20 July 2025
Bible readings for today
Liturgical Colour: GREEN |
CollectE te Atua, te mātāpuna o te hari,
tukua mai tēnā harikoa e kore nei e taea e tētahi te tango atu i a mātou, nō te mea, he mahi hei mahinga whaioranga; i roto i te hari o te whakapono e tutuki ai. E īnoi ai mātou i roto i a te Karaiti tō mātou Kaiwhakaora. Āmine. God of all delight, grant us that joy which none can take from us, of having a work to do, a life to live; that joy in believing which will carry us through. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. |
National Bible SundayThe Bible Society New Zealand have a great range of resources to help unpack the Bible, and the story of Bibles in New Zealand. This year they are celebrating 175 years of the Bible being in New Zealand.
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Ngā Timatanga / Beginnings - the early story of the Bible in New Zealand
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Books to share The Story of GodThe Garden, The Curtain, and The Cross Storybook
Written by Carl Laferton, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri This storybook takes children (and adults!) on a journey from the Garden of Eden to God’s perfect new creation. Beautiful pictures and engaging words.
WOW! The Gospel in Four Words Written by Dandi Daley McKall and illustrated by Annabel Tempest. This whimsical and fun book for preschoolers outlines the big story of the bible in a simple and memorable way (for both adults and kids!).
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Five Ways to Retell a Bible Story with KidsA great way for kids (and adults!) to remember God’s story and to experience it more deeply is to retell it in ways that engage their head, heart, and hands. Check out these easy ideas for retelling a Bible story. (Dwell, Faith Alive)
Conversation startersWhen we start chatting to kids about the stories or bible passages they hear, we can help them dig deeper into it and work out what difference it makes to their everyday lives. Here are some conversation starters you can use with any age. (Parenting for Faith)
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Jesus visits Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)
Input for Leaders![]() Visio Lectio
Another great illustration from Rev. Sarah West, shared with permission here. PNG Download Terms of Use |
Gospel Conversations 2025: Coming soon.
Gospel Conversations 2022: Mary and Martha are fascinating characters in the gospels. We only meet them three times, but those short encounters give us vivid glimpses of this family who were dear to Jesus. This week it is the famous Martha-vs-Mary story with Martha busy and Mary sitting at Jesus' feet.
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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 (from July 6 to Aug 31) 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 Rev Sandy Brodine. Bible references: Colossians, Luke. Kids TalksAt Mary and Martha's (Faith in kids) - A full set of lesson plans which are broken into separate teaching materials for 3-5s, 5-7s, 8-11s and mixed age groups, and include worksheets and handouts for parents to help start the conversation at home. Stand alone session, but can also be used as part of a series of 9 lessons in Luke’s Gospel that explore who Jesus chose to sit and eat with.
Mary & Martha (Kids Church Ideas) Full lesson plans for Kindergarten, Grades 1-3, Grades 4-5 Mary and Martha (Ministry to Children) - Slow down and be…we don't have to earn God's love. The most important thing (Sermons 4 Kids) - Don't forget the main thing! At the feet of Jesus (Sermons 4 Kids) - Keeping our attention on what is important. Jesus invites Martha to be still (RFour) - Ask, Tell, Share Mary & Martha (Mission Bible Class) - emphasis on choosing the most important things. Quick questions![]()
Games & ActivitiesStop Go games
A weeks worth of activities! Discuss how time is spent, and create a chart of ways that kids spend time. What takes up the majority of time? Are there ways that we can make more time for Jesus? Listen listen Have a selection of sounds on your phone. Ask kids to listen and identify each one. Mary and Martha activities (Flame Creative) - includes both reflective activities (e.g. labyrinths, glitter bottles) and kindness/serving with a focus on Jesus. |
Pray it!Listen to Jesus
Spend time with Jesus through art. Think about offering resources for kids to make art too.
Preschool PlayHere are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spend time with God.
Share the Story
Many hands make light work - clean up together You will need a selection of safe cleaning items. Try a carpet sweeper or hand vaccum, some spray bottles with just water in, wiping cloths, small baskets to gather toys etc. Little kids love helping with jobs especially if it's fun. You might like to talk about how if everyone had pitched in before Jesus arrive the jobs would have already been done. At the end of the session after you have prayed together, pop on a fun song and clean up together. Listening Space - Make a quiet space where kids can sit and be with God. You might like to include some books or some reflective activities (Flame Creative). Focus on Jesus binoculars - Make some simple binoculars (Smithsonian) to help us focus. Talk about - distractions, how Martha got distracted from the important thing, what distracts us and how we can focus on what's important. Stop Go games - try some of the Stop Go games from our Games & Activities section. Additional collectGod our home,
in Christ you are always with us; in all our daily activities help us not to be so worried and distracted by many things that we forget the one thing we need, and lose the better part, which will be ours forever; through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. |
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