Welcome to ROOTS at home for 24 - 31 May 2020

Worship at home resources for everyone linked to John 17:1-11

ROOTS is a partnership of denominations and other Christian organisations and has been publishing lectionary-based worship resources online and in print since 2002.

Go to: Resources for families; Resources for adults

Copyright

You are welcome to copy this material for use in your own resources e.g. printed sheets or web pages including audio/video recordings. If you do so, please include this acknowledgement to ROOTS:
© ROOTS for Churches Ltd (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2020.
Reproduced with permission.

For families

Introduction

Jesus’ ‘last speech’ in John’s Gospel talks of the relationship that exists within the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The challenge for us is not only to begin to understand and enter into that relationship, but also to play our part in it by glorifying (lifting up) God.

Gather

Use this prayer as you begin your time of worship together. Nominate a leader or all join in together.

Light a large candle.

We light this candle to remember
that the light of Jesus Christ is with us.
Let us glorify his name.
Amen.

Read

Share the Bible story using the idea below to help you explore it together.

Bible story

John 17.1-11: Jesus talks to the Father about being glorified and prays for his followers.

Three responses

Teach everyone actions to respond to the following words:

Father/God/Jesus – give a round of applause
Glory/glorify/glorified – whoop and cheer
You – point at the sky in triumph.

Then read the passage and ask the children to use the actions at the right moments.

View print version

Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the hour has come. Now is the time for me to be glorified. You have given me power over everyone. I will give eternal life to all those you have given to me. They will know you as the one true God and they will know me as Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

‘I have brought glory to you in the way I have lived my life on earth. But now I have finished the work you gave me to do. And so, Father, the time is right for you to glorify me in heaven.

‘I have told the people that you sent me and that you are God. They believe in you and have been faithful to you. They know that the things I have taught them come from you, and that everything I have comes from you.

‘I am not asking for the world’s sake, but for the sake of those who belong to me. And all those who belong to me are yours. Now I am no longer in the world, but they are still in the world. I am leaving them to come to you. So I ask you, Holy Father, to protect them in your name, so that they may be as one, just as you and I are one.’

Glossary

to glorify: to praise or honour greatly
eternal life: fullness of life in God’s presence, both now and after death.

Activities

You may wish to use these additional resources to worship together and/or the activity sheets for children.

Illustrated faith

Illustrated faith is a form of Bible journalling that allows you to respond creatively to God’s Word and record your faith journey and growth in artistic ways.

Tell the group about illustrated faith and show them some pictures to inspire them. View pictures in PowerPoint. View pictures as a PDF.
Give out copies of John 17.1-11 with sufficient blank margin space around the edge, and encourage everyone to experiment with doodling, calligraphy and creative colouring to highlight key phrases in the text and bring it to life.

Additional resources are available via:
www.sophiemakes.co.uk (Sophie is happy to be contacted about her work - see her website for details.)
www.illustratedfaith.com