ASK (a.k.a The On-Ramp)
- Good morning!
- I have a question for you: Who here can do this? [ this = a skill. See next bullet
point for more explanation ]
- [ at this point, display a skill that you have that most kids will not be able to
do. Examples include: Any form of whistling, successful use of a yo-yo, playing
a musical instrument, juggling, a very simple magic trick like this one (the link
is of a youtube video that shows how to do the “separate your finger” trick), or
even just snapping your fingers. Whatever skill you choose, it must be a skill that
can be learned. No double-jointed tricks or something like that. ]
- So very few of us (maybe even none of us) can do what I’m doing, right? Why do you
think that is?
- Because we haven’t learned how to do this thing?
- Hmm. So what would have to happen for you to learn how to do what I’m doing?
- Yes! First, someone would have to show you how to do it.
- And, then you’d have to practice to get it right
- This is one way that we learn, isn’t it?
- And one of the things about learning is that the time we choose to spend learning
about that thing is time that we do NOT spend on other things.
- So, if we really want to be good at something, then we are going to spend a lot of
time learning and practicing that one thing, right?
- Which also means that we’re going to have less time for other things, even things
that we like and enjoy, like hanging out with friends or playing games.
TELL (a.k.a. The Freeway)
- In today’s scripture story, we hear that Jesus is surrounded by crowds of people.
- This wasn’t unusual. These crowds followed Jesus often, but not in the same way that
the disciples did.
- The same disciples were ALWAYS following Jesus, copying what he did and listening
closely to what he said.
- The people in the crowds, though, only followed Jesus when he was nearby and when
they had nothing else to do.
- Which is why, in today’s scripture story, Jesus is telling the people in the crowd
that if they really want to learn the skills that he, Jesus, knows, then they are
going to have to put a LOT more time into learning and practicing what Jesus is teaching
them.
- In fact, Jesus tells them that it will take so much time that they won’t always have
very much time for other things, including spending as much time with their family
and friends.
- In other words, Jesus is telling the crowds that they can’t just “be” his disciples.
- Instead, they will have to practice really hard at being Jesus’ disciples.
SHARE the Good News (a.k.a. The Destination)
- The same thing is true for us.
- It takes a lot of practice and time for you and me to be a disciple – to be a student
– of Jesus.
- But, if we do take the time to learn what Jesus taught, then eventually, we will
learn what Jesus knew and do things like he did.
- In other words, we will be better able to receive God’s love, forgiveness, and healing
and then be able to share God’s love, forgiveness, and healing with the people around
us – just like Jesus did.
- And that is the good news for today. Let’s pray.
CLOSING Prayer
- This is a repeat-after-me prayer.
Dear God,
Dear God,
Thank you for Jesus…
Thank you for Jesus…
…who teaches us how…
…who teaches us how…
…to live your better way.
…to live your better way.
Help us to make the time…
Help us to make the time…
…so that we can REALLY learn how...
…so that we can REALLY learn how...
…to share your life with those around us.
…to share your life with those around us.
Thank you and Amen
Originally posted September 1, 2013
Updated on August 6, 2022
Written and edited by
Nathanael Vissia
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