13 June 2021

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Bible readings for today

• 1 Samuel 15:34; 16:1-13
• Psalms 20:1-9
• 2 Corinthians 5:6-17
• Mark 4:26-34

Collect

Creator God, 
you created the world and all that is in it,
you planted us as seeds into that world; 
may we flourish and grow and in turn sow
seeds of love and compassion, 
justice and truth, hope and faith. 
Through Jesus Christ, 
who is alive and reigns with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God now and for ever. 
Amen

John 20:19-31

Today's story looks at Jesus appearing to his disciples, and how Thomas doubted that he was really the resurrected Jesus. 

A Little Mustard Seed

Have any of you ever seen a mustard seed? (pause for answers) Well, did you know that mustard seeds are sooooo tiny, that you would have trouble trying to hold a single mustards seed in your hand? But the amazing thing is, the tree that the seed eventually grows into is sooooo big, that it's hard to believe it came from such a small seed!
In today's story, Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. What a strange thing to say, what do you think he meant? (pause) Well, I think that Jesus was trying to explain that even one person who lives their life by following Jesus' example, can cause a ripple effect that causes lots of people to meet Jesus and start to follow his example.
Each of us can be like a mustard seed too. Just by being ourselves and following Jesus's example, we too can play a part in being a big mustard tree!!! Exciting huh?!

Godly Play

Here is a video of the Godly Play session for the Parable of the Mustard Seed

Quick Questions

• Why do you think Jesus said that the kingdom is like a tiny mustard seed?
• Can you think of any other examples of things that start out small and turn out big?
• What are some 'small things' that you can do to share with other people about Jesus?

Seed Scramble Game

Today's game is a variation on a lolly scramble!
​What you need: lots of something that represents seeds (e.g. pom poms), and paper cups (1 per child) 
What to do: Explain to the children that you will throw the seeds to them, and they have to try and catch them in their paper cups. 
Variation: You could separate them into pairs and get them to try throwing and catching them to each other.

Gospel Conversations

A great discussion from the Diocese of Dunedin. Tony, Gillian and Anne thoroughly enjoy themselves as they toss around ideas about mustard seeds and seed-scattering, kereru and ploughers - and some bonus Martin Luther. Mark 4:26-34 for Ordinary Sunday 11.