![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKPGmCax9bCuqIY2kD-Xpa-9Id0ZwqYUEFOtS9G8ibGA-SzmvjlPEC05tW9Fz1fIZAdbMPbysoikwYUdPuljsWwlzE4C7ZLmcQhEVnXL4F_rN3AcmWdG7X4QpEjB8hXeGdCGVOg/s400/bridge.jpg)
There is an updated 2022 blog for this week with more resources - please find it in my archives on the left of this page.
Theme: Following God/Perseverance
About the Image:
Free from http://www.salisbury-church.org
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpuyvDdlUwMbfsuVDkpLvG4De2cJRAvx0l1s5LHDJh9jOf-rL18VQlrJB_mE3QgodW4cHbv04CD-K-E7DMHNIezSE2L63-_B7SHXGLnsCPPR70VuVEQoLzCmtLIt6q5UFTuYH2Q/s200/alexander+and+the+terrible+day.jpg)
Kid's Story: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
By Judith Vorst and Ray Cruz, Angus and Robertson, 1972, ISBN 0207151375 (pictured at right)
Listening Song: Legacy
By Nichole Nordeman on her album, Woven and Spun or WOW 2004.
Exercise: Fake Money
Ask all the youth to come forward for free money. Give them Monolopy money and then have a discussion on how you tell the difference between real money and fake money. Relate this to "who do we listen to" below.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3zKGVcboTKQaDeJD5obASaZduFMLn7Xm5M4mTj64iwRDVBW7J_yjGyeK5Ws33lwT-eHQMbRKe9vyGYki4lcRew_xUSNxQ72ocVYjL0LB8lgdsi0RImlGPL5fQ-efa60A81gIKw/s200/ice+age.jpg)
Show the scenes at the very beginning of this film where Scrat holds on to his nut no matter what happens. (pictured at left)
Film Clip Group Discussion: Ice Age
How is Scrat a picture of perserverence?
Make a list together of some of the things in life you think are worth persevering with?
Film Clip: Titanic
The scene near the begin as they are all the wharf just before boarding the Titanic and all the claims are made about how strong and beautiful - and unsinkable - it is. fits well with "Who do you depend on" below.
Discussion: On the Thessalonians reading
How an we encourage each other not to be discouraged, to never give up, to persist?
Story: Leadership
Found as story No 147 in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch, 2003, ISBN 1854245929 (pictured in an earlier blog). Fits well with the Thessalonians reading about following instructions.
Story: Sewing the Sheets
Found in Still More Hot Illustrations For Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Zondervan, 1999, ISBN 0310224640, page 68 (pictured in an earlier blog). Fits well with the Thessalonians reading about following instructions.
Story: Prophecy/Harper's Weekly
Index 2889-2894 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990. Fits well with "Who do you turn to?" below.
Story: Fear
Index 856-859 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990. Fits well with "Where do you get Your words?" below.
Drama: Who Do You Depend on
This drama is based on the Luke reading for this week. Use hymns, film clip, poems, stories and prayers between the sections and do not have a sermon. Please accept my apologies for the format glitches in a few places - they are beyond my control,
1. WHO DO YOU DEPEND ON?
Reader: Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God.
2.
4. WHERE DO YOUR LOYALTIES LIE?
B: If your Christianity really worked you wouldn’t be suffering like this.....
5. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR WORDS?
c. R. Broadstock and A. Scull (please feel free to adapt)
Response Activity:
Have a large mural sized piece of paper that all your congregation can fit around and have lots of felt markers (texta) available. In the middle of the paper have the three main points from the Thessalonians reading written in very large letters: Follow Instructions, Do Your Bit, Never Give up. Ask people to visualise in turn their lives, their families, their workplace and their church community. Allow a little time for them to think about their contribution to each of these areas - what they contribute to make each of these areas a place of worship and service and places imbued with God's love and understanding. Encourage them to write unsigned responses on the mural (encourage people to use it like a graffiti board). I used this idea in 2004 and I am not sure (forgotten) if this idea is mine or somebody gave it to me. I am happy to acknowledge a source if someone can enlighten me.