October 16, 2021 - Reflection of Jesus and the Children

Reflection of Jesus and the Children

Jesus was very good at throwing out concepts and ideals that were not in line with society. He stood firmly on the values and beliefs of God’s Kingdom, not of this world. In the Gospel

account of Jesus encountering children on the road to Jerusalem/his crucifixion, we see people wanting to come close to Jesus, wanting to bring their children to receive Jesus’ blessing. We see the disciples working to protect Jesus from the “unimportant issues.” Jesus shows that he always has time for the children, for the “least of these,” as well.

Today’s world continues to shun children, and to give them little respect, little importance. Very few people stand up for children and their rights, their needs. Yet, Jesus said very boldly that the Kingdom of God belongs to children. In Children Worship & Wonder, the children are given sacred space in which to grow in their relationship with God. They are given “alone time with God.” In this loud and insane world, children need quiet space and time to process and to be with God.

Elaine Austin, CW&W Trainer, Virginia Region

Prayer:
God of wonder, and God of children, we give you thanks for the children in our lives. We give you thanks for the “child” in all of us. Help us God to be attentive to the needs of children. May we approach you with the wonder and enthusiasm of a child. Amen.

Wonder:

I wonder what is the most important part of this story?

I wonder where you are in this story?

I wonder how this story helps us listen to children??

Response:

If you would like to make something that shows how this story feels to you. You may use any art materials that are available to you.

Read Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:3
Wonder:

I wonder what is the most important part of this story?

I wonder where you are in this story?

I wonder how this story helps us listen to children?

Response:

If you would like to make something that shows how this story feels to you. You may use any art materials that are available to you.

Read Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Share:  We would love you to share your responses on our Light a Candle With Children Facebook page at facebook.com/LightaCandleforChildren.

October 15, 2021 - Recorded Story of Jesus and the Children

 Jesus and the Children

See this and other Children & Worship & Wonder here

Wonder:

I wonder what is the most important part of this story?

I wonder where you are in this story?

I wonder how this story helps us listen to children??

Response:

If you would like to make something that shows how this story feels to you. You may use any art materials that are available to you.

Read Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:3

Wonder:

I wonder what is the most important part of this story?

I wonder where you are in this story?

I wonder how this story helps us listen to children?

Response:

If you would like to make something that shows how this story feels to you. You may use any art materials that are available to you.

Read Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Share:  We would love you to share your responses on our Light a Candle With Children Facebook page at facebook.com/LightaCandleforChildren.

October 14, 2021 - Story of Jesus and the Children

Story of Jesus and the Children

Go here for more guidance on engaging in this year's Light a Candle with Children.

Story Preparation: Find a place in your home to worship with the story.

Sing: “Be Still and Know that I Am God”

Be Still and Know I am God, Be Still and Know I am God, Be Still and Know I am God.

 

Center Your Mind and Body

Share the Story: Jesus and the Children Young Children and Worship by Sonja Stewart and Jerome Berryman

Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10: 13-16; Luke 18:15-17

Once every year the people of God go up to Jerusalem, the holy city of God, to celebrate the feast of the Passover, to remember how God led them through the waters to Freedom.

This year as Jesus traveled to Jerusalem

Crowds of people came to be close to him.

They came to hear him teach.

The little children wanted to come to Jesus too.

But Jesus’ disciples said:

“No! Don’t bother Jesus. He has important work to do.”

Then Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Do not stop them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God.”

Jesus said, “It is true, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Wonder:

I wonder what is the most important part of this story?

I wonder where you are in this story?

I wonder how this story helps us listen to children?

Response:

If you would like to make something that shows how this story feels to you. You may use any art materials that are available to you.

Read Scripture: Luke 18:15-17

Wonder:

I wonder what is the most important part of this story?

I wonder where you are in this story?

I wonder how this story helps us listen to children?

Response:

If you would like to make something that shows how this story feels to you. You may use any art materials that are available to you.

Read Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Share:  We would love you to share your responses on our Light a Candle With Children Facebook page at facebook.com/LightaCandleforChildren.

October 13, 2021 - Reflection The Boy Jesus in the Temple - Tracy Parker

 Reflection The Boy Jesus in the Temple

This story usually elicits tales from children of being lost and afraid, or hiding from their parents, and the parents having to search for them. But, once, there was a young girl who attended Children Worship & Wonder and heard something completely different than the norm from this story. At the time of wondering, Lydia wondered, “I wonder what the great teachers thought of Jesus’ parents when they realized they didn’t know where Jesus was.” That is a powerful question for the church. When we bring children in for programming, our interactions with them sometimes leads us to making judgments about their parents, caregivers, or families. Yet, with this story, we know the young boy the parents misplaced grew to be an incredible Man...the Savior of the world. May we always remember that the children we encounter might also grow to be amazing adults, no matter what the failings of the parents, caregivers, or families.

Tracy Parker, CW&W Trainer

Georgetown, Kentucky

Prayer: God, enable me to always see the potential You hold for every child I encounter. Fill my heart with Your love, so judgement may never sway my words and actions, and each child sees only You when they look upon me. Amen

Wonder:

I wonder what is the most important part of this story?

I wonder where you are in this story?

I wonder how this story helps us listen to children??

Response:

If you would like to make something that shows how this story feels to you. You may use any art materials that are available to you.

Read Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:3

Wonder:

I wonder what is the most important part of this story?

I wonder where you are in this story?

I wonder how this story helps us listen to children?

Response:

If you would like to make something that shows how this story feels to you. You may use any art materials that are available to you.

Read Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Share:  We would love you to share your responses on our Light a Candle With Children Facebook page at facebook.com/LightaCandleforChildren.

October 12, 2021 - Recorded Story of The Boy Jesus in the Temple

 Story of The Boy Jesus in the Temple

See this and other Children & Worship & Wonder here

Wonder:

I wonder what is the most important part of this story?

I wonder where you are in this story?

I wonder how this story helps us listen to children?

Response:

If you would like to make something that shows how this story feels to you. You may use any art materials that are available to you.

Read Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Share:  We would love you to share your responses on our Light a Candle With Children Facebook page at facebook.com/LightaCandleforChildren.

October 11, 2021 - Story of The Boy Jesus in the Temple

The Story of the Boy Jesus in the Temple

Go here for more guidance on engaging in this year's Light a Candle with Children.

Story Preparation: Find a place in your home to worship with the story.

Sing: “Be Still and Know that I Am God”

Be Still and Know I am God, Be Still and Know I am God, Be Still and Know I am God.

Center Your Mind and Body

Share the Story: The Boy Jesus in the Temple Young Children and Worship by Sonja Stewart and Jerome Berryman

Luke 2:41-52

Once every year the people of God go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the Passover, to remember how God led them through the waters to freedom.

This year Mary and Joseph and Jesus were so happy because Jesus was old enough to go to the Temple all by himself.

Jesus went to the Temple to talk with God and to hear the great teachers tell the stories of God. Then he went to eat the feast of the Passover with family and friends.

After Passover, everyone started home. When evening came, Mary and Joseph went to Jesus’ friends to get Jesus. But no one had seen him. They began looking for him. They looked everywhere.

At last they found Jesus at the Temple. Mary said, “Where have you been? We have looked everywhere for you. We were so worried.”

Jesus was surprised, “Why did you look for me everywhere? Didn’t you know I would be in my Father’s house?”

They didn’t understand. But they went home together.

And the boy, Jesus, grew to be a man. He grew taller and stronger. He grew in wisdom and love, and he was loved by God and by people.

Wonder:

I wonder what is the most important part of this story?

I wonder where you are in this story?

I wonder how this story helps us listen to children?

Response:

If you would like to make something that shows how this story feels to you. You may use any art materials that are available to you.

Read Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Share:  We would love you to share your responses on our Light a Candle With Children Facebook page at facebook.com/LightaCandleforChildren.

October 10, 2021 - Reflection on The Ark and a Tent for God - Ruth Winkler

Reflection on The Ark and a Tent for God

The people of God have always had a curiosity about how to get close to God. We've made rules and rituals to help us. We expect our children to follow these rules and continue the rituals. How blessed we are when we hear a child express gratitude that God is near all the time and we can pray to God anytime and anywhere. We are as close to God as our next breath!

Ruth Winkler, CW&W Trainer

Watauga, Texas

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for our churches -- our places of worship. Thank You that You are with us in our hearts all the time. Help us remember that we can talk to You at all times, and You hear us and love us. Amen.

Wonder:

I wonder what is the most important part of this story?

I wonder where you are in this story?

I wonder how this story helps us listen to children??

Response:

If you would like to make something that shows how this story feels to you. You may use any art materials that are available to you.

Read Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:3

Share:  We would love you to share your responses on our Light a Candle With Children Facebook page at facebook.com/LightaCandleforChildren.