AGE: Infants and Juniors |
THEME: Worry |
AIM: |
| To develop an understanding that we are all special in God's eyes and that he cares for us. |
PREPARATION: |
You will need:
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INTRODUCTION: |
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Get someone to scream out loud in terror and run towards the front of the assembly creating general mayhem (this should wake most of those present!). Slowly attempt to calm him/her down in order to get an explanation for the scream - his/her terror is such that it's impossible to work out the reason for the scream. (Alternatively use a tape recording or a sound file on the computer and ask for possible reasons for the scream.) Ask the pupils for possible suggestions and write a few down on the whiteboard/flipchart etc. Some may remember the assembly on fear earlier in the term. At this point you could introduce the collection of rubber/plastic spiders, mice, snakes, worms. If using a multimedia package you could add a scream after every picture or even get the pupils to add the sound effects. If somebody mentions SATs please DO NOT include them! |
DEVELOPMENT: |
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Leader: Can you think of things that you are afraid of? (Again jot down the answers.) Some of those were very good answers. Now can you dig a little deeper? What things make us worry? (Again jot down the answers.) Everyone knows what it is to be afraid. Even Jesus' disciples knew what it was to be afraid, what is was to worry. We are now going to listen to a reading from the New Testament. (Read story of Jesus walking on the sea.) The disciples were really scared and worried weren't they. Mind you it was quite a shock for them to see Jesus walking on the sea. But did you notice in the story that Jesus had seen from where he was on land that his disciples were in trouble. What did he do? Did he carry on praying? No! He went towards them, to be with them, to calm them. They were special in Jesus' eyes and he really cared for them. Simon Peter asked if he could also walk on the sea but soon became afraid when he took his eyes off Jesus to look at the strong mountainous waves all around. As soon as he looked into Jesus' eyes and held his hand, Simon was safe again. Remember that we are all special in God's eyes and that he cares for us. He wants to calm us when we become worried and afraid. |
PRAYER AND REFLECTION: |
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Dear Lord, Thank you for stories in the Bible that show us that being worried and afraid are common feelings. Thank you even more that with Jesus we too can face storms and massive waves knowing that he is there to calm us. Amen. |
HYMN: |
| 'What a friend we have in Jesus' |
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