THERE IS A 2024 VERSION OF THIS POST: FIND IT VIA THE ARCHIVE AT LEFT Theme: Disciple Job Description
Bible Readings: Mark 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Interesting thought:
Disciples travel light, are not wet blankets and never wait until they have it "all altogether".
Kid's Talk:
Have someone come in dragging the biggest suitcase you can find, packed absolutely bursting to the brim with all kinds of things one may take for a trip away - make sure there is some improbable stuff such as a toaster, or a beach ball, or curtains, or a tool box or whatever. Ask the person what they are doing. They tell you that they want to go out into the world to share the good news about Jesus and so they have packed a bag ready to go. Have a conversation, with help from the kids, on what we really need and don't need in order to share the good news.
Listening Song: You’re Here
By Sixpence None The Richer on the CD, City on a Hill: Songs of Praise and Worship (pictured below)
Film Clip: Simon Birch
(pictured below) Start about 28:00 minutes in – just after Joe’s Mum gives him a new jacket. Stop at about 33:00 minutes when they walk out of the church.
Discussion questions for the film clip:
For what reasons do you think Simon’s Sunday school teacher said what she did?
Why do you think Simon was so convinced that he could be a disciple?
What kind of people does God use?
Introductory Activity:
Have enough paper and pencils or pens for everybody. Ask people to write, draw or doodle their reactions as you read Mark 6:1-6 from your usual church translation and then from the Message. Then either in pairs or small groups discuss the following questions:
What does it feel like to be rejected?
Why did the Nazareth people reject Jesus?
How, even as Christians, do we sometimes reject Jesus?
As an alternative way of tackling the last question you might like to project a number of example answers such "We've never done it that way before" or I'm going to shop around to see what each church has to offer me" or "We don't have the money to do that" or "If we try that, people might leave" - have about ten to fifteen pertinent to your church members - and encourage people to a) choose one that stands out to them, b) share why they think it "wet blankets" God's work in the world, and c) envite them to suggest how the statement they chose could be turned into a positive statement.
Meditation: Behold the Lamb of God
Found in Present on Earth by The Wild Goose Worship Group, Wild goose Publications, 2002, page 21 (pictured in an earlier blog)
Story: The Bumblebee
Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes to Hang Your Message On by Jim Burns and Greg Mackinnon, Gospel Light, 1997, page 43 (pictured in an earlier blog).
Story: The Epitaph
The third illustration at http://www.preachhim.org/sevensay-3.htm .
Interesting quote:
"We don't need self confidence; we need God-confidence", found in How To Succeed At Being Yourself : Finding The Confidence To Fulfill Your Destiny by Joyce Meyer, Harrison House.
Adult Response: Based on the Bumble bee story and the interesting thought.
Have small pictures of a bumble bee for everyone with enough space for people to write a few words.
Ask: what is God saying to you today:
Is it to travel lightly and to trust God more?
Is it to stop being a wet blanket and to start being a possibility person?
Is it to get going right now as a disciple of Jesus trusting in God’s strength instead of your own?
Is it a reassurance that God is giving you or is it a challenge?
Write down beside the bee what you see to be your personal message from God this morning. Place it in your wallet/handbag/ purse/Bible/whatever as a reminder which you can carry with you. 
