Share the Word

Adult & All Age

Share the Word

Ways to present the readings

All age act of worship Session

Proverbs 8.1-4,22-31

The Book of Proverbs personifies Wisdom as a woman. She comes to us and welcomes us. She offers knowledge and seeks to encourage her listener to turn away from evil. Her words are a poem that speak truth to the hearer then and now.

The reader should ideally be an older woman. She could be dressed in a cape or shawl, and standing against the backdrop of a city – a silhouette perhaps. Alternatively, you could use two female readers, one old and one younger, to emphasise that the Wisdom here is both ancient and contemporary.

John 16.12-15

The reader brings out a large book, for example an encyclopaedia – but not a Bible. Make a dust cover for it with the title in large letters: ‘Life, the universe and everything’. Explain that this book is a handbook of life and living, and you will now read it all out loud so that people can understand how to live and what life is all about. As you open the book to read, the Gospel reader – suitably primed – interrupts and starts reading the John passage. At the end of the reading, discard your large book and pick up a Bible instead.

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Very young children's session for a version of the story for the under 5s.
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Children & Youth

Share the Word

Ways to present John 16.12-15

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

A version of the story for very young children.
Wrap a pass-the-parcel with each of the story sections below hidden in it. In the centre wrap the word ‘Jesus‘. Play pass-the-parcel as you unfold the story, a layer at a time.
1. Jesus said, ‘I have lots of things to tell you, but you are not ready to hear them yet.’
2. ‘I have to leave you, but the Holy Spirit is coming soon. The Holy Spirit will lead you in truth.’
3. ‘Everything the Holy Spirit shows comes from me.’
4. ‘Everything that belongs to the Father is mine.’

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

This happens after Jesus had died and risen again. He was preparing to go back to heaven.
Jesus talks about ‘The Spirit of truth’. This is the Holy Spirit.
‘Glory’ is a word we use in church, but not often in everyday life. It means ‘honour’ and ‘importance’.

Sign the Trinity E S

Teach the children BSL signs for ‘Father’, ‘Jesus’ and ‘Holy Spirit’ (see sign tutorial here).
As you read the passage, encourage them to listen and sign as they hear ‘Father’, ‘Jesus’ and ‘Holy Spirit’.

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Young people Session

Highlight what stands out 5 mins W E

You will need: copies of the Bible passage, highlighter pens.

As one person reads the passage slowly, invite the group to highlight any words or phrases that stand out for them. Repeat two or three times.
Afterwards, invite everyone to share the words or phrases with the group. Ask: Did your focus change over time?

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

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