4 August 2024

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Bible readings for today

Ordinary RCL

• 2 Samuel 11:26-27, 12:1-3
• Psalm 51:1-12
• Ephesians 4:1-16
• John 6:24-35

Liturgical Colour: GREEN

Tranfiguration of the Beloved Lord | Te Whakaahuakētanga o te Tama aroha ​

• Exodus 24:12-18 or Exodus 34:29-35 
• Psalm 97
• 2 Peter 1:16-21 
• Luke 9:28-36 

Liturgical Colour: WHITE

The Transfiguration of the Beloved Son is celebrated on Tuesday, and we have included additional resources below.

Collect

E te Matua i te Rangi,
e kite nei koe i āu tamariki e hiahia ana mō te kai, mō te whanaungatanga me te whakapono.
Āwhinatia mātou kia tutuki ngā ritenga o tēnā o tēnā o te tinana,
te hinengaro me te wairua, i roto i te aroha o te Karaiti tō mātou Kaiwhakaora.
Āmine. 
​
Heavenly Father,
you see how your children hunger for food,
and fellowship and faith.
Help us to meet one another’s needs of body mind and spirit,
in the love of Christ our Saviour.
​Amen. 

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The Bread of Life (John 6:24-35)

In today's story Jesus explains that he is the bread of life and all who come to him will never hunger or thirst.

Note that the Bread of Life activities/talks/games here are repeated for next week. You may wish to do your planning for the next two weeks together so you can split the content over the two weeks. 

Bread Quiz

This is an introductory game to get children thinking about all the different types of bread there are.

What you need: 

• Pen, paper, plates, different types of breads -- you could include a wrap, white bread, rye, sour dough, pretzel, cracker, pita bread, etc. Break off a small piece of each bread, and put on a plate for each group. If appropriate, you could include a communion wafer. 
• Make sure you know the allergy information for your children -- especially those that are gluten free. If you have gluten free children, then perhaps keep this game a as a 'seeing game' rather than a tasting game! 

What you do: 

• Divide the children into groups, with one person designated as the scribe
• Put the plate of different bread types in front of them, and get them to identify what type of breads they are. You could get them to match up different varieties if you wanted, or get them to decide from scratch! (See above re: gluten free children and how this can be a seeing and/or tasting game)
• The group that identifies the most number of breads, wins.

Games

Sandwich relay from ministry-to-children.com

Bread Tasting Contest: Gather lots of different types of bread. Let the kids take turns being blindfolded and see how many types of breads they can identify by tasting. If you have children who are gluten free, make sure you have a separate selection of gluten free breads so they can participate.  

Bread Matching Game - Notice that there are three weeks of bread in the lectionary? So did Flame Creative, who have put together this bread game with printable sheets! Thanks Flame Creative! 

Questions to think about...

• What is your favourite food to eat? What do you like about it?
• Can you name some different types of bread? Which one do you like most? Which have you never tried?
• What do we use the different types of bread for?
• Why do we eat bread?
• Why did Jesus call himself ‘The Bread of Life’?
• Does that mean Jesus was made of bread?
• What do you think eternal life is like?
• Why do you think that Jesus said to work for the food that gives Eternal Life? What is it? Can you think of some examples?​

Kids Talks

 I Am: The Bread of Life  from resourcesforkidsministry.com

Jesus is The Bread of Life from ministry-to-children.com

​*these talks both mention gluten-free and keto diets. It's worth pointing out that even keto and gluten-free diets spend a lot of time trying to replicate 'bread'. Perhaps our bodies crave bread, as our spirits crave Jesus?!

Short Children's Talk
In today's story, Jesus was talking about being the Bread of Life. Does that mean that he wants us to eat him? No! So what does he mean? (Pause for answers) Well, I think that what Jesus really means is to feed on what he teaches about faith and God and being the person that God wants you to be. Why do you go to school? (Pause) For me, the thing about school that I went for was to learn and to feed my mind. Well, I think Jesus wants to feed our souls and minds. Cool aye?!?!

So, what are some ways that you can think of that would be feeding our minds and souls for God? (Pause, maybe come up with a list)
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Well today, we are going to make our own special bread to help us to remember that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Perhaps we can make enough that you could share it with other people as well!

Making Bread

Making food is always a hit with kids! Here's an easy recipe to make bread on a session. Or try this one for authentic unleavened bread.

• With small groups you can make the dough with the kids by premeasuring ingredients into containers and giving each child a container to add to the common mixing bowl.
• With larger groups, make the dough beforehand and then give each child a portion of dough and a rolling pin (or something similar like a jar) to roll into their own flatbread. 
• An electric frying pan is a good way to cook the bread so all kids can see. Use sensible safety precautions! e.g. draw a chalk circle around the floor which children must stay outside of.

Crafts & Activities

Bread Painting - a fun bread activity from Raising Veggie Lovers. Perhaps you could write "bread of life" on the slice...

​Bread of Life Badges

• Grab some safety pins, tape, cardboard, template for badges, scissors, glue and felt etc to decorate
• Download the file: Bread of Life.pdf
• Glue badge templates to the cardboard (you can do this beforehand if you want). Cut out badges. Decorate. Tape a safety pin to the back.

Leaders Input

Gospel Conversations 2024: ​This week we welcome back with great joy Bishop Steve, zooming in from Hull to be with us again. He joins with John Franklin, Anne van Gend and Michael to begin to explore some seriously big mysteries. Who is this Jesus we are seeking? What does it tell us that Jesus is "the bread of life"?

​Gospel Conversations 2021: This week, the Diocese of Dunedin have a vibrant discussion around Jesus as the Bread of Life. Gillian Townsley and John Franklin are joined by Lisa Emerson from Massey University as they dig into what Jesus might have meant in this "I Am" statement, and the many ways in which it can shape our lives today.

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Intergenerational Worship

All-Age Worship Service: I Am The Bread of Life from the Salvation Army.

Intergen Australia have a great collections of resources for exploring the Bread of Life Topic, written and compiled by Rev Beth Nicholls. Make sure you check out their other resources too.

Reflective Colouring Sheet

Creative Bread Prayers

Creative Bread prayers from flamecreative.blogspot.com that could be used in a variety of settings. 

Bread basket prayers

Print out pictures of bread from The Kitchn website and use them as paper to write your prayers on in the church service. People can choose their favourite type of bread, as there is a wide range! 

Extra Collect

Holy God,
you have shown us the bread that never perishes,
you are the bread of life;
may we hunger for that bread above all else
and seek to feed others with your life giving love.
For you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
​Amen

Media

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Spiritual Gifts (Ephesians 4: 1-6)

In Ephesians 4:11, Paul describes the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. And while we all have different spiritual giftings, we are one united body. 

Spiritual Gifts

"The gifts given are people-gifts, people who have been set free by Christ." - Kaye Dyer. Kaye's helpful research project (linked below) has provided some helpful information on these gifts, which are given to everyone:

• Apostles - a representative, messenger or envoy who was sent by a person in authority and given permission to act on behalf of the sender. It comes form the word apostello, which means 'to be sent out'
• Prophets - Prophets in the Old testament were well known, and they acted as God’s mouthpiece and called the people back to covenantal faithfulness. Praying to his Father, Jesus said “I gave them the words you gave me” (John 17:8).
• Evangelists - The one who brings good news. Jesus was the ultimate evangelist, saying in Luke 4:43: "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent"
• Pastors - Jesus is called the great shepherd (Hebrews 13:20) and the shepherd and overseer (1 Peter 2:25)
• Teachers - The teacher’s role is to teach people God’s truth and to help them to live it out in their lives. Jesus was often called Rabbi, a title for a teacher. 

Discover your spiritual gifts in this Five Fold Ministry survey. If you are interested in having a discussion with children about how they fit into these five spiritual gifts, we have completed this survey with 10-13yr olds. An adult can help them fill in the questions together, and it has been interesting to discuss and affirm the giftings they have when they see the results. (Note: This does not need to become a tool to keep them from experiencing and growing into other gifts, it may just be a snapshot of history, but can be a helpful discussion exercise. Use it lightly with kids, and encourage them to redo the test when they are older)

Like a body

Ephesians 4:15 talks about how the church is like a body, with Christ at the head. See also 1 Corinthians 12:12–14

Resources

• Salvation Army children's ministry resources on the Body of Christ
• Sunday School lesson plan

Further Reading
Anglicanism and the Ephesians 4 Gifts: Towards a Leadership Model that Disciples and Equips the Church for Mission - Research project by Kaye Dyer

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The Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36)

When Jesus takes Peter, John, and James up a mountain to pray, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. The Transfiguration is also covered in Mark 9:2-9

What is transfiguration?

The word "transfigured" is a very interesting word. The Greek word is "metamorpho" and it means to transform, literally or figuratively to metamorphose, or to change... In the case of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ it means to match the outside with the reality of the inside. To change the outward so that it matches the inward reality. Jesus' divine nature was "veiled" in human form and the transfiguration was a glimpse of that glory. Therefore, the transfiguration of Jesus Christ displayed the... glory of God incarnate in the Son.

Transfiguration Sunday is the Sunday before Lent. Its position in the Christian year suggests why the Transfiguration was given; to offer encouragement before a time of focused prayer and fasting. 

Changing Appearances

Source: This game was found on the Family Faith Ministry website
Purpose: Play this game to help students begin to think about how Jesus’ appearance changed. 
Supplies: None 

Can you tell when something changes? Sometimes seeing how something has changed is easy and sometimes it is hard. Today, we are going to learn how Jesus’ appearance changed on the mountain. Everyone who was with Jesus noticed the change. Before we discover what happened, let’s play a game to see how well you see changes. 
Directions:

1. Form teams of three or four children.
2. Have all the teams sit on the floor facing the front of the classroom.
3. Have the first team stand in front of the other teams. Tell the seated teams to carefully study the appearance of the standing team. Have them pay special attention to details like clothing, hairstyle, and jewellery.
4. After a minute, send the first team out of the room to secretly choose one thing to change about the appearance of one player on the team. For example, they might turn a hat backwards, put their hair in ponytail, or switch jewelry with another team member.
5. Have the team stand in front of the other teams again.
6. The seated players must guess what change the team made.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 until all teams have had a turn.

Teacher Tip: If playing the game with younger children, either you or an assistant may help the team choose and make a change. 

"I Wonder" questions

• I wonder how Peter, John and James felt when they woke up and saw that Jesus looked different?
• I wonder why Peter wanted to build a shelter for Jesus, Moses and Elijah?
• I wonder why Peter, John and James were quiet after the loud voice said: "This is my chosen Son. Listen to what he says!”
• I wonder what happened next? 
• I wonder what they spoke about between that event, and coming down the mountain the next day?

More discussion questions

"Moses and Elijah were about to leave, when Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But Peter did not know what he was talking about."

• Have you ever felt a bit like Peter? Wanting to keep something for ever, that was only meant to last a short time? Perhaps you found a butterfly and wanted to keep it in a jar for ever, or looked after a bird in a box, but didn't want to say goodbye to it? 
• Have you ever said something that you later regretted? 
• If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? 

Tent building

Tent building is a lot of fun, and can happen outside in the garden or indoors. Here’s how to make a simple tent with blankets or sheets:
What you need:The best thing about building your own tent is that you only need objects you’re likely to have lying around the house already. You may need to pay a quick visit to the garden centre for the bamboo canes!

• A roll of rough string
• Scissors
• 3 x 8ft (2.4m) and 6 x 3ft (90cm) bamboo canes from a garden centre
• Old sheets and blankets
• Pens and card to make a sign for the entrance

What to do: 

• The easiest tent to construct is a simple two-sided prism shape like a triangular Toblerone box! 
• Make a sturdy frame using your canes - lay the 3 longest canes 3 ft (90cm) apart, and attach using the shorter canes and string, until your tent takes shape. 
• Then drape with sheets or blankets, and decorate inside and out with pillows, rugs and pictures, before moving in

Source: Persil

Leaders input

​Gospel Conversations 2023: The Transfiguration is one of the most important feasts for the Orthodox Church, yet can be overlooked in Anglican or Protestant churches. What is it about this story that some Christians find so important? What is it that speaks to the core of our life as followers of Christ? A team from the Dunedin Diocese (Nicki, John, Anne and Michael) talk it through together.

​Gospel Conversations 2022: The Transfiguration is a mysterious and yet vitally important episode in the Gospel story. This week Archdeacon Michael Godfrey is joined by Bishop Kelvin Wright, Dr Lisa Emerson, and the Rev'd Rose Scott for what is often a profound, hopeful and inspiring conversation on Luke's version of the story.

​Transfiguration and Grace: Bishop Eleanor, Assistant Bishop of Wellington until she moved to become Bishop of Hull (UK), shares a short talk about a painting of the transfiguration, as apart of the Wellington Lenten series for 2019

​A Seven Minute podcast sermon from Rev. George Penk, from St Mark's Remuera, on Rhema. 

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Intergenerational worship

This offering written and compiled by Elizabeth Waldron Anstice looks at Transfiguration Sunday and offers an opportunity to keep our feet on the ground and stay conscious of our own humanity knowing that we don’t need bright lights or mountain tops to listen to Jesus.
Downloadable from https://intergen.org.au/

Prayers

Source: Church of Scotland's worship resources, found here
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Dazzling God of the heights and the depths
all Creation is full of Your glory
all the signs are there to read
all the warnings made in love
all the encouragement, all the guidance.

Though the path be steep,
and new ways needed to get there
and things look different;
still, with Christ, we do not face them alone.
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Called together, we can listen
sharing, we can grow
ourselves – but from a new perspective
our world – beloved through the Chosen Son.

Worship Resources

The Church of Scotland has some worship resources and ideas for today, found here

Media

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