This is our weekly lesson for our Holy Sherlocks group, grade 4-6, or anyone who would like to study a little bit more.
In times together and times apart, we are in community with the whole people of God.
The Season after the Epiphany offers time to explore a call from our old habits and into a fresh start. This week, through a story of Jesus teaching in a Capernaum synagogue, we explore the authority of Jesus’ teaching and a love that liberates.
January 31 – Coming through the Holy Places
Mark 1:21–28 Jesus’ awesome power to teach, help and heal.
Read Mark 1:21–28 or Listen to the audio story “A Letter to Paul from a Friend in Corinth” orgather around as someone tells the story “Jesus Cares” that is in this week’s children’s activity leaflet.
Jesus uses his awesome power to teach, help, and heal. Jesus’ love brings a new way and new life to the community.
- Bring to mind awesome teachers and storytellers. What makes them awesome?
- Wonder about how the people in Jesus’ time felt about his teaching and stories.
- Think about your community. What are some of the things you do together inyour community? How does it feel to do something together? Whom would you invite to join in a community activity?
Stillness prayer
1. Take a blank sheet of paper and several pencils, pastels, crayons, or a drawing pen.
2. Find a comfortable space to settle into for a time of stillness and imagination.
3. Draw two shapes in the middle of the page and print “God” in one shape and “Jesus” in theother.
4. Then begin drawing in and around the shapes, adding lines, dots, and circles as you draw.
5. With each mark of your pen, ponder the question, “What did Jesus’ words and deeds in thesynagogue say about God and who Jesus is?” 6. Keep drawing until the picture feels finished.
Print this week’s children’s activity leaflet, which includes the story “Jesus Cares,” instructions for making a hand bouquet, and a hand puppet pattern.
“I am grateful to have been loved and to be loved now and to be able to love because that liberates. Love liberates.” Maya Angelou
Watch as Dr Maya Angelou speaks about the power of love to liberate.
During the week
- The people are amazed at Jesus’ teaching. His authority is like no other. To whose voice do you give authority? Pay close attention to that person and see if you can figure out why.
- Find a project you can do to support learning and teaching in your church, a local school, or perhaps a school elsewhere.Play the song “Here in this Ordinary Place” throughout the week until everyone is joining in.
Prayer for each day
Powerful God, thank you for the healing power of Jesus. Please bless this community in which we live. Show us how to live in loving ways. Amen.