KOSTA at home: Sunday 24 May

Title: Jesus ascends to heaven

Bible notes for parents/teens: Jesus’ ‘last speech’ in John’s Gospel talks of the relationship that exists within the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The challenge for us is not only to begin to understand and enter into that relationship, but also to play our part in it by glorifying (lifting up) God.

Question for older children and teens: Who or what encourages you?

Opening Prayer: Jesus is the light of the world. When we light candles we remember that the light of Jesus Christ is with us. Let us glorify his name. Amen.

Watch the story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcFw8pLBSIo

Sing: Younger Children: This little light of mine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKkbIZtqhyQ

Adults & Teens: The Lion and the lamb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9ujBoud26k

Read the story: Younger Children: Story on page 3 Older Children & Teens: John 17:1-11 from a bible

Discuss: Younger children:

• How do you think the disciples felt when they saw Jesus return to heaven?

Older children and teens: • Can you think of a time when you had to wait patiently for someone or something?

Jesus’ friends were still struggling to understand the big picture, they thought that Jesus had come to free the Israelites from Roman rule, they were probably confused and scared when Jesus left them again. Jesus had told them to wait for a helper, but they didn’t really understand what was happening. We know that Jesus had a much bigger plan. Jesus’ plan was for everybody, all those who were in the earth at the same time as him and all those who were going to live on the earth in the future. Jesus had come and died on the cross to take the punishment for all the sins of the world, so that everybody could receive eternal life and know God as a father and friend just like Jesus did. The Holy Spirit was coming to be a helper for Jesus’ followers forever.

The church teaching is on the passage from 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11, which will be live streamed at 10am and available afterwards. The KOSTA at home material will mainly be based on one of the other lectionary readings for today – John 17:1-11). Josey

Most resources taken from ©ROOTS for Churches Ltd (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2020 and www.tath.co.uk

Do: Younger Children: As his disciples watched, Jesus was lifted up into the sky and hidden behind a cloud. Why not spend some time cloud- gazing as a family. Find a safe place to lie down either in your home or socially distanced in a local green space. Watch the clouds as they pass by, can you see any shapes or pictures in the cloud? Older Children: Illustrated faith Illustrated faith is a form of Bible journaling that allows you to respond creatively to God’s Word and record your faith journey and growth in artistic ways.

1. Google ‘bible journaling ideas’ or look at www.illustratedfaith.com to get some ideas to inspire you.

2. Print out copies of John 17.1-11 with sufficient blank margin space around the edge, and encourage everyone to experiment with doodling, calligraphy and creative colouring to highlight key phrases in the text and bring it to life.

Closing Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that you love us so much that you sent your son Jesus to earth, to die on the cross and take the punishment for our sins. Thank you for your promise of eternal life, that we can know true relationship with you and be your children and friends. Help us on the mission that you have given us, to share your love and your good news with others. We pray for all those who do not yet know you, that they would hear and respond to the good news about Jesus. Amen

Pray: Take some time to pray for as manycountries of the world as you can.Set the timer for a few minutes,everybody should write down asmany countries as they can think of. pictures in the

Then set the timer again, this time, your challenge is to pray for all of the countries you have written down. Put a tick by them as you pray...don’t miss any country out!

You could also colour and pray for each country on the map on page 8

Extra activities: Colouring and activity sheets on pages 4, 5, 6 and 7

Story for Younger children:

Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the hour has come. Now is the time for me to be glorified. You have given me power over everyone. I will give eternal life to all those you have given to me. They will know you as the one true God and they will know me as Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ‘I have brought glory to you in the way I have lived my life on earth. But now I have finished the work you gave me to do. And so, Father, the time is right for you to glorify me in heaven. ‘I have told the people that you sent me and that you are God. They believe in you and have been faithful to you. They know that the things I have taught them come from you, and that everything I have comes from you. ‘I am not asking for the world’s sake, but for the sake of those who belong to me. And all those who belong to me are yours. Now I am no longer in the world, but they are still in the world. I am leaving them to come to you. So I ask you, Holy Father, to protect them in your name, so that they may be as one, just as you and I are one.’ Glossary to glorify: to praise or honour greatly eternal life: fullness of life in God’s presence, both now and after death.

Colouring timeName Colouring Sheet

© ROOTS for Churches Ltd Weekly worship and learning resources at www.rootsontheweb.com

Can you !ll in the rest of the speech bubbles with words that glorify Jesus?

24-30 May 2020

Wow!