Adult & All Age
Activities and prayers to gather the group and introduce the theme
Use the Jump menu on the right to find Prayers and other resources.
Mothering Sunday
- Today is Mothering Sunday/Mothers’ Day. Encourage people to share special things they have done, or will be doing, today.
- Remember that while today is a joyful occasion for most people, it is not so for everyone. Some will be sad for mothers no longer with them, or may not have a good relationship with their mother, or may not have known their mother at all. With that in mind, it may be helpful to think more broadly about all those who have been like a mother to us – in short, all who have loved us.
- Today’s Gospel reading is a story that Jesus told, not about a mother but a father. He had two sons: one made some bad choices; the other became angry and resentful. But their father loved them – outrageously so. And that is what we will explore today.
First impressions
You could also use the image and following questions to help introduce the theme.
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Click on the image to view a larger version
or use the Jump menu to go to This week's images.
For artist's details, see this issue's illustrators.
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Questions
- How do you imagine the loving and open arms of God?
- What does ‘outrageous love’ mean to you?
- What could you do as an expression of outrageous love?
Children & Youth
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 CHILDREN
Gathering song
Sing to the tune: London’s burning
Brother Jesus, in the desert,
being tempted, he resisted!
What can we do?
Talk to Jesus when we’re tempted.
Where am I? W E S
You will need: pens and paper.
- Come up with a list of places where it is easy to get lost. Ask the children if they have ever been lost. How did that feel? How did they feel after they had been found?
- Invite the children to draw a map of the place where you meet, and mark the location with a symbol, so the children can easily be found.
Making maps 5 mins E
You will need: pens and paper.
- Divide the group into two. Each group must designate a spot in the room as ‘home’, and draw a map with instructions for the other team to use to find their way ‘home’.
- Encourage both groups to be creative in their directions, e.g. to hop, crawl, etc., at different points.
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Where am I? 5 mins E
You will need: paper and pens.
- Ask the young people to draw famous landmarks, hold up their drawing and ask the rest of the group to guess the city/country the landmarks are from.
- Ask: Has ever seen these landmarks in real life? Discuss how easy it is to get lost in a new place: This is about being physically lost; what does it feel like to get lost in a different way – emotionally, or in our relationship with God?
First impressions
You could also use the image and following questions to help introduce the theme.
|
Click on the image to view a larger version
or use the Jump menu to go to This week's images.
For artist's details, see this issue's illustrators.
|
Questions
- How do you imagine the loving and open arms of God?
- What does ‘outrageous love’ mean to you?
- What could you do as an expression of outrageous love?
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