22 October 2023

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Bible readings for today

• Exodus 33:12-23 
• Psalm 99:1-9
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 
• Matthew 22:15-22​

Liturgical Colour: GREEN

Download new 2023-24 Lectionary

Collect

God of nations, 
help us to reflect and share 
the goodness that surrounds us. 
Help us to win justice for poor and rich alike, 
and bring trust and friendship 
to all our different races; 
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

E te Atua o ngā iwi katoa,
āwhinatia mātou ki te whakaata ki te tohatoha
​hoki i ngā painga e karapoti nei i a mātou.
Āwhinatia mātou kia tohe kia riro mai ai te tika mō te rawakore,
whai rawa rānei, kia noho ko te whakapono me
te whanaungatanga ki waenga i ngā iwi katoa;
ko Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Ariki me tō mātou Kaiwhakaora. 
Āmine. 

Ceasar's Tax (Matthew 22:15-22)

“So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Introduction

In today’s gospel, the Pharisees are trying to trick Jesus into saying something that would get him in trouble. They are trying to trap him, asking questions about whether it is lawful to pay tax to the emperor. Jesus isn't fooled by their words, and asks for a coin. The coin would have had the image of Cesar on it, and an inscription that stated that Cesear was ruler of all. 

His response is: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but give to God what is God’s.” Jesus’ clever response to give back to Caesar his 'idolatrous' coin, and to give to God everything is in keeping with the first commandment, "You should have no other God's but me"

Gospel Conversations

Do you find the story of Jesus being challenged about whether or not to pay taxes a little puzzling? Especially so if you have to build a sermon from it? If so, you have company. Our three conversationalists this week, Jonathan, Peg, Michael and Wendy, wrestle honestly with what we do with Jesus' response and how we can understand it in a way which is meaningful today. I advise you to keep listening through to Wendy's last suggestion - it's a gem!

Give to God... 

If the coin that Jesus showed the Pharisees had Ceasar's face on it, then it must belong to Ceasar. Jesus then talked about how we should give to God what is God's... what belongs to God? Brainstorm ideas. We belong to God! If we are created by God, and we were created in his image, we must belong to God. That means we must give ourselves!

Quick questions

• In the Bible story, The Pharisees try to trick Jesus. What question do they ask him? 
• Why do they show Jesus a coin?
• What picture is on the coin?
• How do you think Jesus answer the question about paying taxes?

Resources

Colouring in (Sermons4Kids)
Games (Sermons4Kids)
Children's Talk (Sermons4Kids)
Children's Talk (Sermons4Kids)

Money icebreaker

Hide a selection of different coins around the room or a designated space, and ask the children to find them. You could use different currencies or values (10c, 20c, 50c) 

Ask the children to sort the coins into different groups - putting the similar ones in a pile. What do they notice about the coins? What images or pictures are on them? 

Kids pay taxes too

Kids may have heard their parents talk about tax, but they may not realise that they pay tax too. When they buy a chocolate bar, lolly or toy at the shop, they pay GST on their purchase, with 15% of the total going to the government as tax.

In 2022 GST revenue was $24.7 billion and accounted for 25% of New Zealand's taxation revenue. Food and drink, according to the Tax Working Group in 2018, made up GST revenues of $2.6 billion (from a total of $18.7 billion of GST collected by the Government at that time).

Media

Moses and the Glory of God
(​​Exodus 33:12-23)

Moses was frustrated at the people's lack of faith, at their willingness to serve other Gods. He has an 'honest' (a rant?) conversation with God about honouring the promises he had made. "You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

Children's prayer activity

A simple prayer worksheet where children can write their prayers on the the hands, representing the God's hand that was placed over Moses in the cleft of the rock, to protect him. 
Download here

Intergen Resource

An intergenerational resource from Intergen Australia. Written and compiled by Alison Knox.

God of Grace

I love how this passage captures Moses losing his patience at God, asking questions, placing demands, revealing his frustrations about the hardship of leading. 

Yet, God replies with mercy and grace. “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (verse 14). And "I am pleased with you and I know you by name." (verse 17).

In our frustration, anguish and questioning, God reminds of us of our identity and his approval. 

Bible doodle

Source unknown - please contact us for attribution. 

Memory verses

• “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” - Exodus 33:14​
  
• "I am pleased with you and I know you by name." - Exodus 33:17

Worship songs 

Show me your glory by Jesus Culture

Show me your glory - acoustic version

Tikanga Youth Sunday

Three Tikanga Youth Sunday is the closest Sunday to the 19th of October every year and it is dedicated to celebrating youth in the three Tikanga of the Anglican Church throughout Aotearoa and Polynesia. On this day we remember Tarore of Waharoa, a young girl who helped to spread the Gospel throughout Aotearoa.

Resources

Chronicles of Paki (information on SUNZ)
Ngakuku, Tarore and the Little Book (SUNZ)
St Michael's Kelburn celebrate Tikanga Youth Sunday (Anglican Taonga)
A Pilgrim's Guide - The Story of Tārore of Waharoa (Archbishop David Moxon)
The Story of Tarore (Bible Society NZ)

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