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BIBLE EXPLORE / NEW TESTAMENT / LUKE 

Book of Luke: Chapter 12

Parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21)

Rich Fool Talk

​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.

A fool and his money

Sermons4Kids have a children's sermon for this reading, looking at Jesus' warning against selfishness and greed using marshmallows as an illustration. You can find it here.

Quick Questions

  • What are some of the things that you would like for your birthday?
  • Why do you think it is not OK to spend all your time playing with your toys and no time with friends and family? 
  • What about Jesus?
  • What are some things that you can do to make sure that you balance playtime and God time?

Visio Lectio

Thanks to Visio Lectio for this stunning image this week. Used here with permission from the illustrator, Rev. Sarah West. 
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Activity ideas

Media

Treasure in Heaven (Luke 12:32-40)

Gospel Conversation

Thanks 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 Adapted

Once 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

  • What is important to you, what do you treasure?
  • How do you look after what you treasure?
  • What does Jesus want us to treasure?

Treasure Bag

Preparation
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 Tray

Preparation
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
  • Give every child a piece of paper and a pen. Tell them that you are going to show them a tray of treasures, and that their job is to try and remember as many things that are on the tray as possible. 
  • Show them the tray for two minutes, and then cover it up again. 
  • Now give them another two minutes to write down as many things as they can. 
  • When they have finished, find out who remembered the most, who found it hard, what items were hard to remember. See how many of them remembered the words on the card.

Visio Lectio

Thanks to Rev. Sarah West for this week's gospel illustration, shared with permission.
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Moth Confession

The 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:

  • ​Using the treasure bag template, trace around the template onto a piece of material.
  • Cut out the material.
  • Stick a piece of double sided tape down the two long sides of the material and peel off the backing from the tape.
  • Fold the material in half.

To make the coins:

  • Give each child a lot of treasure coin templates. Get them to write or draw on the back of each coin, what the treasure. E.g. friends, family, things about themselves that they like. Try to encourage them not to write down things.
  • How to use: Get the children to gather after the activity and to sit in a circle. Get them to one at a time place their treasure in the centre. When they all have, say a prayer offering all these good treasures up to God.
  • When the children take them home, encourage them to pray for or add to their treasures

Activity ideas

Interpreting the Time (Luke 12:49-56)

Gospel Conversations

One 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.

Visio Lectio

Thanks to Rev. Sarah West for this week's illustration from Visio Lectio. Shared with permission. (PNG Download, Terms of Use)
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