Parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21)
This week Jesus reminds us to remember that knowing and loving Him is the very best thing of all!
Input for leaders
Visio Lectio
Thanks to Visio Lectio for this stunning image this week. Used here with permission from the illustrator, Rev. Sarah West. PNG Download Terms of Use |
Gospel Conversations 2025: Things definitely get challenging when Jesus starts talking about money. On the whole we'd much rather think about our inner spiritual life than any practical risk or sacrifice on a finanical level. So it's good to talk about it - to take out the difficulties as well as the promises and look at them together. Kelvin Wright is filling in for Michael this week, and is joined by Esme Macdonald from Lauder, Gillian Townsley from St Hilda's School, and Mannie Marara from Hadlow in Masterton.
Gospel Conversations 2022: Join us as we tease out the challenging parable of the rich fool. Here is practical love and practical faith for today.
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Intergenerational Worship
Ordinary Time Year C 2025 Intergenerational Worship Series
(Angela Blundell, Auckland Dio Intergenerational Ministry) This resource has 8 weeks of worship ideas to help your community connect to God and each other through worship, sharing and creativity. 
A collection of resources and ideas (Intergen Australia)
Written and compiled by Chris Barnett, Rev Sandy Brodine. Bible references: Colossians, Luke, Psalms. Quick Questions
Games & ActivitiesStarter Activity (Gospel Light) - Let’s play an add-on game. The category is, “What’s in my garage?” Each of you must remember the list and add one item of your own. Start by saying, In my garage I have a (bike). When finished, say "Today’s story is about a man whose barn—kind of like our garages—was full! Listen to hear what Jesus said about the man".
Shoe Grab (resourceforkidsministry.com) - scroll down for this active fun game! Money race (Sermons 4 Kids) Divide kids into two or more teams, with each team getting a money box or bag. Get kids to turn around or close their eyes while you scatter play money around the classroom. When you say GO, the children will try to gather as much money as possible in the time given and place it in their box or bag. When the time is up, get kids back into their team. Then surprise them by telling the kids to switch bags and unselfishly give their bag of collected money to the other team. Let the teams count the money and see who has the most from the race! Then tell children that they all are winners because they shared their money with others! Talk about - how did it feel when you won or lost? How did it feel when I told you to swap bags? Why? What is important to you? Scavenger hunt Hide slips of paper with a selfish or unselfish idea written on it around the room. Give them a minute to find as many as they can. Then get kids to read out what is on their slip of paper one at a time and discuss why it is unselfish or selfish. Bubble Blessings (Sermons 4 Kids) Take the kids outside and let them blow some soap bubbles. Talk about how God gives us good things - and tell them that each bubble stands for something good that God gives us. Take turns naming the blessings God has given us - how long can you go before you repeat yourself?! Sundae Share Give the children all of the fixings to make an ice cream sundae! But tell them they are not making it for themselves but for someone else. When they have finished get them to give it to another child. SAFETY NOTE: Be aware of food allergies. Discuss how it felt to make and give to someone else. Did they work harder or less hard knowing someone else was going to get it? Why? What if you were making one for Jesus? Do we need it or want it? (Bible Fun for Kids) - a printable that explore the difference between needs and wants using haybale printouts. (scroll down to get to the activity download) Needs vs. Wants Collages (Kids Bible Lessons) Children cut out magazine pictures of things and work with their table or small group to glue them on large piece of poster board divided into two columns titled needs/wants. Talk about - What is a need? What is a want? What’s the difference? Is it ok to get things we want? Are there people who don’t have their “needs”? I wonder how God feels about people’s needs and wants? Perspective image craft (Jesus without Language) Build the rich fool's barn game (Jesus without Language) Hungry Hippo Board Game (Flame Creative) |
Kids TalksThe Rich Young Fool (Kids Church Ideas) - Full lesson plans for varying ages
A fool and his money (Sermons 4 Kids) - looking at Jesus' warning against selfishness and greed using marshmallows as an illustration. The parable of the rich man - on distraction (RFour) - Ask, Tell, Share. The rich fool (resourceforkidsministry.com) - Being rich toward God is more important than the stuff we have. You can't take it with you (Ministry to children) Don't be greedy, help the needy! (Sermonwriter) In today’s reading, Jesus told the crowd a story to teach them what happens when they spend all their time and energy working for things in the world instead of working towards the things of heaven. How many of you have something that you really want? Maybe a toy or new clothing or something else? (Pause for answers) I know there are things that I would really like to have, like a new car or a trip to France . It’s normal for us to want things, and that’s what the man in the reading wanted too. But there is a problem with getting what we want isn’t there? If we spend all our time working to get the next new thing, then what time do we have left for Jesus? If Jesus is our friend, then shouldn’t we spend time getting to know him and hanging out with him? I want to make something clear; it’s ok to have things you like. Jesus doesn’t want to feel bad about having a nice dress or a new toy. But it’s not ok if you spend all your time worrying about things and no time with Jesus. How would you feel if your friends didn’t want to spend time with you because they would rather play with their new toys? (Pause) I would feel pretty sad. I would probably feel like they didn’t like me anymore. So what are some things that you can do to make sure that you balance playtime with time with Jesus? (Pause) Well, I think maybe you could set aside a particular time of the day that you spend time praying, or you could try to write down once a day things that you did that were being a friend to Jesus e.g. helped someone with school work they were struggling with, shared my toys, etc. There are lots of ways of making time for Jesus in your life, you just have to find a way that works for you. And you always have helpful adults around like me and your family that can help you to find what works for you. Preschool PlayShare the Story
Use props to tell the story. E.g. a jar or bag with rice or oats or wheat), a toy barn or blocks to build one with, a toy person. Farmyard Play - Set out story props e.g. duplo/plastic/wooden animals and people, a barn, some yellow blocks to represent hay. Things to chat about - the story and what happened. Scoop and Pour Sensory Rice Bin (Play to Learn Preschool) Add some scoops, spoons, containers, pouring items to a container full of uncooked rice. For more interest you can dye the rice or add herbs to make it smell nice. Talk about - how MUCH rice is there? Is there enough for everyone? Is there enough to share? What else do we have we can share? NOTE: Be aware that Maori tikanga (and some other cultures) don't use food items in play, so be sensitive to your community. Bubble Blessings Take the kids outside and let them blow some soap bubbles. Talk about how God gives us good things - and tell them that each bubble stands for something good that God gives us. Talk about: Take turns naming the blessings God has given us - how long can you go before you repeat yourself?! 
Pray it!Pipe-cleaner prayers
Give each kids a pipe-cleaner
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Treasure in Heaven (Luke 12:32-40)
Gospel ConversationThanks to Dunedin Diocese for another Gospel Conversations. We live in anxious times, so what does it mean for Jesus to tell us not to fear? We are aware especially of the anxiety levels in our young people, so it is fortunate that in today's conversation Archdeacon Michael and Bishop Kelvin are joined by two school chaplains: Rev. Mannie Marara joining us for the first time from Hadlow School in Masterton, and Rev. Lucy Flatt returning to our conversations from Craighead School in Timaru.
Luke 12:32-40 AdaptedOnce again, Jesus was talking to his disciples to encourage them.
He said: "Don’t be afraid! God wants to give you the Kingdom! Sell everything you have and give the money to people who need it more than you. Make yourselves moneybags that will never wear out. You need to make sure that your treasure is safe in heaven, where thieves cannot steal it and moths cannot destroy it, because your heart will always be where your treasure is. Be ready like children who wait for their friends to come over for a visit. As soon as they arrive, the children open the door and let their friends in and make their friend feel really welcome. Be ready always, because you never know when the Son of God will come to visit." Quick Questions
Treasure BagPreparation
Get a pillowcase and fill it full of ‘treasure’ (paper clips, cellotape, string, etc) You also need a list (that only you can see) of all the things. What to do Get each child to put their hands in the pillowcase and without taking anything out, get them to guess what one of the items in the bag is. If they guess right, tick the item off the list. Either see how long it takes them to guess everything. Or let everyone have one turn, and then tip out the contents to find out what they missed out. Treasure TrayPreparation
On a tray, put lots of different things. Eg pencil, scissors, envelope, feathers, string, paper, etc. Also a piece of paper with ‘Your heart will always be where your treasure is” Cover it with a cloth. What to Do
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Visio LectioThanks to Rev. Sarah West for this week's gospel illustration, shared with permission.
PNG Download Terms of Use 
Moth ConfessionThe most common species of clothes moths in Australia and New Zealand are webbing clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella) and casemaking clothes moths (Tinea pellionella). Adults of both species have golden-coloured wings and are just over half a centimetre long. Clothes moths eat a wide range of animal fabrics, but primarily fabrics containing wool. They will also damage fur, silk, feather and leather.
In this gospel reading, we are reminded to store up our treasures where moths cannot eat them. As a confession, hang up an old woolen coat or jumper and print off some of the moth prints above. Take some time to think through the things that we have accidentally or intentionally stored up that can get in the way of us following Jesus. Perhaps they are items, activities, emotions, stories or relationships. Pin the moth onto the coat/top as a way of asking for forgiveness and receiving God's grace anew. Treasure bag
What you need: Fabric, double sided tape, ribbon or string, treasure bag template, treasure coins template, things to decorate with.
To make the bag:
To make the coins:
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Activity ideas
- Science activity (Ikidmin)
- Treasure box craft (Emma Tovey)
- Bible verse craft (Mom for all seasons)
- DIY Treasure maps and hunts
- Dig for treasure in sand
- DIY treasure stones (Oh Amanda)
- I spy treasure bottle (Life with God's grace)
Interpreting the Time (Luke 12:49-56)
Gospel ConversationsOne of the strengths and difficulties of working with a lectionary is that we don't get to choose the readings we preach on. We have to deal with the difficult ones as well as the ones that make us feel good. Gillian, Andrew and Natalie from the Dunedin Diocese bravely tackle one of these difficult ones with Michael today, and give us plenty of food for thought.
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Visio LectioThanks to Rev. Sarah West for this week's illustration from Visio Lectio. Shared with permission. (PNG Download, Terms of Use)
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