25 August 2024

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Bible readings for today

Collect

• 1 Kings 8:1, 6, 10-11, 22-30, 41-43
• Psalms 84:1-12
• Ephesians 6:10-20
• John 6:56-69

Liturgical Colour: GREEN
Today is Anglican Communion Sunday

E te Atua o Īharaira te tawhito me te mea hou,
tuhia ki ō mātou ngākau ngā whakahau o āu ture;
whakatikaina ō mātou hinengaro kia mau ki te rongopai e whakatinanatia i roto i tāu Tama i a Īhu Karaiti.
Āmine. 

God of Israel old and new,
write in our hearts the lessons of your law;
prepare our minds to receive the gospel
made visible in your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen. 

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Jesus the Bread of Life (John 6:56-69)

Today's gospel reading looks at how the bread and wine of communion remind us of the body and blood of Jesus. Many of Jesus' disciples begin to leave him when things get tough.  Last week we looked at lots of bread of life resources and ideas, some of which can be adapted for today. Check those out here.

Art & The Last Supper 

Art is a wonderful way for kids to explore and express their understanding of stories and scripture and connect it to what is happening in their lives.

You might like to share some different artistic expressions of the Last Supper with your kids. Just google 'The Last Supper artwork' and you'll find many depictions. Try and choose a range of styles and cultures. Wonder about:

• What do you notice?
• Which is your favourite? Why?
• What is the same? What is different?

Offer the kids art materials and the opportunity to create!
- What would a painting of communion at your church look like?
- If you were having a party with Jesus, what would it look like?

​Abstract Last Supper by ArtsybyElle

Visio Divina - listening to God

Visio Divina is the thoughtful contemplation of a picture, photo, work of art, or really anything visual that invites God to speak to us. Visio Divina can be done in a group with others or practiced alone. And it works for any age too! 
Here are a few tips for getting started with kids

• (Before) Find inspiration - try artwork, photos, an illustrated kids bible, a google search. Or try the Formatio resource from Rev. Brad Wood which shares imagery and themes from the cultural contexts of Aotearoa and Polynesia. 
• ​Open with a prayer asking God to speak to you. Then place out the picture you have chosen.
• Notice your first impressions - it might be a small detail, a colour, a part of the picture. 
• Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings.
• Listen for God's voice. 
• Offer space for the children to share if they wish. (You may also choose to share in between each step).
• Offer space for the children to respond if they wish - possibly through creating their own art.

A print from Revd Sarah West, from Visio Lectio. Shared with permission, please see her website for terms of use. 
PNG Download
Download w/ background
Terms of Use

Leaders input

Gospel Conversations 2024: We're still in John's Gospel and still talking about the bread! Gillian, Jeremy, Richard and Michael delve deep into why this passage means so much to us, before we head back to the Gospel of Mark next week.

​Gospel Conversations 2021: Michael Godfrey talks with Lisa Emerson, Richard Johnson and Gary Griffith-Smith about the challenges and promises surrounding Jesus' difficult instructions to "eat my flesh and drink my blood." Anyone not brought up in the Christian faith could be justifiably horrified to hear that read from the Bible. What do we do with it?

​Scripture Reflections

"It’s sad that Christians have turned v. 65 into a resounding negative. “No one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father” is often intoned as a “so tough luck, the rest of you.” It need not be.  There are myriad ways beyond our understanding by which the Father can nudge humans to a way of faith. Our task is primarily to live with some integrity the way to which God has nudged us, and leave others in the loving care of God." - Rev. Michael Godfrey

Memory verse

"You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God" - John 6:68

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The Armour of God (Ephesians 6: 10-20) 

Lesson Plans

Three words: aluminum foil armor! This is a fun lesson that gets kids involved in exploring what the Bible says about the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20.
Kids work in groups to read and discuss what spiritual armor is used for, and then use craft materials (aluminum foil, poster board, and tape, mostly) to make life-size models of a piece of armor.
Includes question pages for discussing each part of the armour and then making the armour.

​The Armour of God ​Salvation Army lesson plan that includes some teaching ideas, questions, fun activities and interactive learning. Find it here.

Make your own easy DIY armour to show the kids.

Easy Object Lessons

• Armoured oranges
• Wibbly Wobbly Weebles
• Protecting important things

Activities

• Printable Helmet (Crafting the Word of God)
• Printable Breastplate (Crafting the Word of God)
• Printable Shield (Crafting the Word of God)
• Printable Sword of the Spirit (Crafting the Word of God)
• ​Snack (3 Cherry Cokes)
• Waterpistol Game (Bible Baton)
• Make your own Armour (Free Time Frolics)
• Sword Games (Creative Bible Studies)
• Nerf Gun Idea  (One She Two She)
• Shoes of the Gospel Obstacle Course (The Littles and Me)

Lollipop Soldier

The idea is from a Dutch website, Trak Tatie and while there are no english instructions, you can see how easy it is to make it
You will need

• Printed out templates from here
• Enough lollipops for one per child
• A feather
• Sellotape (bluetack optional) 
• Scissors

What you do

• Cut out the heads of the soldiers on the template and tape onto the lolly stick, along with a feather.
• Cut out the feet and tape to the bottom of the round lolly. You could fold the tape into a circle, or use blueback if that's easier. 

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Intergenerational Worship

Intergen Australia have some resources for exploring the Armour of God, written and compiled by Rev Beth Nicholls. 

Intergenerational Stories

The armour of God is for all ages! Why not use this opportunity to ask other generations to share how they have needed God's armour in their lives. Consider inviting a couple other people to share their stories -- from kids, intermediates, teenagers, young adults, adults, seniors. You could film their responses and create a video for your whole church to be encouraged by the faithfulness of all generations. ​

Minecraft Soldier

We loved the Mylittlehouse.org nativity set they did a few years ago, which are similar in style to Minecraft figures. 

Here they have an Armour of God soldier to make. They're not the simplest of things to construct, but good for kids who like a challenge. Perhaps provide them with the materials to start at church and finish at home, if you're limited with time. 
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You can download the template here

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Armour of God illustrations

​There are some beautiful Armour of God illustrations and worksheets on the mighty interweb, and these are some of our favourites:
Armour of God -- girl in armour to colour in, from Melonheadz Blog.

​There are also some great Armour of God printable sheets from Religious Doodles.

Media

These videos below talk more about how the armour of God defends us against the work of the devil/satan. You may like to watch them first before deciding if they are appropriate for your children.