Respond to God s Call

Transcription

1 December 21, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Advent 2 Sam. 7:1 11, 16 Luke 1:46b 55 or Ps. 89:1 4, Rom. 16:25 27 Luke 1:26 38 Goal for the Session Children will sense Mary s hope and be challenged to respond willingly to God, as Mary did. PREPARING FOR THE SESSION Focus on Luke 1:26 38 WHAT is important to know? From Exegetical Perspective, Lewis R. Donelson Then Gabriel gets to the heart of his message. Mary will conceive and bear a son. The series of messianic images in 1:32 33 concerning the destiny of this son forms the christological heart of the passage. Each image in these verses is fundamental to Luke s story of Jesus. Jesus is portrayed as the Davidic messiah, who as the son of David sits on David s throne and whose rule, astonishingly, will never end. There is no hint here, as there is in Matthew, of the coming crucifixion and the historical irony of these promises. Jesus is also named here as the Son of the Most High. WHERE is God in these words? From Theological Perspective, Cynthia L. Rigby Gabriel reminds Mary that to be incapable of conceiving in and of ourselves is not the end of the story, that nothing [is] impossible with God. The best discussions of Mary s response recognize the pitfalls inherent in rendering Mary either a passive participant, who has no choice but to submit to God s will, or an autonomous individual, who can choose differently than to bear God to the world. The doctrine of Christian vocation offers clarity. Mary s obedience is neither optional nor forced. Mary acts freely when she offers herself as a servant of the Lord. To embrace her identity as the Mother of God is the only choice that is true to her calling, because it is consistent with who she actually is. SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? From Pastoral Perspective, Ashley Cook Cleere The angel Gabriel overturns Mary s dubiousness by explaining that the Holy Spirit will overshadow her. The angel then underscores God s incomprehensible capacity to accomplish wondrous aims by telling Mary that her relative Elizabeth had conceived a child at an advanced age, and explains, For nothing will be impossible with God. This refrain conveys support, comfort, and courage for those confronting overwhelming expectations. Her response to the annunciation is exemplary: Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. Mary comprehends that her life, and not only hers, but the whole world s, is about to be rearranged. NOW WHAT is God s word calling us to do? From Homiletical Perspective, Kimberly Bracken Long It is tempting to imagine that the human predicament, whether we define that as the state of our warring world or the state of our broken lives, can never be healed or overturned. Yet Luke tells us that not only is redemption possible; it has already happened. Because of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ, the holy continues to break into our lives, to bring us closer to the completion of creation and the already-andnot-yet reign of God. 1

2 FOCUS SCRIPTURE Luke 1:26 38 Focus on Your Teaching Children this age usually delight in being chosen to do something special. They will appreciate Mary s positive response to the angel. However, your learners are also concrete thinkers, and it will be a challenge for them to perceive how God is calling or choosing them. Draw on their sense of wonder and imagination to help them think about how God may be calling or choosing them. This is an exciting week for children, so choose an activity or two that capitalizes on their joy of waiting for Christmas. God, quiet my thoughts and help me to focus on my learners this week. Free me to join their wonder at the amazing ways you are at work in our lives. Amen. YOU WILL NEED small table or large box purple or blue cloth Singing the Feast, ; CD player yellow construction paper scissors tape Bible Color Pack 1, 5, 6 For Responding option 1: copies of Resource Sheet 1, pencils, crayons option 2: Color Pack 6, card stock or construction paper, pencils, scissors, markers, crayons, glue sticks, star stickers, glitter, hole punch, yarn option 3: copies of Resource Sheet 2, pencils, newsprint or markerboard, markers LEADING THE SESSION GATHERING Before the session, make a small yellow paper flame. For each child, make a simple crown from yellow construction paper (see sidebar). Set up a worship table by covering a small table or box with a purple or blue cloth, using the color your church uses in Advent. Place Color Pack 1 and a Bible opened to Luke 1 on it. Welcome learners by name as they arrive. Choose one child to wear a paper crown. Explain that this child is wearing the crown because he or she has been chosen to do a special job. Gather the group around the worship table. Look at Color Pack 1. Say that today is the fourth and final Sunday in Advent and the candle this week is peace. Ask the child wearing the crown to tape a yellow paper flame to the fourth candle as the group sings I ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy (track 12 on Singing the Feast, ). Collect the crown from the child. Invite learners to tell about times they were chosen to do something special. Say that in today s Bible story God chooses someone for a very important job. EXPLORING Show Color Pack 5 and point to the town of Nazareth. Explain that this is where today s story takes place. Tell learners that as you read the story, they will copy your actions. Ask learners to spread out and sit on the floor. Tell the story using the following script: Mary lived in the town of Nazareth. She was engaged to be married to Joseph. One day, God sent an angel to talk to Mary. When she saw the angel, she was surprised! (Jump up with surprised look.) 2

3 I ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy I ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, Down in my heart, down in my heart; I ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, Down in my heart to stay. God is with us, God is with us, praise ye the Lord; Praise ye the Lord, praise ye the Lord. God is with us, God is with us, praise ye the Lord; Praise ye the Lord always. These last three questions have many possible answers. Encourage a sense of wonder and imagination as you explore the many ways such as through Scripture, prayer, worship, or conversation with others one might hear God s call. EASY PREP The angel said, Mary, God loves you. God has chosen you to do something very important. Mary was frightened. (Hide face behind hands.) The angel said, Don t be afraid, Mary. God has chosen you to be the mother of a baby boy. This baby will be God s Son. You will name him Jesus. Jesus will show people God s love that never ends. Mary had a lot of questions. (Raise hand vigorously as if asking a question in class.) The angel explained things to Mary. Finally, he said, Mary, absolutely nothing is impossible with God! And God will be with you every step of the way! Mary replied, I love God. I am God s servant. I am willing to do this! (Give thumbsup.) Then the angel left her. Show Color Pack 6 and invite learners to describe what they see. Form pairs, designating one child as Mary and the other as the angel. Have learners pose their bodies to copy the picture. After a moment, have them switch places. Ask all learners to be seated, and discuss the story as you look at the picture: P Why did God send the angel to see Mary? P What was God choosing Mary to do? P Why do you think God chose Mary to be Jesus mother? P How did Mary show she was willing to do what God chose her to do? P What kinds of things both large things and small things do you think God chooses or calls people to do today? How do you think God delivers these messages? How can people show God they are willing to do these things? RESPONDING Mark the activities you will use: 1. Chosen This activity encourages learners to think about what God may be choosing them to do and how they might willingly respond. Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 1 (Chosen). Read aloud the directions and invite learners to name things God may be choosing them to do. (For example: helping a younger child; singing in choir; standing up for someone who is being treated unfairly; welcoming a new neighbor; working at food pantry with parents; inviting friend to Sunday school; praying for grandparent; doing chores to help family.) Invite learners to close their eyes and imagine what God is choosing them to do. After a few quiet moments, set out pencils and crayons for learners to use as they complete the activity. Encourage them to display their papers at home as a reminder to be willing to do what God chooses them to do. 3

4 2. Angel Ornaments Creating angel ornaments is a way for children to remember that God chooses them to do great things and they can respond willingly, as Mary did. Show Color Pack 6 and review the story by asking: How did the angel encourage Mary? What might help us when we are nervous about doing what God calls us to do? Say that they will make angel ornaments as a reminder of the angel s encouraging words. Have each child trace both hands (don t spread fingers apart very far) and one foot on card stock or construction paper, helping as needed. Have children cut out the tracings and glue the handprints (wings) to the back of the footprint (body). Set out markers, crayons, star stickers, and glitter to add details and decorate as desired. Punch a hole in each child s ornament and add a yarn loop for hanging at home. Help pre-readers by lightly writing words in pencil for them to trace. They might also draw pictures of what they are praying for. 3. Christmas Prayer Learners can respond to God s call to discipleship by leading their families in prayer. Talk about how praying with our families is one way we can be close to God and listen for what God is calling us to do. As a group, list all the things that your families might pray for this Christmas. Print responses on newsprint or a markerboard. Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 2 (Our Christmas Prayer) and pencils. As learners write their prayers, help as needed. Be sure to write a prayer for your own family. Encourage learners to pray their prayers with their families on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. CLOSING Gather around the worship table and invite each learner to tell one thing about Mary. Explain that you will lead a litany; when you point to them, they will respond, God chose Mary to be Jesus mother. The angel said nothing is impossible for God. Mary said, I am God s servant. I will do this! When God chooses us, we can say, I will do this! Sing the following words to the tune of I ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy (track 12 of Singing the Feast, ) to emphasize the Advent theme for this Sunday: I ve got the Advent peace, Advent peace, down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart. I ve got the Advent peace, Advent peace, down in my heart, down in my heart to stay. Place a paper crown on each child s head and say: (Name), you are God s child and God chooses you to love and serve in peace. 4

5 December 21, 2014 Grades (K)1 2 Resource Sheet 1 Chosen Directions: The angel told Mary that God was choosing her to be Jesus mother. Write your name on the line. Imagine that God s angel is delivering a message to you. What is God choosing you to do? Draw a picture to show how you might do this. God is choosing

6 December 21, 2014 Grades (K)1 2 Resource Sheet 2 Our Christmas Prayer Dear God, Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, at Christmas. As we celebrate his birthday, hear our prayer: Amen..