The
following are some thoughts Maria, Catherine and
For example:-
29th Sunday – October 17th 2004
The woman pestering the judge
How we must be persistent in our prayers (even if God doesn't give us what we want like the judge) by talking/reaching out to Him in prayer every day
30th Sunday – October 24th 2004
The show-off Pharisee and the tax collector
God wants us to talk with Him, need him like the tax collector, not compare ourselves to others like the Pharisee, but to be ourselves as God made us. To reach out to him to help us see ourselves, and others, as God sees us.
31st Sunday – October 31st 2004 (Remember Clock Change)
From the crowd, Jesus picks out Zaccheus –
note how Z wasn't a believer like the crowd, but Jesus reached out to him (as indeed Z reached out to Jesus by climbing into the tree) and Z changed as a result.
32nd Sunday – November 7th 2004
The woman married 7 times
we thought this might be a bit confusing but as it's Remembrance Sunday, and the gospel does introduce the idea of heaven, we could talk about those who've died and gone to heaven (grandparents, saints, angels) and how we reach out to them through prayer too.
WE FOUND THE IDEAS FROM THE AT YOUR WORD LORD MATERIAL TO BE VERY GOOD BUT SOMETIMES NOT VERY PRACTICAL. THESE ARE OUR SUGGESTIONS TO SUPPLEMENT THE IDEAS ALREADY GIVEN. WE HOPE THEY WILL INVOLVE THE CHILDREN MORE, ELICITING ANSWERS RATHER THAN LECTURING THEM.
29th
Sunday – October 17th 2004
Main aim:
To get the children to understand that God always answers our prayers, but not always as we hope or expect. Why? Because He knows what is best for us, and knows us better than we know ourselves.
How do we get this idea across?
Ask what they pester for - toys, TV, games, sweeties Focus on sweeties - take some props!
Ask, do you always get them? No, Why? Take props - Show a toothbrush - get them to say that they rot teeth Show and knife and fork - get them to say that they ruin your appetite for proper food But sometimes they do get them - when?
Treats, Birthdays etc
Explain how parents say 'no' when they love their children, but they also say yes when the time is right. Draw the analogy with God and prayer.
With the older group
we thought they might work in groups (if there are lots of them) and getting them to write something on their wish list and put it in a hat. Wishes can be pulled out randomly and the group has to do some role play, pretending to parents and explaining why a ‘no’ might be more appropriate. E.g. a Game Boy might interfere with your homework, a horse isn’t practical and costs a lot etc This a prelude to examining your own conscience.
Try to think why God doesn’t always answer our prayers as we want, but that prayer with Him will help us understand why. Like your parents, you need to pester Him (talk to Him in prayer) every day before you get the message!
30th
Sunday – October 24th 2004
Main aim:
We thought this could be a Bidding Prayer Special week. Remind the children of the week before and the importance of prayer everyday in our lives.
Examine the Gospel - the show off who just tells God how great he is and how terrible the tax collector is. Do we know people like that? Aren't we all like that sometimes? Give examples - perhaps puppets? What about the tax collector? Does he compare himself to anyone? No. Why? He's talking with God, asking His help.
We NEED God's help too, and so do others. We can ask him through bidding prayers.
Get the children to work alone, or with parents to say/write personal bidding prayers and then pick out some to say together. Perhaps talk with Father Freddie and go up earlier? Or do them downstairs.
31st
Sunday – October 31st 2004 (Remember Clock
Change)