 READ: Sometimes Jesus said things are difficult to understand and make us ask questions. One time when he was teaching his disciples, he told them that people will hear what he says and they will disagree about what he means or how to respond. He said, “Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I’ve come to disrupt and confront! From now on when you find five in a house, they will be divided.”
What’s important, Jesus went on to say, is how we respond to the times of dispute. He reminded his followers that they knew how to look at the clouds in the sky and tell if there was a storm coming. In the same way, they could look at what was happening in the world around them and see that God was bringing about changes. The divisions in the world that they could see were a sign for them to pay attention to what God was doing, and to do their best to follow Jesus’s teachings to love God and to love their neighbor. (Luke 12:49-56) WONDER: I wonder how the disciples felt when they heard Jesus say that he came to disrupt and confront? I wonder what kind of disruptions Jesus brings? I wonder how you would have responded if you were one of Jesus’s followers? I wonder if you’ve ever had a disagreement with someone close to you? I wonder how Jesus felt when he saw divisions among his disciples? PRAY: Dear God, thank you for the signs of you in our world: in the rainbow after the rain, our reflections in puddles, a kind word from a friend, a smile from a loved one, a helping hand in tough times. Help us to see each day that you are always near to us, in the world and in every living thing. And help us to respond in love--for others, for the world, and for ourselves. Amen. EXTEND
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 Christ at the Home of Martha and Mary, Johannes Vermeer, 1654-56 Scottish National Gallery READ: Once when Jesus was traveling with his disciples they stayed in the home of Martha and Mary. As the two sisters welcomed Jesus and his friends in their home, Martha was busy making things ready for their guests. There was so much to do. Mary, on the other hand, sat down next to Jesus, listening to him teach. Martha was distracted by everything on her to-do list, and she came to Jesus and asked him, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me.”
Jesus smiled at Martha and said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, when there is only one thing which matters. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42) WONDER: I wonder how Martha felt when she welcomed Jesus and all his disciples into their home? I wonder how Mary felt as she sat with Jesus and listened to him teach? I wonder why Martha was distracted? Jesus told Martha that there was only one thing that really matters. I wonder what that one thing is? I wonder which part of this story you like the best? PRAY: Loving God, thank you for this story of Jesus. Help us make good choices, and to find what is most important in our lives. Amen. EXTEND
READ: As Jesus was saying goodbye to his friends, he understood that there hadn’t been enough time to tell them everything he wanted them to know. And there were things that he had told them which they had a hard time understanding. The disciples were worried and fearful. Jesus reassured his friends by saying that after he went back to God he would send them a friend, God’s Holy Spirit. The Spirit would stay with them and teach them some of those many things they didn’t know. (John 16:12-15)
WONDER: I wonder how the disciples felt when they heard Jesus would be leaving them? I wonder what questions the disciples wanted to ask Jesus? I wonder what it’s like to listen to the Holy Spirit? I wonder how the Spirit teaches us today? SAY: All of us have questions, things we don’t understand, mysteries which perplex us. In our story today we learn that Jesus’s closest friends had questions, too. Jesus reassured them that it was ok to have questions, and that God’s Spirit would be with them as they asked tough questions and learned more about how to follow in God’s ways of peace. PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for all the questions we have, for the mysteries we don’t fully understand. And thank you for giving us your Spirit to help us with our questions. Help us to listen and to learn how to love others as Jesus loves us. Amen. EXTEND
 Peter's vision of a sheet with animals, Domenico Fetti, 1619, Kunsthistorisches Museum - Wikepedia images READ: Peter was staying in a city near the sea called Joppa. It was the same city where long ago the prophet Jonah had gone to tell the people of God’s ways. Jonah had not been happy to be sent to Joppa--it was a city far from his home, and he didn’t want to share about God with people from another country. Despite his reluctance, the people had been convinced by Jonah’s preaching and had turned toward God.
One day Peter was up on a rooftop waiting for lunch to be ready. It was a warm day and he soon fell asleep. Peter had a strange dream, he saw a sheet holding all sorts of creatures, and a voice telling him to eat. But the creatures were things which Peter had been told not to eat since he was a child. Three times Peter had this dream, and he wondered what this dream meant. While he was wondering, there was a knock at the door. Three men stood there, having been sent by a Roman commander, Cornelius, to come find Peter. He had also had a dream and had been told to send for Peter. Peter went with the men and met Cornelius. Suddenly God’s Spirit helped Peter to understand his strange dream. God’s story of love was not for Peter and his people only--the message of love was for the whole world. He baptized Cornelius and all the others there. (Acts 10:1-11:18) WONDER: I wonder how Peter felt when he had this dream? I wonder why Peter decided to go with the men who were sent by Cornelius? I wonder what made Peter change his mind? I wonder how Cornelius felt to hear the story of God’s love? I wonder what part of this story you like best? SAY: In this story Peter learns that the good news of Jesus was for everyone, not just for his friends and family. God wanted Peter to welcome others with openness, even if they were different from him. PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you people who help us learn more about your love. Help us accept others as your children, whom you love, just as you love us. Amen. EXTEND
 Raising of Tabitha, Guercino, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons READ: When the gift of the Spirit was given to the followers of Jesus, they did amazing things, just as Jesus had done. They came together to share food and resources, to study scripture together, and to pray. Some people were healed by the disciples. They did amazing things in Jerusalem, in Samaria, and in other towns, too.
In the town of Joppa there was a believer named Tabitha who had also received the gift of the Holy Spirit, she did what Jesus would do, but in her own special way. Tabitha helped the widows and the poor. She made clothes for them. Many people loved her. One day Tabitha got very sick, she was dying. After she died, her friends were sad. The women she had helped took water and cloth and washed her body, and then they placed her upstairs. Other disciples sent for Peter. When he arrived, people whom Tabitha had helped were crying. They told stories about how much she had given to others and showed him the clothes she had made. Peter was moved by this, and he began to pray. He turned to her and said, “Tabitha, get up!” And she opened her eyes. Peter took her hand and helped her up. When everyone saw she was alive, many people believed in Jesus and began to follow the way that was the kingdom of God. (Acts 9:36-42) WONDER: I wonder why Tabitha helped people in need? I wonder how the people were feeling when Tabitha was dying? I wonder how Peter felt when he saw her friends crying? I wonder what it was like to see that God made Tabitha alive again? I wonder what the people will do in their own special way to show their love for God? I wonder what is the most important part of this story? SAY: In this story we see that the Holy Spirit helped people learn to follow Jesus, by doing things which help others. Tabitha followed Jesus by helping those in need. Peter followed Jesus by teaching and healing others. And when people saw Tabitha and Peter following Jesus, many wanted to follow Jesus, too. PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help us learn to help others, just as Jesus did. Amen. EXTEND
 Caravaggio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons READ: Easter is so amazing and important, one Sunday is not enough to explore its mystery. We are now in what is called Eastertide, the season of Easter which stretches from Easter Sunday to the day of Pentecost. On the evening of the first Easter after God raised Jesus from the dead, the disciples were together in a house with the doors locked because they were afraid of the soldiers. Someone said, “Peace be with you.” It was Jesus. He said, “As God has sent me, I am sending you.” And then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Thomas had been away that night. When they told him, he said, “I won’t believe Jesus is alive until I can touch his wounds.” And why wouldn’t he have some doubts? Their minds were stretching…stretching to know Jesus in this new way. The next week, Thomas joined them at the table, and they closed the doors. A voice said,, “Peace be with you.” It was Jesus. He went right up to Thomas and held out his hand, “Touch me.” All Thomas could do was fall on his knees, and he said, “My Lord, and my God.” Jesus looked at him a long time. “Do you believe because you have seen?” Then he slowly looked around the whole circle and said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” (John 20:19-31) WONDER: I wonder how the disciples felt when Jesus appeared to them in the locked room? I wonder why Thomas wanted to touch Jesus' wounds? I wonder how Thomas felt when Jesus said, "Touch me"? I wonder if you've ever had doubts about anything? I wonder how that feels? I wonder what is your favorite part of the story? SAY: In today’s story we find the first disciples learning to know Jesus in a new way after his resurrection. PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for listening to us when we have questions. And thank you for loving us just as we are. Amen. EXTEND
 "The Three Marys at the Sepulchre," Giovanni Battista Gaulli (1639–1709), The Fitzwilliam Museum READ: Early on Sunday morning, a group of women, all friends of Jesus, came to the tomb where he had been buried in a hurry. They brought spices and scented oils with them to properly finish his burial. But when they got to the tomb, the stone at the opening was rolled away and his body was gone. As they wondered about what had happened, two men in bright shining clothes appeared, saying “Why are you looking for the living in a cemetery? Jesus isn’t dead. Remember he told you that after his death he would rise again?
They did remember, and they went back to the other disciples and told them what they had found in the graveyard. No one believed them. Peter wanted to check for himself, so he ran to the tomb and saw that it was empty. He went back to the others amazed at what he had heard and seen. (Luke 24:1-12) WONDER: I wonder what it was like going to the tomb that morning? I wonder how the women felt when Jesus died? I wonder how they felt when they saw the tomb was empty? I wonder what it was like to hear that Jesus was alive, that he had risen? I wonder what it felt like to tell others that Jesus had risen? I wonder what it felt like when the other disciples didn’t believe the women? SAY: In this story we hear the good news that Jesus is alive, that the love of God is stronger than the forces of hatred and fear in our world. PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for Jesus, for the ways in which he shows us your love. Thank you for the hope you give us, that goodness is stronger than evil and love is stronger than hate. Help us to love as Jesus loved. Amen. EXTEND
 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
 "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: 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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