Share the Word

Adult & All Age

Share the Word

Ways to present the readings

All age act of worship Session

Jonah 3.1-5,10

For this very simple drama/mime, you will need a narrator and Jonah. At the start of the reading, Jonah is slumped at the front of the worship space. As the narrator reads God’s words, Jonah gets up and walks to one side. Jonah’s words – which may be spoken by the narrator, or by Jonah having learned them by heart – are delivered in a loud ‘prophetic’ voice. Jonah then walks slowly all the way across the space as the reading continues.

Mark 1.14-20

You will need a narrator, and six actors: Jesus, Simon, Andrew, James, John and Zebedee. Others could be ‘hired men’. All except Jesus spread out along the front of the worship space and mime fishing (using props such as a rod or nets could be fun). As the narrator reads the passage, Jesus walks across the space and beckons first to Simon and Andrew, who ‘down tools’ and fall into line behind Jesus. Jesus then beckons James and John, and the same thing happens. Jesus and his disciples then walk off, out of sight, leaving Zebedee and any other ‘hired men’ looking puzzled and scratching their heads.

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Very young children's session for a version of the story for the under 5s.
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Bible study

Children & Youth

Share the Word

Ways to present Mark 1.14-20

Activities marked with an asterisk next to the activity title are in addition to the resources in the Ready to go sessions. Suggested timings for these activities are also shown. NB The inclusion of additional activities varies from week to week.

For very young children
For children
For young people

A version of the story for very young children

Very young childrens Session

Invite the children to use glove, finger or wooden spoon puppets to represent Jesus and the fishermen, to help you tell the story.

Jesus was ready to begin his work.
‘God’s kingdom is here! Come and join God’s special plan,’ he called.

When Jesus was walking down by the lake, he saw some fishermen.

First, he called to two brothers, Simon and Andrew:
‘Come, follow me! I will send you out to fish for people!’
Simon and Andrew left their fishing nets and followed Jesus.

Then he called to James and John:
‘Come, follow me! I will send you out to fish for people!’
James and John left their fishing nets too and followed Jesus.

FOR CHILDREN

Childrens Session

Read the story and pause at the to share these points with the children (see Stop and share below). Then use the activity to explore the passage together. (10 mins)

Click on the image to view a PDF.

Stop and share

Remind the children that John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin.
Explain that ‘repent’ means being sorry for what you have done; having a change of heart.
Ask the children what they think Jesus meant by ‘fish for people’. Discuss how Jesus was asking the fishermen to invite other people to follow him.

Freeze-frame the story W E

You will need: props to represent nets and boats (optional).

Create freeze frames of different key points in the story, asking children to be the different characters.
Look together at the freeze frames and notice what is happening. Ask: How do you think the fishermen felt at each point? Look at the end freeze frame. Ask: How do those who have been left behind feel?

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Young people Session

Move and reflect 5 mins E S

Read the passage out slowly and, as you do, tap the young people gently on the head, one at a time.
Encourage them to follow you around the room as you continue to read. Afterwards, discuss how it felt while they were waiting.

Spiritual styles abbreviations
W Word E Emotion S Symbol A Action
Read our Spiritual Styles articles

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