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Read Mark 9:30-37.

Today is the 17th Sunday of Pentecost.  During Pentecost, we grow closer to God and closer to one another. There are 9 Sundays left in the season of Pentecost.

In today’s gospel, Jesus and his disciples are traveling and as they travel the disciples are arguing.  Jesus asks them what they are arguing about.  They say they are arguing about which one of them is the greatest.

Watch today’s video and hear what Jesus had to say to them:

Jesus said that whoever wants to be first has to be last and they have to serve others.  That’s not what we usually think, but with Jesus things are different than what we might think.  We usually think that in order to be the greatest someone has to be first, they have to win, they have to be the best, they have to be famous, they might have people who wait on them and bring them what they want when they want it.  But Jesus says something very different.  Whoever wants to be first has to be last and they have to serve others.  When we serve others, we are serving Jesus himself.  That is a great thing!

Then Jesus took a child into his arms and he said that whoever welcomes children welcomes him and whoever welcomes him welcomes God.

Jesus loves children.  Sometimes people think adults are more important than children.  That’s not what Jesus thinks.  He says children are so important that when we welcome children we welcome Jesus himself.  When we welcome Jesus, we welcome God!

Discuss

  • Do you think that Jesus thought some disciples were greater than others?
  • How can people be great according to Jesus?
  • Does Jesus think adults are more important than children?

Song

I’ll Do My Best. Go Fish Guys.

Activity

Play a game of Jenga.  It’s a game where the last become first.  You take blocks from the bottom and put them on top!  Here’s a video that reminds you how the game works.  Jenga:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrtkgywTO7w

Activity

Jesus talks about serving others.  Consider serving in one of these very simple ways:

  • Write a letter to someone you know who could use some extra attention.
  • Did you use something that made you happy today? Write a thank you for it, either to the person who gave it to you, or to the manufacturer.
  • Offer to pick up groceries for your neighbor.
  • Say I love you to someone you love.
  • Hold the door open for someone.
  • Help someone with a stroller get up the stairs.
  • Spend quality time with your pet.
  • Bring flowers to someone you know who is having a tough day.
  • Write a note of encouragement and support for new parents.
  • If someone did a great job for you, write a note to that person’s boss thanking them and commending the good job.
  • Ask someone “how are you doing” and really listen. Sit down. Give them all of your attention.
  • Draw a picture for someone you love, especially if you notice they have had a bad day.

(based on ideas from www.goodtogether.org)

Closing Prayer

Jesus, help us remember that with you things aren’t always the way we expect.  Help us serve others.  Remind us that you love children.  Help always welcome you in our lives.  Amen.

 

Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home.  There will be a new one for each Sunday as we continue through this COVID wilderness.  Contact him at dfugate@iksynod.org.