MeetingJesusThisserieswewillbelookingatencountersdifferentpeoplehadwithJesus,somewhomethim1:1andhadadirectconversation,othersheardhimteachacrowd;thethingshesaid,andthestoriestheyheardchallengedthemtomakeadecisionaboutwhoHewas,theseencounterschangedtheirlivesforever.

AsweexplorethesemeetingsandstudyhisteachingtogetherwewillbechallengedbyHiswords,andIpraywewillmeetHimbyfaith,andbechangedforever.

Overview

Week MeetingJesus BibleRef1 TheInsider

NicodemusJohn3:1-21

2 TheOutsiderWomanatthewell

John4:1-26

3 TheBrokenCenturionandwidow

Luke7:1-17

4 TheSinnerMaryanointshisfeet

Luke7:36–8:3

5 TheLostLostsheepandcoin

Luke15:1-10

6 TheUndeservingProdigalson

Luke15:11-31

7 TheSeekerZacchaeus

Luke19:1-11

Week1JesusMeetstheInsider

John3:1-21

Aim

ForthechildrentounderstandthatourachievementscountfornothingwhenwecometoJesus,Hehastodowhatwecannottosaveus,wehavetobebornagain.

Wherearewegoing?

Nicodemuswasa“goodguy”,heisalawkeepinginsider,arulingreligiousleader,heknowsGod’slaw,hestrivestokeepGod’slaw,hecomestoJesustoaskhisquestions,heshowsrespect,hehasanimpressiveresume.Jesushoweverisbluntwithhim,yourachievementscountfornothing,youneedtobebornagain,thereisnobigdebate,justbeingtoldinreallysimplelanguage,togetintoheavenyouneedanewstart,anewbirth.Thisnewstartisnotsomethingyoucanmakehappen.

Wedidn’tdoanythingtobebornthefirsttime;wedidn’tplanit,helpoutorcontributeanythingtotheprocess.InthesamewaywhenwearebornagainweneedJesustodoitallforus–Hedied,thatwemightbebornagain.

Storyinchurch

Youwillneed:LargeTshirtthatyoustickletterNonto,books,glasses,rollofpaperasaticklistoflaws,stickonheart,nappyanddummy

WhattoSay WhattodoInthegospelswehavewrittendownforusthestoriesofdifferentpeoplewhometJesus,sometalkedwithhim,someheardhimteachtheminacrowd,allwhohearHiswordsarechangedforeverbytheirresponse.

HoldupBible

Thefirstguywearegoingtomeetisaman,HisnameisNickThisguywasaninsider,heshouldhavenoproblemsbeinginJesusposse

VolunteerwearinglargeTshirtSticklargeNonshirt

ThisguygoestochurchaLOT!Heisareligiousleader,amemberoftherulingcouncil,heiswise

Handalargebible/theologybookPutlargeglassesonhim

Thisguyworkshardtodowhatisright,heknowsGod’slaw,thecommandmentsanddoesallhecantokeepthem

Unrollacommandmentschecklist

Agood,upstanding,hardworkingmemberofthecommunity,andnottooproudtoaskforadvice,hewantstotalktoJesus,thisguywhoseemstohavecomefromnowhere,withnoformalteachingortrainingandissayingsuchpowerfulthings.ManyofNick’smateswantnothingtodowiththisJesusguy,butNickwantstofindoutforhimself,heisseekingthetruth

HandNickamagnifyingglass

NickcomestoJesus;hehasthoughtitthrough,respectful…

Nickreads“Rabbi,weknowthatyouareateacherwhohascomefromGod,fornoonecouldperformthesignsyoudounlessGodwaswiththem”

ButbeforeNickcouldgetanyfurtherJesussaysitstraight,rightbetweentheeyestothis“goodguy”,noonegetstobepartofheavenunlesstheyarebornagain.You’regoingtoneedthese…

HandNickanappyandputadummyinhismouth,Nicklookspuzzled

JesustoldNickheneededtobebornagain,andthisiswhatNickthoughthemeant–Areyoucrazy,Ican’tgobackinsidemymummy’stummy–NOJesusmeantsomethingelse.

Removenappyanddummy

Whenyouwerebornyoudidn’thelpout,youdidn’tplanit,youdidn’tgetanythingreadyithappenedtoyou,andeverythingwasbrandnew,anewbeginning,weneedadifferentkindofnewbeginning,anewbeginningthatGodstartsbyHisspirit,anewcleanstarthelpingyouunderstandallthatJesushasdoneforyou,andthatalltheachievementsyouhavearenotenough

Removetheglasses,thebook,theticklist

Andthatonyourown,youcandonothingtohelpyourself,youneedJesustogivehislife,todiethatyoumightbebornagain

RemovetheNStickonacross

Nickwassomeonewhothoughthewasgoodenough,hewouldhavebeenoffendedatsomeonecallingHIMasinner–butthat’sjustwhatJesusdid,andthat’swhathesaystome,andtoyou,youcandonothing,youneedmeandIamhere!

NickwasneverthesameaftermeetingJesus,whenwehearhiswords,wearechangedforeverbyhowwerespond,andJesussaystome,toyou,youneedtobebornagain.Wehavetodecidewhetherwewilllistentohim.

SING

Crèche

TeachingTime

RemindthechildrenthatNicodemusmetwithJesus,andJesustoldhimheneededtobebornagain,notbybecomingatinybabyagain,butbyhavingacleanstartthatonlyJesuscanbring,drawaheartshapeonawhiteboard,askthechildrenforideasofwhatwedothatiswrong,writethemontheheart.ExplainthatJesuscanwipethemclean,becausehediedonthecrossforus–wipewordsoffwithacloth/wipe

(Thereareminiwipeboardsinthejuniorchurchboxes)

MakeTime

Stickblueandgreentissuepaperonapaperplatesoitlookssomethinglikeaglobe,stickabighearton,writeJesussaveson.

JuniorChurch

Game

Sneakingthroughthecity–playlikegrandmothersfootsteps.Aleaderonoppositesideoftheroom,kidshavetogettothem,ifleaderturns,theyfreeze,iftheyarespottedmovingtheyhavebeenfoundout.UsetoillustratethatNicksneakedthroughthecityanddidnotwanttobenoticed

ORputpiecesofA4paperonthefloorinagrid,thisisthecity–childrenhavetopicktheirroutethroughthecity1squareatatime–youhaveaplan/mapwhichshowswherethepeopleareandkidsonpopulatedsquaresareout.

OR–playmisfits–havecutoutdifferentpeople,heads,bodies,legs,theyhavetomakeamisfit,useoneasNicodemus,oldman’shead,babybody,usetodiscussNick’sconfusionaboutbeingbornagain.

YoungerOnes

Makeabutterflypicture–usingpaintsononesideofalargesheetofpaper–foldovertomakewings–talkaboutthepicturethisgivesofnewbirth.

Ormakeabutterflyusingawoodenclothespegasthebodyandsquaresoftissuepaperasthewings,sticksomebuttonsonthefaceofthepegforthebody,addgooglyeyesandpipecleanerantennae,clipcolourfultissuepaperinsidethepegaswings.

Onlinecraftactivity–usingamatchbox–stickpictureofoldmanNickontheoutsideofthebox,andbabybodyinsidethebox–showhowfunnyapictureitwastounderstand.

OlderOnes

ScienceExperiment

Haveasmallwhitecerealbowlpourinwater,talkabouttheperfectworldthatGodmade,howitwascleanandnewlikethiswater,butsinspoilsourworld,grindsomepepperoverthetopofthewater.

Nicodemuswasaguywhoworkedhardtocleanhislifeup,todowhatisright,getsomeofthekidstotryandgetthebitsofpepperout,isworkinghardatthisgoingtosortouttheproblem??NO!Weneedhelp!

Jesuscomesandofferstosortoutoursinproblem,putadaboffairyliquidonyourfingerunderthetable,hecameintoourworld,andthosewhoputtheirtrustinHim,canhaveacleanstart,putyourfingeronthewatersurface,thepeppermovesaway!

Explaintothekidshowtodoit,andletthemhaveago.

Discuss

Printoutverses1-17

WhatkindofpersonwasNick?

DidNickbelievethatJesuswassentfromGod?

Wasthatenough?

WhatdidJesustellhim?

Whatdidhethink?

WhatdidJesusmeanbybornagain?

Make

Makeamatchboxman–seedetailsonlineatjesus-without-language.net

Week2

JesusMeetstheOutsider

John4:1-26

Aim

ForthechildrentounderstandthatJesuswelcomessinners,butconfrontstheirsin.Jesusknowsourhearts,heknowswhatweneedtosatisfyus,tolooktoanythingbutHimwillendindisappointment.

Wherearewegoing?

Wewanttoshowthecontrastfromlastweek’sNicodemus–moralupstandingJewishleader(insider)tothisweeks,immoral,outcastSamaritanwoman.Theycouldn’tbemoredifferent,yetJesuswelcomesthemboth.Herevealstheyhavethesameheartproblem;botharelookingtosomethingelsetosatisfythem,bothneedJesus,bothareextendedthesamegrace.

Jesusmeetsthewomanatthewellinthemiddleoftheday;shecomesatatimewhenshewillnotbeseen.Sheisanoutsiderineveryway,aWoman,aSamaritanwithabrokenreputation.Jesusbreaksdowneverysocialbarriertospeaktoher,religion,race,gender,Heasksherforhelp,sheisstunned!

Jesusiswelcomingandgentlewithher,hetalkstoheraboutsomethingsheunderstands,“thirsting”andusesasimpleillustrationtohelpusallunderstandthatwehaveanotherthirst,wewantsoulsatisfaction,andwelookinallthewrongplaces.Jesusconfrontshersin–themanyouarenowwithisnotyourhusband,hehighlightsthatshehasbeenlookinginthewrongplacestofindwhatsheneeds,shehasbeenlookingtorelationships,andtheyhavefailedher,whatshereallyneedsisasaviour.

Thequestionsheasksaboutworship,whoisright,themorus,whoisworshippingGodintherightbuilding,usortheJews??Jesusanswermusthaveflooredher,buildingsareirrelevant,knowingmeiswhatmatters;worshipcomesfromaheart,notabuilding!

Thepictureofthirstandsatisfactionisapowerfulone;JesusknewthirstinHishumanity,sothathecouldidentifywithusassinners,justasheiswiththiswoman.JohnthegospelwritertellsuswhenJesusknewthirstatthecross,heexperiencedthesoullongingofseparationfromGodasHeboreoursin,heknewthirsttosatisfyGod’srighteousness,sothatoursoulsmayneverthirstagain.

StoryinChurch

Youwillneed–largeTshirtwiththeletters“WW”on(womanwell)aletter“O”tostickonlater,aBible,stickondots(adhesivefelt?)stickonhearts(postitnotes?),glassofwater.

Whattosay WhattodoInthegospelswehavewrittendownforusthestoriesofdifferentpeoplewhometJesus,sometalkedwithhim,someheardhimteachtheminacrowd,allwhohearHiswordsarechangedforeverbytheirresponse.

HoldUpBible

LastweekweheardaboutNick–Nicktheinsider,whowenttochurchALOT!SurelyhewasgoodenoughforJesusButNO!Nickneededtobebornagain–heneededanewstartthatonlyJesuscouldgive

HavevolunteeroutwithNtshirtonHandvolunteereitherkidsbutterflycraftfromlastweek,orasheetofpaperwithaCrossonandsendtositdown

ThisweekwearegoingtomeetsomeoneelsewhometJesusandtalkedwithhim,thisladywasverydifferentfromnick,

FemalevolunteercomesonwithheaddownlookingembarrassedwearingT-shirtwithletters“WW”on

WellthefirstthingthatisdifferentisthisisawomanJesusmeets–youmightnotthinkthatisabigdeal,butinthosedays,Jewishmendidn’treallytalktowomen,andcertainlynotTHISwoman,sheisaSamaritan,andwedon’tlikethem,theyarenotlikeus,

StickalargeblackdotonwomanStickonanotherlargedot

Notonlydotheynotbelievethesameasus,buttheyhavetheirownweirdchurch,andtheysaytheyareworshippingGod!Asifthatwasn’tbadenough,thisladyhasmadeamessofherrelationships,shehashad5differenthusbands,andnowshe’slivingwithsomeonesheisn’tevenmarriedto!

StickonanotherdotStickon5moredots!

Let’sseewhatJesussaystoher!!Boyissheinfortrouble

Womancringes

readfromBible–“Iamthirsty,willyougivemeadrink”

Womanliftsherheadandreplies“youwouldspeaktome,andaskme

forhelp!?”JesustoldthiswomanthatifsheknewGod’swonderfulgift,andwhoHewas,shewouldaskHimtogiveherlivingwaterthatsatisfiesforever

Holdupaglassofwatergivetothewoman

Youseewhenwedrinkicecoolwateronahotday,it’swonderful,it’sjustwhatweneed,butsoonweneedanotherdrink,itdoesn’tsatisfyusforever.

Inthesamewaywetrytofixourneedforlove,ourneedforJesusbylookinginthewrongplaces,wefillourselvesupwiththewrongthings;welistentowhatotherssayaboutus,andfeellikewearerubbish.

Jesussaysallofthisislikebeingthirsty,andwhatyouneedisme.Icanseeyourproblem,nowletmefixit.

Stickaheartoneachdot

Iseeyoursin,butIamyoursaviour,goandsinnomore!

Womanliftsherhead

ThisladymetJesus,shewasamazedthathecouldloveandforgivesinfulherShemetJesus,SHEwasforgiven–WOW!ShewaschangedforeverbyHisforgiveness,shewentandtoldeveryoneshecouldaboutHim,shelivedachangedlife!

Stickletter“O”betweenthe“WW”

SING Createinmeacleanheart–RendCollective

LESSONPLAN

Crèche

TeachingTime

Useawoodenspoonpuppet–tiematerialroundwithanelasticband,sticksomeribbon/woolonforhair,drawasadfaceononesideofthespoonandahappyfaceontheother

RemindthechildrenthatJesusmetalady;thisladydidnotthinkJesuswouldbeinterestedinherbecauseshehaddonethingswrong.AskthechildreniftheycanrememberwhatJesusaskedtheladytogivehim?Jesuswantedthisladytounderstandthatjustlikeweneedadrinkwhenwearethirsty,andonlyadrinkwillhelp,weneedhimtohelpuswiththethingswedowrong,andonlyHecanhelp.ThisladylovedJesusforeverfromthisdayon.Turnspoonroundtoshowhappyface.WeneedJesustobeoursaviourjustlikeweneedwaterwhenwearethirsty;Jesussaidhewaslikelivingwater.

PlayTime

Duringplaytryandtalkaboutdifferentneeds,i.e.thisbabyisthirsty,whatdoesitneed,adrink,thisteddyissad,whatdoesitneed,ahug.Thiscarcan’tgo,itneedspetrol,Iamhungry,whatdoIneed,asnack.Whatdoweneedtofixoursinproblem…?Jesus.

MakeTime

Makealivingwaterbottle,fillasmallemptyplasticbottlewithwater,addsomefoodcolouringandglitter,getthechildrentoaddsomepompoms,littlefoamshapes,putstickersontheoutside.Securelytapesomestrongtape–gaffertapearoundthelidtokeepiton,stickonalabelthatsays“WeneedJesus/Jesusislivingwater".

JuniorChurch

Game–WaterRelay

Haveamopstandingby–explaintothechildrenthattheyareinadesert,andyouhavefoundawellofverypreciouswater–largetubofwaterontheothersideoftheroom.Thisistheonlywaterformiles.In2teamstheymusttravelacrossthesteppingstones(matsonthefloor)andsafelycarrybackacupofwaterfortheirteamtopourintoajug.Theteamwiththemostwaterintheirjugattheendwins.

Usetointroducetheideaofwaterbeingsoprecious,whatyouneedwhenthirsty,butJesusmeetsandevenbiggerneedweallhave.

YoungerOnes

TeachingTime

Givethechildrenanumberofscenariosandaskthemwhateachpersonneeds–Tomishungry,heneeds…Annaistired,sheneeds…etc.RemindthechildrenthatJesusaskedtheladyatthewellforadrink,whywasthisashock?Jesuswantedherandallofustounderstandthatwehaveabiggerproblemweneedhelpwiththanjustwantingwaterwhenwearethirsty.WeweremadebyGodtobelongtoHim,holdupacardboardpersonwithaheartsectionthatyoucanremove,withoutknowingandlovinghimwewillalwaysfeellikethereissomethingmissing,removeheart.Wemighttryandfillthatspacewithsomethingelse,trytoputotherobjectsintothespace.Nothingelsewillfillus,weneedJesustobeoursaviour,tosortoutoursinproblem,sowecanbebacktobeingfriendswithGodagain.Putheartbackin.

DiscoverandDo

Makealivingwaterbottle–seecrèche

Makeawelloflivingwater–sticklollystickaroundapapercup,add2uprightstomaketheroofofthewell,useastrawandapieceofstringtoaddaliftingbucket.WriteJesuswillforgiveontheheartbucketthatyoupulloutofthewell

Or–Makealivingwatermobile–sticksparklyshapesontoacutoutraindropandhangfromastripofcardusingstringtomakeawaterdropsmobile.WriteJesusisthelivingwaterontheraindrops

OlderOnes

DiscussandAct

Lookatthepassageandcompleteatableasbelowthatcomparesthe2characterswehavemet,Nickandthewoman

InsiderNick

OutsiderWomanatwell

ManJewImportantchurchleaderRespectedMoral/GoodlifeCameatnight

WomanSamaritanDifferentbeliefsRejectedImmoral/mademistakesCameinthemiddleoftheday

BothmetJesus,bothneededhisforgiveness

Makeawaterbottle–askthemtousecraftmaterialtodesignawaterbottlelabel,usethisactivitytodistractthemslightlyasyouchataboutwhatyouhavelearnedandtrytoapplyit.

Whatisitthatmakesusthinkwearebetterthanothers?

Whatkindofthingsdowenoticeaboutthosewhoaredifferent?

HowdidJesusrespondtoanoutsiderthatothersdidn’tlike?

Howdoesrememberingthatwehavethesameheartproblemhelpusfrombeingproud?

Week3

JesusMeetstheBroken

Luke7:1-17

Aim

ForthechildrentounderstandthattoknowJesusistohavelife,onlyhecanofferushopeindeath,onlyHecanbeatdeath,becauseonlyHecanbeatsin.Wherethereisdeath,Jesusbringslife.

Wherearewegoing?

WewanttopaintthepictureofJesus’greatpower,andHisgreatheartofcompassion.Jesusreachesouttothewidow,theleastinSocietyinherbrokenness;hehelpsthePowerfulRomanCenturionwhocomestohimincompassionateconcernforhisservant(another“least”).Theworldhasnoanswertodeath,nooneelsecanofferanyhopehere,thereisnohope,exceptinJesus.

These2differentverydifferentcharactersareunitedintheirproblem–theyarepowerlessinthefaceofdeath,TheCenturionwithallhisinfluenceandauthoritycandonothing.Thewidowisastateofutterdesperation,shehasalreadyburiedherhusband,nowshemustburyherson,sheisdestitute.ThecenturionsendsamessagetoJesus,andheresponds.ThewomanismetbyHim,theyarebothbroken,theyarebothgivenlifeinsteadofdeath.

TotheCenturionwhounderstandspower–JesusdemonstratesHispower,hespeaksaword,andhiswordbringslife.Tothegrievingmother,hisheartgoesouttoher,v12,whataverse!!Nowhereelsedoyouseesuchpower,withsuchcompassion.Jesusgiveshercomfort,andagainHiswordbringslife.

JesusDemonstratedhisGreatpowerandhisgreatlovehere,wewantthechildrentounderstandthatJesusraisedthemthere,toprovethatheisthehopeforallwhoarebrokenwithgrief,toallwhofacedeath,heraisesustobewithHim.HeraisedthepeoplethentobewhereHewas,Heraisesallwhodienowtobewithhimwhereheisnow,heaven.ThosewhomeetJesusbyfaithnow,willmeethiminheavenforrealoneday.Wewillswapdeathforlife,thisisahopethatwecanholdontonomatterwhat,ahopethatwillneverdie.

WithoutJesus,whathopecanyoupossiblyofferatagraveside,whatistheretosay??Howdesperate!WithJesusthereishope,thereispowerindeath,thereisthejoyofresurrection.

StoryinChurch

Youwillneed:T–shirtsfrompreviousweeksforNick,andWomanatwell,2blackT-shirts,2gravestonecardssayingDeath,2labelssayinglife

WhattoSay WhattodoInthegospelswehavewrittendownforusthestoriesofdifferentpeoplewhometJesus,somemetHimandtalkedwithhim,someheardhimteachtheminacrowd,AllwhohearHiswordsarechangedforeverbythewaytherespondtoHim.

WehavealreadymetNick,thegoodguy,theinsiderwhowenttochurchalot,whoknewhisBibleandcametotalktoJesus–Jesustoldhimhehastobebornagain

HaveJoashoutwithgreencrosstshirton–orpintheshirtonastringwashingline

LastweekwemetWOWwoman,thewomanatthewellwhohaddonethingswrong,andJesustoldherHewaswhatsheneededmorethananything,andheforgaveher–WOW!

HaveMiaoutwithWOWt-shirton

ThisweekJesusmeets2moreverydifferentpeoplewhosharethesameproblemThefirstispowerful,strong,inauthority,arulerofsoldiers,aMAN,thisguywasaRomansoldier,andnotjustaSoldieraCenturion,hetoldthicknecked,toughguysoldierswhattodoandtheydidit!!Whenhespoke…theylistened–SIRYESSIR!!

Malevolunteerlookstough,flexesmuscles?getssomecongregationmemberstodopushups

Butthenoneday,somethingterriblehappened,oneofthepeoplewhoworkedforhim,whohereallycaredaboutgotreallysick,badlysick,notjustatummybugorsomething,butsosickthatnoonecouldhelp,andtheyweregoingtodie,anditbrokehisheart.Noneofhisstrength,noneofhispower,noneofhiswordswouldhelphisfriend.Deathwascoming,andtherewasnohope.Withallhispower,hewaspowerlesstohelp.

Centurionputsablacktshirtonandbowshishead.Holdsupacardboardsignshapedlikegravestonesayingdeath

Thentherewasalady,thisladyhadnopower,noonelistenedtoher,shewasn’tinchargeofanyone,shehadnoonetohelpheranymore,youseethisladywasalreadysad,herhusbandhaddied,andshemissedhim.Andnowheronlyson,allshehadleftintheworldhadjustdied,herheartwasbrokenbylosingherfamily,shecoulddonothing,shewasbrokenbydeath

Femalevolunteerwalksoutwithblacktshirton,andscarfoverherhead.Holdsupcardsayingdeath

Apowerfulman,apowerlesswoman,verydifferentpeople,sharingthesameproblem…Whodotheybothneed??

Thecenturion’sservantsgotogetJesusforhim,butthemanwhounderstandspowersaysthis…Jesuslovedhisfaith…

Volunteerreads:”Jesus,youdon’tneedtocometome,youhaveallpoweroverallthings,justspeakandmyservantwillbewell”RipupdeathsignandstickLIFElabelonthecenturion

Andthepowerless,brokenheartedwoman,whatdoesJesusdoforher–LuketellsusthatHisheartgoesouttoher…Thisbrokenwoman,cryingforheronlyson,Jesusspeaksinpower,“GETUP”andthesongetsup

HugherRipdeathsign,andgivelifesign

2differentpeople,1sharedproblem,theycoulddonothingaboutdeath,theyhadnohope.OnlyJesuscouldhelpOnlyJesuscantakedeathandbringlifeOnlyJesusraisespeopletobewithhim

Pointatthe2people

Jesuscanhelpbrokenpeople, Pointatyourself

OnlyJesuscangiveanyofushopeindeath.HowcanJesusdothis??BecausedeathwasneverpartofGod’sgoodplanforHisworld,itonlyhappenedbecauseofsin,onlyJesusissinless,onlyJesuscanbeatsin,onlyJesuscanbeatdeath.Hetookoursin,hetookourdeaththatwemightknowlife,thatwecanhavehopethatHewillraiseustobewithHimwhereHeisnow,heaven.

Stretcharmsoutat2volunteerslikeacrossPointatheaven

PRAY

LESSONPLAN

Crèche

StoryTime

Remindthechildrenthattherewere2peoplethatmetJesustoday,onewasabravetoughsoldier–holdupanactionfigure,hewasinchargeoflotsofsoldiers,hecouldtellpeoplewhattodo,buthewasreallysad!!Whywashesad??Hisfriendwasverysick,bringonanotherfigureandlieitdownTherewasaladytoo,shewasn’tinchargeofanyone,nobodythoughtshematteredmuch–holdupdollfigure,shewassadbecauseherlittleboyhaddiedbringonanotherfigureandlieitdownbywoman.Whocanhelpthem?OnlyJesuscan!AndJesusdid!Standfiguresbackup.Jesushelpedthemsowecanunderstandhowhehelpsus,ifweputourtrustinhim,whenwedie,liedownonthefloor,HecanliftustobewithHimwhereheisnow,Standup,WhereisJesusnow?Heisinheaven.

PlayTime

EncourageplaytimearoundDr’sandnurses,helpingeachother,usetoreenforcechat,Jesushelpedsadpeople,hegivesusallgoodnews.

MakeTime

Makeawoodenspoonpuppet/paperplateface–childrendecorateasthewidow,orthecenturion,stickoneyes,sadfaceononeside,happyontheother.

JUNIORCHURCH

Game

Tounderstandtheideaofwordshavingpower–PlayCenturionsays–versionofSimonsays–whatthecenturionsaystheyhavetodo.UsetodiscusstheCenturionwithallhispowercouldnotdoanythingtohelphisdyingfriend,heneededJesus.Evenwithallourmedicinesandhospitals,everyonewilldieoneday,soweallneedtoknowJesus.

Infants

TeachingTime

Praybeforeyoubeginwiththechildren.

UseideasfromCrècheteachingtime,extendbytalkingabouthowJesuscanbeatdeathbecausehecanbeatsin,wecanknowforsurethathecandothatbecauseofthecross.Jesusdiedtakingthepunishmentforsin;JesusroseagaintoshowHehadwon.ExplainthatthebestplacetobeiswithJesus,Jesusraised

theCenturionsservant,andthewidow’ssontobewhereHewasonearth,whereisJesusnow??Heaven.AllwhohaveputtheirtrustinJesusareraisedtobewithHimwhereHeisnowinheaven.

NB.Besensitive,childreninourgrouphaveexperiencedlossoflovedones,parents,siblings&grandparents,itisimportanttotalkaboutthesethingsopenly,andagreatcomforttothemtodiscussthistruth,andbereassuredthattheyarewithJesus,andwewillbewithHimtoooneday.Remindchildrenwhomaybeflippantthatthiscanbehardtothinkandtalkabout,andweneedtodoitcarefully.

DiscoverandDo

Cutoutaheartshapefromcard,getthechildrentowrapbandagesaroundthis,stickonalabelthatsays,Jesusgiveshope

Makeaspoonwidow/centurionpuppet–decorateawoodenspoonwithmaterialandelasticbandsaseitherawidoworthecenturion,stickoneyesetc.,anddrawsadfaceononeside,andahappyfaceontheother.

Juniors

TeachingTime

Lookatthepassagetogether,asyoureadthroughcompleteagroupchartcomparingtheWidowandtheCenturion,highlightwhatwasdifferent,highlightwhatwasthesame.

DiscussJesushavingbothpowerandcompassion,howisthisanunusualmix?

HowcanJesus’wordsmakesomeonecometolife?Whatdoesthisremindyouof?…creation

Read2Corinthians5:21–howdoesJesusbeatsinanddeath

DiscussandAct

Asyouchat,spreadalargebandageacrossthetable–cutintolongsectionsifnecessary.Usingsharpiemarkers,askthechildrentowriteonhowknowingJesusgiveshopetopeoplefacingdeath,sickness,hardtimes,whatanswercanwegivewhenpeoplearesad,orwhenpeopledie?

ToknowJesusistoknowhopeeveninthesaddesttimes-usingthebandage,wrapitaround2stickstoholditinplaceintheshapeofacross,usetoremindthemthateveninthesaddestandhardestmoment,whenJesusdiedonthecross,thiswastogiveushopeofforgiveness,andhopeofheaven.

Week4

JesusMeetstheSinful

Luke7:36-8:3

Aim

FortheChildrentounderstandthatthosewhoknowtheyareforgivenmuchlovemuchinresponse.Onlywhenwetrulyunderstandthedepthofoursin,willwetrulyunderstandthedepthofChrist’slovetowardsus,andloveHimandworshipHimfullyinresponse.

Wherearewegoing?

WewantthechildrentoseethecontrastbetweenSimonthePhariseeandthesinfulwoman,bothmeetJesus,onethinksheisgoodenough,oneknowssheisnot.Theirresponsesrevealtheirhearts,hersfullofthankfulloveandworship,hisfullofself-righteouspride.Aswelookatthese2characters,weshouldbechallengedinourpride,andencouragedinoursenseoffailure.

Luketellsuswhatweneedtoknowtosetupthecontrast,SimonisaPharisee,thewomanissinful,v36-37,Simonisthehost,Thewomanisthegatecrasher,hedoesn’teventellushername.Thiswoman,thissinner,approachesJesusasheeatswithajarofperfume,thiswouldbehermosthighlyprizedpossession,thisincensewouldbekeptandusuallyusedtoanointthebodyofalovedonewhentheywereburied.ThisladycomesintothehousewhereJesusiseating,andpoursitallatJesusfeet;shewashesthemwithhertears,andwipesthemwithherhair.Thisisextravagant,self-sacrificiallove,whatothersthinkofherisirrelevant,sheissothankfultoJesusforHisforgivenessthatshepoursallshehasathisfeet.

Thisdemonstrationoflovingthankfulnessandworshipissopowerful,thefragrancewouldhavefilledtheroom,andsheuseshertearsandhair–humblingherselftotallyathisfeet,whatapowerfulimagetoallwholookedon;theyshouldbechallengedthatthisistheonlyrightresponsetoJesus,butinsteadSimoninhisheartcriticisesher.V39SimonthinkstohimselfthatifJesusreallywereaprophet,ifGodrevealedhimselftoJesus,thenJesuswouldn’tletthisscumbagsinnertouchhim.Jesusisgreaterthanaprophet,hedoesknowwhatthiswomanhasdone,andmorethanthat,heknowsSimon’sproudandsinfulthoughts!!HeexplainstoSimonthatthosewhoareforgivenmuchlovemuchinresponse.

Jesusisn’tsayingthatSimonhasn’tsinnedmuch;heissayingthatheself-righteouslythinkshedoesn’tneedmuchforgiveness,whichonlygoestoshowhowbighisproblemreallyis!These2charactersincontrastchallengeusall,weeitherproudlythinkwearegoodenoughanddon’tneedJesus,orweworrythatwearetoosinful,eitherway;webothneedJesusjustasmuch!

StoryInChurch

WhattoSay WhattoDoAtJuniorchurchwehavebeenlearningmoreaboutJesus,thethingshesaid,andthepeoplehemet.WehavewrittendownforusintheBible,inthegospelswhathappenedwhendifferentpeoplemetJesus,andhowmeetingHimchangedthemforever.

(probablybesttobebarefootedasyoutellthis)HoldupBible

JesushasalreadymetNick,thewomanatthewell,thestrongCenturionandtheweakwidow;IwonderwhoHeisgoingtomeetthisweek…

MalevolunteercomesoutholdingplateofgrapesFemalevolunteercomesoutholdingbottleofperfumeStandeithersideofpulpit

2morepeoplewhometJesus,thisManiscalledSimon–SimonwasaPharisee,hewasoneofGod’speople,hewasaleaderinthechurch,hewasimportant,andclever,likeNick,hewenttochurchalot,andknewGod’slawreallywellSimonwasabitofastar

Putastarbadge/postitnoteonSimonthatsaysSimonthestar

AndSimonwashavingadinnerparty,(hewasquiteposh)andhehadinvitedJesustobethere,andJesuscame.Itwasaposhkindofdinnerparty,whereyouatelyingdownatalowtable,thatsoundsfundoesn’tit,lyingdownatthetable!!MyMummakesmesitupstraight!!

SimonoffersyousomefoodfromhisplateSimondemonstratesrecliningandpoppinggrapesintohismouth

Therewassomeoneelsewhocametothisparty,awoman,nowthisladydidn’thaveaninvitation,Simonwouldn’thaveinvitedHER!!Everyoneknewshewasbad,thatshehaddonethingswrong,shewasnaughty…theywouldhavesaidtoher,“Youcan’tcometomyparty”Shewasn’tSimonthestar,shewasscumbagthesinner

Pointatwoman,lookunimpressedStickablackdotonwoman

ButthisladyhadmetJesusbefore,whereotherpeoplehadbeensomeantoher,Hehadbeensokind,andshewanteddesperatelytosaythankyoutohim,soshecameintotheparty,shesneakedintowhereJesuswas,andthisiswhatshedid…

Standinthemiddleinfrontofpulpit,womancomesandpoursperfumeontoyourfeet

Shetookhermostpreciousperfume,themostexpensive,themostwonderfulthingsheowned,andshepoureditontoJesusfeet,shewashedhisfeetwithhertears,anddriedthemwithherhair,shejustwantedtoshowJesushowthankfulshewastohim

Womanactsoutcryinganddryingwithhair

Thesmellofthisbeautifulperfumewouldhavefilledthe Simonshakeshishead.

room–WOW!Everyonenoticed,especiallySimon,butSimonwasn’timpressedSimonlookedatthiswoman,hethoughttohimself,Jesusshouldn’tlethertouchhim,sheissinful,ifJesusreallywasfromGod,hewouldknowwhatsheislike.Jesusdidknowwhatshewaslike,andmorethanthat,heknewwhatSimonwaslike,heknewwhatSimonwasthinking!!

JesustoldSimon,thosewhounderstandhowmuchtheyareforgiven,lovemuchinresponse,hetoldthewoman–youhavedoneaverybeautifulthingtoworshipme,yoursinsareforgiven!

Helpwomanup–shegoesandsitsdown

Thisladyleftforgiven,sheknewshewasasinner,whoneededJesus’help.Simon,Idon’tknowwhathappenedtohim,youseehethoughthewasdoingagoodjobofbeinggoodonhisown,hedidn’tunderstandyethowmuchheneededJesus,butSimonthestar,whenyoulookedinsidehisproudheart,wasreallySimonthesinner

StickdotoverSimon’sstar,Simonwalksaway

Weneedtounderstandthatwecanneverbegoodenoughonourown,evenifweputonagoodshow,Godsee’stheprideinourhearts,wecanneverbegoodenoughforhim,BUTwecanneverbebadenougheither!!Whenwecometohimandfallathisfeetinworship,heWILLforgiveus.

TAKETHISVERYSLOWLY

2peoplemetJesus,onefellathisfeet,andwasforgiven,andonewalkedaway,whatwillyoudo?

LETSSING CREATEINME

LESSONPLAN

CRECHE

StoryTime

Remindthechildrenthattherewere2peoplewhometJesustoday,get2playfiguresout.SimonthoughthewasgoodenoughforJesus,heinvitedJesustohishousefortea;putapostitnoteonSimonfigure,drawatickon.WhileJesuswasthere,aladycamein,shedidn’tthinkshewasgoodenoughforJesus–putpostitnoteon,drawacross.ButJesushadbeensokindtoher,soshewantedtodosomethingnicetosaythankyou,canyourememberwhatshedid??Letchildrensmellsomeperfume–shepouredherexpensiveperfumeonJesusfeet.Jesustoldherthathersinsareforgiven,takecrossnoteoffher,andstickahearton,buthetoldSimonthathecouldseehisproudheart,andthatheneededtounderstandthatheneededforgivenesstoo–stickcrossonSimon.WeallneedJesustoforgiveus.

PlayTime

MakeTime

Makeascentedperfumebag–fillalittleorganzagiftbagorcircleofnettingwithascoopofpot-pourrianddecoratebagwithsomeheartstickers–thesmellcanremindthemofthewoman’slovinggifttoJesus.

JUNIORCHURCH

Game–Swappingdirtyforclean

Havea2basketsofsocks,oneblack/dirty,onewhite/clean(eitherreal,orcutoutofpaper)inteamsthechildrenrun,relaystyleacrosstheroom,theyhavetotakeadirtysockovertotheotherside,andswapitforacleansock–repeatuntiltheyhaveswappedalltheirdirtysocks.

Usethistointroducetheideathattheywouldhavedirtyfeetfromthesmellyroads,neededcleaning,andlatertolinktothefactthatweneedJesustotakeoursin,andgiveushiscleannessasaswap.

Infants

TeachingTime

Remindthechildrenthattherewere2peoplewhometJesustoday,get2playfiguresout.SimonthoughthewasgoodenoughforJesus,heinvitedJesustohishousefortea;putapostitnoteonSimonfigure,drawatickon.WhileJesuswasthere,aladycamein,shedidn’tthinkshewasgoodenoughforJesus–putpostitnoteon,drawacross.ButJesushadbeensokindtoher,soshewantedtodosomethingnicetosaythankyou,canyourememberwhatshedid??Letchildrensmellsomeperfume–shepouredherexpensiveperfumeonJesusfeet.Jesustoldherthathersinsareforgiven,takecrossnoteoffher,andstickahearton,buthetoldSimonthathecouldseehisproudheart,andthatheneededtounderstandthatheneededforgivenesstoo–stickcrossonSimon.

SomepeoplethinktheyaretoobadforJesustoforgivethem–isthistrue?

Somepeoplethinktheyaretoogood,anddon’tneedJesustoforgivethem–isthistrue?

WeallneedtobeforgivenbyJesus,nooneisgoodenough,butnooneistoobadeither!WeallneedJesustoforgiveus.

Discoveranddo

Either–makeaperfumebag–ascrèche

Or–makeahearthanger–cardboardcut-outheartwithholepunchedinthetopforaribbon–coveronesidewithdarkmaterial/collagepaper–keeponesideclean–stickonalabelthatsays“Jesusforgives”.Childrencouldthenhangthisintheirroom.

Juniors

TeachingTime

Lookatthepassagetogether,focusparticularlyontheexamplethatJesusgivesSimontohelphimunderstandhowpeoplewhounderstandhowmuchtheyareforgiven,lovemuchinresponse.

Encouragethemtoworktogethertocomparethe2characters–perhapsyoucouldactoutthestorytoo.

DiscussandAct

Getthegrouptodrawroundtheirownfootonasheetofcolouredpaper–askthemtoimaginethatJesusknowseverywrongthoughttheyhaveeverthought,everymeanword,everylie,everysinglebadthingtheyhavedonethatnotevenanyoneelseknowsabout,remindthemthatJesusknewwhatSimonwaseventhinking!!Eventhoughheknowstheworstaboutus,hecanforgiveus,becauseofwhathedidonthecross.AskthemtoworkquietlyontheirowntowriteintheirfootprintathankyouprayertoJesus–ThisisawayofusworshippingHimforwhathehasdoneforus,justliketheladydidwhowashedhisfeet.

Askifthereareanyvolunteerswhowanttosharetheirprayer,ifnot,shareyourown.

Week5

Jesuslooksforthelost

Luke15:1-10

Aim

ForthechildrentounderstandthatJesuslovinglysetsouttofindthelost,Heseeks,HefindsandHedelightsinthoseHebringshome.

Wherearewegoing?

UnliketheotherlessonswherewehavefocusedonindividualsmeetingJesus,thislessonwearelookingathowJesusspeakstothecrowdandaddressestheheartissueofallthosewholisten.V1tellsusthatthetaxcollectorsandsinnershuddleclosetoJesus,youimaginetheyarehangingonhiseveryword,hereisamanwhooffersthemhope,andtheyaredesperatetohearit.V2tellsusofanothergrouplisteningin,themuttering,moaners,thehighlyreligiousthinktheyarealrightPhariseesandlawteachers,theyhandoneverywordinthehopetofindfault.

The3parablesJesustellsstriketotheheartoftheissueforthemall,thelostsheepandcoin–thelostareprecious,Icometoseekthem,todoallittakestofindthem,Idelightinfinding,savingandreturningthelosttotheplacetheybelong.Thefinalparableisthissamemessageamplified–thehurtandwrongedone,thelovingfatheroffersoutrageousgracetothereturningsinner,weshoulddelightinthis,butmanydonot,theolderbrothersjudgementalapproachshowshowlittleheunderstandsthefather’slove.Wewillstudythismorenextweek,butitishelpfultoknowthatthisiswhereweareheaded.

The2groupsofpeoplelisteningreactindifferentwaystowhatistaught.ThesinnersandTaxcollectorsarepunchingtheairwithdelight–Iamprecious,Iamlookedfor,Icanbelong!TheLawteachersarehorrified,herehegoesagaintellingscumbagsGodlovesthem–whodoeshethinkheis!God’sgracewillalwaysprovokeareaction–eitherthisisjustwhatIneed/Iamrelyingonmyself.

NotestohelpwithunderstandingthePassage

Sheep–theonetheybelongtowantstocaresenoughtogooutandseekforthemissing,andjoyfullyreturnsthemhome,backtotheplaceofsafetyandbelonging.Theirsafereturnisacauseforcelebration

Coin–Thecoinsbelongtothewoman,theonethatislostispreciousandsearchedfordiligentlyuntilitisfoundandreturnedtoit’srightfulplace,thereturnisareasontorejoice.

WebelongtoGod,weareprecious,wearelost,heseeksusout,Hedoesthework,Hedoesthefinding,Hedoestherescuing,Hedoestherejoicing.

Thecauseofgreatdelightinthethroneroomofheavenisthesinner’srecognitionoftheirneedforrescueandtheirhelplessstate;thisallowsGodtheopportunitytodemonstrateHisstunningsavinggrace.TherecognitionofourhelplessnessrendersHimthemostgloryandopportunitytoexpressHisamazingcharacter.

StoryinChurch

Youwillneed–aphone/preciousitem,avolunteerdressedasashepherd,atoysheep,avolunteerasthewomanwithabagofcoins.

NBTherewillbevisitorstherethisweek,don’taskthechildrentocometothefront,wewilllosecontrol,keepthemwheretheyare,justmovearoundmoreyourself

Whattosay WhattodoHi,I’msorry,I’llbewithyouinaminute,Iamhavingabitofanightmarethismorning,sorrythisisreallybad,whataterribleimpression,it’sjustIcan’tfindmyphone,andit’sgotmynotesonwhatI’msupposedtobesaying.!AskJosh–haveyouseenmyphone?Mumhaveyouseenmyphone?Thisissoembarrassing–wouldyoualljustmindhavingaquicklookaroundyou,Idefinitelyhaditbefore;it’sgotaflowerycase…

Hideyourphone/preciousitemundersomeone’sseatbeforechurchbegins;Comeoninabitofaflap!Checkpockets,rifflethroughbagLookstressedGetcongregationtolookandphoneisproduced

OHTHANKYOU!Whatarelief,Iamsohappy,mycontacts,mymessages,myphoto’s,sucharelief!!Ohandmynotesforthismorning!!

HugthephonefinderLookatthephone

OhYES!I’mtellingyouaboutthepeoplewhometJesus,whoheardhimteachthem,andtodaywearelearningabouthowbrilliantitistofindsomethingthatbelongstoyouthatislost!HAHA,justlikemyphone!

Jesuswastalkingtoabiggroupofpeople,acrowd,justlikeherethismorning.Inthiscrowd,justlikethismorningtherewere2differentkindsofpeople.Therewasagroupofpeoplewhoknewtheymessedup,whoknewtheyweresinners,andyouknowwheretheywere…nearthefront!

Walkdowntheaisle,waveacrossthewholeroomWalktothefront,pointtothefrontfewrows

YouseetheyhadheardthatJesusspenttimewithpeoplelikethem,thatJesusdidn’tpushthemoutlikeothersdid,sotheywantedtohearhimspeak,heofferedthemhope,andtheywerehangingonhiseveryword–OKsoyouguyshere,let’sseeabeamingface!

Askfrontrowstosmileatyou

Buttherewasanothergroupofpeople,whowerehangingoneverywordJesussaid,notwithhappy

Walktotheback

faces,butgrumpyones!Theywerelisteningtotryandcatchhimout,andtheydidnotlikewhathesaid

Askthemtolookgrumpy

WhywouldthesepeoplebegrumpywithJesus??Welltheytriedhardtobegood,theythoughttheyweresomuchbetterthanthosesinnersdownthefront,andJesusbeingnicetothemdidtheirheadin!

TothismixtureofacrowdJesustold3shortstories,wearegoingtolookatthefirst2today,thereoncewasashepherd–thisguyhadsheep–thesheepbelongedtohim,butonewentmissing,itwaslost.

Joshinwaxjacket,capcomesoutActslookingforsheep

Thisshepherddoesn’tsay,ohyouidiot–youwanderoffit’syourproblem,hegoesout,lookingforhissheep…helooks,andlooks…Untilhefindsit!Heputsthesheeponhisshouldersandbringsithomerejoicing,hecallshisfriendsandcelebrates

Walksroundcongregation–collectsatoysheep–carriestothefrontShepherdshoutsWOOHOOandsetsoffapartypopper

WhyareyousohappytohavethesheepbackMrshepherd

Shepherdanswers–becauseit’smine!Becauseit’sbackwhereitbelongsShepherdstandsatfrontwithsheep

Jesusthentoldastoryaboutawomanwhohad10beautifulcoins

Womanwithscarfoverheadcomesoutandcountscoinsoutofatreasurebox/bag–1-9–“AGH,there’sonly9,1’sgone”

Heyit’sOK,we’regoodatlookingforthingshere,OKpeople,asilvercoin,shegetsatorchout,shemovesthefurniture,shechecksthebin,theoutsidebin,thewashingmachine,shelookseverywhere!!Highandlowuntil…

Womanflapsaroundthenshouts-“I’vegotit!”

She’ssodelighted,shepostsapictureoninstagram–sheringshermates,sheisdelighted

Womanblowspartyhooter

WhyareyousopleasedMrscoinlady?These2peoplelostsomethingpreciousthatbelongedtothem–theysearcheduntilitwasfound,theypartiedwhenitwasbackwhereitbelonged!

BecauseMYcoinisprecious,itgotlost,andIhavefounditPointtovolunteers–theythensitdown

JesustoldthecrowdthatheavenpartieswhenlostpeoplearebroughtbackbyJesustotheplacetheybelong

ThepeopleinthecrowdwhoknowtheyarelostLOVEthisstory–Iamlost,Icanbefound,thegrumpypeopleinthecrowdhatethisstory–Iamnotlost,theythink,Iamdoingagoodjobsortingmyselfout.Theydon’tgettobefound,theydon’tgettobelong,

theydon’tjointheparty…whichgroupareyou??Understandingyouarelostmeansyoucanbefound!Let’ssing Createinme

LESSONPLAN

Crèche

StoryTime

Haveatoysheepandsomecoins/playmoney,haveashepherdfigureandawomanfigure–askthechildrenwhothecoinbelongedto,askthemwhothesheepbelongedto.Remindthemthatthesheepandthecoinwerelost,askthechildrentoclosetheireyesandplacethesheepandcoinsomewhere.Askthemtoopentheireyes,askthemtogoandlookfortheitems.Remindthechildrenthattheshepherdandtheladyweresopleasedwhentheyfoundtheirthings;theyhadaparty,becausetheywerebackwheretheybelonged.TellthechildrenthatwebelongtoGod,holdupapapercutoutpersonbutthethingswedowrongmeanwearelostawayfromHim,putthepersonontheothersideoftheroom,butJesuscametosaveus,andhelpus,andbringusbacktowherewebelong.

PlayTime

Playsometreasurehuntgameswithcoinsandthesheep

MakeTime

Makeasheep–cutoutacloudshapeoutofcard–stickoncottonwoolandeyesasthesheep’sbody,cliponclothespegsasthesheep’slegssoitcanstandonitsown

Makeapurse–decorateaminienvelope/bagwithstickonjewels,wrapcardboardcirclesintinfoilasthecoinstokeepinthepurse

JUNIORCHURCH

Game

Treasurehuntgames–hide20cardboardcoinsroundtheroomand2sheep–childrenin2teamseachhavetocollecttheir10coins,oncetheyhavefoundtheir10coinstheythenhavetofindtheirsheep–firstteamwins.

TeachingTime

Remindthechildrenofthe2groupsthatwerelistening.Havetheitemsfromthegamewithyou;askwhodidthesheepbelongto?Theshepherd–itwasprecioustotheshepherdbecauseitwasHissheep.Whodidthecoinsbelongto?Thewoman–theywereprecious

tothewomanbecausetheywerehercoins.Whodowebelongto?God–weareprecioustohimbecauseweareHiscreation–HemadeustobelongtoHim.Thesheepandthecoingotlost,theywereawayfromtheplacetheybelonged,thewomanwentouttolook,theshepherdwentouttolook.HowdoweendupawayfromGod?Becauseofsin.HowdoesGodgoouttolookforus?BysendingJesus.

Thewomanpartied,theshepherdpartiedwhentheirlostonewasfound,God,andtheangelspartywhensinnersarefound.

DiscoverandDo

Makeasheep–stickcottonwoolontoacutoutsheep’sbody,stickoneyesandaddclothespeglegssoitcanstandonitsown

Makeamoneybag–decorateaminibag/envelopewithstickonjewelsandaddtinfoilcoveredcardboardcoinsinside

Juniors

TeachingTime

SpendsometimelookingatthepassageandthinkingabouthowthedifferentpeopleinthecrowdwouldreacttothestoryJesustells–tryandhelpthemunderstandthatthoseinthecrowdwhothinktheyarenotlostcannotbefound,thosewhoknowtheyarelostcanbehelped.

Highlightthatthecoinbelongedtothewoman–thatiswhyitisprecioustoher,thesheepbelongedtotheshepherd,thatiswhyhelooksforit.WebelongtoGod,wearelostinsin,HeinJesusdoestheseeking,doesthefinding,doestherejoicingwhenwearebackwherewebelong

DiscussandAct

Decoratesomecakes–shopboughtisfine!Coverwithicing/chocolatespread,decoratewithminimarshmallowsasthesheep’sfluff,addalargechocolatebutton/biscuitasaheadandsnapachocolatefingerin2aslegs.

Theycouldalsocoveracakewithicingandadd10whitechocolatebuttonsasthewoman’scoins.

Week6Jesusandtheundeserving

Luke15:11-31

Aim

ForthechildrentograspsomethingofGod’samazinggraceinwelcomingrepentantsinnersandtounderstandthatourreactiontoHisgracetowardsothersshowshowmuchweunderstanditforourselves.

Wherearewegoing?

Thislessonlinkstolastweeks,thesinnersandPhariseesareinthecrowd,thesinnershuddleclosetohearthegoodnewsfromtheonewhohastimeforthem,thePhariseeshangback,annoyed,theyhaveworkedhardtodowhatisright,nowheseemstobetellingthemthatitdoesn’tmatter.Thisstorycutstotheheartofbothissuesinthecharactersofthe2brothers.Theyoungerbrotherhastorecognisehissin,andreturninrepentancetothefather,heknowshedeservesnothing,anddoesnotexpectanything,andyetheiswelcomedwithsuchastoundinggracebyalovingfather.

Theolderbrotherhasenjoyedtheprivilegeandjoyofbeingwiththefatherallalong,insteadofsharinginhisfather’sdelightathisbrother’sreturn,hedemonstratesthelackofgraceinhisownheart,“hedoesn’tdeservethis”,thepointisthatnoneofusdo,whenweseethefathersamazinggraceextendedtoothers,itshouldmakeusloveHimmore,andunderstandbetterwhathehasdoneforus.

Theheartissuesaredifferent,buttheyarebothresolvedinatrueexperienceandunderstandoftherichesofGod’sgrace.Thebrothersaredifferentinappearance,buttheybothhavethesameheartneed-tounderstandtheloveoftheforgivingfather,andenjoyit.

NotestohelpwithunderstandingthePassage

NeedstobeunderstoodincontextofwhoJesusisspeakingtoandpickuponthethemesfrompreviousparables.ThesheepwassoughtbytheshepherdbecauseitBELONGEDtohim,thecoinwassoughtbythewomanbecauseitwasPRECIOUStoher,howmuchmore

doesasonBELONGtoafather,andisPRECIOUStohim.Thisisthecrescendothathitshometothewholecrowd.

TheissuesJesusmentionswouldbequicklyunderstoodandutterlyshockingtothecrowd,aYOUNGERsondemandinghisinheritancewhilsthisfatherwasstillliving,hemayaswellhavejustsaid,“IwishyouwerealreadydeadDad”.Thedepthtowhichhethenfallsisextreme,noself-respectingJewwouldcareforapig,nevermindlongtoeatthepigsfood;hecouldnotbemoredisgusting/uncleanorfurtherfromwherehebelongs.Atthepointwherehecouldgonolower,hereturnstohisfatherwithtruerepentance.

ThereactionoftheFatherdemonstratesthewonderofhisloveandthedepthofhisgrace.Thereactionoftheolderbrothernigglesatus,wekindofunderstandwhereheiscomingfrom,butultimatelythisrevealshowlittleourheartsreflectthegraceofthefatherwebelongto!Whenwebelongtothefather,andarewithhim,weshouldknowandlovehim,andwhenweseeHislovinggraceinactioninwelcomingourmessedupbrotherhome,weshoulddelightinhishomecoming,anddelightyetmoreinthegraceandloveofOURfather.

StoryinChurch

Youwillneed–3volunteerstoactasfather&brothers,3redcardheartsonstringhangingroundtheirnecks.Father’shearthasword“Grace”writtenontheback,andhas4heartshapesinalayerstucktogetherwithbluetacksoyoucanpullthemoffandstickontotheothers.(CalebIhavemadethese!)

WhattoSay WhattodoThisserieswearemeetingJesus,lookingatthegospelofLukewherewehavewrittendownforuswhathappenedwhenJesusmetpeople,andtaughtthem

HoldupBible

Jesuswastalkingtoabiggroupofpeople,acrowd,likeherethismorning.Inthiscrowdtherewere2differentkindsofpeople.Therewasagroupofpeoplewhoknewtheyhadmessedup,whoknewtheyweresinners,andyouknowwheretheywere…nearthefront!TheywerehuddledclosetoJesus,theonewhotoldthemgoodnews,thatlostpeoplecanbefound!

Pointtothefrontrows

Butthenthereweregrumppeopleattheback,thosewhotriedreallyhardtodotherightthing,whohadthingsstraight,whodidnotconsiderthemselvestobeamess,andtheydisapprovedofJesus,whathesaidandwhohehungaroundwith

Walkdownaisleandpointtotheback

TothisgroupJesustoldthisfinalamazingshortstory,thereoncewasaFatherwhohad2sons.

Volunteerscomeout–haveanolderfigure-?bigJoeDad,

Thesonswerethefathersjoy,helovedthem,theyBELONGEDtoHim,theywerePRECIOUStohim

littleJoeandbigbroAdam.- hangheartsonbro’s

TheylivedwiththeirDad,theywereloved,theywerevaluedtheywerewheretheybelonged,theirDadlovedthem

HanglargerheartontheDad

Butonedaytheyoungerbrotherdecidedthathewantedtoleave…shocked,thisiswhathesaid…Hemayaswellhavejustsaid,“Dad,Iwishyouweredead”,andhelefttheplacewherehebelongedandwentfaraway.

“Iwantmore–givememymoney,whatIwillgetwhenyou’redead,Idon’twanttowait.”SnatchesDad’swalletgoestothebackofchurchandoutthedoorshouting,“laterlosers!”

Offhewent,andwastedallthemoneyhehadonthingsthatdidnotlast,untilintheendhewasleftwithnothing,nomoney,nohome,nofamily,nofood,heendeduplivingwithpigsandeatingtheirfood–disgusting!!Thiswasnotwherehebelonged

Meanwhilebackathome,theolderbrotherwaswherehebelonged,hewaswithhisDad,theydidstufftogetherWorkedonthefarm,theyatetogether,hadfuntogether,buteverydayhisDadsaid…Andhewouldkeeplookinghopinghewouldcomehome

Actoutdigging/kickingaballtooneanotherandeatingameal“Iwishyourbrotherwashereenjoyingthiswithus.”

Meanwhileinthepigpen,theyoungerbrothercametohissenses,hedecidedtocomehome,tosaysorryandtoaskifHisdadwouldhavehimbackasaservantinhishouse,heknewhedidn’tdeservetobeHissonanymore..hewasreadytosaysorry

Brothercomesbackinthedoorwithhisheaddown,dropstokneesattheendoftheaisle

But,andI’llreadthis,becauseit’ssogood“whilehewasstillalongwayoff,hisfathersawhimandwasfilledwithcompassionforhim;herantohisson,threwhisarmsaroundhimandkissedhim”

Fatherrunsdownaisle,hugsson,jumpsupanddownwithhimSonsays“Dad,I’msosorry”

Thefatherorderedaparty….brotherstandswitharmsfoldedlookingunimpressed

“Let’sfeastandcelebrate,mysonishome!”Musicgroupparty–dance

Buttherewas1guywhodidnotjoinintheparty–bigbrowasinamajornark,hesaidthosewordsweallsaysometimes…

Bigbro,“it’snotfair!!Hedoesn’tdeserveaparty!”

Andthefatherhadsomeamazingwordsforhisolderson,letmereadthem,“youarealwayswithme,andeverythingIhaveisyours,wehadtocelebrateandbeglad,becausethisbrotherofyourswasdeadandisaliveagain,waslostandisfound.”

3figuresstandatfront

Wegettoseewhatisintheheartofthese3guys–theyoungersonmessedupbigtime,hewentawayfromwherehebelongedandrejectedHisfather–wecallthatsin-

Writesinonyoungerbrother’sheartnecklace

Butthefather’sheartwasgreat,whenthesoncameback Turnfather’sheartroundto

sayingIamnotgoodenough,whatdidheget–acliproundtheear??Nohegotwhathedidnotdeserve,wecallthatgrace–enoughgracetocoverhissin

revealword“grace”Takefrontofffathersnecklaceandstickoverson’s

Buttheolderbrother–healreadyknewthefather’sgrace,hewaswithhim,hewaswherehebelonged,heknewhowlovinghisfatherwas,heshouldhavebeenpleased,butinstead,hesaid,he’sgotthesameproblem–whatdoesheneed???Thesamegrace,andguesswhat,thefatherhasenoughforhimtoo–questionis,doeshewantit??

“Iwantmore”Writesinonbigbro’sheartTakeanothergraceheartfromthefather–holditup

Thisamazinglovingheavenlyfatherhasenoughgraceforallwhocometohimknowingtheyarelost,andneedhisforgiveness,willyou?

Holdheartouttoaudience

PRAY

LESSONPLAN

Crèche

StoryTime

RecapthestoryusingtheBeginner’sBible

PlayTime

Encouragethechildrentoactouttheeventsofthestorywithplayfiguresandthefarm.

MakeTime

Decoratealargecutourheartshapewithstickers,writetheword“Grace”onit,attacharibbonsothechildrencanwearitlikeanecklace

JUNIORCHURCH

Game

Playhideandseek–havetolookforthosewhoarehiding,andnotgiveup,usethistolinktotheFather,hekeptlookingforhisson,untilhecamehomeandwasfound.

Infants

TeachingTime

Recapteachingtime,usepicturesfromtheJesusstorybookBible,(NBthisdoesnotmentiontheolderbrother)askthechildrenwhetherthesondeservedtobewelcomedhome,hedidn’t,butthefatherforgavehim,whenGodgivesushislovewhenwedeserveHispunishment,wecallthatgrace.

DiscoverandDo

Makeaheartnecklace/medallionlikecrèche.ORusealongstripofthincardtobearms–getthechildrentodrawaroundtheirhands,cutoutandstickoneitherend.Stickacircleasaheadandaheartshapeinthemiddle,write–“Mygraceissufficientforyou”intheheart.

Juniors

TeachingTime

Readthepassagetogether–splittheminto2groups,askthemtodiscussandthinkabouthowthe2brothersbehavedandfelt.Shareanswers.

Discusshowthefatherfeltandbehaved.

DiscussandAct

Discusswhatthewordgracemeansandaskthemtowriteanacrosticthatexplainswhatitmeans.

GivethemaprintedoutpagewithlettersGRACEwrittendowntheside,planonwipeboards,thencompletewiththerainbowsharpiemarkersanddecoratethiswiththecraftmaterials,stickongemsetc.

Week7JesusMeetstheSeeker

Luke15:1-10

Aim

Itisanuttershocktoeveryone,mostofallZacchaeusthatJesuswantstogohishouseandeatwithhim!!ZachknowsheisfarfromgoodenoughforJesus–thisistheonlyqualificationweneedtobewelcomedbyHim.OncehehasmetJesusandreceivedhisforgiveness,heistotallytransformed.

Alittleman–ABigdifference–becauseofasupersaviour!

Wherearewegoing?

Wewantthechildrentounderstandthattheyarelost,theycandonothingtobegoodenoughforJesus,butyethecomestoseekthem,hecametosavethelost.JesuscametothetreewhereZacchaeuswashiding,hecomestowheretheyareandcallsthemtoacceptHisofferonHisterms;Iwillsaveyou,youcannotsaveyourself.

Jesusstatestothemutteringcrowdthepurposeofhismission,thereasonhecametomeetwithusv10,toseekandsavethelost.

TheeffectsofthismeetingonZacchaeusismonumental,hislifeisturnedupsidedown,hisprioritiesarechanged,whatcaptivateshisheartisnolongermoney,butJesus!Weneedtorecogniseoursinfulstate…butnotstaythere!

JesusinviteshimselftoZach’shouse,Iamcomingtoeatwithyou,tobeathomewithyou,tosharelifewithyou,Zachdidnotstayupthetreebecausehewasasinner,hecamedown,hetookhimhome,hegavehimbeansontoast…orwhatever.WeneedtobedelightedatJesus’invitationandthrowourselvesathim…butwedon’tstaythereeither!

ZacchaeuswentontoleadatransformedlifeasanexampletoothersofhowgreatknowingJesusreallyis.Heshowedhisheartwasdifferentbyhislife,hegavehismoneyaway,hewantedjustice;henowlivedpointingtoJesus.WeneedtoletwhoJesusis,andwhathehasdoneforuschangeisinawaythatotherscansee,andaredrawnto,theyseeourheartsaredifference,theyseeinustheonewhomadethedifference.

StoryinChurch

Youwillneed

Partyinvitation,volunteerasZacchaeus,chairlargeshoes,largetreebranch

Whattosay WhattodoThisserieswearemeetingJesus,lookingatthegospelofLukewherewehavewrittendownforuswhathappenedwhenJesusmetpeople,andtaughtthem

HoldupBible

TheguywearegoingtolearnaboutwhometJesustodaywasneverthesameagain;hislifewaschangedforeverbymeetingJesus.

Thismandidnotgetmanyofthese…Infacthenevergotthem,peopledidnotwanthimaroundbecausehewasacheat,andathief,whywouldyouwanthiminyourhouse!Hewasnotpopular,hedidnothavemates.

Holdupbirthdaypartyinvitation

Andthatwasn’ttheendofhisproblems,hewasalsosmall.Hewouldhaveneededhistrouserstakingup,youwouldn’twanthiminyourbasketballteam,hereallydidn’thavealotgoingforhim–hisnamewasZach.

Adultvolunteercomesoutonkneeswitheitherrealshoes,orcardboardshoesattachedtotheirknees

ZachwasoneofthepeoplewhohadheardaboutJesus,theonewhohadgoodnewsforsinners,whotoldstoriesaboutlostsonsbeingforgiven,andlostsheep,andlostcoinsbeingfound,andhewantedtohearmore,thissoundedtoogoodtobetrue,Jesuscouldbeinterestedinsomeonelikehim,andJesuswascomingtohistown!!

ButZachwasn’ttheonlyonewhowaskeentohearJesus,sowerelotsofpeople,somewhoknewtheywerelost,andsomewhothoughttheyweregreat.Awholecrowdofpeople,Zachwouldhavehadnochanceofseeinganything–butthen!

4/5adultvolunteerscomeoutandstandinfrontofZachlinkingarmslikeawall

Hefoundatreetoclimb,perfect,hecouldsee,andhecouldn’tbeseen,andJesuscame,hecamethroughthecrowd,heknewwherehewasheading,straighttothebottomofZach’stree,andthisiswhathesaid.Pointdownaisle,actwalkingthroughcrowdtotree“comedownZach,I’mcomingtoyours”

Zachgetschairwithtreebranchtapedtothesideandclimbsupsoheseesoverthepeoplewall

Theguywhonevergotaninvitation,gotoneheneverforgot,notwillyoucometomine,butIamcomingtoyours,Iamcomingtobewithyou!JesussaysZachIwanttobeathomewithyou!!WOW

Therewere2reactions–Thecrowdsaid…

Peoplewall…shakingheads“WHAT,HIM!!HE’SASINNER”

AndZachsaid… “YES!”…punchingtheairSomepeoplewereshockedthatJesuswouldwanttowanttospendtimewithsomeonewhowasacheatandathief,Jesustoldthem–“Ihavecometoseekandsavethelost”Somepeoplethoughtthiswasthebestnewsever!

PeopleinthewallshakeheadswalkofftositdownZach–“I’mlost,saveme.”HugZach–hegoestositdown

JesusdidsaveZach–hewenttohishouse,theyate,thetalked,theywerefriends,hewassothankfulthatJesusfoundhim,hewassodelightedbybeingforgivenandacceptedbyJesusthatittotallychangedZachforever

ZachwasfoundbyJesusbecauseheknewhewaslost–somepeoplewon’tadmittheyneedhim,theythinktheyareokontheirown,goodenough,theymissoutonbeingwithJesus.

Zachdidnotmissout,hemetJesus,andJesuschangedhim,Wherehehadtakenmoneybefore,henowgaveitaway,wherehehadcheated,hewasfair,whenhewouldhaveliedhenowtoldthetruth,andeveryoneknewthatitwasbecausehebecauseofJesus.MeetingJesushadchangedhim.

Jesuswantstobewithus,heinviteshimselfintoourlives,intoourhomes,intoourdecisions,intoourbehaviour,ourwords,ourfriendships,wehavetodecideifwewillcomeoutofhiding,willadmitthatwearelost,andthatweneedhimtosaveusandchangeus.

Let’ssing Createinme

LESSONPLAN

Crèche

StoryTime

RemindthemofthestoryusingthepictureBible,discussfurtherwiththechildrenhowJesuswantstobewithus,wecanmeethimintheBibleandlearnaboutwhathewaslike.Jesuswantstoforgiveus,andhelpusbedifferentandshowpeoplethatweloveandfollowJesus.

PlayTime

Playwithteasets,picnicblanket,invitealltheteddiesandchildrentojoinin,wedon’twanttoleaveanyoneout,Jesuswelcomedeveryonewhocametohim.JesushadteawithZacchaeus.

MakeTime

Haveatreetrunkdrawnonapieceofpaper,askthechildrentostickonpre-cutleaves/scruncheduptissuepaperandafigureforZach.

JUNIORCHURCH

Game

Infants

TeachingTime

Remindthechildrenofthestory–have2wipeboards,1withsmallstickZachfigureon,1withlargercrowd.AskthechildrenwhatwasZach’sproblem–writewhattheysayaroundthefigure.Zachwaslost,writeLOSTontheboard,hewantedtobefound,buthehadbeenlookinginthewrongplace,hethoughthavingmoneywastheanswer,andhehadlotsofmoney,butithadn’thelped–whofoundhim–JESUS,andJesuscametobewithhim,toforgivehimtotakeawayhissin,andtochangehim–hewasFOUND!RuboutlostwriteFOUND.

Therewerepeopleinthecrowdwhodidn’tthinkJesusshouldbehangingroundwithZach,theydidn’tcheatorsteallikehim–doyouthinktheywerelost,orfound??Acceptresponses.NoneofusaregoodenoughforJesus,weallgetthingswrong,weareallLOST–writeLOSTontheboard.Whocansavethem,whocansaveus,whocanforgiveus,whowantstobewithus–JESUS!

DiscoverandDo

MakeaZachstoryprop–useacardboardtubeasthetreetrunk,sticktissuepaper,pipecleanersinasthetree.DecorateawoodenpegasaZachfigureandclipitontothetree

OR–worktogetherusingcardboardboxes,plainwallpapertomakeamegatreeandZachfiguretore-enactthestory–photographyourconstructionforourInstagrampage.

Juniors

TeachingTime

ReadthroughtheBiblepassage–HighlightthatJesusgoestoZach’stree,andthentohishouse.Jesusdidtheseekingandthefinding.Hedoesthesameforus;heleftheaventocometoearth,toliveperfectly,todieinourplaceforoursin,sothatwecouldbefound!SothatHecouldbewithusinourhomesandliveschangingustobelikehim.

DiscussandAct

HowshouldwebechangedbyJesus–whatdoesathankfullifelooklikeinthefollowingareas…

• Atschool?• Onmyphone?• WithhowIspeakaboutothers?• WiththeLanguageIuse?• WithhowItalktomyparentsandteachers?