Take Nothing With You . . .

Children’s Chapel

July 3, 2016
Proper 9C

Welcome: Children will enter quietly and sit together on the floor. Welcome all children and ask if there are any new friends today.

Preview the Story: How many of you have ever been on a vacation? I see a lot of you have been on vacation. Raise your hand and tell me some places you have been. Vacations are always fun to go on and to get to visit other place. When we go on vacation, we have to take some things with us from home that we may need. Tell me some things you may pack in your suitcases. (Allow answers.) In Jesus’ time, people traveled too. Sometimes they would go to places far from home and they too needed to pack things for the trip. In today’s story, Jesus sends 72 people on a very special trip. Let’s listen to the Bible story.

           

The Bible Story: (Read Aloud)

Luke 10:1-4: After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every t own and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

Response: In the Bible reading from Luke that we just listened to Jesus sent 72 people out on a very special trip. There was something unusual that Jesus told his followers NOT to do before their trip. Can anyone tell me what Jesus said not to do before going on their special trips. (Allow responses.) Jesus said to not take anything with them on their trips! Isn’t that strange? I wonder why? (Allow children to also give answers as to why.) The trip Jesus sent his followers on was to tell others about the good news of God’s kingdom to other towns near and far. Jesus said to not worry about their things or to worry about what they would eat or where they would stay. Jesus even said to not worry about people who may not want to hear the good news they were bringing to each town. I wonder why Jesus told his followers not to worry? (Allow answers.) Jesus wanted his followers to know that God takes care of their needs and that nothing they could bring with them or prepare for would help them in spreading God’s message of love to the people in other towns. Only God could help them in their work to spread the good news of God’s Kingdom. In the same way God asks us to tell others about God’s love. All we are asked to bring on our journey is trust in God that he will provide for us. Does this mean that we will never pack anything for a trip again? No. But it does mean that when we go out into the world to show others God’s love, God is always with us taking care of our needs. We do not have to worry, but only trust in God and he will do the rest through each one of us.

Pray:  Heavenly Father, thank you for loving each one of us and taking care of all of our needs. Help us to grow in your love so that we may share your love with others in the world. Amen

Response Activity: Suitcase craft