Jesus Visits the Disciples

Transcription

1 April 15, 2018 Third Sunday of Easter Acts 3:12 19 Ps. 4 1 John 3:1 7 Luke 24:36b 48 Jesus Visits the Disciples Goal for the Session Children will explore a story of Jesus appearance to the disciples after the resurrection and ponder the disciples feelings. n PREPARING FOR THE SESSION Focus on Luke 24:36b 48 WHAT is important to know? From Exegetical Perspective, Sarah S. Henrich The opening scene is one of a noisy gathering of folks trying to put together their experiences, their memories of Jesus, and their hopes and fears. We can divide this passage into four acts in order to watch how Luke moves us toward the wonderful ending of this Gospel: (1) Look at me : First proof that Jesus is not a ghost/spirit; (2) He ate [it] in their presence : Second proof that Jesus is not a spirit/ghost; (3) He opened their minds to understand the scriptures : Third proof that Jesus death and resurrection are part of his lordship; (4) You are witnesses : Jesus description of and call to the group. WHERE is God in these words? From Theological Perspective, Stephen A. Cooper In this passage, Jesus visitation has a twofold agenda: to enlighten the disciples about the Christ and to commission them for the preaching of the gospel. The subject of this reading is nothing less than the sum of Easter week Christ s passion and resurrection and the anticipation of Pentecost in the commission of the gospel to all nations. Thus Christ s resurrected body is the object of the church s faith, not simply as a miracle wrought by God, but as the centerpiece of the proclamation of the new life in Christ. SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? From Pastoral Perspective, Nancy R. Blakely Jesus suddenly appeared in the midst of his early followers. He brought change to their lives as they moved from (1) fright and alarm to (2) joy mixed with disbelief to (3) open and understanding minds and hearts. That marked shift in the core of their beings led them forth to take great risks, witnessing to the risen Christ. Jesus did not bring them security. Rather, they risked all in following his call. For they had come to understand that Jesus had conquered the ultimate threat, death itself, and their fears were groundless. The challenge to twentyfirst-century Christians is great. Are we able to let go of our desire to be secure? NOW WHAT is God s word calling us to do? From Homiletical Perspective, Barbara J. Essex God and Jesus are in cahoots against the powers of the world. Wherever there is inhumanity, exploitation, discrimination, and hopelessness, Jesus shows up offering comfort, assurance, and a bit of fussing. He invites us to be witnesses that are all about God God s intention to bring peace, unity, harmony, love, compassion, grace, justice, and mercy to a world that is broken and sinful. Jesus commissions us to declare the presence and power of God in the midst of tragedy, despair, and death. 1

2 Jesus Visits the Disciples FOCUS SCRIPTURE Luke 24:36b 48 YOU WILL NEED white cloth white candle batterypowered candle Singing the Feast, ; CD player small treats Bible Color Pack 10, 15, 32 story props in a bag or box (see Gathering) Resource Sheet 1 newsprint markers foam ball For Responding option 1: Color Pack 16, kitchen sponges, sharp scissors, Resource Sheet 1, spring clothespins, construction paper, tempera paint, paint dishes, newspapers, markers option 2: Singing the Feast, ; CD player option 3: copies of Resource Sheet 2, scissors, glue sticks, crayons Focus on Your Teaching Children this age know many words to describe their feelings, and they are growing in their ability to recognize other people s feelings. The children will be able to imagine the disciples feelings when Jesus appeared to them after the resurrection. When adults are stunned, they are often unable to move or speak. Children this age understand this, as their ability to use language in highly emotional situations is still in its infancy. Concrete and tactile experiences help children regain their words in such situations, and they will appreciate how Jesus used concrete experiences in today s story to help the disciples recover from the shock of seeing him. Dear Jesus, help me celebrate your presence in my life. Amen. n LEADING THE SESSION GATHERING Before the session, ask an adult to appear as a surprise visitor at the end of Gathering. Give her or him small treats to distribute, being mindful of allergies. Gather the following story props and put them in a bag or box: peace sign from Resource Sheet 1 (Peace); plastic letters B and U ; index card that has with written on it. If you are using option 1 in Responding, cut kitchen sponges into the shape of a dove, following the pattern on Resource Sheet 1. Cut one for every two learners. Attach a clothespin to one side of each shape to make a handle for dipping. As children arrive, invite them to help you arrange the white cloth, candle, and Color Pack 10 in the center of your meeting space. Remind them that this color tells us we are still in the Easter season. Invite the children to move around and shake hands with one another, saying, Happy Easter! As you light the candle, say, Jesus Christ is the light of our world. Sing Hallelujah (Color Pack 32; track 9 on Singing the Feast, ). Lead the children in prayer, asking them to repeat each phrase after you: Dear God, / thank you for being with us always. / Help us learn, / help us pray, / help us be good friends today. / Amen. Cue the visitor to join you and give a treat to each child. Introduce the visitor and talk about the children s reactions to this surprise. Ask: P When have you been surprised to see someone? 2

3 Jesus Visits the Disciples To find the word peace in other languages, search online for peace in many languages. Hallelujah Hallelujah,... Let us praise God.... We are blessings,... Hear our prayer now,... EXPLORING Take out the story prop bag or box. Invite the children to watch as you arrange the props to form a puzzle. Line up the props so that the children viewing them will read the props from left to right in this order: the peace sign from Resource Sheet 1, the letter B, the with index card, and the letter U. Ask the children to solve the puzzle, telling them this is a verse from today s Bible story. Ask a child to hold up Color Pack 15 while you read aloud Luke 24:36b 48 from your Bible. Read dramatically. Ask the following questions after the story: P How did the disciples feel when Jesus first appeared? P Why were the disciples shocked to see Jesus? (Recall the events of the crucifixion and resurrection.) P Why did the disciples think Jesus was a ghost? P How did Jesus help the disciples believe that it was really him? P Jesus said, You are witnesses of these things. What did he mean? What do you think Jesus wanted the disciples to do next? Tell the children it s time to pretend to be the disciples. After you read each of the following verses, invite the children to use their faces and bodies to show how they (as the disciples) are feeling at that moment: Luke 24:36; Luke 24:39 40; Luke 24:44 45a; Luke 24:48. Gather in a circle and return to today s memory verse: Peace be with you. Write it on newsprint. Using Resource Sheet 1, teach the American Sign Language (ASL) signs for peace offering. Toss a foam ball to a child in the circle, and say, Peace be with you, (name). After catching the ball, he or she makes the ASL signs for peace offering, and then tosses the ball to another child while saying, Peace be with you, (name). Continue in this way until all have had a turn. As a group, list people you would like to greet with Jesus words: Peace be with you. RESPONDING Mark the activities you will use. 1. Peace Cards Children can bless others with God s peace. Show Color Pack 16, saying that the dove is used by many Christians as a symbol of peace. Ask the children why they think this may be so. (You might mention that the Holy Spirit came to Jesus as a dove when he was baptized, told in Mark 1:10.) Bring out the dove stamps you made from kitchen sponges. Cover the work space with newspapers. Give each child two pieces of construction paper and have them fold each sheet in half to make a card. Pour a small amount of tempera paint into paint dishes. Put a different color in each dish. Demonstrate how to hold the stamp with a clothespin, dab the dove stamp in paint, wipe off excess paint on the side of the dish, and then stamp a dove print on the front of the card. Have the children practice on a piece of newspaper. There will be room for several stamps on each card, and the children may arrange them as they wish. Don t dip 3

4 Jesus Visits the Disciples the sponge stamps into more than one color of paint have children trade sponges to make doves of different colors. When the paint is dry, have learners use markers to write God s peace be with you inside the cards and then sign their names. Help the children plan to whom they will give the cards. Dona Nobis Pacem Dona nobis pacem. EASY PREP 2. Singing and Sharing Peace The ancient prayer song Dona Nobis Pacem (track 5 on Singing the Feast, ) is a way to sing a prayer for God s peace. The words are Latin for grant us peace or give us peace. Teach the children the song by listening to it and then singing it. When everyone is familiar with the song, stand in a circle and add these motions as you sing: Using your fingers to make a cross shape, turn to the child on your right and move your finger cross closer to her or him. This child then turns to her or his neighbor on the right, makes the finger cross, and passes it on. This passing of God s peace continues until the finger cross arrives back at the first person. Encourage the children to teach this prayer ritual to their families. Worship leaders may want to use this prayer ritual in worship. 3. Prayer Writing As Jesus accepted the feelings of the disciples, God accepts our prayers, whatever we are experiencing. Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 2 (Hear My Prayer), crayons, scissors, and glue sticks. Read the prayer together and talk about the faces along the side of the page. Demonstrate how to color and cut out the faces, and then glue one to each empty circle in the prayer. Let each child choose which faces to use and where to place them. Allow some quiet moments for working independently. Use these prayers during Closing. CLOSING Gather together in a circle. Invite the children to tell their favorite part of the Bible story today. Remind learners what Jesus said to help the disciples when they were afraid: Peace be with you. Comment that these words were a gift to the disciples. They are a gift to us, too. Invite volunteers to read their prayers if you did option 3 in Responding, or offer this prayer: Dear God, hear us when we pray, and give us your peace. Amen. As you say good-bye to each child, touch his or her head and say, May the peace of Christ go with you today, (name). Amen. 4

5 April 15, 2018 Jesus Visits the Disciples Grades (K)1 2 Resource Sheet 1 Peace peace offering 2018 Westminster John Knox Press

6 April 15, 2018 Jesus Visits the Disciples Grades (K)1 2 Resource Sheet 2 Hear My Prayer Dear God,, comfort me., send your Spirit to guide me., forgive me., help me celebrate. Thank you for hearing all my prayers. Amen Westminster John Knox Press