Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry Year B Focus: Second Sunday of Easter Scripture: John 20:19 31 NRSV Gathering Welcome Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Loving God, Breathe in us today. Sweep away any fear, worry, or pride that distracts us from sensing your presence of peace. We want to be your people, to be community. Bless us with your compassion that overflows and carries your Spirit s graceful touch to all who are in need. In the name of Jesus, who is our peace. Amen. Jeanne Davis Spiritual Practice Dwelling in the Word I will read a scripture aloud. As you hear it allow words, images, or phrases to come to mind. Try not to focus on them. Let them rest with you. After a moment of silence I will read the scripture a second time. As you hear the scripture again listen for how God s Spirit nudges you or catches your attention. Read the scripture: We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and
truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:1 4 NRSV Pause. Read the scripture a second time. Questions 1. What words, phrases, or images came to mind? 2. What are these words revealing to you today? Sharing Around the Table John 20:19 31 NRSV When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe. A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe. Thomas answered him, My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. The disciples, filled with grief and despair, are in a locked room. Their best friend has just been killed, and their world has been turned upside down. Huddled together, they fear for their safety, as their hearts dangle between faithful hope and not daring a single hopeful thought. Then, despite the locked door, he is there. Jesus is with them, breathing words of peace, fulfilling all the promises he made before he left. Jesus speaks peace, commissions the disciples in mission, and then gives them the Holy Spirit. God empowers the ministry and witness of all disciples from that day forward.
Jesus is gone when Thomas joins them, and though the disciples give a detailed account of Christ s presence, Thomas will not believe unless he sees for himself. A week later Jesus appears again, urging Thomas to believe. Twenty-first-century disciples can relate to many parts of today s scripture. When things get difficult we might retreat into our comfort zones, avoiding people or things that challenge or frighten us. We also have times of doubt, just like Thomas. We keep long lists of questions about Christianity, scripture, commitment, how we fit in, the hardships of life, finding God, and what the church is doing to make a difference in the world. This passage from John speaks to these aspects of life and faith. John encourages us to trust in the presence of God s Spirit and to move from doubt to belief, from belief to action. For John, belief is not something we have, it is something we do. To believe in the promises of God through Christ is to trust the healing, saving action of God in the world and live as if it were true. In this way faith develops and strengthens amid life and all its uncertainties. Questions 1. How or when have you locked yourself away from the world because of fear or uncertainty? 2. What doubts and uncertainties have you struggled with on your journey of faith? Where are you on the journey now? 3. How might the gift of the Holy Spirit empower and encourage you on your journey? Sending Generosity Statement Sharing for the common good is the spirit of Zion (Doctrine and Covenants 165:2f). We receive God s grace and generosity. The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response. This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple s Generous Response: God of rejoicing, we share our gifts joyfully and with thanksgiving in response to the generous gifts you have given us. May the offerings we share bring joy, hope, love, and peace into the lives of others that they might experience your mercy and grace. Amen Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn CCS 662, Peace Be with You Closing Prayer Optional Additions Depending on Group Sacrament of the Lord s Supper Thoughts for Children
Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Loving God, Breathe in us today. Sweep away any fear, worry, or pride that distracts us from sensing your presence of peace. We want to be your people, to be community. Bless us with your compassion that overflows and carries your Spirit s graceful touch to all who are in need. In the name of Jesus, who is our peace. Amen. Jeanne Davis
Spiritual Practice Dwelling in the Word I will read a scripture aloud. As you hear the scripture allow words, images, or phrases to come to mind. Try not to focus on them. Let them rest with you. After a brief moment of silence I will read the scripture a second time. As you hear the scripture again listen for how God s Spirit nudges you or catches your attention. Read the scripture: We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:1 4 NRSV Pause. Read the scripture a second time. Questions 1. What words, phrases, or images came to mind? 2. What are these words revealing to you today?
Sharing Around the Table John 20:19 31 NRSV When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe. A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe. Thomas answered him, My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. The disciples, filled with grief and despair, are in a locked room. Their best friend has just been killed, and their world has been turned upside down. Huddled together, they fear for their safety, as their hearts dangle between faithful hope and not daring a single hopeful thought. Then, despite the locked door, he is there. Jesus is with them, breathing words of peace, fulfilling all the promises he made before he left. Jesus speaks peace, commissions the disciples in mission, and then gives them the Holy Spirit. God empowers the ministry and witness of all disciples from that day forward. Jesus is gone when Thomas joins them, and though the disciples give a detailed account of Christ s presence, Thomas will not believe unless he sees for himself. A week later Jesus appears again, urging Thomas to believe. Twenty-first-century disciples can relate to many parts of today s scripture. When things get difficult we might retreat into our comfort zones, avoiding people or things that challenge or frighten us. We also have times of doubt, just like Thomas. We keep long lists of questions about Christianity, scripture, commitment, how we fit in, the hardships of life, finding God, and what the church is doing to make a difference in the world. This passage from John speaks to these aspects of life and faith. John encourages us to trust in the presence of God s Spirit and to move from doubt to belief, from belief to action.
For John, belief is not something we have, it is something we do. To believe in the promises of God through Christ is to trust the healing, saving action of God in the world and live as if it were true. In this way faith develops and strengthens amid life and all its uncertainties. Questions 1. How or when have you locked yourself away from the world because of fear or uncertainty? 2. What doubts and uncertainties have you struggled with on your journey of faith? Where are you on the journey now? 3. How might the gift of the Holy Spirit empower and encourage you on your journey?
Generosity Statement Sharing for the common good is the spirit of Zion (Doctrine and Covenants 165:2f). We receive God s grace and generosity. The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response. This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple s Generous Response: God of rejoicing, we share our gifts joyfully and with thanksgiving in response to the generous gifts you have given us. May the offerings we share bring joy, hope, love, and peace into the lives of others that they might experience your mercy and grace. Amen
Communion Statement We come together to share in the Lord s Supper as a visible witness of loving Christian fellowship and shared remembrance of Jesus Christ s death and resurrection (Doctrine and Covenants 164:4a). All committed followers of Christ are invited to partake, but no one should feel pressured to receive the emblems. This Easter season let us experience the resurrected Christ as we share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let s sing Community of Christ Sings 522, Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ.
Thoughts for Children Materials: A small bottle of bubbles The following activities will help the children understand several things about their breath. Encourage children to sit quietly in a comfortable position and listen to the sound of their own breath. Ask: What does your breath sound like (soft, whispery )? Have children cup their hands and breathe into them. Ask: What does your breath feel like (warm)? Gently blow a few bubbles, allow children to take turns blowing bubbles. Ask: What does your breath do (fills the bubbles)? Say: In most temperatures we cannot see our breath, but we can hear it, feel it, and see what it can do. In the scripture today Jesus breathes on the disciples. Could they see his breath? (No.) Could they feel it? What did it do? It filled them with peace. The breath of Jesus is one way of explaining the Holy Spirit. We cannot see the Spirit, but we often can feel the Spirit when we pray, sing, or walk in nature. Jesus has breathed the Holy Spirit in each of us, and that Spirit fills us just like our breath fills the bubbles. Now we will share the peace of Jesus with others. Have children go to each person in the group, breathe into their own hands, and then open their hands to share the breath of peace on each one. Care should be taken to ensure no one is excluded.