June 2021
June 2021
Jesus and the Gospels – Jesus’ Baptism
Gather
Set up your worship table or centre of the class circle with the ordinary time (green) cloth and take out the Bible, cross and light candle.
Opening responses
If you have school responses or opening words for collective worship say them together or say the following:
We take out the Bible And think about God the Father
We take out the cross
And think about God’s son, Jesus
We light the candle
And think about God, the Holy Spirit
Setting the scene – Make connections
Today we are moving to a new part of God’s big story – not only are we moving to a new book but we are moving to a new testament – the new testament. Christians believe that the 27 books in the New Testament continue the story of God’s plan that was told in the Old Testament. Christians also believe that Jesus is the special person that the prophets (remember them!) spoke about and people were waiting for at the end of the Old Testament books.
The first four books, (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) focus on Jesus’ life and work and are told by people who were there at the time. These books are known as the ‘Gospels’ which means ‘Good News.’ We are starting our journey through the gospels and learning about Jesus in the book of Mark.
We are joining the story of Jesus at the beginning of his public life. (you could do some recall questions linked to Jesus birth and childhood to set the scene)
If you are using this for class worship – take out the items in the box (see notes for the teacher) and place them in the centre
Big question – looking at the clues in the box, I wonder what our story might be about today?
Engage
Read Mark 1:1-11
The Lion Storyteller Bible – Jesus is baptised
You can use the items in the box to help tell the story. As you read the story pupils could shout every time it says John shouted
A brief overview for the teacher
John the baptiser was a prophet, recalling people to the proper worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He taught that people should not cheat, lie or steal and always honour God. Many went to see him and often, as a sign of their changed direction in life, they would choose to be
baptised in the water of the Jordan river. When Jesus appeared in the crowd John was puzzled and at first, refused to baptise Him as He had no need to change. But Jesus insisted and John duly ducked him under the water, a picture of new birth. Some people standing by reported that they heard a voice proclaiming that Jesus was God’s son and saw a dove resting on his head. This symbolic act of obedience to God’s command marked the beginning of Jesus public ministry. No longer a carpenter Jesus embarked on his travelling teaching ministry.
Wondering questions
- I wonder what part of the story you liked best?
- I wonder what part of the story was the most important?
- I wonder what John meant when he talked about the ‘kingdom of God’?
- I wonder why some people might have thought John was the special one that God was sending that the prophets had talked about?
- I wonder how John felt when he realised he was about to baptise Jesus, the son of God?
- I wonder why Jesus wanted to be baptised?
- I wonder how Jesus felt when he heard the words “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”? ( in the story it is written as ‘well done son, I’m proud of you, you really are someone special’)
- I wonder how Jesus felt knowing this was the beginning of his role in telling everyone about God?
Respond
Reflection activity :
You will need dove outlines for each pupil
Christians believe that the dove was a symbol that God through the Holy Spirit was with Jesus Guiding him as he embarked on this new journey and helping Jesus to do the right thing.
Who supports and guides you and helps you to do the right thing?
Write their name on the dove outline and if you want to say a thank you prayer for them.
Send
Prayer
Dear God thank you for today’s story and the example of Jesus. Thank you for the people in our lives that guide us and help us to do the right thing. Amen
Notes for the Teacher
In the collective worship box each week
- Cloth using the seasonal colour of the Church’s year (this week is white or gold)
- Bible
- Cross
- Candle
For this week – 2 Lego figures to represent Jesus and John, a bowl of water or some blue cloth to represent the river, a picture of a dove
Making links
This connects with the concept of Gospel and Panel 6 of the Understanding Christianity frieze you could include the gospel concept symbol in your box.
Further resources
You could link back to page 6-7 of Bible infographics for kids that we used at the beginning of the year as a reminder about the Bible as a whole and the Old and New Testament
Here is a video version of the story you could use https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VMNO2MAmwA
You could use the Rhyming Bible ‘Fill in all the valleys’ version of the story
Digging deeper and learning more
The Gospel of Luke provides the most detail about the birth of Jesus and his childhood, but even that is pretty sparse. Indeed in his record of Jesus’ life, Mark chooses to omit any reference at all, opening with a very brief account of John the Baptist’s activities. John like the prophets before him sought to remind his hearers of their responsibility both to God and other people and to change direction. When Jesus appeared in the crowd John was perplexed, asking why he needed to be baptised as he had no need to change his behaviour. Jesus insisted and John obediently followed the ritual of dipping him under the water of the Jordan River, an action that symbolised the making of a new beginning. Some people standing by reported that they heard a voice proclaiming that Jesus was God’s son and saw a dove resting on his head. This symbolic act of obedience to God’s command marked the beginning of Jesus public ministry. No longer a carpenter Jesus embarked on his travelling teaching ministry.
Jesus and the Gospels –
Jesus Begins His Ministry
Gather
Set up your worship table or centre of the class circle with the ordinary time (green) cloth and take out the Bible, cross and light candle.
Opening responses
If you have school responses or opening words for collective worship say them together or say the following:
We take out the Bible And think about God the Father
We take out the cross
And think about God’s son, Jesus
We light the candle
And think about God, the Holy Spirit
If you are using this for class worship – take out the items in the box (see notes for the teacher) and place them in the centre
Big question – looking at the clues in the box, I wonder what our story might be about today?
Make connections
Today we are continuing to learn about Jesus and the gospels but we are looking at a story in a different book, another gospel – can anyone remember what the word gospel means? (good news) Today our story is from the gospel of Luke.
In our story today Jesus chooses his helpers – called disciples – who will help him do his work sharing the message about God. In this story we focus on Peter, James and John. Jesus chose 12 helpers who might not be who you’d expect . . .
Engage
Read Luke 5
The Lion Storyteller Bible – Jesus’ special friends
You can use the items in the box to help tell the story.
A brief overview for the teacher
The four gospels each offer a slightly different perspective of the life of Jesus, and often recall different events. Doctor Luke manages to record lots of details, apparently taken from eyewitnesses, and reports on Jesus gathering his twelve special companions. They came from many different backgrounds, Levi, or Matthew, was a despised tax collector employed by the Roman empire, while Peter was a fisherman on Lake Galilee. From the very start of his ministry, Jesus showed his care for the poor and disadvantaged, healing those who were ignored by society. He even went out of his way to spend time with those that the religious leaders of the day despised. What really appalled their religious sensibilities was his willingness to proclaim God’s forgiveness. In order to emphasise this claim, he cured a man who could not walk and had been lowered into a crowded room through a hole in the roof.
Wondering questions
I wonder what part of the story you liked best?
I wonder what part of the story was the most important?
I wonder what Jesus meant when he talked about the ‘kingdom of God’?
I wonder what it would have felt like in the crowd listening to Jesus?
I wonder what Peter thought when Jesus asked him to go and catch some fish?
I wonder why Jesus chose helps like Peter, James and John?
I wonder how they felt to be chosen by Jesus to be his helpers?
Respond
Reflection activity: see fish handout
In today’s story Jesus chose his 12 friends to help him with his work. There are always times in life when we make new friendships. What makes a good friendship?
Look at the fish laid out on the floor and choose five qualities or characteristics that you think help make a good friendship. You can write your own on a blank fish if you would like.
Send
Spend a couple of minutes quietly thinking about the qualities you show as a friend and how you can be a good friend this week.
Dear God
Thank you for today’s story on how Jesus chose his friends and helpers. Help us to be good friends this week and show the qualities we’ve spoken about today. Help us to look for opportunities to help each other this week. Amen
Notes for the Teacher
In the collective worship box each week
- Cloth using the seasonal colour of the Church’s year (this week is white or gold)
- Bible
- Cross
- Candle
For this week –
some net, a toy boat, 12 Lego figures for the disciples, 1 Lego figure
for Jesus, some paper fish, blue cloth for the sea
Making links
This connects
with the concept of Gospel and panel 6 of the Understanding Christianity frieze
you could include the gospel concept symbol in your box.
Further resources
Here is a
video version of the story you could use https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhIwTU9RbxY
You could
also use this video to introduce learning on the disciples https://request.org.uk/restart/2018/01/09/calling-of-the-disciples/
You can also
use pages 48-49 of Bible Infographics for kids to explore the disciples
Digging deeper and learning more
As he began his ministry Jesus selected twelve companions, the disciples. Some like Andrew and John were fishermen, while Levi, also known as Matthew was a despised tax collector. During the three years that they travelled together, Jesus taught them many things, but the gospel writers make it clear that they did not always understand what was happening, or was being said. As an itinerant preacher there was much interest amongst the religious community, but Jesus habit of mixing with ordinary people caused them much offence. The fact that many of his disciples were untutored was probably another issue that distressed them. It was Jesus’ teaching that caused them the greater problem. When, in a very crowded domestic setting, a paralysed man was lowered through a hole in the roof, Jesus immediately offered forgiveness. This shocked them as it was an implicit claim to divinity, you can imagine the consternation it caused when Jesus followed this up by curing the man who was able to walk away carrying the mattress that he had lain on.
Jesus and the Gospels – Jesus' Ministry Miracles
Gather
Set up your worship table or centre of the class circle with the ordinary time (green) cloth and take out the Bible, cross and light candle.
Opening responses
If you have school responses or opening words for collective worship say them together or say the following:
We take out the Bible And think about God the Father
We take out the cross
And think about God’s son, Jesus
We light the candle
And think about God, the Holy Spirit
If you are using this for class worship – take out the items in the box (see notes for the teacher) and place them in the centre
Big question – looking at the clues in the box, I wonder what our story might be about today?
Make connections
Today we are continuing to learn about Jesus and the gospels and we are looking at a story in the same gospel as last week – the book of Luke. You could ask pupils to remind you what the word gospel means – good news.
Today we are learning about Jesus’ miracles. Jesus performed many miracles. The gospels describe 35 times when Jesus performed miracles and tell us that there were also many more than these not written down.
In the gospels miracles are seen as signposts that point to who Jesus really is and the power that he has. There were often many eyewitnesses to the miracles and more than half of the 35 miracles were about Jesus healing the sick.
In today’s story, Jesus performed a miracle. He heals a centurions servant. A centurion is a Roman soldier and Jesus was a Jew. At the time the Romans had invaded Judea and were now in charge. Yet in this story we see that the centurion trusted Jesus and Jesus showed compassion.
If you are using this for class worship – take out the items in the box (see notes for the teacher) and place them in the centre.
Engage
Read Luke 7
The Lion Storyteller Bible – The centurion’s servant
You can use the items in the box to help tell the story.
A brief overview for the teacher
It is quite possible that many more miracles were performed by Jesus than any of his biographers recorded, the ones we read about are their personal selection. Luke tells of the Roman commander who sent friends to Jesus asking that he heal his servant. Even while he was on his way the message reached Jesus that his presence was not required, just his word of healing. The servant did indeed recover at that very moment; a member of the occupying army appeared to have greater faith than the religious leaders of the time. Similarly, Jesus took pity on a grieving widow and restored her son to her, dealing both with her grief and financial hardship. Jesus dined with a religious leader who himself showed Jesus scant respect. When a notorious woman chose to cry at his feet, Jesus publicly offered her God’s forgiveness offending many who did not think such people deserved any consideration.
You can use the items in the box to help tell the story.
Wondering questions
- I wonder what part of the story you liked best?
- I wonder what part of the story was the most important?
- I wonder what surprised Jesus in the story and why?
- I wonder what this story teaches us about trust?
- I wonder what this story teaches us about compassion?
Respond
Reflection activity
Have some pipe cleaners – enough for each pupil. You could do this activity using play dough or plastercine instead.
Think about someone you know, someone in your family or a close friend. Maybe you know someone who needs help at the moment, or who is unwell? As you think about what makes this person special to you, make a model of them out of pipe cleaners and if you want to, say a silent prayer for them. You could think about how you can show compassion to them and others this week.
Send
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for today’s story of the healing of the centurions servant. Thank you we can still learn from the stories of Jesus today. Help us to trust like the Roman Centurion did. Help us to show compassion for others and respect people who are different to us like Jesus did. Amen
Notes for the Teacher
In the collective worship box each week
- Cloth using the seasonal colour of the Church’s year (this week is white or gold)
- Bible
- Cross
- Candle
For this week – a picture of a centurion or a lego figure for the centurion and Jesus.
Making links
This connects with the concept of Gospel and panel 6 of the Understanding Christianity frieze you could include the gospel concept symbol in your box.
Digging deeper and learning more
When John wrote his life of Jesus he deliberately structured it around seven miraculous events, the other three gospel writers appear to record events in what appears to be some sort of chronological order. Luke recounts many of these incidents, reporting how a Roman commander, presumably seen as an enemy by many Jewish people, not only asked for help, but acknowledged that Jesus did not even have to be present. His servant was healed. In a world where disability and illness were usually accompanied by financial hardship, the healing miracles of Jesus frequently focused on the poor and disadvantaged. Widows were dependant on their sons, the death of that child was therefore a double tragedy, it was appropriate therefore to raise that son to life again. During his time in the wilderness, the temptation was for Jesus to use his powers to gain popular support. Though some of his reported miracles were clearly public demonstrations, like feeding a large crowd with a child’s picnic, they were always a response to need, rather than self-publicity.
Jesus and the Gospels – Jesus' Ministry Teaching
Gather
Set up your worship table or centre of the class circle with the ordinary time (green) cloth and take out the Bible, cross and light candle.
Opening responses
If you have school responses or opening words for collective worship say them together or say the following:
We take out the Bible And think about God the Father
We take out the cross
And think about God’s son, Jesus
We light the candle
And think about God, the Holy Spirit
If you are using this for class worship – take out the items in the box (see notes for the teacher) and place them in the centre
Make connections
Today we are continuing to learn about Jesus and the gospels but we are looking at a story in a different gospel from last week – we are going back to the book of Mark – you could ask pupils to remind you what the word gospel means – good news.
Jesus was called ‘Rabbi’ by some people. The word Rabbi means ‘teacher’. Jesus taught people about lots of different areas of life and Jesus used stories to teach people about and help people understand God. These stories are called parables.
If you are using this for class worship – take out the items in the box (see notes for the teacher) and place them in the centre
Big question – looking at the clues in the box, I wonder what our story might be about today?
Engage
You can use the items in the box to help tell the story. Start by having some different items of different value eg a watch, a book, some bread, a picture of a house or car, 2 small coins. Ask pupils to decide which has the most and least monetary value. They could rank them.
Today’s story is all about a question Jesus asked – who gave the most . . . but the answer might not be as simple as it seems.
Read Mark 12: 28-34 Luke 21 1-4
The Lion Storyteller Bible – the widow and the coins – also read Mark 12:28-34
A brief overview for the teacher
Jesus wanted to ensure that people understood the truth about God and would often offer his teaching to others. One tradition of learning was in question and answer sessions, a sort of seminar; that way the teacher’s knowledge and understanding were examined and probed. His views of taxation would indicate if he was a Roman sympathiser or a nationalist; equally, his perspective on the ten commandments would readily betray his view of society. In both cases Jesus chose to turn the question back on his audience, challenging their loyalty to God while still respecting the reality of the politics of the time. He quickly cut through theological arguments with a reminder that the true worship of God was all that really mattered. Much religion, then as now, was taken up with fruitless speculation about the future, again Jesus reminded his hearers that what was really important was how they lived each day
Wondering questions
- I wonder what part of the story you liked best?
- I wonder what part of the story was the most important?
- I wonder why Jesus told this story?
- I wonder what we can learn from this story?
- I wonder what this story teaches us about generosity?
- I wonder who was the most generous in the story?
- I wonder What question you would have asked Jesus if you were listening to him speak when he was on earth?
Respond
Reflection activity
You will need the coin template with enough coins for each pupil.
Have the verse ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength . . . love your neighbour as yourself’ displayed
I wonder how the story helps us to understand ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength… love your neighbour as yourself’?
What does it mean to be generous to others?
How can you love your neighbour as yourself this week? Write your reflection on the coin and display it in the reflection area as a reminder this week.
Send
Prayer – read this prayer by St. Ignatius Loyola
Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous; teach me to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labour and not to seek reward, except that of knowing that I do your will. Amen
Notes for the Teacher
In the collective worship box each week
- Cloth using the seasonal colour of the Church’s year (this week is white or gold)
- Bible
- Cross
- Candle
For this week – different items of different value eg a watch, a book, some bread, a picture of a house or car, 2 small coins. A bag of gold coins, a basket.
Making links
This connects with the concept of Gospel and panel 6 of the Understanding Christianity frieze you could include the gospel concept symbol in your box.
Further resources
Here is a video version of the story you could use
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lC-E6dLvMs
Digging deeper and learning more
On a few occasions the gospel writers record extracts of Jesus’ teaching that have been labelled sermons, didactic monologues, but often he simply responded to questioning. It seems that religious scholars delight in debating the minutiae of belief and doctrine, parsing things down to the smallest detail. Jesus often encountered people whose questioning seemed to point to their own sophistication, demanding answers that could be very divisive, and thus turned against him. When it came to a complex question about the status of marriage after death, the response was quite blunt.
God is concerned with the living, not the dead, responded Jesus. Equally, when he was challenged to rank the ten commandments, Jesus did not engage in debate, he simply restated the Old Testament principles on which they had been formed; honour God and care for others. His teaching would frequently cut through the hypocrisy and cant of religious zealots while commending the action of the poor who offered genuine worship, as opposed to meaningless grand acts designed to enhance their status.