September 16, 2018 Proper 19 Semicontinuous Prov. 1:20 33 Ps. 19 Complementary Isa. 50:4 9a Ps. 116:1 9 Jas. 3:1 12 Mark 8:27 38 Goal for the Session Third- and fourth-graders will read Peter s declaration and uncover the joys and challenges of following Jesus the Messiah. n PREPARING FOR THE SESSION Focus on Mark 8:27 38 WHAT is important to know? From Exegetical Perspective, Sharon H. Ringe The exchange between Peter and Jesus portrays the Gospel writer s acknowledgment that this suffering Messiah is not the one the disciples planned to follow. If that is hard to accept, the situation only gets worse when Mark begins to speak directly about the life of discipleship. Picking up one s cross is not accepting just any burden, but rather being prepared to put one s life on the line for the sake of Jesus and the gospel. The disciples are indeed called to be prepared to share in the fate of the one they follow, and to recognize that it is there that true life is found. WHERE is God in these words? From Theological Perspective, Martha Moore-Keish A particular scandal is the claim we encounter in this passage: that this one who came as the great liberator, the Messiah, must suffer humiliation, torture, and death at the hands of religious and civil authorities. When Jesus asks the disciples, Who do you say that I am? and Peter declares, You are the Messiah, Peter likely has in mind a political liberator who would free the people of Israel from tyranny. Yet as soon as Peter identifies him as Messiah, Jesus forbids him to speak about it and begins to describe the suffering that is to come to the Son of Man. This utterly changes what is meant by Messiah or Christ no longer a title of triumphant power, but a name associated with suffering, rejection, and public execution. SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? From Pastoral Perspective, Harry B. Adams In our relationship with Jesus, there is the promise and the hope that somehow the divine perspective on who we are and what we are about breaks through. In him God enables us to find a way that is different from the way of the world, enables us to discern how life is fulfilled as God intends, enables us to live by values that are not embodied in the normal course of human affairs. Jesus puts God s perspective in stark terms for Peter and for us. We are to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him into a life of serving and giving and sacrificing. NOW WHAT is God s word calling us to do? From Homiletical Perspective, Nathan G. Jennings This text does not call, ultimately, for a carefully outlined sermon that would allow for a few good sermon notes to take home after church. This is a text that moves us far beyond information to commitment. This text demands from the faithful readers, rather, a decision: will we follow this man to the place that he is going? It therefore demands the conveying of this reality and urgency of this decision in the life of the individual congregant and in the life of the congregation as a whole. 1
FOCUS SCRIPTURE Mark 8:27 38 Focus on Your Teaching Many third- and fourth-graders participate in team sports, scouting, school clubs, or other youth organizations. Many have experienced the joy of earning a badge or award, scoring a goal, or completing a project, and they know these things take effort to achieve. In this way, they may also understand the challenges and joys of Christian life. Think of your own faith journey. What were your questions about Jesus when you were eight years old? What are your questions now? Be prepared to learn with the children in your group. Jesus, be with me as I tell your story to these children. Inspire me and assure me that the joy of knowing you outweighs any challenge of discipleship. Amen. YOU WILL NEED green cloth battery-powered white candle cross that stands small box with lid kitchen foil index cards markers Color Pack 1, 5, 6, 28 Singing the Feast, 2018 2019; CD player Bibles For Responding option 1: colored pencils, copies of Resource Sheet 1 option 2: Resource Sheet 2 and supplies listed there option 3: Color Pack 32; Singing the Feast, 2018 2019; CD player n LEADING THE SESSION GATHERING Before the session, cover a small box and its lid with foil for Closing. Count out one index card for each learner and yourself. On half of the cards, write the word joy; on the others, write challenge. Place the cards in the box and put on the lid. Cut Color Pack 6 in half, so there is one crown on each piece. Welcome children by name as they arrive. Invite them to help you arrange the green cloth, candle, and cross in the center of your meeting space. Gather the group around the candle. Ask a volunteer to show where this Sunday falls on the church year calendar on Color Pack 1. Ask: What is new in our space this week? (The cross.) Invite learners to offer their ideas about what the cross means to Christians, and why crosses are found in Christian churches. Light the candle, welcoming Christ in your midst. Begin the prayer by singing together Kum Ba Yah (Color Pack 28; track 10 on Singing the Feast, 2018 2019). Pray the following prayer aloud: Jesus, we want to know all about you! Guide us as we explore your teachings and inspire us to follow you. Amen. Ask the children to take turns telling the group about their favorite subject at school or a favorite activity they are involved in, such as sports, music, or scouting. As each learner responds, follow up by asking: P What s easy or fun about this activity? What is difficult or challenging about it? EXPLORING Show the picture of the gold crown cut from Color Pack 6. Pass it around the group; as each child holds it, ask her or him to tell one thing about kings or queens. After everyone has had a turn, explain that in Jesus time, kings were the most powerful individuals in a 2
Kum Ba Yah Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah! Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah! Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah! O Lord, kum ba yah! Come by here, my Lord, come by here! Come by here, my Lord, come by here! Come by here, my Lord, come by here! O Lord, come by here! Jesus went about doing good; Jesus went about doing good. He told everyone God is love; God cares for you. As the group discusses the Bible story, listen carefully to each child s response and affirm each one s participation. country. Everybody had to listen to and obey the king. The king had a strong army to fight off enemies. In Jesus time, the people were waiting for God s Messiah God s chosen one someone who would be more powerful than any king to come and rescue them. Distribute Bibles and work as a group to find Mark 8:27. Explain that Mark is located in the New Testament the part of the Bible that focuses on Jesus and the lives of his followers. Invite learners to follow along as you read aloud Mark 8:27 30, listening and looking for the word Messiah, which means God s specially chosen one or God s anointed one. Ask: P Who said that Jesus is the Messiah, God s chosen one? P Why do you think Jesus tells the disciples not to talk about him? (Possibly, Jesus does not want to be known as a king who is a warrior or rules by earthly power.) Read aloud Mark 8:31 33. Ask: P Why does Peter try to stop Jesus from talking? P What do you think is the good news in what Jesus says? Display Color Pack 5. Look at each picture and invite volunteers to tell what is happening. Discuss: P How do these pictures say the same thing that Jesus says in verse 31? P Which scenes show a joy? Which show a challenge? P What does the church call the day that God raised Jesus from the dead? Show the picture of the crown of thorns cut from Color Pack 6, pointing out that Jesus was forced to wear a crown of thorns when he died on the cross. Hold the picture of the golden crown from Color Pack 6 next to it. Ask learners to tell how the two crowns are different. P Recall that Jesus taught his followers to love their neighbors as themselves and welcomed all kinds of people to follow him. How did these things make Jesus a different kind of king? Invite learners to read Mark 8:34 35 with you, in unison. Ask: P What does it mean to take up a cross for Jesus to follow Jesus? (Possible answers include: to obey Jesus teachings, even when others tempt us not to; to stand up for what Jesus teaches.) P What do you think was challenging about following Jesus for the first disciples? What might have been a joy for them? P What is a challenge in following Jesus today? What is a joy in following Jesus today? EASY PREP RESPONDING Mark the activities you will use: 1. On the Way Use this puzzle to help learners think more about what it means for Christians to follow the way of Jesus. Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 1 (On the Way) and colored pencils. Give learners time to complete the puzzle by coloring the nine hidden items. Afterward, ask: 3
P Which of these things make you think of the challenges of following Jesus? P Which of these things make you think of the joys of following Jesus? P What other items might you include in this puzzle as challenges or joys of following Jesus? If possible, provide pony beads in a variety of colors and let the children choose the beads they like. 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. 2. Cross Necklace A vivid image in today s Scripture is Jesus instruction to take up a cross and follow me (v. 34). Talk with learners about how the cross represents Jesus suffering and also Jesus triumph over death. For Jesus followers today, the cross is a reminder that following Jesus is both a joy and a challenge. Think of places where crosses are found in your church. (Option: Walk around the building and look for crosses.) Have the learners follow your lead as you guide them through each step of making a cross necklace (or one to tie to a keychain or backpack), following the instructions on Resource Sheet 2 (A Cross to Wear). Invite the children to wear or carry their crosses to remind them of Jesus and of their choice to follow in Jesus ways. 3. Follow the Leader As children sing I ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy (Color Pack 32; track 7 on Singing the Feast, 2018 2019), they will practice being leaders and followers. Play the song and invite children to sing along. Once they are comfortable with the lyrics, have the group stand in a line. Ask the first person in line to create an action to go with the first stanza and then lead the group in walking around the room as all children sing the stanza and do the action. Pause before the second stanza and have the leader move to the back of the line. The new first person in line then creates an action for the second stanza and leads the group in walking around the room as all sing and do the action. Play the song again, as desired, so that each child has a turn to go to the back of the line. After the song, wonder together about what it means to follow Jesus. CLOSING Gather in a circle. Invite each child to draw a card from the foil-covered box and to think of a joy or a challenge (depending on the card drawn) in following Jesus. When all have offered their ideas, ask someone to open the box and hand you the remaining card. Tell about one joy and one challenge you have faced in being Jesus follower. Thank learners for their good work. Pray aloud: Jesus, our Messiah, guide our feet as we walk in the world. No matter the challenges, may we always know joy in following you. Help us share that joy with everyone we meet. Amen. Hold either a cross necklace made in option 2 in Responding or the cross from your meeting space. As you say good-bye to each child, offer this blessing: (Name), God bless you. May this cross remind you of the joys and challenges of following Jesus. 4
September 16, 2018 Grades 3 4 Resource Sheet 1 On the Way Directions: Find and color these pictures: cross, crown of thorns, sandals, Jesus, heart, Bible, church, praying hands, hand offering a cup of water. What do these pictures say about the joys and challenges of following Jesus? 2018 Westminster John Knox Press
September 16, 2018 Grades 3 4 Resource Sheet 2 A Cross to Wear YOU WILL NEED 30" heavy yarn or craft twine (15" if making cross to tie on keychain or backpack) 7 pony beads clear tape Directions Tightly wrap each end of the piece of yarn or twine with a small piece of clear tape to make it easier to thread it through the beads. Put one bead on the yarn and push it to the center. Tie the ends of the yarn in a single knot to keep this bead in the center. Hold the two ends of the yarn together and thread them through two beads. Push the beads down so that they are close to the first bead, hiding the knot. This is the bottom of the cross. Separate the two ends. Put one end through one bead from the right. Put the other end through the same bead from the left. This bead will face crosswise to the beads in the bottom of the cross. String one bead on one end of the yarn. Wrap the yarn around the bead and put the end back through the center bead. String one bead on the other end of the yarn. Wrap the yarn around the bead and put the end back through the center bead only. Hold the two ends of the yarn together and thread them through one more bead to make the top of the cross. Tie a knot above this final bead to hold the cross in place. Trim the ends of the yarn to make it the correct length for a necklace. Or trim the ends quite short to tie the cross on a key chain or backpack. 2018 Westminster John Knox Press