Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!

Note: Please let us know about how your family is enjoying Children’s Worship! Take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship or share a story. You can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

Mission Possible!

Based on: Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:1-11

EQUIP:

(It’s not an activity, but just a little background on the story for you, the parent, to read.)

As a shy kid, I felt like the Great Commission was the worst duty Jesus had put on my to-do list. Tell others about Him? Scary! But I finally realized that my view was wrong: Jesus did NOT give this task as a duty; rather, He was inviting His followers to join Him in the great adventure of reconciling the world to Himself!

What could be more exciting than talking about the One you love the most? What could be more fun and fulfilling than helping people follow Jesus and live forever in amazing joy? It’s a “can’t keep it to myself” outflow of love!

I pray that my love might overflow into gracious actions—actions that are marked by a family likeness to Jesus.

The Great Commission given by Jesus not only includes a command but also a promise: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). These words are significant, because they represent God’s plan for Jesus from start to finish. The prophet Isaiah told of the child who would be born and called “Immanuel” (see Isaiah 7:14). Matthew told us the meaning of “Immanuel”: “God with us” (see Matthew 1:23). From Isaiah to Matthew and then from Jesus Himself, we learn of the One sent by God to be with us and bring us salvation.

Mary Davis

Senior Editor

Activity One: Read the intro. Watch the video of the story..

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts. Prayer.

Worship: Singing

Activity Three: Respond to the story by doing the activity.

Activity Four: Bless your children

Activity 1: STORY

Introduction:To read the children:

After He died and rose again, Jesus spent time in Jerusalem with His friends. For 40 days, Jesus and His disciples ate together, walked together and talked together.

What do you think Jesus wanted His friends to know about Himself?

Jesus wanted His friends to understand why He had died and come back to life. He wanted them to know that when He rose from the dead, He showed everyone that He is stronger than ANYTHING, even death. Now all people could have their sins forgiven, join God’s family and live forever with Him!

Watch the video:

Activity 2: DISCUSSION

What did Jesus want His disciples to do?

What things do you think Jesus’ disciples would have told others about Jesus? (The miracles they saw Him do. The things He taught them.)
Why did Jesus think His disciples would be able to do this job? (Jesus promised to be with them. The Holy Spirit would give them power.)
What do you think Jesus wants His followers today to do? (Tell others about Jesus.)

Let’s talk about how we can follow Jesus’ command. Let’s brainstorm some ways that our words or actions could help people know the good news about Jesus.

As children tell responses (“say ‘Jesus loves you,'” “show God’s love by being kind,” “invite someone to church,” etc.), write ideas on a piece of paper.

Encourage children to pray for these things with their own words. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

Worship Songs:

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY #1 Witness Bracelets

Our art project can help us tell others about Jesus. The colors of the bracelet can help us remember what it means to follow Jesus.

Materials Needed:

One strip of leather 16 1/2 inches long by 1/8 inches wide
One each of the following colored pony beads: clear, grey, red, white, blue, green and yellow

Instructions:

String the beads onto the leather strip in the following order: grey, red, white, blue, green, yellow. It is important to have the beads in the correct order as the order tells the Gospel message.
Center the beads on the leather strip and tie a knot on each end of the group of beads. This will help to hold them in place.
Take the clear bead and string one of the leather ends through it. Take the other end of the leather strip and start it into the hole in the bead – entering in the opposite direction. (You will not be able to push it through, but by holding the two strips of leather together on the one end and pulling on the single strand on the other end, it will pull it through.)
Tie a knot on each end of leather. The clear bead will allow you to adjust the bracelet to fit any wrist.

Meaning of the Colored Beads:

Clear – God is invisible, pure and holy (Is 6:3).
Gray – We are separated from God by our sin (Rom 3:23).
Red – Because God loves us, He sacrificed His Son, Jesus, for our sin (Rom 5:8). White – Now God sees us as righteous, pure and forgiven of sin (Eph 1:7-8).
Blue – We are baptized into the family of God through baptism (Gal 3:26-27).
Green – We read the Bible and pray to grow in faith & disciple others (2 Peter 3:18a). Yellow – We will receive the crown of life (Rev 2:10b).

Response Activity #2 Print and Color

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING

When we talk to God, it’s good to know that He gives us the courage and power we need to tell others about Jesus.

(______________), May you always remember that God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. Jesus went back to heaven but He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us always.