Planning. 17th Sunday after Pentecost 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Proper 19 (24) Yom Kippur (Judaism) International Day of Peace St.

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1 Planning SAT 22 FRI 21 THUR 20 WED 19 TUES 18 MON 17 SUN 16 17th Sunday after Pentecost 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Proper 19 (24) Yom Kippur (Judaism) International Day of Peace St. Matthew Sunday, September 16 Saturday, September Things to keep in mind this week Planning ahead September 2018 S M T W T F S / August 2018 S M T W T F S October 2018 S M T W T F S Revised Common Lectionary (Year B) Proverbs 1:20 33 Psalm 19 or Wisdom 7:26 8:1 James 3:1 12 Mark 8:27 38 Seasons of the Spirit is based on semicontinuous readings of the Revised Common Lectionary. Liturgical colour: green This session provides material for all ages. You may choose for all ages to come together for worship, learning, and serving, or meet in agespecific groups. If you meet in age-specific groups, these pages can be customized for different settings. If you have Internet access, visit to access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage. Ecumenical Prayer Calendar Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania Based on In God s Hands: Common Prayer for the World, ed. By Hugh McCullum and Terry MacArthur (Geneva: World Council of Churches, 2006). 53

2 Pentecost Focus scripture Mark 8:27 38 Additional Scriptures Proverbs 1:20 33 Psalm 19 or Wisdom 7:26 8:1 James 3:1 12 Biblical Background September 16, 2018 Teach us your names, O God, spoken in acts of mercy and justice and grace. May we learn your names, O Jesus, by trusting who you are for us and for all. May we recognize your names, Holy Spirit, in the renewing of our lives and communities. Amen. Seasons of the Spirit is based on semi-continuous readings of the Revised Common Lectionary. Who Are You, Jesus? Words have the power to name or shape people in ways that may lead to good or ill, to acceptance or rebuke. Who we say Jesus is shapes our journey as disciples. Wise followers listen for the words and ways of God in their midst. For God s words and ways lead to deeper understanding of who we are called to be because of whom we follow. Focus scripture: Mark 8:27 38 This passage serves as the midway hinge point in Mark s gospel. Before this, Jesus travelled across Galilee and into Gentile territories. From here, the geography and theology move toward Jerusalem. Verse 31 is the first of the three passion predictions in Mark that point to Jesus suffering in Jerusalem. Passion comes from a Greek word meaning suffering. The setting of this teaching near Caesarea Philippi is intriguing. One source of the Jordan River flows out of a cave nearby. It served over time as a shrine of worship for various deities called by different names. The names reported by the disciples in response to Jesus question in verse 27 reflect earlier opinions voiced by Herod and others (Mark 6:14 16). Several names given by the disciples have messianic links. John the baptizer prepared for one who was coming after me. Elijah was expected to return shortly before the appearance of Messiah. Jesus does not refer to himself as Messiah, but Son of Man. This term appears in Daniel 7:13 in a passage associated with God s coming. Son of Man also appears frequently in Ezekiel, where the prophet uses the term to describe himself. Son of Man in Daniel and Ezekiel connects with God s mission and, at times, suffering. A pair of rebukes follows Peter s confession of Jesus as the Messiah and Jesus ensuing command of silence about his identity. The most dominant expectations of Messiah at this time involved one who would deliver the land from Roman rule. Often this figure was linked to the line of David. Such hopes likely formed the basis for Peter s rebuke of Jesus when Jesus taught the wisdom of a suffering Son of Man nothing like the triumphant warrior awaited by many. Jesus rebuke of Peter in response sets the stage for Jesus further wisdom about what discipleship entails. The word translated as life in verses is psuche, the root word for psyche and psychology. It involves the notion of self. That connotation brings a stronger sense of paradox to Jesus teaching. The affirmation of self comes in the act of self-giving ( those who would lose their psuche for my sake will save it ). Jesus redefines both Messiah and disciple in this passage. To be a follower is not simply to name Jesus with a correct title ( you are the Messiah ). The text implies danger in the hard consequences of following in the way of Jesus, who announces suffering for self and crosses for disciples. The counter-intuitive wisdom of Jesus about Messiah and discipleship echoes themes in other wisdom teachings about power and risk. Proverbs 1:20 33 offers a warning and call from personified wisdom. The author of Proverbs notes the great risk when wisdom is ignored and the path of folly is taken. Psalm 19 celebrates creation s witness to the law and glory of God. James 3:1 12 adds its cautionary wisdom about teaching and language, and the power of words to accomplish good or ill. Mark closely links Jesus identity and vocation with that of disciples in that day, and in our own. In Jesus wisdom we find the path opened to finding our selves. Who do we say Jesus is today by what we pray for in our heart of hearts; by what we seek from (and offer to) our faith communities? What wisdom of Jesus do you hear Mark 8:34 37 speaking to the church and to the wider community today? What wisdom do today s readings speak about following the way of God? 54 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

3 Reflection and Focus September 16, 2018 Reflecting on the Word Pentecost Adapt and use for youth and adult studies, sermon seeds, lay worship teams. Connecting with life There are cultures in the world that do not name a child when it is born. They wait until an understanding is gained of the nature of that new person; an appropriate name is then chosen. Sometimes to name something is to shape it, and to some extent to have power over it. Where can you see, perhaps in public life or in the life of your family of origin, the naming or renaming of things is all about who gets to control that thing? Scripture Mark 8:27 38, coming as it does at the central point of Mark s story of Jesus, requires the reader of the gospel to ask themselves and their community who they believe Jesus is. Is Jesus to be kept at arm s length as a prophet or a political saviour; someone about whom one believes, in an intellectual sense, certain things? Or is Jesus to be trusted as an intimate of God and the founder of a new world? Many Bible scholars feel that the way we use believe today has shifted and that we would do well to translate believe in the scriptures as trust. What differences and similarities do you see between trust and belief? The disciples understanding of who Jesus was changed as they lived with him. Perhaps this is why the question about Jesus is asked in the middle of the gospel story. For the disciples and, by inference, for us the understanding of who Jesus is has changed. But the story is not yet at an end. Before it concludes, the disciples understanding of Jesus will have changed and grown. Is that true of us also? How has your understanding of who Jesus was and is changed since you first became aware of him? Jesus invites others to follow Jesus on the demanding, yet fruitful, road of self-giving. How does this compare with dominant messages in both church and the wider society that emphasize either self-help or self-sacrifice? What change might come as a result of living in this self-giving way? Where might caution be needed in your church and wider community regarding references to self-denial and cross bearing? Why? What risks are involved in discipleship today: for you, for your congregation? Proverbs 1:20 33, Psalm 19 or Wisdom of Solomon 7:26 8:1, James 3:1 12 With each text consider/discuss: What wisdom do you discern in this text about what it means to follow God? What connections do you find between this passage and what Jesus teaches in Mark 8:27 38? The author of Proverbs notes the great risk when wisdom is ignored and the path of folly is taken. How are God s ways of wisdom seen in your ways of living? Connecting scripture and life What do you hear within the scripture readings today regarding what it means to follow the wisdom of God, individually and as a church? Focus for Worship, Learning, and Serving Consider the many ways we might be identified. An adult, for example, might be identified as a student/teacher/ parent/child/neighbour/friend/co-worker No single name tells the whole truth of an individual s identity. No single name defines a person. Taken together they provide a more rounded understanding. In Mark s gospel, who Jesus is leads directly to what Jesus does. The intense exchange between Peter and Jesus reminds us that integrity and identity and vocation are key to growing faith. Beliefs about Jesus intend to shape how we follow as disciples. How might worship, learning and serving enable all across the ages to gain new insights into who Jesus is and what it means for their discipleship? 55

4 Who Are You, Jesus? Prepare Worship Outline September 16, 2018 NOTE: All of these suggestions are mere starting points; adapt, delete, and add according to your local needs. Recruit volunteers needed for worship: two for the prayer of confession, two for the Proverbs reading. Choose an option for hearing Mark 8: For the Bible story, arrange for a storyteller to present the story Who Is Jesus? on p. 59. For the dialogue, arrange for two readers. Bring items for setting the worship space. Bring song Friend to Friend (Seasons Songbook, # 28 on Seasons Music CD, vol. 7. Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads). Set stations as described on pp Music Suggestions Circle Song Bernadette Farrell; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom Ruth Duck; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 Friend to Friend Eduardo P. Hontiveros; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 God Grant that We May Be Transformed Tom Colvin; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 Somlandela/We Will Follow Traditional Zulu; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 In Full Flight Sean Gilbert, Jill Scott; Seasons Songbook, vol. 6 Take this Moment John Bell Faith Will Not Grow from Words Alone Elizabeth J. Smith Call to worship Every day, God calls out to God s world in love. Every day. Today, at this moment, we can pause and listen. Come, celebrate. God is calling your name. Opening prayer Invite people to read the following prayer together. Have them say their first given name at the place indicated. God, we are here to worship. We are here to listen. We are here to know. We are here to be known. You know me, I am (name). Help me today to know you more fully. Amen. Prayer of confession Have two readers for this prayer. The first reader begins with the Gather A chart that shows the licence holder(s) for each song in each of the 9 Seasons of the Spirit Music Volumes can be found at Click on Library; Seasons Music Information. Please contact a licence holder for permission to duplicate. list of names for God. When the second reader begins, the first reader continues reading quietly under the second reader until the second reader has finished. The first reader then reads aloud for another 15 seconds or so. First reader: God, Jehovah, Yahweh, Father, Wisdom, Creator, King, Servant, Abba Second reader: With every name we give you, God, we understand something new about your nature. And yet we have been guilty too often of being satisfied with too little. We have allowed one name, or a small number, to limit our understanding of you. We confess to our limited imaginations and our unwillingness to explore, change, and grow. We confess to being unwilling to grow in our understanding of who you are. Words of affirmation Friends, hear these words: God is endless and ageless and we are always invited deeper into the mystery. The journey stretches out before you. Amen. 56 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

5 Worship Outline September 16, 2018 Opening the word Proverbs 1:20 33 Traditionally, wisdom literature has had little attention paid to it within worship or even preaching contexts. Less emphasis has been given to its uniquely feminine face or prophetic tones. Have a narrator read the first two verses, then invite a woman to proclaim the text with due passion and urgency. Moving into the focus scripture Invite the people to think about what makes a good coach, teacher, or caregiver. Ask: Can you tell by looking at someone how well they might care for you? Invite those who wish to share their thoughts. Mark 8:27 38 Choose from the following for hearing the focus story. Bible story Have a storyteller present the story Who Is Jesus? on page 59. Dialogue Storyteller: Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, Jesus: Who do the people say I am? Peter: Some say John the baptizer, others say Elijah. Still others say one of the prophets. Jesus: And you what are you saying about me? Who am I? Peter: You are the Christ (God s anointed), the Messiah. Narrator: Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them, After proclaiming the word, you might invite those who have not already done so to move to and around the stations, taking ten minutes or so with chosen a practice. Sing or listen to a song such as Friend to Friend as people gather together again (Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 and #28 on Seasons Music CD, vol. 7. Printed music and recording also available at Seasons MP3 Downloads, Engage Respond Jesus: It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering; be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars; be killed, and after three days rise up alive. Narrator: He said this simply and clearly so they couldn t miss it, but Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter, Jesus: Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works. Narrator: Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he then said, Jesus: Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You re not in the driver s seat; I am. Don t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels. The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. After the focus scripture Invite children, young people, and all who wish to move to the stations. Others will remain seated for proclaiming the word. Prayers of the people God, when the disciple Peter answered Jesus question by calling him the Christ, the Messiah, he echoed the hope of the world for salvation. Today we pray for all those who need saving. We pray for those who need salvation from war, violence, hunger, neglect. We pray for all people everywhere who, through oppression, are held down from being the people you call them to be. It is our prayer God, that all of us, in every part of the world, will always and everywhere have the opportunity to know the work and the way of the Christ. Amen. 57

6 Affirmation of faith One: Who do we say you are? Who do we confess you to be? All: Prophet, Healer, Teacher all three! One: What else can be said though, are there other big terms to share? All: Messiah, Christ, and Master if we so dare! One: Yet there has to be more than this, for words say little, words say too much. Worship Outline September 16, 2018 What says the heart of yours? What thoughts or yearnings seek to be expressed? All: Feelings of love, full experiences of grace; a call within that challenges and gives rest. One: How then should we name this One? How best do we confess him to be? All: Jesus the world s fulfillment the hope of truly becoming me! Friends of Christ, go now with one of the many names of Christ on your lips, the question Christ asks you in your mind, and hope in your hearts. Amen. Bless Special Days Commentary September 19 Yom Kippur Yom Kippur (literally Day of Atonement ) is the holiest and most sombre day of the year and is first mentioned in the Bible in Leviticus 23: On this day Jews abstain from eating, drinking, wearing leather (a sign of comfort) and even sexual relations in order to focus not on physical needs, but on spiritual ones. The holiday begins with everyone being absolved of all of the ambitious vows made in the past year which people were unable to fulfill on account of human frailties. On Yom Kippur, everyone has the opportunity for teshuvah or returning to the divine way of living. We are obligated to seek forgiveness from God and from those we have hurt. This last is often the more difficult of the two because God is obligated to forgive us, but people are not. We recite litanies of sins we have committed, always saying we have sinned rather than I, perhaps to remind us that we are always part of the community and responsible for communal transgressions, no matter how we pursue the benefits individually. Rabbi Adam Morris lives in Denver, Colorado, USA, and serves as a consultant to the Seasons of the Spirit editorial team. He also answers questions posed to Ask the Rabbi at September 21 International Peace Day The first Peace Day was celebrated in 1982 and was held on the third Tuesday of September each year until 2002, when September 21 became the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. The United Nations assembly declared that the day should be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. Plan a social activity at church (potluck supper, game night, dessert and coffee) where all ages can join together over the theme of peace. Contact denominational or ecumenical agencies to learn about ways your church can be involved in peace-making activities. September 21 St. Matthew Called Levi in the gospels of Mark and Luke, Matthew was a toll or tax collector. Such individuals raised money to maintain the occupying Roman army, and tax collectors were paid a commission or percentage of the money they took in. Thus it was assumed although not necessarily true that they were cheats, and they were regarded as outcasts if they could not meet the purity regulations of the temple. Jesus called people like Matthew, and in doing so modelled the way his followers were to be accepting of those rejected by others. Matthew is considered the patron saint of accountants, bankers, bookkeepers, customs officers, security forces, security guards, stockbrokers, and tax collectors. 58 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

7 Bible Story September 16, 2018 Who Is Jesus? (based on Mark 8: 27 38) Jesus and the disciples travelled together to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. As they walked Jesus asked his friends, Who do people say I am? The disciples told Jesus the different ideas that others had about who he was. Jesus listened and then asked them, But who do you say that I am? Peter, one of Jesus disciples, stopped walking. The others stopped too. Everyone could feel that Peter was about to say something very important. Peter looked into Jesus eyes and said, You are the Messiah. You have been chosen and blessed by God to lead us and to teach us about God s ways of love. Jesus looked into Peter s eyes and smiled. Jesus spoke to all the people who were nearby and to the disciples saying, If any of you would like to follow me then come and live the way I do in God s way of love. If you live your life always thinking about what you need and what you want, but forgetting about those around you, then you may get all the things that you wanted but you will be lonely and unhappy. If you live in God s way of love, remembering others and helping those who need you, then you will share your life with many friends and feel happy. A recording of this story is available in MP3 format in the RCL Audio Stories folder. 59

8 Living, Learning, Growing as Disciples The following stations might be set up around your worship space or in other places around the church. Choose one or more practices, depending on your space and numbers. Display the directions. See also Age Group ideas on pages Stations September 16, 2018 For your convenience, these instructions are formatted for printing and available in RCL Stations folder. Bible story Materials recording of today s story Who Is Jesus? (available in MP3 format in the RCL Audio Stories folder), player, paper, crayons, pencils, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see; alternatively, arrange for a storyteller to present the story on p. 59. The practice of storytelling 1. Listen to the story Who Is Jesus? 2. Write or draw about what makes you happy. Suitable for all ages An image of God Materials paper, coloured markers, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see Suitable for all ages The practice of creativity 1. What image of God would you offer someone if you could not use words but only symbols or drawings? 2. Draw some images of God. Don t worry about your drawing skills; you will not need to share these with anyone. What is your question? Materials poster board and pre-cut speech balloons, glue, pens and pencils, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see Suitable for all ages The practice of bringing questions In the story, Jesus asks the disciples a question, but in this activity you will consider what question you would like to ask Jesus. 1. Take a speech balloon and write one question, and glue it to the poster board. 2. If you have another question, write that on a second speech balloon. 3. If there is time, think together about how Jesus might answer some of the questions. 60 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

9 Stations September 16, 2018 Digging deeper Materials Bibles, copies of Who Are These People? in RCL Extra Resources folder, pens and pencils, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see Suitable for all ages The practice of exploring the scriptures 1. Take a copy of Who Are These People? 2. Divide the group up and assign one of the three categories (John, Elijah, one of the prophets) to each person, pair or group of three depending on how many are at this table. Make sure those who are competent readers are paired with those who are less competent. 3. Find Mark 8:31 33 and read it. 4. Read your assigned category, and prepare to report to the table group why you think the people might have thought that Jesus was either John the baptizer; Elijah, one of the prophets, 5. Report your research to the full table group. 6. Together read The Messiah, Peter s answer to Jesus question. Who do you say that I am? Materials picture, preferably an icon, of Jesus, large candle, smaller candles, comfortable seating, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see Suitable for all ages Opinion poll Materials paper and pens, a variety of art materials, a copy of the directions displayed where all can see Suitable for all ages The practice of meditation 1. Christ continually invites us to answer the question, Who do you say that I am? 2. In silence, light a small candle and place it near the picture and in silent meditation ask yourself Christ s question. The practice of contemplation 1. Take imaginary opinion poll of individuals you interact with on a regular basis. 2. Divide a sheet of paper into two columns. In the first column write the names of the people who come to mind. 3. If you were to ask them the question, who do you say Jesus is? what, in your experience of them, do you think their answers might be? 4. Write those answers next to that person s name. 5. What is the most important name, or title, of Jesus for you? Why? 6. In what ways does who Jesus is influence what is important to you in life? 7. Use the art materials to express your thoughts and feelings. 61

10 Age Group Ideas Resource Sheet September 16, 2018 GATHERING TOGETHER Use the gathering ritual and opening prayer from September 9, page 44. Ages 3 5 Use the story Who Is Jesus? on page 59. Ages 6 8 Who Is Jesus? on p. 59, or Strong as a Rock, Lectionary Story Bible: Year B, by Ralph Milton (see RCL Extra Resources folder). Ages Drama Narrator: Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, Who do people say that I am? Disciple 1: Some people think that you are John, the one who baptized people in the Jordan River. Disciple 2: I ve heard people say that you are the prophet Elijah, come back to be with us. Other disciples: Yes, we ve also heard that you are one of the prophets. Jesus: I want to know what you think. What would you say about me? Peter: I think that you are the Messiah! Jesus: You re right, Peter. But listen to me, all of you, do not, I repeat, do not say this to anyone else. Narrator: Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. Peter: Jesus, are you out of your mind? The Messiah will be a great leader who comes to save us from these Romans who occupy our land and keep us from being the great nation we once were. The Messiah will rally the religious leaders and people in victory, not suffer and die in humiliation and shame. How THE STORY Who Do You Say That I Am? Based on Mark 8:27 38 Ages 9 11 Strong as a Rock, page 193 Lectionary Story Bible: Year B, by Ralph Milton (see RCL Extra Resources folder), or the drama Who Do You Say That I Am? (see below). can you think otherwise? Where did you get your crazy ideas? Narrator: But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said Jesus: Don t tempt me, Peter! You are thinking about this in a human way and so misunderstand God s ways. Narrator: He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them Jesus: If any of you really want to be my followers, you will need to forget about yourselves and live the way that I have taught you. Those who are selfcentred will lose sight of what is really important; but if you can forget about yourselves and focus instead on sharing the good news of the gospel, then you ll find your true self. Because what would be the point of getting everything that you want if you end up losing yourself in the process? I know that what I m asking you to do will sometimes be very hard. But if you can truly follow the way of God instead of your own way, then you will discover that God s words and ways lead to a deeper understanding of who you are called to be. (Words in italics are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.) 62 Seasons of the Spirit SeasonsFUSION Pentecost Copyright Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2017

11 Resource Sheet September 16, 2018 RESPONDING TO THE STORY The following are offered in addition to the activities described in Stations on pages You might adapt according to your needs. Ages 3 5 Jesus box a large box for each four children, paper, a variety of collage materials (such as cotton balls, seeds, people pictures cut from magazines), markers, crayons, glue. Cut paper the size of the sides of the boxes. Along the top of each paper print one of the following titles: Jesus told stories; Jesus prayed to God; Jesus cared for others. Jesus asked the disciples Who do people say I am? Invite children to share what they know about Jesus by decorating the boxes and placing them somewhere in the church for everyone to see. Read the titles on the prepared papers and invite the children to choose a picture they want to make, using the variety of collage materials, as well as markers and crayons. When completed, glue the papers to the sides of the boxes and encourage children to look at their pictures and say who Jesus is. Where would they like to display their Jesus boxes? Matching game Make two or three sets of cards from the activity sheet Matching Game. Turn the cards face down. Demonstrate how to turn over two cards to see if they match. Take turns trying to find matches. When someone finds a match, clap and read the caption. Ages 6 8 Love in action Invite one or more people connected with your faith community who are involved in caring occupations (nurse, friendly visitor, veterinarian, child care worker, babysitter) to come and speak about how they live out their faith through their work. Jesus encouraged the disciples to decide for themselves who he was, based on their own experiences with him. We can show others who Jesus is by helping, loving and caring in the same ways that Jesus cared for people. Invite one or more people from your church community who are involved in work of a caring nature to talk to the children about their special ministries. Encourage the children to make connections between the ways these visitors show love and care and the ways Jesus showed love and care. Ages 9 11 Who do you say Jesus is? pencils and papers What would people in the congregation say if Jesus asked them Who do you say that I am? Interview members of the congregation to find out. You might prepare a list from which people could choose (way, bread of life, healer, truth, light, vine, friend ) People can choose a word that resonates with how they understand Jesus, or suggest other words. Have the children write down the responses. Create a bulletin board display of the interview highlights or transcripts. Ages Who do you say Jesus is? Similar to above, but using these two questions in the interviews : Who is Jesus to you? How is your understanding of Jesus reflected in your life? Come back together as a group and share the discoveries. Invite the young people to reflect on these interviews in light of their own lives. Do any of the answers they received resonate with them? SENDING OUT Send each person out with this blessing: (Name), as you go about your week, think about how you can live in God s way. Alternatively, use the words in Bless on p

12 Activity Sheet September 16, 2018 Matching Game.. 64