3 May 2026

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Bible readings for today

• Acts 7:55-60
• Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16
• 1 Peter 2:2-10
• John 14:1-14

Liturgical Colour: WHITE

Collect

Eternal God, 
your Son Jesus Christ 
is the way, the truth and the life for all creation; 
grant us grace to walk in his way, 
to rejoice in his truth, 
and to share his risen life; 
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever. 
Amen. 

E te Atua mutunga kore, 
ko tāu Tama ko Īhu Karaiti 
te huarahi, te pono, me te ora mō ngā mea katoa; 
Hōmai ki a mātou he ngākau atawhai 
kia hīkoi ai i tāna huarahi, 
kia harikoa ai i tōna pono, 
kia whai wāhi ai ki tōna oranga; 
ko ia e ora ana, e kīngi tahi ana me koe me te Wairua Tapu, 
kotahi anō Atua, ināianei, ā, mō ake tonu atu. 
Āmine. 

The Way (John 14:1-14)

Today Jesus told his disciples that he is the way, the truth, and the life!

Input for leaders

​Visio Lectio
A beautiful free downloadable image by Sarah Lea West.
​All Rights Reserved, shared and distributed with permission.
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Gospel Conversations on John 14:1-14 (Diocese of Dunedin 2023)
As we journey through the Easter season, the lectionary takes us back - unexpectedly? - to Jesus' final talks with his beloved disciples, preparing them for his death. Join us as we talk of troubled hearts, faith, dwelling places and coming home.

Intergenerational worship

Yr A Easter 5, 2003:  (Intergen Australia)
A collection of resources and ideas written and compiled by Rev Sandy Brodine Intergen Australia. Bible references: 1 Peter, Acts, John.

Talks

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (Ministry to Children) - full lesson plan including activities and questions. Designed for at home use but could easily be used in Sunday School / Kids Church.

​I am the Way (Gary Neal Hansen) - paraphrased retelling with wondering questions.

Jesus is the way (Sermons 4 Kids) - simple lesson using arrows.

Doing greater things than Jesus (RFour) -  simple but effective lesson.

Games and activities

​Follow the Path (Intergen AU) - Create pathways with paper arrows or footprints leading to different stations or messages. Talk about following Jesus and finding the way.

Trust Walk (Trueway Kids) - In pairs, one child guides another carefully through a simple obstacle course. Reflect on trust, guidance, and following. Older children could discuss when trust is easy or difficult.Source/inspiration:

Build a Home Challenge (Sermons 4 Kids)
Using blocks or recycled materials, work together to build a home or shelter.
Reflect on belonging and Jesus preparing a place.

Light Hunt (Ministry to Children)
Hide reflective objects or lights around a darkened room for children to find using flashlights. Talk about guidance and light in difficult times.

Memory Verse Treasure Hunt
You will need: 6 clues and hiding places. Each clue is a section of the memory verse from John 14:5-6
​Put together a treasure hunt for the children depending on the space you have! Along the way, the children will find parts of the memory verse and another clue leading them to a different location. At the end they can put them together in order.
e.g.

• Clue 1: Lord, we don't even know where you are going!  (Could be near a map, a schedule or plan)
• Clue 2:  How can we know the way (Could be near an arrow)
• Clue 3: Jesus answered (Near a speaker or microphone)
• Clue 4: "I am the way, (near a door)
• Clue 5: the truth, (near a Bible)
• Clue 6: and the life" -- with the final prize!  (Near something that gives you joy)

I am the Way compass (Lil Boo)
Use milk bottle lids and split pins to make a compass to remind us to keep our way focused on God and that he will lead us in His ways.

I am the Way the Truth the Life Maze (Bible Explore)

Questions

• ​I wonder what Jesus meant by “I am the way”?
• I wonder what helps people when they feel worried?
• I wonder what makes somewhere feel like home?
• I wonder who helps guide you?
• I wonder what trust means?
• I wonder where people need hope today?
• I wonder what it means that Jesus is always with us?
• I wonder what journey God might invite us on?

Pray it!

Pathway Prayers ​(Intergen AU)
Write prayers on paper footprints and place them along a pathway.

Pray it! Labyrinths

Labyrinth prayers
Labyrinths can be a great interactive way for children to talk to God. There are a variety of ways this can be set up depending on how much space you have. 

Labyrinth ideas include:

• beach labyrinth marked in the sand
• prayer stations dotted around the labyrinth
• labyrinth craft on round paper plates
• mowing one onto a grass field
• rope of lights marking out a labyrinth in the dark
• mark one out of chalk in the playground or park
• masking tape or rope on your hall floor (don't use gaffa/duck tape, it stains floors!)

Flame Creative has some great labyrinth suggestions

Preschool Play

Telling the story:
You'll need A simple path on the floor (scarves, tape, cushions, paper footprints)
A toy Jesus or picture of Jesus

Jesus’ friends were worried. Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid. Trust me.”
(Walk along the path)
Jesus said, “I will show you the way.”
(Invite children to follow the path).
Jesus said, “Follow me.”
(Walk together.)
Jesus said, “You belong with me.”
(Finish in a cosy spot with cushions or blanket).

​Path Following Play (Trueway Kids)
Create simple pathways with arrows or tape for children to follow.
Wonder together: Where does the path go? Who helps us find the way? I wonder what Jesus meant by “the way”?

Home Building Play (Intergen AU)
Provide blocks, cushions, or loose parts to build homes and shelters.
Wonder together: What makes a place feel safe? What makes somewhere feel like home? I wonder why Jesus talked about preparing a place?

Light and Shadow Play
Use flashlights and soft materials to explore light and shadows.
Wonder together: What helps us see? What happens in the dark?
I wonder how light helps people?

Journey Play
Use toy people, roads, or maps for imaginative journeys.
Wonder together: Where are the people going? Who travels with them? I wonder what helps people on journeys?

Media

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Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:55-60)

The Seven Minute Sermon

Each week Reverend George Penk (St Mark's Remuera) brings a short message of encouragement from the Bible in the Seven-Minute Sermon Podcast. Accessible, relevant and life-giving. Today's sermon looks at the faith of Stephen in Acts 7:55-60