for children in this age group, and it is important for the life of the church as community and as family.

Please make sure, however, that the conversation is appropriate to the spirit of Christ’s church. (This may be a time to discourage gossip, putdowns, and other uncharitable talk while still encouraging and inviting friendly bonds to form among the children.)

After all the children have arrived and had a few minutes of activity or fellowship time, gather them together and say a simple opening prayer, such as: ■ Lord, we thank you that you have brought us

together today as your church family. Open our eyes so that we can see your love, and our ears so that we can hear your Word, in this room and in the world. We pray for all of us here, and for those who are absent, especially asking for your blessing on those who are sick today. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.



Telling the StoryTell these two stories in your own words, or read from a children’s Bible, showing the pictures. If you cannot

find a children’s Bible that contains these passages from Isaiah, read from a standard Bible. The words are simple enough for most children to understand.

You may want to bring pictures of the images in the passages, especially the plow, or explain the images beforehand so that the images are meaningful. If the children made sword-to-plow pictures or animal puppets during Gathering time, incorporate them into the telling.

After telling the stories, proceed to the worship time, saving any discussion for later.

PrayerSet up a small worship center in your room.

materials:small table with a cloth to cover it2 candles or 1 large Christ candlematchesBiblecrossoptional: flowers (real, artificial or handmade by

the children)

Have the children set up a simple altar with the materials listed above. Invite them to place on the altar any drawings or crafts that they created during Gathering time. Then light the candles.

Read a verse or two of today’s scripture from a Bible so that the children connect the story they heard with the Bible, which is the word of God. If working mainly with older children, you might expand the reading to several verses.

Suggestions for the reading:

For younger children: Isaiah 11:6-7

For older children: Isaiah 11:6-9



Help the children become familiar with our liturgy by doing the reading as it is done in church. Read as follows:

Reader: A reading from the book of Isaiah: (read the selected passage).

Reader: The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Invite the children to sit in a circle and join in prayer. Say a brief prayer yourself, then invite prayers from each child in the circle: ■ Invite prayers of thanks for God’s work in our lives

during the past week. ■ Welcome prayers of intercession for others in

need, and of petition for ourselves and for others. ■ Ask if anyone has had a birthday or celebrated a

special day during the past week and give thanks for these special times.

■ End the prayer time by praying together the Lord’s Prayer.

Carefully extinguish the candles.

SharingPass out snacks and say a simple grace, such as:

■ Bless our families and friends. Bless this food that we eat. May we be a blessing To all that we meet. Amen.

This is an excellent time, while sharing a snack, to begin talking about the story that the children have just heard.

Focus first on the act of turning swords into plowshares. ■ You may ask, what causes us to war? ■ Or, how can we stop war and fighting? ■ If you know the folk song “Last Night I Had the

Strangest Dream,” you may share its ideas. In this dream, the singer sees the world agreeing to put an end to war. “And the people in the streets below/ were dancing round and round. / And guns and swords and uniforms/ were scattered on the ground.”

In the lesson on “the peaceable kingdom,” some children may note that the lion cannot refrain from eating the lamb without starving himself to death. ■ You may explore how this passage might be

referring to a situation in which no one needs to take advantage of someone else for his or her own benefit.

■ This passage has a lot of mystery and mystical images, and in the ultimate kingdom of God, it may be taken as literally true. In this creaturely world, we look at the spirit of the passage and its message of great hope.



activities: arts, Crafts, Games, drama, etc.

After Sharing, begin an activity to supplement and enhance today’s story. While the children are doing an activity, talk about the story so that they make the connection.

Suggested story-related activities are provided at the end of this lesson on pages 14-22.

Additional activity ideas can be found in the Appendix (also downloadable) where we’ve provided suggestions and directions for a variety of general activities that can be adapted to any lesson. Also included are outreach and service projects that can be done at any time.

memorizationFor a moving picture to remember, have children learn

Isaiah 11:6, ending with the little child leading the animals in peace.

Suggestions for ways to help the children with their memorization can be found on page 15 in the Appendix (also downloadable).

aCTIvITIES FOr ThIS WEEK’S SESSION



Weaving God’s Beloved CommunityA community that is beloved of God is a community of peace.

God’s beloved community is woven as our own stories connect to the story of God and to the stories of the people around us.

As your time together draws to a close, take a few minutes to help the children draw together the different strands of the lesson so they can say easily what they have learned today. You may give a brief summary of the lesson, using the “Summary of the Story” section above, or encourage them to retell the story. To help them summarize the stories, you may ask such questions as these: ■ Who did we talk about today? ■ What are some of the pictures that Isaiah gave to

us? ■ What does his kingdom of peace look like?

Closing PrayerBefore the children leave, say a closing prayer to send them into the church worship service or

back to their homes with God’s love and blessing. The prayer can be very simple, such as this one: ■ Lord God, we thank you that you bring us pictures

of your kingdom of peace and love. We pray that you will plant these pictures in our hearts so that we can spread your peace and love in the world around us. We pray this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

End with a dismissal used in church, such as: ■ Let us go into the world in peace, rejoicing in the

power of God’s Holy Spirit.

The children respond: ■ Thanks be to God!


G aT h E r I N G aC T I v I T Y:W h O G O TO G E T h E r?

Follow the string to find out what two creatures will be together in God’s new peaceful kingdom.

8 | LESSON 17 | GOd’S KINGdOm OF PEaCE | WEavING GOd’S BELOvEd COmmUNITY, YEar 3 | aCTIvITY


G aT h E r I N G aC T I v I T Y:a v I S I O N O F G O d’S

P E aC E F U L K I N G d O m

Use the code to find out how the prophet Isaiah sees God’s kingdom of peace. To discover the message, write the letter in the blank space that has the corresponding number. Some letters are given for you as a hint. If you are stuck, look in Isaiah 11:1-9.


a B C d E F G h I J K L m N O P Q r S T U v W X Y Z25 3 22 26 9 24 20 23 19 10 7 15 6 14 4 11 5 2 8 18 12 13 16 21 1 17

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 18 23 9 9 25 2 18 23 16 19 15 15 3 9 24 12 15 15 4 24

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 18 23 9 7 14 4 16 15 9 26 20 9 4 24 18 23 9 15 4 2 26

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 25 8 18 23 9 16 25 18 9 2 8 22 4 13 9 2 18 23 9 8 9 25

E LE

E

E E E E E

E

E E E

LL L

L L


G aT h E r I N G aC T I v I T Y:“ G O d’S K I N G d O m” W O r d S E a r C h

Find the words below that tell how we will all live together in God’s peaceful kingdom.

BEARGODLIONSTRAWCALFGRAZELORDWOLFCHILDLAMBPEACE


m W d Z L W W E L r

h a m L O I Z d a a

J r d L I a O G m E

F T F r r h d N B B

C S C G O O C J I P

I S L h G L K I Z N

N W C J v v Z S W N

L U I G P X r K v h

F L a C N G G Y S Z

P E a C E B C I C X


G aT h E r I N G aC T I v I T Y:h E L P T h E L a m B F I N d T h E L I O N

In God’s peaceable kingdom, the lion and the lamb are friends. Help the lamb find its friend the lion.



G aT h E r I N G aC T I v I T Y:C r O S S W O r d S : W O r S h I P I N O U r

C h U r C h

The words in this puzzle have to do with how we worship in church. See how much you know!ACROSS1. The body of Christ6. “____ Communion” is the

sharing of bread and wine7. Asking forgiveness of our

sins9. Praising and adoring God12. Shout of praise15. One of the principal

sacraments16. A talk to inspire us in

church17. The story of Jesus Christ18. “The ___ of the Lord be

with you”19. Statement of belief in

church20. Holy food and drink21. Book we use in worship

DOWN2. Being granted forgiveness by priest 10. Talking to God3. Songs we sing in church 11. One of the principal sacraments4. “Blessed be ___” 13. The church we belong to5. The blood of Christ 14. We often pray “in Jesus’ ___”8. Story of God and us


1 2

3 4 5

6 7

8 9 10

11

12 13 14

15 16

17

18

19

20

21


G aT h E r I N G aC T I v I T Y:a N I m a L S aT P E aC E

Unscramble the words below to find out what one prophet thought a peaceful scene might look like. For a hint, look up Isaiah 11:6-7, 9 (New Revised Standard Version).

The __ __ __ __ shall live with the __ __ __ __ , the leopard shall lie F L O W M A L B

down with the __ __ __, the __ __ __ __ and the __ __ __ __ and the I D K L F A C N I O L

fatling together, and a little __ __ __ __ __ shall lead them. The __ __ __ L C I D H O W C

and the __ __ __ __ shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and E A R B

and the lion shall __ __ __ straw like the __ __. T E A X O

They will not __ __ __ __ or destroy on all my __ __ __ __ mountain. T R U H O L Y H



P E aC E a B L E a N I m a L S C E N EPrimary, Elementary, Intermediate

Children make animals out of puff balls, pipe cleaners and felt and arrange them to create a scene of God’s peaceable kingdom.

materials:puffballs (pom poms) of various sizesgoogly eyes of various sizesgluepipe cleaners (chenille craft wires)felt piecespaper plates, 1 per child

directions:Invite each child to make a scene as follows:

1. Use the paper plate as a base.

2. Make different animals for a peaceable kingdom, using the pom poms for heads and bodies. You can make caterpillars (4-5 pom poms glued together in a line, with eyes on one end), bears (use smaller pom poms for the arms, feet, ears and nose), spiders, even “aliens.”

3. Add googly eyes, felt for feet, pipe cleaners for antennae.

4. Use glue to attach the animals to your plate.

14 | LESSON 17 | GOd’S KINGdOm OF PEaCE | WEavING GOd’S BELOvEd COmmUNITY, YEar 3 | CraFT


P E aC E a B L E K I N G d O m Wa L L h a N G I N G

Primary, Elementary

Children use construction paper, cotton balls and felt to create a peaceful scene of animals in nature.

materials:cotton ballsyellow, brown, green construction paperbrown, green, gray felt (animal colors)markerslarge paper plates, 1 per childribbon for hanging

directions:Invite each child to make a picture as follows:

1. Use the construction paper to cut “grass” and other background (like trees, bushes, water).

2. Glue your background onto your paper plate

3. Make animals in a “peaceable kingdom” out of felt, cotton balls and paper.

4. Punch a hole at the top and string ribbon for hanging.



L I v I N G I N T h E P E aC E a B L E K I N G d O m

Elementary, Intermediate

In this game, children choose an animal sound to imitate as a blindfolded It tries to find them.

materials:handkerchief or scarf

directions:1. Choose one person to be It. Cover his or her eyes with a handkerchief.

2. Have each player choose an animal. Players will make the sound of their animal.

3. It needs to chase the other players, trying to find them by their sound. If tagged, the tagged person will be It.

4. Players must change animal sounds at every round.



P E aC E B O O K m a r KPreschool, Primary

Children make a cloud and rainbow bookmark from ribbons and felt or poster board.

materials:cloud pattern (below), 1 per childthin ribbons—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purplewhite felt or poster boardgluescissors

Preparation:Make a copy of the cloud pattern for each child. Cut ribbons into 10" lengths.

directions:Invite each child to make a bookmark as follows:

1. Trace the cloud pattern twice onto the felt or poster board and cut out.

2. Glue the ends of the ribbons onto one cloud.

3. Apply glue around the edge of that cloud and put the other cloud on top.

4. On the cloud, write the word Peace. If using poster board, write God Promises Peace.



P E aC E a B L E B a N N E rElementary, Intermediate

Children draw images of a peaceable kingdom and glue them to fabric to make a banner.

materials:large piece of thick fabricgluefelt or other fabric scissorsfabric paintsdecorative materials such as fur, if desiredpaperpencilsdowelcording or rope

directions:Invite the children to make the banner as follows:

1. On the paper, draw large pictures of things to be included in a peaceable kingdom. This would include the “swords into plowshares” images.

2. Outline and then cut out pictures for the banner.

3. Before gluing anything, lay the pictures onto the large piece of fabric until the design is as you like it. Then glue them onto the fabric. Leave around 5" of the fabric free at the top.

4. Hang the top edge of the banner over a dowel and pin or sew shut.

5. Cut a length of cording or rope and tie the ends to the ends of the dowel rod, for hanging.



W O r K I N G TO G E T h E rPrimary, Elementary, Intermediate

In this game, children practice working together on a project that is usually done individually. A big part of a peaceful society has to do with being able to work together, cooperatively not competitively.

materials:clay or play dough

directions:1. Form the group into pairs.

2. Give each pair a lump of clay. Tell them that one child in the pair may use only his or her right hand, while the other may use only his or her left hand. They need to work together to decide on something to create with their clay, then work together to make it. Both must have a part in the creation of their object.

3. When all have finished, or after 10 minutes, have the children share what they have made and how it felt to have to work cooperatively to make it.

4. If you want, reassign the pairs and repeat this game. Projects may get fancier as the kids become more practiced!



P E aC E a B L E F I N G E r P U P P E T SPrimary

Children use paint, yarn and an old glove to make five people or animal puppets.

materials:old gloves, 1 per childacrylic paintsthin paintbrushesgoogly eyes, 10 per childglueoptional: yarn or fake craft hair or hair-colored feltscissors

directions:1. Give one glove to each child.

2. Invite the children to glue two eyes on each glove “finger,” where the pads of the fingers would be (on the palm side of the glove). Handle the glove very carefully until the glue dries or let dry before continuing this activity.

3. Use paints to add the rest of the face—nose, mouth and maybe hair. Also add clothing details if desired.

4. Cut some yarn, craft hair or felt and add to the top of the fingers to make hair.

Now you have five peaceable people!

variation:Make animals rather than people. Use tiny pom poms for ears and noses.



P E aC E W r E aT hPreschool, Primary, Elementary

Children make a wreath out of poster board and decorate it with pictures of animals.

materials:poster boardscissorsglueanimal shapes or pictures, or different animal decorations (plastic ornaments, etc.), or materials for making

your own animals (for example, out of pom poms)hole punchribbon for hanging

Preparation:Cut a wreath shape out of poster board for each child. Punch a hole or two near one edge of the wreath for the hanging ribbon.

directions:Invite each child to make a wreath as follows:

1. Cut out the animal shapes or pictures or use materials to make your own animals.

2. Glue the animals to the wreath shape. Cover the wreath completely.

3. Cut a length of ribbon and thread through the hole(s) for hanging.

variation:For embellishment, let children tie bows and glue these to the wreath. Or you may buy individually wrapped pieces of candy and glue these at various parts of the wreath, for a partly-edible decoration.




P E aC E a B L E K I N G d O m J a rPreschool, Primary

Children fill a jar with rice and add tiny symbols and reminders of God, which are sometimes hidden and sometimes bright and shiny.

materials:baby food jar with lid, 1 per childuncooked ricesmall scoopsmall symbols of God or God’s peace, such as heart and star beads, religious stickers, small cross, sequins

(symbolizing light), jingle bell (symbolizing heavenly music)

directions:Invite each child to make a Peaceable Kingdom Jar as follows:

1. Scoop rice into the jar until half full.

2. Put some symbols of God into the jar.

3. Add more rice until the jar is almost full. Cover with the lid.

4. Shake or turn the jar to show the hidden symbols.

lesson 17 god’s kingdom of peace - sun valley,...

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