"In whose name?"
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers or Parents: Jesus had a mission to fulfill and
nothing could deter him from that mission. When he went to
Jerusalem as described in Luke's Gospel, he knew what he was
facing, but he did not waver in his determination to accomplish
his mission. He was going there "in the name of the Lord." We need
to show our children that he came with God's authority to do what
God wanted him to do.
*Play a game of "Simon Says," but instead of Simon, use "God
Says." You can break the children into teams or have them play
individually. Explain that they are to do what you say only if you
tell them first that "God Says." For example, "God says raise your
hand," or "God says jump once," and so forth. Those who take an
action that is not preceded by the command, "God Says," will sit
down while the others continue to play. The last one to remain is
the winner or the last team to have a member standing will win.
After the game, you can use this as an example of the authority of
God, discussing how things that are done in the name of the Lord
are good.
*Bring some official documents to church, i.e., baptismal
certificate, driver's license, birth certificate, passport. Have
the children look at the documents and find the official seal or
name that makes the documents authentic. Point out that without
this seal or name the documents would be worthless. Talk about how
Jesus came in the "name of the Lord" as the official
representative of God to accomplish his mission here on earth. He
needed no documents to attest to his authenticity. His words and
his actions showed that he had the authority and blessing of his
Father who sent him.
Sunday school assembly opening:
*Select a child at random, but tell nobody, including the one
you have selected, who it is. Explain that you have selected
someone to help open the session today and you want them to guess
who it is. Then, allow everyone to ask questions that will help
them identify who today's helper is. Answer the questions
truthfully until they have guessed who it is. You may have to give
hints like what the child is wearing, and so forth, before they
guess the right one. When they have identified the person, have
something prepared for that person to do as part of the opening.
Explain that they are doing it by your authority, and tie that
into Jesus' coming "in the name of the Lord."
nothing could deter him from that mission. When he went to
Jerusalem as described in Luke's Gospel, he knew what he was
facing, but he did not waver in his determination to accomplish
his mission. He was going there "in the name of the Lord." We need
to show our children that he came with God's authority to do what
God wanted him to do.
*Play a game of "Simon Says," but instead of Simon, use "God
Says." You can break the children into teams or have them play
individually. Explain that they are to do what you say only if you
tell them first that "God Says." For example, "God says raise your
hand," or "God says jump once," and so forth. Those who take an
action that is not preceded by the command, "God Says," will sit
down while the others continue to play. The last one to remain is
the winner or the last team to have a member standing will win.
After the game, you can use this as an example of the authority of
God, discussing how things that are done in the name of the Lord
are good.
*Bring some official documents to church, i.e., baptismal
certificate, driver's license, birth certificate, passport. Have
the children look at the documents and find the official seal or
name that makes the documents authentic. Point out that without
this seal or name the documents would be worthless. Talk about how
Jesus came in the "name of the Lord" as the official
representative of God to accomplish his mission here on earth. He
needed no documents to attest to his authenticity. His words and
his actions showed that he had the authority and blessing of his
Father who sent him.
Sunday school assembly opening:
*Select a child at random, but tell nobody, including the one
you have selected, who it is. Explain that you have selected
someone to help open the session today and you want them to guess
who it is. Then, allow everyone to ask questions that will help
them identify who today's helper is. Answer the questions
truthfully until they have guessed who it is. You may have to give
hints like what the child is wearing, and so forth, before they
guess the right one. When they have identified the person, have
something prepared for that person to do as part of the opening.
Explain that they are doing it by your authority, and tie that
into Jesus' coming "in the name of the Lord."
