There is an updated 2022 version of this post with more resources - see my archive at left
Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13.
Drama: A Very Reasonable Man
Prayer: Stone Prayers
Give everyone a stone which they can hold comfortably (size wise) and which has both smooth and rough surfaces. Encourage them to shut their eyes in prayer. Ask them to feel the rough surfaces and to think of the rough (hard) areas in their lives at the moment. Encourage them to silently ask God for help with regard to these areas. Then ask them to feel the smooth surfaces and to think of the things in their lives that they are grateful for - the things that make them happy and give them joy. Encourage them to pray silently thanking God for these things.
NB 1. Depending on where you live - enough suitable stones might be hard to find. I dug up a bit of our gravel driveway! Sometimes plant nurseries sell stones but they are often too smooth - you may have to search though the bags of stones to find a suitable lot.
NB 2. I did this first years ago and later met a lady who keeps the stone from that service on a shelf which she passes each morning as soon as she gets up. She still starts each day with a "rough" help prayer and a "smooth" thank you prayer :-)
Also:
Opening and Closing Responses for Lent
About the Images:
Upper Left: Australian wilderness: Purnululu. This is my photo so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities. If you want more information on Purnululu please visit http://www.discoverwest.com.au/western_australia/bungle_bungles.html
Upper Right: The Judean wilderness in Israel. This is my photo so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities. If you want more information on this area, please visit http://www.bibleplaces.com/judeanwilderness.htm
Middle Left: This is a free image from Cerrezo Barredo's site - see my link column at left.
Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website. Visit the website at www.churchgalleries.com.
Lower Left: This is my image with the text added. Please feel free to use for worship and related activities. The photo was taken near Narooma on the east coast of Australia.
Psalm 91 by the amazing Sons Of Korah
Lower Left: This is my image with the text added. Please feel free to use for worship and related activities. The photo was taken near Narooma on the east coast of Australia.
Psalm 91 by the amazing Sons Of Korah
Kids: Jesus Was a Refugee
This is another brilliant book by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2012 (pictured at right). This goes with the Gospel reading. The great thing about these books is that they only around $A7 and for a further $A10 (or instead of) you can buy on line the story in any format you need to project the pictures in church. There are also free activity sheets and for a cost activity books for both teachers and children. Visit www.lostsheep.com.au to check out all the excellent resources. This goes very well with the Deuteronomy reading when it talks about welcoming aliens.
Drama: A Very Reasonable Man
Found in Stages on the Way by Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild Goose, 1998, ISBN 1876357363, page 29 (pictured at right). This play is based on the gospel reading.
Introductory Discussion Questions: About the drama and any images you can show of the devil.
1. How have the artists portrayed the devil? Why?
2. In the drama, what sort of voice does the devil have? why?
Story: The Indian and the Rattlesnake
Story: The Indian and the Rattlesnake
The second last story on the temptation page at www.sermonillustrations.com It connects well with the gospel reading.
Story: Don't Forget to Look After Me
By Max Lucado in the conclusion of his book, In The Grip of Grace, Word Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0849911435 (pictured at right). This story goes well with the Romans reading.
By Max Lucado in the conclusion of his book, In The Grip of Grace, Word Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0849911435 (pictured at right). This story goes well with the Romans reading.
Prayer: Stone Prayers
Give everyone a stone which they can hold comfortably (size wise) and which has both smooth and rough surfaces. Encourage them to shut their eyes in prayer. Ask them to feel the rough surfaces and to think of the rough (hard) areas in their lives at the moment. Encourage them to silently ask God for help with regard to these areas. Then ask them to feel the smooth surfaces and to think of the things in their lives that they are grateful for - the things that make them happy and give them joy. Encourage them to pray silently thanking God for these things.
NB 1. Depending on where you live - enough suitable stones might be hard to find. I dug up a bit of our gravel driveway! Sometimes plant nurseries sell stones but they are often too smooth - you may have to search though the bags of stones to find a suitable lot.
NB 2. I did this first years ago and later met a lady who keeps the stone from that service on a shelf which she passes each morning as soon as she gets up. She still starts each day with a "rough" help prayer and a "smooth" thank you prayer :-)
Also:
Kids: The Pig in the Pond
By Martin Waddell and Jill Barton, Walker Books, with lots of ideas for a whole worship service found in Worship is For Everyone by Julie Pinazza, Openbook Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0859109259, page 35 (pictured at left). This goes well with the Psalm reading.
Opening and Closing Responses for Lent
By Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill in Eggs and Ashes, Wild Goose Publications, 2004, page 75 (pictured at right).
1 comment:
Thanks for prayer idea with stones. I amy use it in our church's ministry to people in recovery.
Bronwyn (formerly of Bayswater UC now in Tuggeranong UC ACT)
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