John And The Power Within
Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
Jesus prayed to God asking that Jesus might be within us just as God was within Jesus, so that we may become completely one with God. In our worship today let us meet with the God within us, who is waiting to welcome us.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we act as though you are not within us. Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to look deep within ourselves and so can't find you. Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we prefer to be at odds with you rather than to be at one with you. Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 17:20--26
Story:
Jesus had enormous power in all sorts of ways because he was at one with God, so that God's power worked through Jesus. In today's reading he prayed that we too might be one with the God within us.
This is a story about John, who learns at Sunday School how to connect with the God within himself.
John And The Power Within
John loved to watch science fiction programmes on television. He loved to pretend he was there, part of a team in outer space, killing aliens and saving the planet from alien invasion and certain disaster.
He used to talk about sci--fi all the time at school, and when he was home he would play with his playstation or X box until he was quite expert. He reached the highest level in all his games and was far better than anyone else in school.
But John wasn't very sure of himself. He couldn't talk about anything except space invaders and the like and he never managed to get very good marks in any of the school tests. Worse, he was hopeless at sport and hated having to change into shorts and a tee shirt to go outside in cold weather on to the football field.
John hadn't many friends. He couldn't understand how anyone could get fed up with hearing about outer space, since he himself practically lived there in his imagination, but all his school mates seemed to hate it when John started talking. He found himself feeling more and more alone. Most of the time, when he was in front of the television or the play station or computer, that was OK. In fact, John preferred it. Other people could be a nuisance when he was playing against the computer and he needed all his concentration. But sometimes it felt really lonely by himself, and then John was miserable.
Sundays were awful days, because John had to go to Sunday School while his parents went to church. John hated Sunday School with a passion. He thought it was stupid and boring and resolved never to set foot inside a church as soon as he was old enough to decide such things for himself. He was forced to listen to Bible stories week after week, when he'd much rather be at home doing something interesting in space. He considered Bible stories to be no better than fairy tales, and he'd grown out of those years ago. Besides, his science teacher at school scoffed at religion, and John admired his science teacher more than anyone else he knew.
One day, John was watching Star Gate on television. Some of the ordinary people in it had extraordinary powers, because they had an alien life--force living inside them. When the alien life--force was seen, which was seldom, it looked horrible. It was kind of snake--like in appearance and emerged from the chest of its host, the person it was living in. John shuddered, but was fascinated. Although it looked so unpleasant and creepy, the alien life--force worked with its host to give its host super--strength and super--sight and all round super--powers. John let his mind drift into daydreams and began to imagine all that he could do if he had a life--force like that living inside him.
The next Sunday John discovered that he had a new teacher at Sunday School. John settled down, prepared to be as bored as usual, but was startled by the new teacher saying, "Have you got the power within you?"
"What power?" asked John, suspiciously. But he was intrigued despite himself.
The teacher grinned. He had nice eyes, which were crinkly at the corners. "The super--power," he answered. "What would you most like to be able to do?"
"Fly!" declared John, without hesitation.
He thought his teacher would tell him to grow up and not to be so stupid, but to his surprise, his teacher nodded. "OK, but that might take some training."
John stared at him, open--mouthed. "You're joking! What sort of training?"
"Have you seen Ninja warriors on television? You know it takes years and years of hard work to become a Ninja warrior? If you want to learn to use the power within you, you have to work like that."
"When can I start?" asked John, enthusiastically.
"We'll start today," said the teacher, "but you have to practise every day for ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the evening. Then, when you come here on Sundays, we'll check on how you're getting on and take it further. How does that sound?"
"Brilliant!" cried John, and all the other children joined with him. They started that day, sitting in a circle and beginning to learn how to meditate.
"What you're doing, " said the teacher, "is contacting the power within you."
John really enjoyed the meditation, and when it finished, he felt calm and relaxed, but somehow sharper and more alert than usual. He couldn't wait to practise at home and learn how to tap the power within him.
"May the force be with you!" called the teacher as the children left.
John practised hard at his meditation and he gradually noticed the results. He discovered that he could do almost anything inside his head while he was meditating. He could he even fly and visit different places. But most of all he noticed that he became more confident in himself and began to make friends. His school grades improved and he started to enjoy school much more. His interest in space began to wane a little, but he discovered that God -- the power within him -- was much more exciting than his space games.
In fact, over the years John changed so much that for him, Sundays couldn't come quickly enough!
Activity:
You need:
Some incense sticks
Matches.
Teach the children a simple meditation and suggest that they practise it at home, for ten minutes twice a day. Next week, don't forget to ask them how they've got on.
Make sure the children are sitting comfortably in a circle, preferably cross--legged on the floor. Tell them that God is within each one of us and that you're going to try to contact the God within. Light the incense sticks and explain that incense sometimes helps us to focus (Alternatively, you could use a candle or a picture or a flower -- anything to focus on). Then teach them a simple relaxation technique. They should close their eyes and listen to their breathing, without trying to change it. Then get them to concentrate on each part of their body in turn, relaxing each part. For instance, you could say something like, "Think of your foot. Try and let it go really heavy and soft. Now think of your knee. Make that go heavy and soft too." Make sure your voice is slow and soft, to encourage the relaxation.
When the children are relaxed, take them on a guided meditation:
"Today we're going to climb a mountain. The sky is blue and the sunshine is warm on your back. You can feel a gentle breeze ruffling your hair. You take some deep breaths to enjoy the mountain air. You begin to climb. There's a winding path going around the mountain and climbing gradually higher, so it's quite a gentle climb. As you climb, you look around you, to see what you can see. Have a good look at the beautiful scenery. Can you see trees? Can you see a long way? Can you see rocks?
You're climbing higher now, and you can see the peak of the mountain. It's quite hard work as you reach the peak. You really have to climb the last bit, finding toe and finger holds in the rocks and pulling yourself up, but you make it. You lie down on top of the mountain to get your breath back. Then you sit up. You can see for miles and miles, all around in every direction. Way down below you can see your own house, but it looks really tiny from up here.
Then you notice that you're not alone. There's a man sitting beside you on the rocks. He has a really kind face and you feel very comfortable with him. You know you can ask him any question you like and he will know the answer. You think of a question you'd like to ask. Ask him your question. Now wait and listen for his answer. What does he say?
You feel terrific, warm and comfortable and deeply loved. And you know that you can come back here any time you like and meet the wise man again. He will always be able to help you.
When you're ready, you say good--bye to the man and you go back down the mountain, to your home.
When you're ready, come back into our Sunday School room. Open your eyes and stretch a little."
You could follow this up by inviting the children to share their experiences, but you should make it clear that if they don't want to share, that's OK. Sometimes prayer can be very deep and personal and really can't be shared.
Intercession:
God within, remind our church that you are found within the body of the church as well as within each individual person. Teach us all how to look within to connect with you, but then to look outwards to work for you and with you.
God within, help all in authority to know that help is always at hand for them. May they make time for prayer, so that they have the energy and the power to use their authority for the benefit of all.
God within, show us how effective our lives can be when you are at the centre and give us the strength and endurance to learn to connect with you and to practise prayer.
God within, hold within your arms those who are sick that they might be comforted and healed. We name them before you ...
Blessing:
May you contact the God within you
and discover his love and protection.
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.
Jesus prayed to God asking that Jesus might be within us just as God was within Jesus, so that we may become completely one with God. In our worship today let us meet with the God within us, who is waiting to welcome us.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we act as though you are not within us. Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to look deep within ourselves and so can't find you. Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we prefer to be at odds with you rather than to be at one with you. Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 17:20--26
Story:
Jesus had enormous power in all sorts of ways because he was at one with God, so that God's power worked through Jesus. In today's reading he prayed that we too might be one with the God within us.
This is a story about John, who learns at Sunday School how to connect with the God within himself.
John And The Power Within
John loved to watch science fiction programmes on television. He loved to pretend he was there, part of a team in outer space, killing aliens and saving the planet from alien invasion and certain disaster.
He used to talk about sci--fi all the time at school, and when he was home he would play with his playstation or X box until he was quite expert. He reached the highest level in all his games and was far better than anyone else in school.
But John wasn't very sure of himself. He couldn't talk about anything except space invaders and the like and he never managed to get very good marks in any of the school tests. Worse, he was hopeless at sport and hated having to change into shorts and a tee shirt to go outside in cold weather on to the football field.
John hadn't many friends. He couldn't understand how anyone could get fed up with hearing about outer space, since he himself practically lived there in his imagination, but all his school mates seemed to hate it when John started talking. He found himself feeling more and more alone. Most of the time, when he was in front of the television or the play station or computer, that was OK. In fact, John preferred it. Other people could be a nuisance when he was playing against the computer and he needed all his concentration. But sometimes it felt really lonely by himself, and then John was miserable.
Sundays were awful days, because John had to go to Sunday School while his parents went to church. John hated Sunday School with a passion. He thought it was stupid and boring and resolved never to set foot inside a church as soon as he was old enough to decide such things for himself. He was forced to listen to Bible stories week after week, when he'd much rather be at home doing something interesting in space. He considered Bible stories to be no better than fairy tales, and he'd grown out of those years ago. Besides, his science teacher at school scoffed at religion, and John admired his science teacher more than anyone else he knew.
One day, John was watching Star Gate on television. Some of the ordinary people in it had extraordinary powers, because they had an alien life--force living inside them. When the alien life--force was seen, which was seldom, it looked horrible. It was kind of snake--like in appearance and emerged from the chest of its host, the person it was living in. John shuddered, but was fascinated. Although it looked so unpleasant and creepy, the alien life--force worked with its host to give its host super--strength and super--sight and all round super--powers. John let his mind drift into daydreams and began to imagine all that he could do if he had a life--force like that living inside him.
The next Sunday John discovered that he had a new teacher at Sunday School. John settled down, prepared to be as bored as usual, but was startled by the new teacher saying, "Have you got the power within you?"
"What power?" asked John, suspiciously. But he was intrigued despite himself.
The teacher grinned. He had nice eyes, which were crinkly at the corners. "The super--power," he answered. "What would you most like to be able to do?"
"Fly!" declared John, without hesitation.
He thought his teacher would tell him to grow up and not to be so stupid, but to his surprise, his teacher nodded. "OK, but that might take some training."
John stared at him, open--mouthed. "You're joking! What sort of training?"
"Have you seen Ninja warriors on television? You know it takes years and years of hard work to become a Ninja warrior? If you want to learn to use the power within you, you have to work like that."
"When can I start?" asked John, enthusiastically.
"We'll start today," said the teacher, "but you have to practise every day for ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the evening. Then, when you come here on Sundays, we'll check on how you're getting on and take it further. How does that sound?"
"Brilliant!" cried John, and all the other children joined with him. They started that day, sitting in a circle and beginning to learn how to meditate.
"What you're doing, " said the teacher, "is contacting the power within you."
John really enjoyed the meditation, and when it finished, he felt calm and relaxed, but somehow sharper and more alert than usual. He couldn't wait to practise at home and learn how to tap the power within him.
"May the force be with you!" called the teacher as the children left.
John practised hard at his meditation and he gradually noticed the results. He discovered that he could do almost anything inside his head while he was meditating. He could he even fly and visit different places. But most of all he noticed that he became more confident in himself and began to make friends. His school grades improved and he started to enjoy school much more. His interest in space began to wane a little, but he discovered that God -- the power within him -- was much more exciting than his space games.
In fact, over the years John changed so much that for him, Sundays couldn't come quickly enough!
Activity:
You need:
Some incense sticks
Matches.
Teach the children a simple meditation and suggest that they practise it at home, for ten minutes twice a day. Next week, don't forget to ask them how they've got on.
Make sure the children are sitting comfortably in a circle, preferably cross--legged on the floor. Tell them that God is within each one of us and that you're going to try to contact the God within. Light the incense sticks and explain that incense sometimes helps us to focus (Alternatively, you could use a candle or a picture or a flower -- anything to focus on). Then teach them a simple relaxation technique. They should close their eyes and listen to their breathing, without trying to change it. Then get them to concentrate on each part of their body in turn, relaxing each part. For instance, you could say something like, "Think of your foot. Try and let it go really heavy and soft. Now think of your knee. Make that go heavy and soft too." Make sure your voice is slow and soft, to encourage the relaxation.
When the children are relaxed, take them on a guided meditation:
"Today we're going to climb a mountain. The sky is blue and the sunshine is warm on your back. You can feel a gentle breeze ruffling your hair. You take some deep breaths to enjoy the mountain air. You begin to climb. There's a winding path going around the mountain and climbing gradually higher, so it's quite a gentle climb. As you climb, you look around you, to see what you can see. Have a good look at the beautiful scenery. Can you see trees? Can you see a long way? Can you see rocks?
You're climbing higher now, and you can see the peak of the mountain. It's quite hard work as you reach the peak. You really have to climb the last bit, finding toe and finger holds in the rocks and pulling yourself up, but you make it. You lie down on top of the mountain to get your breath back. Then you sit up. You can see for miles and miles, all around in every direction. Way down below you can see your own house, but it looks really tiny from up here.
Then you notice that you're not alone. There's a man sitting beside you on the rocks. He has a really kind face and you feel very comfortable with him. You know you can ask him any question you like and he will know the answer. You think of a question you'd like to ask. Ask him your question. Now wait and listen for his answer. What does he say?
You feel terrific, warm and comfortable and deeply loved. And you know that you can come back here any time you like and meet the wise man again. He will always be able to help you.
When you're ready, you say good--bye to the man and you go back down the mountain, to your home.
When you're ready, come back into our Sunday School room. Open your eyes and stretch a little."
You could follow this up by inviting the children to share their experiences, but you should make it clear that if they don't want to share, that's OK. Sometimes prayer can be very deep and personal and really can't be shared.
Intercession:
God within, remind our church that you are found within the body of the church as well as within each individual person. Teach us all how to look within to connect with you, but then to look outwards to work for you and with you.
God within, help all in authority to know that help is always at hand for them. May they make time for prayer, so that they have the energy and the power to use their authority for the benefit of all.
God within, show us how effective our lives can be when you are at the centre and give us the strength and endurance to learn to connect with you and to practise prayer.
God within, hold within your arms those who are sick that they might be comforted and healed. We name them before you ...
Blessing:
May you contact the God within you
and discover his love and protection.
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.
