3 August 2025
Bible readings for todayRCL
St Stephen, the first Christian Martyr (if not celebrated on December 26)
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CollectE te Atua o te ao katoa
nāu ngā tāonga tuku iho o tēnei whenua ataahua me ōna hua; meinga mātou ki te manaaki i ēnei painga kia whakamīharo ai te whakatupuranga mō ngā tāonga i whakarerea mai e mātou ki a rātou; Ko Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Ariki. Āmine. God of all the earth, you have given us the heritage of this good and fertile land; grant that we may so respect and use it that others may thank us for what we leave to them; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
Parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21)
This week Jesus reminds us to remember that knowing and loving Him is the very best thing of all!
Input for leaders
Visio Lectio
Thanks to Visio Lectio for this stunning image this week. Used here with permission from the illustrator, Rev. Sarah West. PNG Download Terms of Use |
Gospel Conversations 2025: Things definitely get challenging when Jesus starts talking about money. On the whole we'd much rather think about our inner spiritual life than any practical risk or sacrifice on a finanical level. So it's good to talk about it - to take out the difficulties as well as the promises and look at them together. Kelvin Wright is filling in for Michael this week, and is joined by Esme Macdonald from Lauder, Gillian Townsley from St Hilda's School, and Mannie Marara from Hadlow in Masterton.
Gospel Conversations 2022: Join us as we tease out the challenging parable of the rich fool. Here is practical love and practical faith for today.
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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 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 Chris Barnett, Rev Sandy Brodine. Bible references: Colossians, Luke, Psalms. Quick Questions
Games & ActivitiesStarter Activity (Gospel Light) - Let’s play an add-on game. The category is, “What’s in my garage?” Each of you must remember the list and add one item of your own. Start by saying, In my garage I have a (bike). When finished, say "Today’s story is about a man whose barn—kind of like our garages—was full! Listen to hear what Jesus said about the man".
Shoe Grab (resourceforkidsministry.com) - scroll down for this active fun game! Money race (Sermons 4 Kids) Divide kids into two or more teams, with each team getting a money box or bag. Get kids to turn around or close their eyes while you scatter play money around the classroom. When you say GO, the children will try to gather as much money as possible in the time given and place it in their box or bag. When the time is up, get kids back into their team. Then surprise them by telling the kids to switch bags and unselfishly give their bag of collected money to the other team. Let the teams count the money and see who has the most from the race! Then tell children that they all are winners because they shared their money with others! Talk about - how did it feel when you won or lost? How did it feel when I told you to swap bags? Why? What is important to you? Scavenger hunt Hide slips of paper with a selfish or unselfish idea written on it around the room. Give them a minute to find as many as they can. Then get kids to read out what is on their slip of paper one at a time and discuss why it is unselfish or selfish. Bubble Blessings (Sermons 4 Kids) Take the kids outside and let them blow some soap bubbles. Talk about how God gives us good things - and tell them that each bubble stands for something good that God gives us. Take turns naming the blessings God has given us - how long can you go before you repeat yourself?! Sundae Share Give the children all of the fixings to make an ice cream sundae! But tell them they are not making it for themselves but for someone else. When they have finished get them to give it to another child. SAFETY NOTE: Be aware of food allergies. Discuss how it felt to make and give to someone else. Did they work harder or less hard knowing someone else was going to get it? Why? What if you were making one for Jesus? Do we need it or want it? (Bible Fun for Kids) - a printable that explore the difference between needs and wants using haybale printouts. (scroll down to get to the activity download) Needs vs. Wants Collages (Kids Bible Lessons) Children cut out magazine pictures of things and work with their table or small group to glue them on large piece of poster board divided into two columns titled needs/wants. Talk about - What is a need? What is a want? What’s the difference? Is it ok to get things we want? Are there people who don’t have their “needs”? I wonder how God feels about people’s needs and wants? Perspective image craft (Jesus without Language) Build the rich fool's barn game (Jesus without Language) Hungry Hippo Board Game (Flame Creative) |
Kids TalksThe Rich Young Fool (Kids Church Ideas) - Full lesson plans for varying ages
A fool and his money (Sermons 4 Kids) - looking at Jesus' warning against selfishness and greed using marshmallows as an illustration. The parable of the rich man - on distraction (RFour) - Ask, Tell, Share. The rich fool (resourceforkidsministry.com) - Being rich toward God is more important than the stuff we have. You can't take it with you (Ministry to children) Don't be greedy, help the needy! (Sermonwriter) 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. Preschool PlayShare the Story
Use props to tell the story. E.g. a jar or bag with rice or oats or wheat), a toy barn or blocks to build one with, a toy person. Farmyard Play - Set out story props e.g. duplo/plastic/wooden animals and people, a barn, some yellow blocks to represent hay. Things to chat about - the story and what happened. Scoop and Pour Sensory Rice Bin (Play to Learn Preschool) Add some scoops, spoons, containers, pouring items to a container full of uncooked rice. For more interest you can dye the rice or add herbs to make it smell nice. Talk about - how MUCH rice is there? Is there enough for everyone? Is there enough to share? What else do we have we can share? NOTE: Be aware that Maori tikanga (and some other cultures) don't use food items in play, so be sensitive to your community. Bubble Blessings Take the kids outside and let them blow some soap bubbles. Talk about how God gives us good things - and tell them that each bubble stands for something good that God gives us. Talk about: Take turns naming the blessings God has given us - how long can you go before you repeat yourself?! 
Pray it!Pipe-cleaner prayers
Give each kids a pipe-cleaner
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