29 October 2023

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Bible readings for today

• Deuteronomy 34:1-12
• Psalm 90:1-6,13-17
• 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
• Matthew 22:34-46

Collect

God of love,
your Son teaches us the heart of the law.
Open our minds, souls and hearts to discern what you ask of us.
Empower us to love you with our whole being,
to love our neighbour as ourselves and thus fulfil your law.
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

The most important thing of all... (​Matthew 22:34-46)

Today Jesus tells us that the most important thing is to love God

All you need is love Bible story

Discussion questions

A story that explores the theme of 'Loving God, Loving Others' which can be found on Sermons 4 Kids.

• How do you love God with all your heart?
• How do you love God with all your soul?
• How do you love God with all your mind?

Loving God, loving others discussion starter

An activity to help children think about ways that they can show love

Supplies – large piece of poster paper, colored pens

Introduce the activity: When Jesus said in todays passage that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul and mind he was really saying we are to love God with all that we are. We're going to do something now to hep us think about how we can use all that we are to show God and others love. 

Lay out two large pieces of paper and ask for two volunteers to lay down on their backs. Ask if they are happy to be traced and have a child do so.
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Once you have a basic outline write “Loving God” on the first body, and “Loving Others” on the second one.
Ask a volunteer to come forward and draw/color each of the following body parts while as a group you come up with ways that you can use those parts to show love.  

• Ears (eg: listening when others are talking, listening in church)
• Eyes (eg: paying attention to others needs, reading the Bible)
• Nose & Mouth (eg: singing worship songs, speaking kind words)
• Mind (eg: learning about Jesus, reading the Bible, thinking of new ways to help others)
• Heart (eg: praying to God, telling your parents you love them)
• Hands (eg: holding the door, helping wash-up at church)
• Feet (eg: going on mission trips, walking with someone to their classroom)

As  a way to finish pray together, asking each child to pick one thing they could do this week and asking God to help them do it. 

Memory verse

Memory Verse resource for Matthew 22:37 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind."

The resource includes colouring poster, booklet and instruction sheet for the teacher.

From free resources at Teachers Pay Teachers (to download, you'll need to sign up to the site): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bible-Verse-Memory-Book-and-Poster-Matthew-2237-1819915

Song - Love the Lord

​Love the Lord your God -- Shout Praises Kids

Song - The Greatest Commandment

The Greatest Commandment - The Porter's Gate

Mosaic heart sun-catchers

Make a sweet mosaic sun-catcher, they can keep one to remind themselves to love God and make one for someone else as a way of loving others.
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Supplies: Clear-sticky plastic (Duraseal), small coloured squares/sequins/glitter, scissors

Cut out two squares of plastic per child
Give them one each to start with, placing it sticky-side-up in front of them
Have the children sprinkle the coloured squares over the plastic as they wish.Older children could do a more complex design.
When finished, stick the second piece of plastic on top of the first and press firmly to seal in the squares. 
Then from this cut out the shape of one or two hearts
These can be stuck on the window with blue tack to "catch the sun"
You can find more detailed instructions here ​

Deuteronomy 34:1-12 - The death of Moses

Moses was a loved man of God, and there was no other prophet like him.

Children's ministry lesson plans

There are a couple of resources for teaching the story of Moses' death

• Sunday school Zone: Joshua took Moses' place -- games, bible activities. 

• Ministry to Children: The Death of Moses -- this lesson focusses on Joshua taking over from Moses. 

Saddleback kids animation

Joshua succeeds Moses in leading the Israelites in this great Saddleback Kids video