8 November 2026
Bible readings for today
Liturgical Colour: GREEN Today is also marked as Rememberance Sunday |
CollectFather,
let us not serve you grudgingly like slaves, but with the gladness of children who delight in you and rejoice in their work; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. E te Matua, kaua mātou āu pononga e tukua kia amuamu, engari i runga i ngā harikoa a te tamariki e hari nei mōu, e mahi ana i roto i te ngākau koa. Ko Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Kaihoko. Āmine. |
The parable of the bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13)
In our reading today Jesus warns us to be prepared to meet him.
Parable of the bridesmaids bible storyDiscussion questions
Quick questions
Gospel ConversationsSome weeks it is harder than others to find good news in the Gospel passage. The parable of the five wise and five foolish " bridesmaids" is definitely an example of that. Is it as bad, as harsh, as terrifying as it seems? Or can we look for grace even in this sternest of parables? Michael Godfrey is joined this week by three familiar faces: Trish Franklin, Jonathan Gale, and Anne van Gend.
Simon saysUse the game of "Simon Says" to introduce the theme of being alert and awake from today's passage.
Choose one person to be Simon and stand at the front. Simon calls out instructions to the group. “Simon says jump up and down.” Or “Simon says turn around”. The idea is that every time “Simon” says something everyone has to do it. But if Simon says, “Jump up and down” without first saying “Simon says”, then no one should do it. If someone does something that Simon didn’t say to do, they have to sit down. The last one in the game, wins. Lantern craftWhat you need
Construction paper, scissors, tape, glue sticks, rules, pens. What you do Make paper lanterns following the step below. Then invite the kids to decorate them and write Matthew 25:13 on the handle.
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AdventToday's story is about being ready, being prepared. It ties in really well with the concept of Advent and being ready for Jesus' birth. Think about how you can talk about ways we can get ready for Christmas, and how we can 'be ready' for when Jesus comes back again.
Ready relay
Introduce the theme of being "ready" from today's passage by playing this simple packing relay game
In today's passage there were two groups of bridesmaids. Those that were ready and had packed all that they needed and those that weren't and had to go shopping for what they'd forgotten. Whilst they were shopping they missed out on the very thing they were waiting for! When we go on holiday we have to be ready...ask the children what things they might need to pack for their holidays. Today we're going to have a "packing relay".... Materials: 2 Suitcases or backpacks, enough holiday items (such as sunglasses, suncream, shorts, jandals, sun-hat, toothpaste, hairbrush, camera, beach towel, bucket and spade) for two groups. Divide the group into two teams or if working with pre-schoolers just have children line up in one group. Place a back pack or suitcase for each team at the end of the room. Have each team line up behind their pile of things to pack. When you say go, the teams must race one by one to take an item and place it in the backpack/suitcase. The person to take the last item up to the backpack/suitcase must put the backpack on and race back to their team. The first team to have their bag packed and ready to go are the winners. For preschoolers simply have them take an item one-by-one to place in the suitcase. Ready, set, wait!Ministry to Children have some great ideas on this page -- including games, crafts and lesson ideas
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We will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25)
Who will you serve?Joshua challenges the Israelites in this passage in Joshua, asking them to choose who they will serve. Their idols? Their other foreign gods? Or will they serve the one and only God? Joshua asks them to make a decision, and witnesses their choice to serve God alone.
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