Written for you
Children's Activity
Object:
The last verse of today's gospel reading says, "But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name." It is interesting to consider that much of scripture was written for the benefit of those who would read it some time later. Do you think the writers of the biblical texts knew that we would be reading their words 2,000 years later? I wonder if they had any idea at all how far their words would travel.
The writers wanted others to benefit from the things they had heard and seen so that we could believe along with them. We were not there when Jesus appeared to the disciples. We have not been able to put our hands in his side or feel the nail holes in his hands. We have only the stories and testimonies of those who were there. Why, then, do we believe? Why do we accept all these years later that the events surrounding Jesus' life, death and resurrection are for us too? Somehow the words of scripture connect us to Jesus. The stories we read today make him real.
During the week, see if you can find a children's book of Bible stories. Spend some time with your children reading some of the stories and discussing them. What does each story mean? Why do you think each story was written down and placed in the Bible? The writers must have had a reason for recording the things they did. See if those stories can help you and your children understand God a little better. Then, in your prayers, give thanks for the people who wrote the stories so that you can believe and know God like they did.
The writers wanted others to benefit from the things they had heard and seen so that we could believe along with them. We were not there when Jesus appeared to the disciples. We have not been able to put our hands in his side or feel the nail holes in his hands. We have only the stories and testimonies of those who were there. Why, then, do we believe? Why do we accept all these years later that the events surrounding Jesus' life, death and resurrection are for us too? Somehow the words of scripture connect us to Jesus. The stories we read today make him real.
During the week, see if you can find a children's book of Bible stories. Spend some time with your children reading some of the stories and discussing them. What does each story mean? Why do you think each story was written down and placed in the Bible? The writers must have had a reason for recording the things they did. See if those stories can help you and your children understand God a little better. Then, in your prayers, give thanks for the people who wrote the stories so that you can believe and know God like they did.
