John 14

BIBLE EXPLORE / NEW TESTAMENT / JOHN

Book of John: Chapter 14

The Way (John 14:1-14)

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

Talking points

Activity

Blind walk – kids all put on blindfolds and are led in a conga line on a walk of faith ending at a Bible (and maybe gold chocolate coins!)

Discussion points

Our life is a lot like a tramping trip or a journey and we all need a map. Every day we have to make choices about how we act and what we should do and how we should live our life. There are many paths to pick from. The Bible (God's word) is like a map because it tells us how we should live and which paths to take and which ones we should avoid.
For some people the paths are well marked and it is easy to find their way, but for others the trip is a lot harder; their paths aren't very well marked.
Some people have better equipment and more supplies. God created us all different. He made some of us smarter, some of us stronger, and gave us different personalities.
God provides us with guides along the way that can lead us. Our church family, our parents, Jesus, are all guides.
Some of us are given a map that isn't very good or one that is torn and missing pieces. Some people seem to stumble around running into obstacles and tripping over everything that is in their way. Some travelers don't have anyone to tell them the way or they follow other people who are lost.
Some people are given very good map and directions but think they know a better way. We choose to follow our own map, but sooner or later we find out that following God's map, the bible, is the only way to keep from getting lost.
All of us forget our maps sometimes and veer off into the wrong direction for a while, but if we studied our map and learned the right way before the trip, we eventually find our way back to the correct path. All of us forget what we have been taught and do the wrong thing, but God will forgive us.

We all know our physical address, where we live. But what is more important is where our hearts are.

Discuss what things help us recogise and choose to follow Jesus' path? What things might distract us? How can we help each other follow Jesus this week?

Pray together, asking God to help us recognise and want to follow His path together.

Reflective questions

Ask everyone to consider:

What was your favourite part of the reading/story?
What part of the reading/story surprised you?

Read the story again and then invite each person to share either their favourite or most surprising part of the reading.

Ask them why was it their favourite? Or why did they find that part surprising?

You may like to work in small groups or 3 or 4 for this part

Ask everyone to consider

What might God be telling us about himself?
Why is that important?

After each person has shared their thoughts, ask them

What might God be asking us to do in response? &/or
What is one thing you can do about that this week?

When you have finished, pray together - each thanking God for one thing and asking God for one thing.

Visio Lectio

Another great print from Rev. Sarah West from Visio Lectio.
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Gospel Conversations

Another great video from the Diocese of Dunedin. 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. But maybe he's preparing us for life beyond both his death and resurrection! Join Lisa, John, Anne and Michael as they talk of troubled hearts, faith, dwelling places and coming home.

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

Instructions
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.
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)

If you are doing this at home...
Do not worry if the clues are found out of order. Part of the game could be coming together at the end to look up the verse and all helping to put the clues in the right order, to win the prize.

Intergen resource

Rev Sandy Brodine looks at utilising stones, Mandalas and paths as a way of exploring the readings from 1 Peter, Acts and John. Downloadable now from https://intergen.org.au/

Labyrinth maze prayers

Labyrinths and maze prayers 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 on your hall floor (don't use gaffa/duck tape, it stains floors!)

The concept of the maze helps kids think about how there is a start and a finish — with multiple different paths and turns they can take, but only one way to complete the maze. Jesus says that he is the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE — let's encourage the children to follow his way today!

Labyrinth activities for kids
Finger Labyrinths
Working with the Labyrinth This book offers ideas and examples of labyrinths in use in various situations: arts, community and social settings; schools, colleges and universities; a hospice, and a secure hospital; counselling, psychotherapy and well-being; churches, retreats and interfaith contexts. (Di Williams is one of the leading UK Labyrinth trainers)
Lego maze prayers

Source: Flame creative

Maze

We have put together two different mazes for you to try -- a medium level one, and a more advanced level one! Find the symbols as you navigate your way through the maze.

way_truth_life_maze.pdf
File Size:	50 kb
File Type:	pdf

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"I am the way" compass

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.
The craft instructions are on Ashley Hackshaw's Lil Blue Boo website, here: https://www.lilblueboo.com/2015/11/diy-ornament-ideas-vintage-compass.html

Media

The Holy Spirit is promised (John 14:15-21)

In today's story, Jesus promises that he will send the Holy Spirit to his disciples.

Introduction to the Holy Spirit

With Pentecost being celebrated in 2 weeks time, today is a great time to introduce children to the idea of the Holy Spirit. Often the most difficult person in the trinity to explain, the children can know that God the Father sends us the Holy Spirit to help us and will always be with us. The Spirit will show us what is true. The Holy Spirit is with us and will keep on living in us.

Use the dove and flame prayer template from Strandz to talk about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us power, wisdom, and peace.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Read John 14:15-21 together
What idea or phrase in the reading caught your attention?

Watch
Watch this Bible Project YouTube clip together and consider “What ideas are new or surprising?”
(This video is suitable for older kids, and might be a little complex for younger kids,, but they might enjoy watching it anyway)

Discuss

Each share one idea that was new or surprising to you.
Why do you think God might have brought that to your attention today? and/or
What might God be teaching us about Himself and His spirit?
How have you seen the Gods Spirit at work this week?

Gospel Conversations

Another great video from the Diocese of Dunedin. This week Jesus speaks to us of love and of the coming of the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, Comforter - and challenger. We have a fine mix of accents today: American, Australian and a tinge of Wales! But for once our panellists found a lot in common in our Gospel reading, as Jesus gives us both a command and deep reassurance.

Dove and flame prayers

dove_flame_prayers.pdf
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Comfort prayer stations

In advance, set up prayer stations around the room. The signs include

Pray for someone making a decision who needs comfort
Pray for someone at home who needs comfort
Pray for someone at school who needs comfort
Pray for a friend who needs comfort
Pray for a yourself if you need comfort
Pray for somewhere in the world that needs comfort

Talk to the children about how the Holy Spirit can bring comfort to people. He is always with us and will never leave us. Can the think of different people who need God's comforting Holy Spirit today?

Give children time to go to different stations and say a prayer out loud, draw a picture or say a silent prayer.

comfort_prayer_stations.pdf
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Prayer - the work of the Spirit

Dear Jesus
Before going up to heaven you promised to send your Holy Spirit to finish your work on earth. Please help us welcome the work of your spirit, in each of us.
Give us your understanding so we can see the world through your eyes.
Give us your wisdom so we can recognise you at work and choose to work with you, on the things that last forever.
Give us your courage so that with your help, we will not give up.
Teach us to wonder and delight in all you have created.
Teach us gratefulness, so we will always be thankful for all that you do, in and through us.
Teach us to love all people, just like you do.
Amen

Holy Spirit flames

A sheet to colour in, or print on card and use as a craft item. Ideas include:

Bonfire -- Taping several flames to a strip of card, glued end to end to make a circle, making a little bonfire
Flame caps -- measure strips of card to go around the circumference of the child's head. Staple together, and stick on flame shapes. You can print the flame on colour card, or colour in.
Colouring sheet
Cut out enough flames to hand out to everyone in church as they finish the service, as an encouragement for the week ahead.

holy_spirit_john_14.pdf
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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

Visio Lectio

Gospel Conversations

We are so thankful for the Diocese of Dunedin, who take time talk through the gospel passages each week. They write: "The lectionary is giving us time over this Easter period to reflect with Jesus and his disciples on what it all means. 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? Gillian, Judy and David join Michael to puzzle it out together."