READ Isaiah 11
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2)
REFLECT
This is hope: that even when the forest has been decimated, every last living plant hacked to the ground, no birdsong in the trees—even then, when all seems lost, a shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse.
In today’s passage, we read about Israel, having endured slavery in Egypt and wilderness in the dessert, now in exile. The people of God are weary and battered, discouraged by their own sin and the wickedness of the world. They look around: No one lives honourably. Evil reigns. Orphans and widows are neglected. People are puffed up, and institutions corrupt. And God, in his righteous judgment, intends to put a stop to it by bringing it all to the ground.
He “will lop the boughs with terrifying power; the tallest trees will be cut down” (Isaiah 10:33). All that will be left is a barren landscape, the bald remains of a clear-cut forest. But— “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1).
Imagine wandering through that post-apocalyptic landscape, seeing nothing but grey for miles, and suddenly coming across that shoot! The first green. The first bit of supple growth, signalling water beneath and, someday, a tree.
Who is this shoot, whom the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon? Jesus. Jesus, descendant of Jesse. Jesus, descendent of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus, the one promised centuries before his arrival. Jesus is the one we hope for this Advent.
TALK
- Have you ever seen a new shoot growing from an old tree?
- How does your heart feel when you see new plants growing in spring?
PRAY
God, I am amazed at your patience and your plan for redeeming all things. Thank you for giving us hope in Jesus, like new growth after a devastating bushfire. Please give me strength to keep hoping, faith to keep trusting and help me pay attention to you this Advent. Amen.
BLESS & DO
Make a Jesse tree for your home (see instructions above). Add some leaves and the first picture to it.
Bless someone by giving them some flowers or a plant.
Materials adapted from: https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/, http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-jesse-tree-printable-pictures.html
SHARE
- Your highs, lows & buffalos (buffalos being something weird or funny or strange that has happened lately?
- What is something you believe will happen this week?
- What’s one thing you’re 100% sure about God?
READ
READ
Psalm 144:12
"Make our sons in their prime like sturdy oak trees, Our daughters as shapely and bright as fields of wildflowers." (The Message)
Micah 6:6-8
“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
DISCUSS
- What stands out for you in this bible passage?
- What does this passage tell us about God?
- What does this passage tell us about people?
- What is challenging in this passage?
- What do you think God is saying to you? What can you do about it?
PRAY
Loving God
We pray for the chaplains who serve in our schools, colleges, universities and institutions of learning, We give thanks for their commitment and passion for the role that you have called them to. We pray that they have the courage, wisdom and stamina to support the children, students and staff. We pray also for the Local Chaplaincy Committees and all of those who support our chaplains.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PRAY
- Pray for and with each other.
- Pray about your highs, lows, and buffalos.
BLESS
- Bless each other saying, “May God Bless you this week”.
SHARE
- Your highs, lows & buffalos (buffalos being something weird or funny or strange that has happened lately)
- How have you seen God at work in your life this week? Have you ever experienced transformation?
READ
Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you, therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The Girls Brigade Vision
GIRLS’ LIVES TRANSFORMED; GOD’S WORLD ENRICHED
The Girls' Brigade Crest
The Girls' Brigade crest is a registered trademark of Girls' Brigade England & Wales. However, all Girls' Brigade companies around the world have the right to use it.
In the centre is a Cross, the symbol of Christ and his Church. Below the cross is a Lamp, which represents the light of the Girls' Brigade shining upon the World. Above it is a Crown, of Christ as King. Behind it all, is a Torch, the flame of Christ's living spirit.
The badge incorporates symbols from the three original organizations and is, therefore, in itself a symbol of union, as well as faith and allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Girls Brigade which formed in Ireland in 1893, brought in the Cross. The Girls' Guildry which formed in 1900 in Scotland, brought in the Lamp. Lastly, the Girls' Life Brigade, which formed in 1902 in England, brought in the Crown. They amalgamated in 1965. A competition was held to design the crest for the amalgamated organisation, it was won by Constance Fasham.
TALK
- What stands out for you in this bible passage?
- What does this passage tell us about God?
- What does this passage tell us about people?
- What is challenging in this passage?
Read the passage and the Girls Brigade vision again.
- How do you relate the Bible reading and the Girls' Brigade vision?
The GB crest helps us understand what it is that transforms lives.
- What are the parts of the crest? (see images and puzzle attached)
- How do these parts relate to transformed lives?
- What do you think God is saying to you? What can you do about it?
PRAY
- Pray for and with each other.
- Pray about your highs, lows, and buffalos.
Oh God, who prepared the disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Make our hearts and minds ready, we beseech you, for the indwelling presence of your son Christ our Lord. Grant that the Officers and members of the Girls Brigade may be True and just in all their dealings, modest and Gentle in all their Word's and always loving and kind. Bless all others who Work for the extension of Christ's kingdom in the lives of young people, so that finally we may all come to the blessed home through Christ our Lord. Amen
A prayer from the Girl’s Brigade in Zambia
BLESS
- Bless each other saying, “May God Bless you this week”.
Additional resources attached.
If you would like a 'creative pack' with these materials already prepared, please contact Helen (via 3355 2162 or office@emmanueluca.org.au) or Jess (via 0438 168 706 or jess@emmanueluca.org.au) to arrange a convenient time for collection.
SHARE
- Your highs, lows & buffalos (buffalos being something weird or funny or strange that has happened lately)
- What do you notice is different in the worship space today?
READ
- Acts 2:1-4
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit spread and moved among and within the people. But Pentecost is more than just an ancient story, it is about the ongoing life of the followers of Jesus. It is about us, here and now, and how through the Holy Spirit, we are filled, transformed, guided, and empowered to be the people of God, to share the joy and new life that it brings.
- What stands out for you in this passage?
- What do you think this passage teach us about God/People/Obedience/Discipleship?
- What do you think God is saying to you?
- What will you do about it? Who will you share it with?
TALK
- When have you experienced God’s Spirit or Power?
- Or, when was a time when you felt joy, had fun with friends or family, been excited by what’s going on, or felt brave about sharing?
- What would a party look like with God present?
- Who would you invite to the party? What would you do at the party?
DO
Pentecost is a day when we see the church being inspired by the Holy Spirit and we want to encourage and facilitate you to respond creatively. You can use the ideas below or engage your creative self and use these items and other items that you have in other ways.
Playdough
- Shape playdough flames above the heads of the disciples on the coloured mat.
- Use the playdough to make something.
- Imagine God is shaping and transforming as you shape the playdough into new creations.
Paper and colours
- Colour the flame, and as you fill the page with colour, imagine being filled with the Spirit.
- Sit with the blank paper and colours and listen to God and draw what he puts in your mind. What do you see/feel/imagine?
- Use the blank paper and word prompts to create a word cloud.
Candle or Sparkler (under adult supervision only)
- Light one candle or sparkler, use that one to light others and those to light others again. As the light increases imagine God spirit increasing and being spread throughout the world.
PRAY & BLESS
- Pray for and with each other. Pray about your highs, lows, and buffalos.
- Ask God to help you be filled with His spirit, transformed by its power, led by its boldness, and empowered to share the joy and new life that it brings.
- Bless each other saying, “May God Bless you this week”.
Additional resources attached.
If you would like a 'creative pack' with these materials already prepared, please contact Helen (via 3355 2162 or office@emmanueluca.org.au) or Jess (via 0438 168 706 or jess@emmanueluca.org.au) to arrange a convenient time for collection.
Watch Joy
Talk
- What does it mean for you to choose Joy?
- How can you let God’s joy move you?
Challenge
- Sing and Dance along to the song, as you let God’s joy move in and through you.
Watch Joy to the World
Talk
- What do you think it means to “let heaven and nature sing”?
Challenge
- On this, the first day of 2021, take some time to pray and ask God to help you remain focused and put time and energy into the things that bring you, your family and the world hope, peace, joy and love.
Watch Joy
Talk
- What stood out to you most in this video? What things resonated with you?
- What do you think God might be saying to you? What will you do about it?
Challenge
- On this, the last day of 2020, take some time to reflect and pray about what has brought you hope, peace, joy and love this year.
Watch The Mystery of the New Noisy Neighbour
Talk
- What part of this video did you like best?
- I wonder how you would have felt if you had visited baby Jesus with the shepherds or with the wise men?
Challenge
- Do your own detective work and learn more about this special baby... Read Luke 1: 26-38 and Luke 2:1-20.
Watch The First Christmas
Talk
- What did Chris, Joy and Gizmo learn about Christmas?
- What do you think it would be like to have been alive at the time of Jesus’ birth?
Challenge
- Go back and do or finish any of the challenges that you didn’t get to do or finish.