READ Luke 2:1-5
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. (Luke 2:1-5)
REFLECT
We’re almost there! We’ve traveled through so much of the Bible this Advent, and now we’re almost to Bethlehem. Who are we traveling with? We’re traveling with Mary. Her pregnant belly is big and round, and she’s ready to have the baby! She doesn’t want to be pregnant anymore. She wants to hold Jesus in her arms. As we wait for Jesus to come again, we’re like Mary. We can get antsy, impatient for him to come back and make everything right.
We’re traveling with Joseph, too. He doesn’t know what to expect. He’s never been a dad before. He doesn’t even know how to hold a baby! We’re like Joseph because we don’t know what to expect, either! We hope we’ve done enough to prepare for Jesus to come again. We hope we’re ready.
Jesus, come soon! We’re excited for you to be here with us forever. We don’t want to wait any more.
TALK
- What will it be like when Jesus comes again?
PRAY
Jesus, I'm excited for you to come again. Will you help me be ready? Amen.
BLESS & DO
Add the next picture to your tree
Think about someone you know that is making a long journey at this time of year and find a way to bless them.
Materials adapted from: https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/, http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-jesse-tree-printable-pictures.html
More From 'Dig in at Home'
5 Ways to Pray With Kids
Sunday School & Dig in at Home 19 June 2022
SHARE
- Your highs, lows & buffalos (buffalos being something weird or funny or strange that has happened lately?
- What do you like best about being part of God's family?
READ
Read: Acts
In This Passage: While learning about being part of God’s family, particularly in the book of Acts, we learned about many people who were part of God’s family.
Who can you remember and what did you learn about them?
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?
- What do you think God is saying to you? What can you do about it?
TALK ABOUT VIDEO - “The Book of Acts in 3 Minutes” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2t2tXVzIsg
What was your favourite part of the book of Acts?
PRAY
- Pray for and with each other.
- Pray about your highs, lows, and buffalos.
- Your church could grow to be more and more like the church in Acts.
BLESS
- Bless each other saying, “May God Bless you this week”.
SS materials attached
Pentecost Worship & Dig in at Home - 5 June 2022
SHARE
- Share your highs, lows & buffalos (something weird, 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”.