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Week commencing 11th June
2006
Make WORSHIP with others a priority
Worshipping with others is part of being a disciple. Usually, we worship
with others at church, but we also have opportunities to worship God in
Friendship Groups and in our homes.
Faith Talk:
Discuss in your
household or small group
What do you like about going to church?
What do you miss if you don’t go to church?
What do you like about our family/friendship group worship?
What are some ways we can help each other to worship with others?
Devotional Life:
If it is not
already part of your family’s “rhythm of life”, consider developing family
worship after the evening meal. Read a Bible story, talk about what God
is saying to your family, and pray together. You may like to use
resources on this page to talk about things, or use other books and
resources to help you. Talk to one of the pastors, or other families with
similar aged children if you are looking for ideas. Try to be consistent
in your family worship/devotional time, but take into account the rhythm
of your family.
Rituals
and Traditions:
Let special
times of family worship happen in a “sacred space” created in your home.
It could be as simple as a lighted candle on the dining room table -
children could participate in making a candle holder or holders.
You may even have an occasional treat (a sweet or special slice or
biscuit) that can be shared after family worship.
Service:
Are there
things you can do as a family to contribute to St John’s worshipping
community? As a family, consider volunteering as welcomers or helpers to
prepare Tea/Coffee at church. Parents, there is no better way to
encourage your children’s involvement in the worshipping community here at
St John’s than to be involved yourself!
Some suggested Bible
Readings from the Gospel of Mark for this week:
Mark 4:35-41 Jesus calms a storm. Are there “storms” in your
life?
Remember that Jesus is in
the boat with you!!
Mark 6:1-6 Jesus is rejected at
Nazareth. How can we welcome Jesus in our family?
Let’s see God’s wisdom in other
members of our family, too.
Mark 6:30-44 Jesus feeds five
thousand. God looks after your family, too.
Think of ways that God cares
for your family.
Mark 6:45-51 Jesus walks on
water. He urged his disciples to have courage.
Where do you need courage
this week? Remember, Jesus is with you.
Important Things to Teach Children Aged 5 - 6
- God is your loving father: He wants to guide,
teach, love, protect and provide for you
- Jesus showed us who God is, and what he's like
- God is everywhere: He can do anything, and knows
everything
- Jesus has always been with God and is God
- God wants us to have a relationship with each of
us
- God tells us about himself, his Son Jesus, and
his plan for us in the Bible
- God sent his Son Jesus to die for us
- God has prepared a place for us in heaven, and
Jesus is coming back for us
- As we know and trust Jesus, God forgives us our
sins and makes us his friends.
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God made us part
of his family and connected us to Jesus when we were baptized - so it is
important to remember our baptism.
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As God’s
children, we can always talk to God in prayer, and know he is listening.
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We can always
ask God for help and direction.
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When we do wrong
things, God wants us to ask for forgiveness - and he promises to always
forgive us because of Jesus.
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God wants us to
spend time with other Christians, including at Sunday worship.
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God speaks to us
as we read and hear stories from the Bible.
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God wants us to
never stop learning about him from the Bible.
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God has a
special plan for each of us.
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The Bible tells
us the kind of people God wants us to be.
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God’s ways work
best.
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God wants to put
only good things into our hearts and minds.
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