Straining the difference
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers or Parents: The difference in people is in their
deeds. By what we do from love we show the love of Christ within
us. Today's Gospel talks about the judgment day and the
separation of the "righteous" from the unrighteous. What is
important is congruity of faith and life. Over that is the
importance of faith alone. We are saved by our faith and not our
deeds. The deeds are an indicator of faith.
*New Year's is a time of renewal and recommitment. Encourage the children to set some New Year's resolutions that will help them in their loving actions toward others.
*Set some class or family goals that can be accomplished in 1997.
*Find ways to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the poor, and visit the imprisoned. Brainstorm with the children ways to do this and then do it.
*Learn the hymn "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love." Sunday school assembly opening:
*Connect Jesus with the Alpha and Omega (the other lesson) and with the beginning (and ending) of time and another year.
*A New Year gives us another chance to begin "in the name of Jesus." Think of a project your group could support over the long term (perhaps for a full year). Talk to your pastor or church board about possibilities. Get as much information as possible.
*Sing "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love," "Kum Ba Yah," and/or "Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love."
*Throughout this season -- the darkest time of the year -- refer often to the light. Light an extra candle each Sunday throughout Epiphany. The extra candles will take on more meaning at "Candlemas" (Sunday, February 2 -- a.k.a. "Groundhog Day." See the Plus! section for that day.)
*New Year's is a time of renewal and recommitment. Encourage the children to set some New Year's resolutions that will help them in their loving actions toward others.
*Set some class or family goals that can be accomplished in 1997.
*Find ways to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the poor, and visit the imprisoned. Brainstorm with the children ways to do this and then do it.
*Learn the hymn "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love." Sunday school assembly opening:
*Connect Jesus with the Alpha and Omega (the other lesson) and with the beginning (and ending) of time and another year.
*A New Year gives us another chance to begin "in the name of Jesus." Think of a project your group could support over the long term (perhaps for a full year). Talk to your pastor or church board about possibilities. Get as much information as possible.
*Sing "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love," "Kum Ba Yah," and/or "Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love."
*Throughout this season -- the darkest time of the year -- refer often to the light. Light an extra candle each Sunday throughout Epiphany. The extra candles will take on more meaning at "Candlemas" (Sunday, February 2 -- a.k.a. "Groundhog Day." See the Plus! section for that day.)
