25 May 2025
Bible readings for today
Liturgical colour: WHITE |
CollectE te Atua kaha rawa
i tukua mai e koe tōu Wairua Tapu ki āu ākonga, kia kī tonu rātou i te hari, kia tū māia ki te kauwhau i te rongopai; tonoa mātou i runga i te mana o taua Wairua anō kia kitea mai ai tōu aroha whakaora kia whakatata mai ngā tāngata katoa ki a koe; Ko Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Ariki, e ora ana, e kīngi tahi ana me koe me te Wairua Tapu, kotahi anō Atua, ināianei, ā, mō ake tonu atu. Āmine. Almighty God, you sent your Holy Spirit to the disciples, filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel; send us out in the power of the same Spirit to witness to your redeeming love and draw all people to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen. |
Peace of mind (John 14:23-29)
In today's reading, Jesus speaks words of comfort and reassurance over his friends - reminding them that his leaving is part of God's plan, and that he is sending the Holy Spirit. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." John 14: 27
Input for Leaders
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Gospel Conversations 2025: When we study John's gospel we find we spend a lot of time in the final discourse of Jesus to and with his disciples. It's rich stuff, as you would expect as Jesus gives his final teaching before heading to his death. Peace as both a challenge and a promise; love as both a challenge and a presence - so much to think about!
Gospel Conversations 2022: The disciples may have been confused as Jesus talked with them at their last supper together, but Jesus tells them that later they will understand. Do we understand, now, what he meant by love and peace and the coming of the Holy Spirit?
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Kids TalksGod is Always With Us (Sermon Writer)
The Holy Spirit Comforter (Ministry to Children) Peace Bible Lesson (Ministry to Children) - a biblical view of the peace God gives us. Better for older kids. Always With Us (Sermon Writer) - God shelters us like an umbrella! Peace of Mind and Heart (Sermons 4 Kids) God Gives Us Peace (ChildrensMinistry.com) - based on Matthew but could easily work with this weeks verse. ActivitiesKinetic Peace - Learn to say "Peace be with you" in NZ Sign Language
DIY Glitter Jars - a great way to pray. Tell God your worries and then shake the bottle and sit quietly with him while you watch the glitter settle. Try this one (Sparklers) or this one (Creative Station). Scratch Paper - This is a fun way to explore the idea that God is with us even when all seems dark. Scratch away the top layer and see his peace and beauty hiding underneath. Why not set up an art station with some questions to think about? Colouring Pages - Peace Poster from Illustrated Ministry or Peace Be Still from TomiAni Questions to think about
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Pray it!Pray for areas of God's life where you need God's peace using this Peace Prayer Station (Flame Creative).
Or try this more active version with Flying Dove Peace Prayers! (Flame Creative) 
Preschool PeaceHere are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spend time with God.
Tell the Story - Always With Us (Sermon Writer) - Grab your umbrella and talk to the kids about how God's peace shelters us like an umbrella. Books - Put out some comfy cushions and blankets and create a reading corner with a friendly adult to read books to the kids. Make it a peaceful, safe, appealing space. Outside Water Play (adapted from Ministry to Children) - You will need some umbrellas and some spray bottles of water. Show the kids how the umbrellas can shelter you from the water by having another adult try to squirt you while you protect yourself with the umbrella. Let the children have a turn using the umbrellas while you squirt them with small amounts of water. Things to talk about: God can help our hearts feel peaceful even when things are hard or scary. What is hard for you right now? Let's ask God for his peace. Most of this week's general 'Activities' can be easily adapted to Preschoolers. |
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The healing at the pool (John 5:1-9)
In today's story, we hear about Jesus healing a crippled man at the Pools of Bethesda. Jesus saw the needs of the man, had compassion on him, and healed him. In the same way, the grace of Jesus heals our hearts, minds and body.
Input for LeadersMonday Meditation (Gary Neal Hansen)
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Background Info (Bible Project)
For some background info on The Healing at Bethesda, head to Bible Project and check out their Animated Overview of John 5-10 or their John Poster. 
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Kids TalksDo You Want To Be Healed (Ministry to Children) - Full lesson plan.
Healing at the Pool (Ministry to Children) The Pool of Bethesda (Trueway Kids) You are A Changed Person (Sermons 4 Kids) Healing of a Man by a Pool (Mission Bible Class) Healing at the Pool of Bethesda (Gracelink) - Lesson plan. Activities & GamesLegless racing (Ministry to Children)
Have students line up in pairs or relay-style teams, depending on the size and ages of the group. Explain to students that they are to venture across the room to retrieve an item or high five a team pal (again, adjust race requirements to suit group needs). There is one catch: racing students cannot use their legs! They can use partners, or arms, but no legs. Is it challenging? Water Balloon Race Split kids into teams. Give each team a bucket full of water balloons. A fair distance away draw line and then place another empty bucket just beyond the line. Team members must grab a water balloon, race to the line and throw the water balloon gently into the bucket (trying not to burst it). Then run back and tag the next person. The winning team is the one with the most unbroken water balloons in a certain amount of time. (You may want to play outdoors!) Games & Activities (Trueway Kids) 
Questions
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Pray it!Why not set up a ongoing prayer station where kids can pray for those they know who need healing? Try this lovely simple version from Flame Creative, where kids write a friends name on a band-aid and stick it up.
Preschool PlayHere are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spending time with God.
Share the Story: Two easy ways to share the story with preschoolers... With Props - add some figures and a bowl of water and act it out With Facial Expressions - get the kids to add happy or sad faces at appropriate moments. Medical Play: Set out medical kit items - bandages, boxes of plasters, a stethoscope etc, soft toys or adult volunteers. Things to talk about - Who is hurt? What is wrong with them? Can you help them get better? Let's ask Jesus to help them get better too. You can also like to talk about ALL the ways Jesus brings healing - e.g. through human means like medicine and supernaturally. Pray for Others Take Home (Flame Creative): A lovely active way of praying for others. Kids can think of someone who is ill or hurt and stick a plaster with that person's name on it onto the heart as they ask God to heal them. Jesus the Healer Playdough Mat (Flame Creative): Add playdough and play! Things to talk about: Jesus' love shown through his healing power, opportunities for children to think and pray about people who are ill. It's also a great opportunity for leaders and children to share their own testimonies of God's healing! 
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This clip from 'Chosen' may be more suitable for intermediate children and older.
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Paul meets Lydia (Acts 16:9-15)
Lydia was a merchant of purple cloth, and was on the riverbank with her friends when Paul and Luke arrived in Macedonia. Lydia loved God, and when she heard about Jesus, "the Lord opened her heart" to understand. She was so captivated by this news, that she and her whole household were baptised, and she invited her new friends into her home.
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Input for LeadersFor some background info on Acts 16, head to Bible Project and check out their Animated Overview of Acts 13-20 or their Acts Poster.
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Intergenerational WorshipIntergen Easter 6: A collection of resources and ideas, written and compiled by Rev Beth Nicholls Intergen Australia. Bible references: Acts
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Quick questions
ActivitiesPrayPray this prayer each day this week: “Lord, help us share with others, as Lydia did. Help us to act fast when someone needs our help. Amen.”
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