14 June 2026
Bible readings for today
Liturgical Colour: GREEN Today we also mark Disabilities Awareness Sunday in the church calendar. |
CollectAlmighty God,
by your grace alone we are accepted and called to your service; strengthen us by your Holy Spirit and empower our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. E te Atua kaha rawa, mā tōu aroha noa anake e whakaae i a mātou hei kaimahi māu; mā tōu Wairua Tapu hoki mātou e whakakaha, e whakamana i tāu i karanga i a mātou. Ko Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Ariki. Āmine. |
Jesus sends out the 12 - Matthew 9:35-10:8
About this passageThe disicples were Jesus' whānau, and they had already travelled with him on foot through Galilee. They had been there in the tough times, and had listened to him teach, share and encourage. They had watched him live by example, as the Son of God, walking and talking with him each day. And now it was their turn to go and try it alone. They still needed guidance, patience and tenderness as they trusted him to step out in faith, and he gave them the Holy Spirit to be with them.
Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: “Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously." IntroductionMinistry-to-children.com have a good ice-breaker for today's passage. Read out the examples of things listed, and brainstorm whether they are to be done by the “Original Disciples” or “Disciples Living Now” e.g. cleanse lepers, work at the hospital, teach someone English, don't travel with a backpack, become a scientist.
Interactive Bible Stories
Gospel PlaneAn origami paper plane activity that helps unpack evangelism with children. Source and Instructions: Let the Little Children Come
Visio LectioA linocut print from Rev. Sarah West, from Visio Lectio - shared with permission
PNG Download Download w/ background Terms of Use 
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Gospel ConversationsWe're getting well into "Ordinary Time" now and it's time to start thinking about what we DO in response to all we've remembered and celebrated throughout Easter and Pentecost. The harvest is plentiful, apparently! Join Jonathan, Esther and - for the first time - Wendy as they and Michael ponder together what it might mean for us, today, to be sent out to work the fields.
Discussion Questions
Dominoes object lessonAn object lesson using dominoes to share how one Christian kid telling their friend about Jesus can have ripples across the world. A good introduction to evangelism!
Memory gameThis game would work well with a small group of children. Ask a child to think about something they would take with them on a journey. Begin the sentence with "I'm going on a journey, and I need to take _______. The next person in the circle repeats this, and adds on their own item. "I"m going on a journey, and I need to take ____ and ____. Repeat around the circle.
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Media
These videos are on the topic of the disciples of Jesus, which help provide context for this passage from the Gospel of Matthew
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The Three Visitors (Genesis 18:1-15)
Intergenerational WorshipAn intergenerational resource from the Intergen Australia that looks at the significance of this story in Genesis, where God changes the name of Abram and Sarai, to Abraham and Sarah, and they offer hospitality to strangers. Sarah laughs at the unbelievable promise of God.
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Disability Awareness Sunday
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Inclusive ministry is ministry that enables, empowers, and engages all people within the worshiping community, regardless of ability. This stems from a belief that God has created us as equally valued people in God’s image... It may be summarized in the motto, “ministry by and with people with disabilities” in contrast to “ministry for people with disabilities.” It is opening the doors of the church to include those with disabilities to fully participate in the life of the body of Christ. (https://disabilityandfaith.org/)
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Disability Awareness Sunday is an opportunity to be intentional about disability awareness within the Church. It is also about celebrating people with disabilities in their gifts and recognising that we are all valuable members of the Body of Christ. The 2025 theme is 'Respect'.
We want 'Respect' to shape the fundamental way we interact with every person. 'Respect' goes far beyond seven letters; to help us explore this concept, we've selected three key-words we think help to put 'Respect' into practice. The three words are: Equal: We need to treat each other with kindness and equal importance. Value: We all have an inherent value as humans made in God’s image. Dignity: We all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. (Elevate Christian Disability Trust) General Resources
My Body is Not a Prayer Request by Amy Kenny (book)
"Much of the church has forgotten that we worship a disabled God whose wounds survived resurrection, says Amy Kenny. It is time for the church to start treating disabled people as full members of the body of Christ who have much more to offer than a miraculous cure narrative and to learn from their embodied experiences. Written by a disabled Christian, this book shows that the church is missing out on the prophetic witness and blessing of disability. Kenny reflects on her experiences inside the church to expose unintentional ableism and cast a new vision for Christian communities to engage disability justice. She shows that until we cultivate church spaces where people with disabilities can fully belong, flourish, and lead, we are not valuing the diverse members of the body of Christ. Here is an Facebook Live interview with Amy Kelly Soujourners Article (Amy Kenny) Tools for Church ChangeEverybody Welcome: A guide on how to make your church disability friendly (Elevate Christian Disability Trust)
Luke14 Training (CBM Australia) - Free training to equip you and your community. Supporting people with disabilities in your church (PHAB Pasifika, in partnership with Le Va) - includes four A2 posters featuring young Pasifika people with their messages of inclusion. 
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Kids & Families ResourcesBe All In: A Ministry Guide for Special Needs Inclusion in Children's Ministry (Lifeway)
Including Children with Disabilities in the Life of the Church (Discipleship Ministries UMC) - quite an old resource now but has some great practical suggestions for both big picture values and nitty gritty of curriculum, activities, and behaviour. 10 Practical Ways to Make Your Kids’ Ministry Disability Friendly (Ministry Spark) A simple reflection tool (Erik Carter) - a resource for schools, but you could replace the word 'student' with 'children' and reflect on how you are creating a space for all children to belong in your churches. What you need to know about my son's special needs (Childrensministry.com) - Article from a mum. Disability Awareness Sunday resourcesIdeas for marking Disability Awareness Sunday (Elevate Christian Disability Trust) - includes some that would be suitable for children's programs or intergenerational settings.
UK Disability Awareness Sunday Resources for 2024 & 2025 (Through The Roof) Kids TalksJesus and Bartimaeus (The Presbyterian Outlook) - In this lesson, children will explore the story of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) and they’ll consider where and how God is calling them to enable inclusion of all God’s people in Christ’s church.
Children's BookThe Big Wide Welcome is a book by Trill Newbell, and published by the Good Book Company.
This beautiful hardback Bible storybook for 3-6-year-olds uses the Bible’s teaching on favoritism from James chapter 2 to encourage children to love and welcome people regardless of their wealth, personality, or background, just like Jesus does. Download a "Our churches should be big-wide-welcome places – places where there are no favorites, and everyone is loved" colouring sheet 
Conversation starters(Elevate Christian Disability Trust)
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Media
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For those on facebook you might like to check out this wee video for kids (Salvation Army Australia)
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Psalm 116
SongPsalm 116 from Mission House
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