David's Moment Of Stupidity
Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
Jesus saw the potential in Simon and renamed him Peter the Rock. Then Jesus promised to build his church on this rock. In our worship today let us offer ourselves and our potential to God for his use.
Invitation to Confession:
Reading:
Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV)
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" [14] And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." [15] He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" [16] Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." [17] And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. [18] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." [20] Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Story:
Like Peter, we all have moments of startling insight from time to time and we all do really stupid things from time to time. We also all let ourselves and others down from time to time. Peter did all these things, yet Jesus spotted the potential in Peter at a very early stage and despite Peter's later failings, Jesus retained his faith in Peter as a rock on which the Church could safely be built.
In this story, David does something really silly, but David's youth club leader retains his faith that David will grow up to be a strong and useful member of society.
David's Moment Of Stupidity
David was really happy. Jimmy, his favourite youth club leader was impressed with him, and that mattered to David. They'd all had a day out "Going Ape" in the forest. There were treetop walks, rope climbing nets, swinging through the trees on a harness, swinging from tree to tree on ropes and a host of other exciting activities.
David had taken part in them all high up in the tree tops, unlike some of the others who had freaked out at the last minute and resorted to walking the forest trails at ground level. David knew that Jimmy had been watching him closely.
"You did well there," remarked Jimmy. "You're strong and tough. Some of those courses were difficult and scary even for me, but I could see you were determined to make it. Well done."
David glowed with the praise. For once, he was really proud of himself. He might not be much good at academic stuff, but at least he could climb. He grinned at Jimmy.
Jimmy continued, "You have leadership potential, David. I see you working with me guiding the younger ones in maybe a couple of years. How do you fancy being a youth leader when you leave school?"
David's eyes shone and he nodded vigorously. He'd never thought of that and had supposed he'd drift into some dead-end job when he left school. He determined to fulfill Jimmy's confidence in him.
But next day, things went wrong. It was a Sunday, so there was - as usual - nothing for David and the gang to do. They mooched round the supermarket car park getting in people's ways with their skate boards, and had a shouting match with the security man. When he threatened to call the police they retaliated with rude gestures and verbal abuse, but moved off.
By now they were all thoroughly disgruntled, bored and ready to liven things up.
"I know," suggested Dave. "Let's smoke in the church porch."
There was general agreement to this plan and they took it in turns to roll a spliff and share it. Before long they were all high, so when Tommy lunged against the church door with his shoulder and managed to force it open, they were all inside in seconds, smoking and laughing and fooling around.
David swung his arm through the neatly stacked row of hymn books, all of which fell onto the ground. The boys doubled up with laughter. Then, for some reason which he couldn't later fathom but because it seemed like fun at the time, David struck a match and dropped it into the pile of hymn books.
They caught alight immediately and the boys whooped and hollered in their delight. Then one of them caught hold of the fire extinguisher and sprayed the whole of the inside of the church with thick dust. The gang was ecstatic in their glee. After that they rambled through the church, destroying anything they could find. It only took half an hour.
Then they spilled out of the church still laughing and joking.
When the police arrived next day and arrested David, it didn't seem anything like so funny. When he saw the shame and horror on the faces of his parents and his neighbours, Dave felt sick. But he acted with bravado and made out he didn't care. It wasn't until he saw Jimmy that David crumbled. Then he realised how badly he had let himself and Jimmy down. Dave felt deeply ashamed and was full of remorse for his stupid actions.
Now he'd never be a youth leader. Now he'd have a criminal record and no-one would consider him for work with young people. Now there was no future but the dead-end job. David could have cried.
But to his astonishment, Jimmy supported him. Jimmy told David exactly what he thought of him and it wasn't complimentary, but then he stood with him while the police interviewed him and spoke out for him in court. David could hardly believe his ears when Jimmy stood up to give him a character reference. Because of Jimmy's support, David escaped with a caution and an order to put right all the damage he'd caused. He willingly agreed.
"I'll never let you down again," he promised Jimmy. "I can't believe you still think I'm worth something. I'll really try. I want to be a youth worker with you and I'll work for it from now on."
And he did.
Activity:
You need:
Pictures of Simon Peter's life (possibly copied from a Children's Bible or downloaded from the Internet)
Scissors
Pieces of A4 card
Glue
Tell the gospel story in your own words then ask the children what they know about Simon Peter (he was a fisherman, brother to Andrew, brought to Jesus by Andrew, was at the Transfiguration but made a really stupid suggestion, ran away and then denied he knew Jesus just at Jesus' greatest hour of need. Later, after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, became leader of the Church and was able to heal and even raise people from the dead. Died in Rome by being crucified upside down.)
Ask whether Peter was a rock while Jesus was alive? (No, he denied him and let him down.) Point out that although it appeared as though Jesus was wrong since Peter was anything but a rock, in the end Jesus was proved right. Jesus saw the potential in Peter and treated him as though he was already the rock which he would become.
Talk about the children's feelings about themselves. Do they feel good about themselves? Or do they feel that they do everything wrong and they're useless? Do any of them carry a burden of guilt? (Some children whose parents have divorced feel responsible for the divorce.) Ask them what sort of people they'd like to become in the future. Tell them that in Jesus' eyes they are already those people because Jesus has great faith in them and sees their potential.
Hand out the cards and let each child choose a picture. They should glue their pictures onto card, then cut up the pictures to form simple jigsaw puzzles. Put all the different pieces in the centre and encourage the children to work as a team to remake each jigsaw picture, then arrange them in order so that they tell the story of Simon Peter's life.
Intercession:
Faithful God, may we in the church recognise each other's potential. May we learn to treat each other as the fantastic people you believe us to be and may we cling onto your support in order for each of us to reach our full potential.
Faithful God, you see beyond terrorists and criminals and cheats to the potentially wonderful person hidden within each human being. May we never dismiss other human beings for superficial or selfish reasons, but always endeavour to encourage the best in them, just as you encourage the best in them.
Faithful God, when I'm at my lowest ebb feeling useless and depressed, remind me that I am the apple of your eye and that you hide me under the shadow of your wings. Help me to reach out for you so that when I'm in greatest need of you, I already know you and can respond to you.
Faithful God, bless those who are sick, especially the chronically ill who will never get better and those who care for them. We ask your healing power today for ....
Blessing:
Jesus saw the potential in Simon and renamed him Peter the Rock. Then Jesus promised to build his church on this rock. In our worship today let us offer ourselves and our potential to God for his use.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I denigrate myself because I feel inferior.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I denigrate myself because then less is expected of me.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I denigrate myself because I'm lazy and don't want to make any effort.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV)
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" [14] And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." [15] He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" [16] Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." [17] And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. [18] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." [20] Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Story:
Like Peter, we all have moments of startling insight from time to time and we all do really stupid things from time to time. We also all let ourselves and others down from time to time. Peter did all these things, yet Jesus spotted the potential in Peter at a very early stage and despite Peter's later failings, Jesus retained his faith in Peter as a rock on which the Church could safely be built.
In this story, David does something really silly, but David's youth club leader retains his faith that David will grow up to be a strong and useful member of society.
David's Moment Of Stupidity
David was really happy. Jimmy, his favourite youth club leader was impressed with him, and that mattered to David. They'd all had a day out "Going Ape" in the forest. There were treetop walks, rope climbing nets, swinging through the trees on a harness, swinging from tree to tree on ropes and a host of other exciting activities.
David had taken part in them all high up in the tree tops, unlike some of the others who had freaked out at the last minute and resorted to walking the forest trails at ground level. David knew that Jimmy had been watching him closely.
"You did well there," remarked Jimmy. "You're strong and tough. Some of those courses were difficult and scary even for me, but I could see you were determined to make it. Well done."
David glowed with the praise. For once, he was really proud of himself. He might not be much good at academic stuff, but at least he could climb. He grinned at Jimmy.
Jimmy continued, "You have leadership potential, David. I see you working with me guiding the younger ones in maybe a couple of years. How do you fancy being a youth leader when you leave school?"
David's eyes shone and he nodded vigorously. He'd never thought of that and had supposed he'd drift into some dead-end job when he left school. He determined to fulfill Jimmy's confidence in him.
But next day, things went wrong. It was a Sunday, so there was - as usual - nothing for David and the gang to do. They mooched round the supermarket car park getting in people's ways with their skate boards, and had a shouting match with the security man. When he threatened to call the police they retaliated with rude gestures and verbal abuse, but moved off.
By now they were all thoroughly disgruntled, bored and ready to liven things up.
"I know," suggested Dave. "Let's smoke in the church porch."
There was general agreement to this plan and they took it in turns to roll a spliff and share it. Before long they were all high, so when Tommy lunged against the church door with his shoulder and managed to force it open, they were all inside in seconds, smoking and laughing and fooling around.
David swung his arm through the neatly stacked row of hymn books, all of which fell onto the ground. The boys doubled up with laughter. Then, for some reason which he couldn't later fathom but because it seemed like fun at the time, David struck a match and dropped it into the pile of hymn books.
They caught alight immediately and the boys whooped and hollered in their delight. Then one of them caught hold of the fire extinguisher and sprayed the whole of the inside of the church with thick dust. The gang was ecstatic in their glee. After that they rambled through the church, destroying anything they could find. It only took half an hour.
Then they spilled out of the church still laughing and joking.
When the police arrived next day and arrested David, it didn't seem anything like so funny. When he saw the shame and horror on the faces of his parents and his neighbours, Dave felt sick. But he acted with bravado and made out he didn't care. It wasn't until he saw Jimmy that David crumbled. Then he realised how badly he had let himself and Jimmy down. Dave felt deeply ashamed and was full of remorse for his stupid actions.
Now he'd never be a youth leader. Now he'd have a criminal record and no-one would consider him for work with young people. Now there was no future but the dead-end job. David could have cried.
But to his astonishment, Jimmy supported him. Jimmy told David exactly what he thought of him and it wasn't complimentary, but then he stood with him while the police interviewed him and spoke out for him in court. David could hardly believe his ears when Jimmy stood up to give him a character reference. Because of Jimmy's support, David escaped with a caution and an order to put right all the damage he'd caused. He willingly agreed.
"I'll never let you down again," he promised Jimmy. "I can't believe you still think I'm worth something. I'll really try. I want to be a youth worker with you and I'll work for it from now on."
And he did.
Activity:
You need:
Pictures of Simon Peter's life (possibly copied from a Children's Bible or downloaded from the Internet)
Scissors
Pieces of A4 card
Glue
Tell the gospel story in your own words then ask the children what they know about Simon Peter (he was a fisherman, brother to Andrew, brought to Jesus by Andrew, was at the Transfiguration but made a really stupid suggestion, ran away and then denied he knew Jesus just at Jesus' greatest hour of need. Later, after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, became leader of the Church and was able to heal and even raise people from the dead. Died in Rome by being crucified upside down.)
Ask whether Peter was a rock while Jesus was alive? (No, he denied him and let him down.) Point out that although it appeared as though Jesus was wrong since Peter was anything but a rock, in the end Jesus was proved right. Jesus saw the potential in Peter and treated him as though he was already the rock which he would become.
Talk about the children's feelings about themselves. Do they feel good about themselves? Or do they feel that they do everything wrong and they're useless? Do any of them carry a burden of guilt? (Some children whose parents have divorced feel responsible for the divorce.) Ask them what sort of people they'd like to become in the future. Tell them that in Jesus' eyes they are already those people because Jesus has great faith in them and sees their potential.
Hand out the cards and let each child choose a picture. They should glue their pictures onto card, then cut up the pictures to form simple jigsaw puzzles. Put all the different pieces in the centre and encourage the children to work as a team to remake each jigsaw picture, then arrange them in order so that they tell the story of Simon Peter's life.
Intercession:
Faithful God, may we in the church recognise each other's potential. May we learn to treat each other as the fantastic people you believe us to be and may we cling onto your support in order for each of us to reach our full potential.
Faithful God, you see beyond terrorists and criminals and cheats to the potentially wonderful person hidden within each human being. May we never dismiss other human beings for superficial or selfish reasons, but always endeavour to encourage the best in them, just as you encourage the best in them.
Faithful God, when I'm at my lowest ebb feeling useless and depressed, remind me that I am the apple of your eye and that you hide me under the shadow of your wings. Help me to reach out for you so that when I'm in greatest need of you, I already know you and can respond to you.
Faithful God, bless those who are sick, especially the chronically ill who will never get better and those who care for them. We ask your healing power today for ....
Blessing:
May you know that you are terrific,
because God himself is besotted with you.
And may you live up to his faith in you.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now,
be in your homes and in your families
and with all those whom you love
and for whom you pray,
now and always.
Amen.
