AGE:
Juniors |
THEME:
Pentecost: Seeing the Light |
PREPARATION / RESOURCES: |
- Place an unassuming and uninteresting container/package or box of small sweets (enough for all) in a much larger decorative box which has been elaborately gift-wrapped with ribbons etc..
- Cut out:
- two large images, one of a light bulb and one of a flame
- paper flames for a selected number of pupils (see 'Reflection').
- Find a willing volunteer (or yourself) to create drawings of sayings or objects (rather like 'Pictionary' or 'Catchphrase'). These could be prepared before the worship, although it is more fun and in keeping with the theme to see them 'unfold'.
You will also need:
- A flipchart and pens.
- A Bible with the reading from Acts 2:1-5.
- Some music to fit the mood of your worship (see 'Reflection').
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INTRODUCTION: |
- Explain that you are going to show the pupils some drawings which represent well-known phrases or objects. Ask them to respond when they know what they are. Do this for three or four items.
- Ask them to try to explain how they felt when they realized the answers... Pleasure? Satisfaction? Achievement? What other feelings might there have been and why?
- Make a list on a flipchart for all to see.
- Place the drawing of a light bulb on a plain piece of paper and discuss the idea of 'seeing the light'. Is that a way in which they might explain their feelings? As if it suddenly all became clear?
- Talk about that lovely sensation when we realize something or discover, especially for ourselves, how things are.
- What sort of situations might that happen in?
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DEVELOPMENT: |
- Read the passage from the New Testament which tells the story of the disciples and the coming of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:1 - 5.
- Talk about how the disciples might have felt when they realized what was happening. Would those feelings be similar to the pupils' when they had a sense of understanding and realization about the drawings at the beginning of worship?
- Explore the idea that maybe the phrase 'seeing the light' is of particular relevance and place the flame on the paper next to the light bulb.
- Think about how Christians might express their feelings as 'feeling full of joy' when they understand God's word and Jesus' teachings, rather like an exciting realization.
- Maybe it's like an unexpected gift which can be the best gift of all?
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REFLECTION: |
In the background, gently play music which you feel best fits the mood of your worship. It might be calm and reflective, or lively and exciting to fit in with the idea of discovery.
Give each pupil, or one from each class, or a small selection of willing helpers, a piece of paper shaped like a flame. Ask them to write on it about a time when they experienced a realization about something pleasing, good news or something extraordinary.
Lay the papers on a table around a lit candle.
Ask everyone to think about their own times of 'realization' or 'discovery'.
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PRAYER: |
We ask you, God, to show us day by day how you want us to be.
We ask you, God, that we can share in the joy of the disciples
and discover with excitement your love for us as they did.
May our joy of understanding always be like an unexpected gift... the best gift of all.
Amen.
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FINALLY... |
Open the box which has been 'uninterestingly' sitting to one side, as if it was almost forgotten.
Pull out lots of packaging and make a dramatic search as if to reinforce that it is empty.
Finally, pull out the box of sweets, almost discard it as uninteresting and then reveal what is in it and share the contents... the joy of an unexpected gift!
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FOLLOW-UP IDEAS: |
- Find out about famous people who have 'seen the light' and discovered God, Jesus and Christianity. What ways did it affect their lives?
- Write a modern day version of the Pentecost story.
- Relate other areas of the curriculum to the idea of 'understanding and revelation' e.g. science, maths, literacy with examples where the initial explanation may not be that obvious.
- Write an acrostic for The Holy Spirit which outlines an understanding of ideas about Christian beliefs. You might find some help in Galatians 5:22 - 23.
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