 READ: Jesus and his disciples had been teaching in the villages, and Jesus had been saying and doing amazing things. The people wondered who Jesus really was. One day, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They replied, “Some say you’re John the Baptist, or Elijah, or one of the prophets.”
Jesus then asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter responded, “The Messiah of God.” Jesus said, “I must go up to Jerusalem, and I will be killed. But on the third day God will make me alive again. Later Jesus took his friends Peter, James, and John up to a mountain to pray. And while Jesus was talking to God, he was transfigured, his face was as bright as the sun. And Elijah and Moses appeared next to Jesus. The disciples were terrified. Suddenly a cloud covered Jesus, Elijah and Moses. A voice said, “This is my special child, whom I love. Listen to him.” And then, the disciples saw only Jesus. On their way down the mountain, Peter, James, and John didn’t know what to say. (Luke 9:28-36) WONDER: I wonder what it was like to see Jesus transfigured? I wonder how Peter, James, and John felt about what they saw? I wonder how Peter could know that Jesus was the Messiah? I wonder what part of this story you like the best? SAY: In this story the disciples catch a glimpse of the mystery of how God’s presence was with Jesus. They were so amazed, they didn’t know how to talk about what they had experienced. PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for Jesus and for the ways in which we see your love in his life and his teachings. Help us to share your love with others. Amen. EXTEND
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 "Sermon on the Mount" by Károly Ferenczy, CC BY-SA 3.0 READ: The first followers of Jesus remembered his sermons, retelling the stories and writing down his teachings. In his teachings Jesus spoke of what it was like to live as God intends us and how we were to treat one another. He reminded them that God loves us so much and shares that love with us. When we know that God loves us, we’ll be like a light shining brightly in the world.
Jesus also said there were to be no limits to our love, that we should love others--our families and friends. And we were to love everyone--including our enemies! Jesus told his followers to love their enemies and to pray for them. Everyone was amazed to hear Jesus extend love to everyone, not just to those who love us. This was such an important teaching that both Matthew and Luke remembered it and wrote it down for us in their gospels. (from Luke 6:17-26) WONDER: I wonder what it would be like to hear Jesus teaching? I wonder why people wrote down this teaching of Jesus? I wonder what it looks like to love your enemy? I wonder what a prayer for your enemy sounds like? I wonder what part of this story you like the best? SAY: In this story we learn more about Jesus’s teaching. Jesus asks us to expand our love for others, starting with those near to us and extending to others, even when that love is hard to give. PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for those who remembered the teachings of Jesus and who wrote them down for us. Help us to share your love with other people. Amen. EXTEND: Watch the film The Fox and The Hound (1981 - Disney). Discuss the friendship between Tod and Copper. What comes between their friendship? How does their relationship change? Read God’s Dream (2010) by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams. Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Published by Candlewick Press. Here's a video of the book being read. Talk about what you think God dreams for our world.  READ: Jesus traveled around Galilee with his friends sharing the good news of God’s realm and many others began to follow him. One day he came to a great field and there he began to give what would become his most famous sermon. It was such an important sermon we find it in both Luke and Matthew’s gospels. Jesus told him that in God’s realm there were many people who would be blessed. And the blessed people were not whom we might expect, because Jesus said in God’s realm things often get turned upside down. He said:
“Blessed are the poor.” - those without money or without hope. “Blessed are the hungry” - those who have no food or who long for a better life. “Blessed are those who mourn” - those who are sad or alone. The people listened to his sermon with hope, perhaps the world was changing. Perhaps God’s love could make the world a better place. (from Luke 6:20-23) WONDER: I wonder what it feels like to be blessed by God? I wonder who are the poor where we live? I wonder who is sad? I wonder who is hungry? I wonder what part of this story you like the best? I wonder where you are in this story? I wonder what it feels like to bless others? SAY: Jesus spoke of many others who are blessed in God’s realm. People who work for peace and those who show kindness. God welcomes everyone to join in living in a way of blessing and hope. PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for your realm. You show us what it means to be blessed and how we can be a blessing to others each day. Help us to be a blessing in our world. Amen. EXTEND
 READ: As Jesus was teaching how to love each other, he met people whom he invited to join him in his work. Those people are called disciples. One day Jesus was at a lakeside teaching, he saw some fishermen named Simon, James, and John working on their nets. He told the fishermen to go back out on the lake and let down their nets. Simon told Jesus they were tired after a long night of fishing, but they went anyway. And they caught so many fish, their nets almost broke. Everyone was amazed. When they got back to the shore, Jesus told them: “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him. --Luke 5:1-11 (The Message) WONDER: I wonder what Simon and his friends thought when Jesus told them to try fishing again? I wonder what Simon, James, and John left behind to follow Jesus? I wonder what part of this story is most important? I wonder what part of this story you like the best? I wonder if Jesus still needs disciples? SAY: In this story we see that Jesus invited ordinary people to help him share God’s news of love and care for the world. PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for the people who are your helpers, for those who teach us about your love. Help us to share your love with other people. Amen. EXTEND
 First century Galilean boat (Wikipedia) |
Weekly Faith ConversationsUse these guides as conversation starters with your family. A short retelling of the scripture passage is offered, or you may want to look the story up in your own bible or in a children's bible. The wondering questions are written to open up faith exploration with children and adults. Archives
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