Ways to engage different ages, spiritual styles and learning preferences
Ideas for a sermon or interactive talk
See also ‘Thought for the week’ to read out in place of a sermon; and 'The week in focus', linking the readings to the news.
- There are a number of animal images used of God throughout the Bible. Two that are familiar are the lion of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49.9; Revelation 5.5) and the lamb (John 1.29; Revelation 5.6). Luke 13 gives us one that Jesus applies to himself: the hen that longs to gather her chicks under her wings. The mothering instinct of hens can be so strong that they sometimes shelter other creatures under their wings, such as kittens or ducklings. This is a powerful image, but not an image of power. Jesus longs to protect people, but not everyone is willing.
- Jerusalem at the time of Jesus was a place of contradictions: it had the Temple and was a centre for pilgrims, but it was also the seat of Roman power. Religious power centred on the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Council, which could only hold on to its hard-won concessions from the Romans by not antagonising them politically. Tensions easily became moments of cynical compromise and political expediency. What are some of the ways that we find ourselves in the cross currents of different ‘political’ forces? Do we ‘stone those sent to us’? What would it take for us to be able to say ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord’?
- Has anyone formed a new club or society – e.g. at school, in the neighbourhood, or at church – or joined one? What were the visions? What was essential for and/or about those who joined? In short, what were its rules or core values? In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Old Major has a vision of a New Animal Community whose main value was ‘All animals are equal’. This and other core values were displayed on the farmyard wall. However, the pigs gradually altered these values to justify their own behaviour. What are our core values as Christians? What are Jesus’ core values? Are we a good advertisement for Jesus’ values? What would others see on our wall? Do we ever try to amend our values to suit our behaviour?
- In folktales, animals are often assigned human characteristics. Foxes are seen as cunning and predatory, whereas a chicken is usually stupid and cowardly. In this week’s Gospel reading, Herod is called a fox, but Jesus likens himself to a mother hen. So how apt are these descriptions? Do Herod and Jesus fit the stereotypes? Herod may be somewhat ‘foxy’, but Jesus is certainly no chicken in the modern conventional sense! And in real life the mother hen is protective, brave and caring. Do we behave like foxes, or hens, or some other animal? And, if so, how would you characterise that animal?
Thought for the week: When the going gets tough
Read out in place of a sermon if you wish
Have you ever felt afraid or threatened? If so, you will know the sensation of butterflies in your stomach, difficulties in breathing, heart pounding, and so on. Fortunately, many of our fears are short-lived, unjustified or calmed by those around us. But what if the threat is real – what then? Our bodies are geared either to fight or to flee. So, if in danger and if we think we have no chance of surviving, we run. Have you ever been tempted to run away from something? Most of us have. Sometimes it is the wiser course than trying to face a danger you can’t beat.
In Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, ‘The Nun’s Priest’ tells the story of a cockerel and a fox. Chanticleer, the cockerel, has a dream that he is about to be in great danger, but his wife ‘pooh, poohs’ it as simply fear caused by indigestion. She persuades him to ignore it. But the wily fox comes upon the cockerel and flatters him by encouraging him to stretch out his neck and sing. Thereupon, he seizes Chanticleer by the throat and runs off – chased by the whole village. But the cockerel is not so stupid as we might have thought. He encourages the fox to shout insults at his pursuers. Carried away by the thrill of the chase he starts to taunt those chasing him. Chanticleer seizes his chance and flutters onto a branch of a tree. Foxes are not as clever, nor chickens as stupid as some folk tales make them out to be!
In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus publicly calls Herod a fox. Herod is known for his cunning and cruelty, but Jesus won’t react to his threats. Advised to run, Jesus resolutely continues on his course. He is aware of a bigger plan that Herod cannot thwart. He will not be swayed by fear. His priority, his core value, is to carry out his Father’s purpose. He has an appointment with his destiny in Jerusalem, and he will go there, no matter what. He longs to protect his people like a mother hen protects her chicks by gathering them under her wings.
There are stories told of how, when threatened by fire, a mother hen gathers her brood under her. The hen’s protecting wings cover her chicks, helping them to survive, while she herself dies. A metaphor, perhaps, for us who, under the shelter of the outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross, are saved. We cannot doubt that Jesus feared the coming crucifixion in Jerusalem, but would not run away – and it was for love of us, and his Father, that he kept going when the going got really tough.
Active worship
Fox or hen?
A way into thinking about our different personalities and qualities
Your will need: paper and pens, pencils or crayons.
- In the Gospel reading, animals – a fox and a hen – are used to describe human personality and character. Invite people to draw pictures of their favourite animals. Then, in small groups, to share with each other the qualities they most admire about their chosen animal, and why.
- Next, ask people to draw the animal that they think represents their own personality and character. Again, share and say why. What qualities appeal to you most in people?
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What would you do?
Discuss how our core values influence our behaviour
- Working in groups, reflect on the following two scenarios:
- You come across someone at school/work who is being bullied; the victim is unpopular.
- You are in a shop and you notice a friend of yours shoplifting.
In each case, discuss your possible courses of action, and what each of those possibilities would say about your values.
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What does our church stand for?
You will need: a large and long piece of paper (e.g. a length of plain wallpaper), a range of craft/collage materials, paints, pens, scissors, glue.
- The exploration so far should have given you a range of core values held by those present. Working together, choose three core values that your church models in its work and witness. If necessary, have a vote (show of hands) to decide the top three.
- Together, make a banner, for public display, that illustrates the chosen values. Avoid ‘churchy’ or religious language or images that will not mean much to those outside your church context. Try to find ways to express your core values that will resonate with the people of your local community.
- In a large congregation you may need to work on more than one banner. When complete, if you can, display the banner in a suitable place – e.g. a noticeboard where it will be seen by the general public.
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A simple worship activity
A reflection on today, tomorrow and the next day.
Sometimes our fears may paralyse us. Invite people to listen to this poem. You could play the second movement of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, quietly, as background music while the poem is read.
Today, tomorrow and the next day
to Jerusalem I’m bound.
No threats or fears or rumours,
can make me turn around.
I know what there awaits me
betrayal, death and pain;
my friends will all desert me
yet from a cross I’ll reign.
From that day, its morrow and the next one,
the darkness turns to bright.
Death’s power by God is broken
with Easter’s radiant light.
Today, tomorrow and the next day,
you too will tread your road;
but I will walk beside you –
so let me bear your load.
By Don Dowling
- End with a time of silence.
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