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Simple Reminders The primary idea you need to keep revisiting during this Following Jesus Pathway is that we are following and being formed by Jesus. This pathway can be learned simply or in great depth. We trust that you as a leader know your people and the dynamics of your group well enough to adapt and impart this topic with grace and wisdom. This guide is designed to help you and others follow and be formed by Jesus. Remember to keep it Jesus-Centered. We pray that you will be Spirit-Led and Spirit- Empowered as you lead and learn together. Lord’s Supper Hand Motion Researchers have found that moving our bodies and adding actions to our learning significantly increases our ability to remember. Here is a hand action you can add to the command to remember it: Step 1: Take both hands make them into fists (turned down) in front of you Step 2: Turn your fists to the side- action of breaking something apart Brief Commentary and Context Summary of Lord’s Supper - The Lord’s Supper (or Communion/Eucharist) was given as a gift by Jesus to his disciples and the Church through the ages to remember his death, to symbolize a new covenant, to gather his body, the Church, around a table in fellowship and to anticipate the meal we will one day enjoy in his eternal presence. “This meal looks different in various Christian traditions…The key is to remember the humble gift that Jesus became in his sacrifice and the new life we receive from him… “Do this in remembrance of me,” Jesus said (e.g. Luke 22:19). This meal invites us to remember Jesus. It represents to the senses⏤just like the meals God established for the Israelites⏤the life and death of Jesus. This meal is not something we do for Jesus; rather, it reminds us of what Jesus has done for us. And it becomes something we do with Jesus. We participate with him in it.” (Bible Project Article: Why is the Lord’s Supper Significant in the Bible by Shara Drimalla & BibleProject Team). Brief Commentary for - Luke 22:1-23 “The Lord’s Supper” On the night before his crucifixion during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (the Passover) Jesus gathered his disciples. The room was thick with nostalgic connection and hidden betrayal. “When Jesus wanted to give his followers - then and now a way of understanding what was about to happen to him, he didn’t teach them a theory…He gave them an act to perform. Specifically, he gave them a meal to share. It is a meal that speaks more volumes than any theory.” (N.T. Wright, Luke For Everyone, p.261-262.) This would be the Passover that every other Passover had been pointing to. It was no accident that Jesus chose this marker moment. Passover was the defining act of God in Israel’s history, their salvation and deliverance from their oppressive enemy through sacrifice. The disciples had eaten this meal their entire lives remembering and commemorating their peoples' exodus from Egypt. But there was no way they could understand what Jesus was about to do. Taking the bread in his hand, blessing and breaking it he gave it to them. Jesus in one statement, would change over a thousand years of tradition, redefining the meaning of the meal forever. “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” We are only left to imagine the look on their faces, jaws dropped, wide-eyed and stunned by Jesus’ words. They lingered and ate for some time as Jesus opened up the mystery of the kingdom and his coming suffering. He poured words of promise and peace over their frightened souls. They were warned of persecution, but Jesus anchored them in hope. After sometime he lifted the cup stunning them again, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Was this actually the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s ancient prophecy about a new covenant, was it happening now, right before their eyes? This meal and the moment they shared would become a lasting pattern, a means of imparting divine grace (sacrament) and a central devotion practiced by Jesus’ followers in the church down through the ages. His broken body is our oneness and wholeness, his poured out blood is our forgiveness and freedom. An act that covers our past in mercy, meets our present with lovingkindness and secures our future in hope. Each time we receive the bread and cup together in faith we are called to remember the sacrificial love expressed through the death of our Lord that has become our life eternal. Partaking of the Lord’s supper we become recipients of healing, forgiveness, deliverance, comfort, reconciliation and victory at this never ending feast of life. Jesus spoke and embodied a blessed, broken and given life which is now the cruciform shape of our lives together. We have a relationship with the Father and the church based upon grace at the cross, a righteousness built on the work of Jesus and not our own, this is the New Covenant. All we have and all we are is gift. “The ongoing and repeated participation in the Lord’s Supper reminds us that, wonderful as it is, this is not the final meal that Jesus has prepared for us. When he returns, Jesus will gather his people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. And they will once again have access to the tree of life (Revelation 22:2). He will bring them to the meal that he has prepared for them, and they will enjoy an eternally life-giving meal in his presence (Revelation 19:6-9). The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the life and work of Jesus, and it marks us as people of his new covenant. And while doing all of this, it also anticipates that final glorious feast. The meal serves as a taste of what is to come—a taste of true life. As we practice this new covenant meal, may it stir within us hope for his return and thankfulness for who he is and what he has done.” Core Truths from the Topic: Summary Scripture: Matthew 26:26-28- "Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Luke 22:19-20- “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’” 1 Cor 10:16-17- "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." 1 Cor 11:23-33- For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Acts 2:42- "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." John 6:53-58- "So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever." Acts 20:7- "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight." Bible Stories The Last Supper – Matt. 26:26-29 The Last Supper – Mark 14:11-26 Early Church in Jerusalem – Acts 2:42-47 Church in Troas with Apostle Paul- Acts 20:7-12 Paul’s Instruction – 1 Cor. 11:23-25 Jesus after resurrection – Luke 24:30 Extra Resources https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-lords-supper/ https://bibleproject.com/articles/lords-supper-in-the-bible/

Remember Breath Prayer Breath in: The Lord is good and faithful Breath out: He will keep us day and night Song Themes: Come to Jesus in all things Remember one another Is anyone celebrating something that happened this week? Let’s share so we can all thank God together. Is anyone struggling, feeling sad, lonely or scared? How can we pray for one another? Remember what we learned last week Practice the Following Jesus Liturgy (With our youngest kids only focus on the portion that we’re currently learning) Leader: Who remembers what we learned last week? Love! Can anyone remember what scripture we learned or what it said? 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Read the passage and see if the children can name a few characteristics of love before moving on. Reflect: Lord's Supper * A note before beginning. Children under the age of 7 are typically not able to grasp abstract concepts. Some children will not grasp abstract concepts until the age of 8, 9, or even 10. This is completely normal. Taking communion is an abstract concept that builds on the understanding of sacrifice and atonement for sin. When working with children under the age of 7, you may find it helpful to emphasize elements of "remembering what God has done" and receive His mercy, grace, and healing afresh. Some of the resources below are geared to older children and some work for all ages. Choose according to the needs in your Home Church. Ask: What do you know about Communion? Begin by asking the kids what they know about Communion? What is it? Have you ever been in Church when there is bread and juice and why do you think it's there? What does Jesus have to do with bread and grape juice? Listen, engage, and encourage curious questions, but don't feel a need to answer all the questions yet. Read: Luke 22:19-20, "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Acknowledge that these are tricky words and may sound confusing, but we're going to learn about them together so we can understand what Jesus meant. Watch: The video below is great for ages 7+ Younger kids may enjoy the second video. Respond: Come to the Table Talk about what you learned. Why do we have bread and wine/juice? What did Jesus say about these things? What is a ritual (second video)? Does your family have rituals? How do they help us? What did Jesus tell His disciples to do while they were eating the bread and drinking from the cup? Read Luke 22: 19-20 again. Pray, Lord, teach us how to remember the God things you've done for us and enjoy the gift of communion. Activity: Come to the Table * You will need place settings, snacks, drinks and table. If you don't have a table this can also work by sitting in a circle. Explain that the snacks (pretzels, goldfish, chips, bread, crackers, etc) are like the bread that Jesus tore apart. Explain that the juice (cups or juice box work) are like the cup of wine that Jesus shared with His disciples. Older kids can understand that the bread represents Jesus body and the juice represents His blood. Have the kids work together to "set the table" making a place setting for each child. This can be as creative or simple as you like as long as each setting has snacks and juice. Have all the kids take their seats. Explain that taking communion is a holy thing and an opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to forgive us again. Tell the kids that we are going to be quiet for a moment and see if there's anything the Holy Spirit wants to show us from this week that we can ask for forgiveness for. It may be as simple as screaming at a sibling, lying, having an ungrateful attitude. All the kids to wait on the Lord and then have them repeat after you, "Lord, I receive your forgiveness again and ask you to wash my heart clean. Thank you for making me new again." Now explain that we are going to take turns going around the circle and saying something that Jesus has done for us. In this way we are remembering Him. During this time we can eat and drink in celebration of Jesus. He is worthy of celebrating! If you have time, continue the conversation and stoke new imagination of the things God has done for us. Taking communion is as simple as remembering that Jesus is the Bread of Life and His blood has set us free from sin. While we eat and drink together we remember these truths and remind ourselves and each other that He is Good. Close with a prayer: Lord, for the rest of my life I want to enjoy communion with you. Help me to never forget how good and faithful you are. Amen.

Simple Reminders The primary idea you need to keep revisiting during this Following Jesus Pathway is that we are following and being formed by Jesus. This pathway can be learned simply or in great depth. We trust that you as a leader know your people and the dynamics of your group well enough to adapt and impart this topic with grace and wisdom. This guide is designed to help you and others follow and be formed by Jesus. Remember to keep it Jesus-Centered. We pray that you will be Spirit-Led and Spirit- Empowered as you lead and learn together. Pray Hand Motion Researchers have found that moving our bodies and adding actions to our learning significantly increases our ability to remember. Here is a hand action you can add to the command to remember it: Step 1: Take both hands with palms facing up and cross across your heart/chest - hug action Brief Commentary and Context Summary of "Love" - Agape love is a “compassionate commitment to delight in the soul of another and to will that person’s good ahead of your own, no matter the cost to yourself.” (Live No Lies, John Mark Comer p. 130) God is love and has fully revealed what love is in Jesus and his sacrificial death on the cross. God’s Love is the source of all things and the fulfillment of all things, the beginning and the end. Love is not a cold choice, or only fervent emotion. Love is attentive affection, delighted connection, compassionate commitment, self-giving joy. Loving one another is about attitude and action. It means listening to each other, remaining patient, and forgiving each others' faults or weaknesses. It’s about working for the health and well-being of the other, generously caring for the person, and learning to see the inherent beauty and good in one another. Love is the distinguishing mark of all of Jesus’ followers, and we are able to love in this radical way because of the self-giving love of Jesus. His love empowers his followers to love each other with the same patience, devotion, and fervency he showed to them. Brief Commentary for - Matthew 5:43-48 - "Love Your Enemies” After 30 years of relative obscurity and ordinary life in the hills of Galilee, Jesus leaves his vocation to launch out in obedience to his Father’s voice and the prophetic scriptures written about him. His ministry was to declare and demonstrate the Kingdom of God, defeating humanity's enemies and restoring all that was broken in creation. The way he lived was profound but simple, to hear and obey the Father. He embodied what he desired to reproduce in his first followers, the way of love. The gospel writer Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in the early chapters of his gospel. As this new Rabbi moved throughout Galilee the towns were stirred with curiosity and wonder. Crowds flocked to him and those in most desperate need pressed close with the hope of a miracle. Many of these were considered unclean and unfit for God by the religious establishment. Jesus welcomed them, healed them and began to teach them about his Father’s kingdom, now open to those never qualified before. He taught about a “surpassing righteousness” that flows from the heart manifested in love that fulfills the Jewish law. They were not aware but it was a righteousness he had come to fulfill on their behalf. Jesus had come to bring God’s blessing for all who had previously been trampled, forgotten and excluded. Line by line he stunned the masses as he reinterpreted their age-old law describing what it looked like to practice God’s kingdom way in all of life. They were left with a choice, their way or God’s way, the wide or narrow path. Would they forgive or harbor bitterness, stay faithful or break their covenant commitment, trust God or worry, serve God or money, live for God’s pleasure or human praise, show mercy or exude judgment, be generous or get even? God’s way is not the easy way but it is the best way by far! Possibly the most radical of Jesus’ teachings was his call to love our enemies. From our earliest days as a child we learn to love those who love us and hate those who don’t. It is built into us to return love for love and hate for hate. Even the Jewish law instructed them to love their neighbor and hate their enemies. Mostly it is not difficult to love those who love us, anyone can do that. But to love our enemies, people who seek to tear us down, requires a love only God can provide. This is the kind of love we see embodied in Jesus over the course of his entire life to the very end. It was the example he showed us, most fully through his choice to forgive and die for his enemies and even the very ones crucifying him. He prayed for those persecuting him, blessed the ones who cursed him, loved us all despite how we treated him. This is what it looks like to be a Son of the Father, to become mature and perfect in love. The Father blesses and sends refreshing rains on the deserving and undeserving. Maturity is measured in love, love for those who don’t like us and aren’t like us. Love for everyone, especially our enemies. If we want to follow Jesus it will mean learning the way of love, becoming like Jesus in love. It will require the same Holy Spirit Jesus depended on to become perfected in love as the Father is perfect in love. The good news is the Holy Spirit is eager to help! Core Truths from the Topic: Summary Scripture: 1 John 4:7-10- “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:19-21- “We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” John 14:21- “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love. Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. John 15:13- Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 1 Peter 4:8- Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 1 John 3:1- See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Proverbs 3:3- Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Romans 12:10- Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 13:8- Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Extra Resources https://bibleproject.com/guides/love-in-the-bible/

Remember Breath Prayer Breath in: God is love Breath out: And He loves me Song Themes: Love One Another Remember one another Is anyone celebrating something that happened this week? Let’s share so we can all thank God together. Is anyone struggling, feeling sad, lonely or scared? How can we pray for one another? Remember what we learned last week Practice the Following Jesus Liturgy (With our youngest kids only focus on the portion that we’re currently learning) Leader: Who remembers what we learned last week? Persevere in worship What does persevere mean and how can we lean in to worship to help us get through hard times? Reflect: Love Before reading the scripture ask the kids to tell you what they think "love" means. What is love? What makes you feel loved? How do you show love to someone else? Let's see what the scripture has to say about love. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." Optional: Watch the short video below, "God is Love" Discuss: When God put His Spirit in us He marked us with His love. He filled us up with His love so that we could pour it out to others. Now that Jesus is seated on His throne people can't see Him walking around Earth like they could when He was with His disciples. But people can see us! The Church is meant to show the world what love looks like! How do we do that? By treating others the way Jesus treats us. He is kind to us He is patient with us He isn't rude or dishonoring He's always looking out for our best He isn't easily angered, but full of peace He doesn't keep track of every bad thing we do and hold it against us. He is forgiving! That is who we are meant to be! But we can't do it on our own. We need God to help us and teach us. And hopefully, as we grow up and learn to follow Him we get better at loving God and loving others all the days of our lives! Respond: Charades Have some fun identifying the different characteristics of love If you have older kids you can have them be the ones to act. Otherwise an adult will take the lead and have the kids guess. Instructions: Make a list of the qualities of love listed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. You may want to do this beforehand on a large sheet of paper or poster board that everyone can see. For younger kids you will need to define words like "boast" and "envy". Have 2 people volunteer. They will choose what quality and how to act it out for the group. The group will then guess which words from the scripture they're acting out. Some examples are negative or show the opposite of love, that ok! For example, love DOES NOT boast. The kids may choose to act out what boasting looks and sounds like. Have fun and encourage everyone to be creative! Act out: Being patient with someone Being kind to another person Being envious and whining for what someone else has Being dishonoring to a friend/honoring a friend Refusing to do what's best for the other person/putting someone else first Being easily angered/slow to anger Erasing wrongs or being forgiving Rejoicing in the Truth Protecting, trusting, persevering, etc! The goal of the activity is to see that love is an action. It impacts our relationships. You may get creative and act out various type of relationships (A child and parent, a teacher and child, two peers, siblings, etc). Help the kids who are acting to come up with a short scenario and watch as they bring it to life. If the adult is acting make sure to involve the kids as much as possible. When the game is over and everyone has had a chance to participate, ask questions. Could you relate to any of the examples that were acted out? Which characteristic of love is the hardest for you? Which characteristic comes more naturally? Experience: Receive God's Love Read the scripture again over the kids. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Now, read it again, but replace the word "love" with "God." Because God is love, we know that He is all of these things. He is patient and kind and forgiving. Take 2-5 minutes to pray with the kids. Pray that God would fill us with His love so that we could love others well. Invite the kids to pray too. They may want to ask for God's help or invite His love to live more deeply in their hearts. Optional: End with a short video that rehearses what we've learned.

Simple Reminders The primary idea you need to keep revisiting during this Following Jesus Pathway is that we are following and being formed by Jesus. This pathway can be learned simply or in great depth. We trust that you as a leader know your people and the dynamics of your group well enough to adapt and impart this topic with grace and wisdom. This guide is designed to help you and others follow and be formed by Jesus. Remember to keep it Jesus-Centered. We pray that you will be Spirit-Led and Spirit- Empowered as you lead and learn together. Pray Hand Motion Researchers have found that moving our bodies and adding actions to our learning significantly increases our ability to remember. Here is a hand action you can add to the command to remember it: Step 1: Take both hands with palms facing up and cross across your heart/chest - hug action Brief Commentary and Context Summary of "Love" - Agape love is a “compassionate commitment to delight in the soul of another and to will that person’s good ahead of your own, no matter the cost to yourself.” (Live No Lies, John Mark Comer p. 130) God is love and has fully revealed what love is in Jesus and his sacrificial death on the cross. God’s Love is the source of all things and the fulfillment of all things, the beginning and the end. Love is not a cold choice, or only fervent emotion. Love is attentive affection, delighted connection, compassionate commitment, self-giving joy. Loving one another is about attitude and action. It means listening to each other, remaining patient, and forgiving each others' faults or weaknesses. It’s about working for the health and well-being of the other, generously caring for the person, and learning to see the inherent beauty and good in one another. Love is the distinguishing mark of all of Jesus’ followers, and we are able to love in this radical way because of the self-giving love of Jesus. His love empowers his followers to love each other with the same patience, devotion, and fervency he showed to them. Brief Commentary for - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - “The Greatest Of These Is Love” After 18 months in the bustling Roman city of Corinth, Paul was very acquainted with the cultural realities that existed. His time there was fruitful and many followed Jesus and formed the first churches in that city. Paul moved on to continue his apostolic work sharing the gospel and establishing churches in other regions, but soon he got reports of many significant issues plaguing the Corinthian church. He wrote his first letter to address these problems like division, sexual immorality, hyper-spirituality and false beliefs about the resurrection by helping them to return to the way of Jesus in every area of life. At the heart of his magnificent letter he brought them to the central reality of the gospel, and the high calling of the church, love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 is set in the discourse of chapters 11-14 about the gatherings of the church. Many people had been caught up in the powerful displays and gifts of the Holy Spirit, but missed love. Paul wanted them to experience all the gifts of the Spirit, but was concerned and understood both the motivation and aim of God’s power is always love. The apostle drops a stunning piece of poetry into the discourse that helps us see the majesty and meaning of love as “the greatest of these.” With clarity and potency love is described and defined, each line drawing us back to the very character of Christ. We discover love is patient and practical, plays out in our relationships and responses, it deals with our attitudes and affections. It’s a love that unifies divisions, purifies behavior and satisfies desires. There is nowhere to hide and why would we want to. We can do miracles, know mysteries, move mountains, even give all that we are away, but without love, it ultimately means nothing! Not only did all things begin from love, Paul makes it clear that in the end this is where everything is headed. Love is all that ultimately matters! “Love is God’s river, flowing on into the future, across the border into the country where there is no pride, no jostling for position, no contention among God’s people. We are invited to step into that river here and now, and let it take us where it’s going.” (N.T. Wright Paul for Everyone: 1 Corinthians p. 177) Love is how we will be measured when we stand before God. And on that day, in those eyes, love will be looking deep within us, we will be known and loved, gazing back it will be true for the first time that we will know as we are known, and we too will love with perfect love. There is no end to God, there is no end to love. Love is stronger than death! Love is forever! Love is our future! And our future is our calling today and everyday. “The greatest of these is love”! Core Truths from the Topic: Summary Scripture: 1 John 4:7-10- “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:19-21- “We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” John 14:21- “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 - Let all that you do be done in love. Colossians 3:14 - And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 1 Peter 4:8 - Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 1 John 3:1 - See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Proverbs 3:3 - Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Romans 12:10 - Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 13:8 - Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Other Biblical Stories of “Love” 1 Sam 18:1 - In the face of fear, Jonathan loves his friend David as he loves himself. Ruth 4:14-16 - Ruth's love and care for her mother-in-law, Naomi, outweighs that of seven sons. People turn away from God to love other gods, an action compared to adultery (e.g., Isaiah, Hosea, Jeremiah, etc.). Proverbs 8-9 - Wisdom, personified as a woman, pursues people’s hearts and ears. She longs to love those who would listen to her guidance. Ephesians 5:25-32 and Revelation 19:7-16 - Jesus’ love for his followers is compared to a bridegroom’s love for his bride. Extra Resources https://bibleproject.com/guides/love-in-the-bible/

Remember Breath Prayer Breath in: My heart is thankful Breath out: For all you've done Song Themes: Goodness of God's never-ending love Remember one another Is anyone celebrating something that happened this week? Let’s share so we can all thank God together. Is anyone struggling, feeling sad, lonely or scared? How can we pray for one another? Remember what we learned last week Practice the Following Jesus Liturgy (With our youngest kids only focus on the portion that we’re currently learning) Leader: Who remembers what we learned last week? Persevere in worship What does persevere mean and how can we lean in to worship to help us get through hard times? Reflect: Persevere Before starting the story, ask the kids what they think persevere means. When do we persevere and how? How could worshipping God help us to persevere in hard times? Watch "God's Story: Worship" or Read Philippians 4:4-9 Respond: Worship Ask the kids What did you learn about worship? Was there anything new or interesting that stood out to you? Do you have any questions about what we watched/read? Often times when we say "worship" we mean singing to, or about God. The scripture is clear, though, worship can look lots of different ways! Ask the kids what worship means to them. Share any knowledge you have about what worship has meant to you. List a few ways in which we can worship God and ask the kids if they have any additional things to add to the list. They can get as creative as they want! Ultimately, anything we do, say, and think, can be worship as long as it is pleasing to the Lord and we do it for His glory. Examples: Make art that worships God Sere someone else by being generous with your time Give away something valuable to show your love and gratitude Write a poem or sing a song about Jesus Spend quiet, reflective time in nature Be still and dwell on God's character Read the scripture and invite the Holy Spirit to speak through it The Bible says that we are to worship God when we feel like it and even when we don't. We know that our emotions can change quickly, but God's goodness and love never changes. That means He is good when we are sad, confused, lonely, and angry. He is good when we are happy, content, and feeling at peace. The Bible is clear that in every season, in every emotion and circumstance we are to worship God. And God knows that by doing so we are strengthened in Him so that we can persevere. Praising and worshipping God fills us with His Spirit again to continue following Him! Experience: Make a Plan Make a plan to persevere when things get hard this week. Imagine the week ahead. Consider what challenges could be ahead? Will you be at home with a sibling who likes to "borrow" your toys? Will you be going off to day camp and afraid to meet new kids? Maybe you don't look forward to dinner because Mom is always serving new foods. Whatever the hard part of your week is, make a plan to stop, think about God, and say thank you for all the ways He is good. Persevering in worship often gives us the courage and faith to keep going when we're tired, angry, scared, or nervous. Remembering that God is with us helps to unlock joy in our hearts! Ages 3-7 Draw your plan. Consider a challenging part of your week (or something you're not looking forward to). Draw the scene and include you in the middle worshipping God. What would it look like and feel like to worship God at home, while riding in the car, while doing chores, tidying up, or getting ready for bed? If we want to be worshippers in all of life we have to be able to imagine what that looks like and feels like. Share your pictures and hear from one another. Ages 7+ Write down your plan on a 3X5 card. On one side write a few statements that are true about God, things that you are grateful for, or dimensions of His character that you love. Ex. When you look at me you smile. You are always kind and patient with me. Then on the other side write a statement or two that is true about you. These should be statements that help bring you back to the Lord and how He sees you. Ex. I am love and never alone. God is fighting for me. Decorate the card however you like and take it home with you. Put it somewhere you'll see regularly or keep it in your pocket for a few days. It will be a fun way to remember to worship God in every part of the day.

Simple Reminders The primary idea you need to keep revisiting during this Following Jesus Pathway is that we are following and being formed by Jesus. This pathway can be learned simply or in great depth. We trust that you as a leader know your people and the dynamics of your group well enough to adapt and impart this topic with grace and wisdom. This guide is designed to help you and others follow and be formed by Jesus. Remember to keep it Jesus-Centered. We pray that you will be Spirit-Led and Spirit- Empowered as you lead and learn together. Pray Hand Motion Researchers have found that moving our bodies and adding actions to our learning significantly increases our ability to remember. Here is a hand action you can add to the command to remember it: Step 1: Take both hands with palms facing out at chest level, pushing away and then raising them up above your head in a posture of exaltation/worship. Brief Commentary and Context Summary of "Persevere through Worship" - The greek word for “persevere” in the New Testament (‘hypomone’) combines ideas of endurance, patient waiting, and courage, and is translated in various ways, including ‘perseverance’, ‘endurance’, ‘steadfastness’ and ‘patient endurance’. Eugene Petersen's famous phrase, “a long obedience in the same direction” describes well the lifelong journey of perseverance. Simply it means we will love and trust God in the face of great difficulty to the end. Persevering looks like love that remains loyal through fire, trust that is tested but continues to deepen. It was one of the key virtues of the early church and their teaching and a hallmark of Jesus’ character. The command is “persevere through worship” because what propels us to remain faithful until the end is seeing and ascribing worth to God from our heart in all of life. Without worship we will lose heart and give up. Brief Commentary and Context - Philippians 4:4-9 "Practices of Worship to Persevere"(Answer this question here: What did this mean in the original context and how is it set in the larger story of the Bible?) Likely writing from a Roman prison near the end of his life, the apostle Paul exhorted the Philippian church and future generations of believers to an upside down, kingdom life of rejoicing amidst life’s many trials and worries. This wasn’t borrowed advice, or nice sentiment for Paul, but the way of Jesus that he himself embodied. Jesus’ humility to empty himself taking the form of a servant who persevered until death on a cross, became the model for Paul (Philippians 2). Paul considered everything a loss that he may gain Christ. He saw Jesus’ joy through suffering and it inspired him to rejoice and trust in the Father just the same. His life and letter were a clarion call to persevere through worship. When we see Jesus we find the courage and perspective to endure until the end with joy. Near the end of the letter (Philippians 4:4-9) Paul shares an exhortation and encouragement from his personal experience learning to follow the way of Jesus. Through the many adversities and anxieties of life he practiced rejoicing in the Lord, thanksgiving with honest prayers of supplication and refocusing his thoughts on what is good again and again. He taught them that the diligent practice of these things would lead to a life of peace that passes understanding, a life where the God of peace would be with them. They had seen, heard, received and learned from Paul’s example, but now it could be their experience too. The practices of worship taught in Philipians 4 include rejoicing, giving thanks, surrendering in trust and aligning to God’s truth and beauty in meditation. It is the process of re-joying (returning to joy) ourselves in Jesus in all things. When we struggle, hurt, or worry, we come back to Jesus. We acknowledge what is difficult or worrying and how we feel. We remember God cares for us and choose to trust him with the many cares and burdens of our hearts. We give our hearts to God so we don’t lose them. This often looks like intentionally transferring responsibility to the Father. We may need to say “right now it is more important for me to trust in God than to make certain that my fear does not come true.” We spend time in prayer asking the Father to meet us and provide in the very place we worry and desire to control. We move to setting our minds on good things and expressing appreciation and gratitude to God for being the source of all good gifts. These practices are the door to God’s presence and peace and the power to persevere in life’s challenges. Core Truths from the Topic: Summary Scripture: Rom 5:3-5- Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces patient endurance (perseverance), and (patient) endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 2 Cor 4:16-17- Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Romans 12:1- Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Cor 1:8-9- We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. James 1:2-4- Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Acts 14:22- ​​Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through much pressure (tribulation) we must enter the kingdom of God. 2 Thessalonians 1:4- As a result, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 2 Thessalonians 3:5- May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the perseverance of Christ. Hebrews 12:1-3- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Other Biblical Stories of “Persevere through Worship” Acts 5:17-42- Apostles arrested and freed Hebrews 11:1-40- Old Testament examples of persevering through worship and faith Matthew 10:16-33- Persevere to the end as sheep amongst wolves 2 Corinthian 6:4-10- Paul’s perseverance in trial Daniel 3:1-30- The fiery furnace Extra Resources Philippians 4 tool Joyful reflective Remember exercise (Craig Westhoff) Immanuel Journaling https://www.presenceandpractice.com/immanuel-journaling

Remember Breath Prayer Breath in: I come to you Breath out: You're always there for me Song Themes: Goodness of God's never-ending love Remember one another Is anyone celebrating something that happened this week? Let’s share so we can all thank God together. Is anyone struggling, feeling sad, lonely or scared? How can we pray for one another? Remember what we learned last week Practice the Following Jesus Liturgy (With our youngest kids only focus on the portion that we’re currently learning) Leader: Who remembers what we learned last week? P.R.A.Y. - Pause, Rejoice, Ask, Yield There are many ways to pray. it's helpful to begin by calming our minds and bodies. Then we can focus our hearts on God's goodness by giving thanks. After that, God invites us to ask Him for the things we need, so we pray for others and talk to Him about the things that are important to us. We don't want to forget the "Y". We yield to God, or say "yes" to His plans, by letting Him know that we trust Him no matter how things turn out because He's a good Father with good plans. Reflect: Persevere Before starting the story, ask the kids what they think persevere means. When do we persevere and how? How could worshipping God help us to persevere in hard times? Read or Watch Jesus Storybook Bible: A Little Girl and a Poor Frail Lady Respond: Worship Ask the kids In the story, who persevered (Jairus - to get to Jesus, The frail women - to get to Jesus, and Jesus - to get through the crowds and have faith to pray for healing even when the girl was dead) What were the obstacles that made it challenging for them to get to Jesus or get to the girl (physical obstacles and emotional)? How did the frail woman worship Jesus? What about Jairus? Why didn't they give up when things were hard? What can we learn from this story? When we know that God is good, that He loves us and wants to help us, we find the strength to keep going - Key line* Repeat and see if the kids have any questions or comments about this foundational truth. Often times when we say "worship" we mean singing to, or about God. The scripture is clear, though, worship can look lots of different ways! Ask the kids what worship means to them. Share any knowledge you have about what worship has meant to you. List a few ways in which we can worship God and ask the kids if they have any additional things to add to the list. They can get as creative as they want! Ultimately, anything we do, say, and think, can be worship as long as it is pleasing to the Lord and we do it for His glory. Examples: Writing a thank you letter Singing a song of praise Dancing to worship music Sitting quietly outside or in a beautiful place Doing something kind for someone else Writing a poem about God and sharing it Reading the Bible Silently telling God the things you like about Him Experience: Practice and Share (Ages 4+) Begin small. Take about 5 minutes to practice one of the elements on the list. You may chose one worship practice to do as a group or the kids may want to choose their own. If they choose their own, have them spread out in the room or space provided and set a timer. Make sure everyone has the materials or space they need to begin. Then start and trust the Lord to be with each child as they worship in their own way! End the 5 minutes with a prayer of gratitude. Make a Plan Make a plan to persevere when things get hard this week. Imagine the week ahead. Consider what challenges could be ahead? Will you be at home with a sibling who likes to "borrow" your toys? Will you be going off to day camp and afraid to meet new kids? Maybe you don't look forward to dinner because Mom is always serving new foods. Whatever the hard part of your week is, make a plan to stop, think about God, and say thank you for all the ways He is good. Persevering in worship often gives us the courage and faith to keep going when we're tired, angry, scared, or nervous. Remembering that God is with us helps to unlock joy in our hearts! Activity if there is time Go around the circle and name something in the week ahead that may feel challenging. Then practice: Stop: Take a deep breath in and out. Focus: Imagine God with you, holding your hand or sitting next to you. Imagine Him smiling at you and telling you how much He loves you. Worship: Tell God how good it is to have Him with you. Thank him for always being there. Invite the kids to practice this throughout the week if they find themselves in a moment they need to persevere.

Simple Reminders The primary idea you need to keep revisiting during this Following Jesus Pathway is that we are following and being formed by Jesus. This pathway can be learned simply or in great depth. We trust that you as a leader know your people and the dynamics of your group well enough to adapt and impart this topic with grace and wisdom. This guide is designed to help you and others follow and be formed by Jesus. Remember to keep it Jesus-Centered. We pray that you will be Spirit-Led and Spirit- Empowered as you lead and learn together. Pray Hand Motion Researchers have found that moving our bodies and adding actions to our learning significantly increases our ability to remember. Here is a hand action you can add to the command to remember it: Step 1: Take both hands with palms facing out at chest level, pushing away and then raising them up above your head in a posture of exaltation/worship. Brief Commentary and Context Summary of "Persevere through Worship" - The greek word for “persevere” in the New Testament (‘hypomone’) combines ideas of endurance, patient waiting, and courage, and is translated in various ways, including ‘perseverance’, ‘endurance’, ‘steadfastness’ and ‘patient endurance’. Eugene Petersen's famous phrase, “a long obedience in the same direction” describes well the lifelong journey of perseverance. Simply it means we will love and trust God in the face of great difficulty to the end. Persevering looks like love that remains loyal through fire, trust that is tested but continues to deepen. It was one of the key virtues of the early church and their teaching and a hallmark of Jesus’ character. The command is “persevere through worship” because what propels us to remain faithful until the end is seeing and ascribing worth to God from our heart in all of life. Without worship we will lose heart and give up. Brief Commentary for Acts 16:16-34 - (“Paul & Silas Worship in Prison”) In Acts 16, Jesus worked through Paul and Silas to deliver a girl caught in slavery from an evil spirit causing their owners to lose their unjust income. The apostles were beaten and shamed; accused of bringing misfortune to the city of Philippi, and labeled disturbers of the peace. They were treated unfairly and felt stuck, then put in prison, more than likely for disturbing the peace and sedition. Somehow in the midst of a hopeless situation, beaten and bloodied in a dark and dirty cell, these lovers of Jesus, these simple servants of the King, were moved to worship. They offered their best, to Jesus, in the midst of their worst. They were able to see beyond their limited surroundings to a greater glory. To persevere in worship is to offer an unreasonable response of love, hope, faith, and gratitude to God in the midst of unreasonably trying times. Their worship was based on who God is, not the circumstances they were in. These sounds must have been the last thing the other prisoners had planned on hearing, yet they were irresistibly attracted to their songs of hope in the midst of hopelessness. In the midnight hour, the prison was shaken by a great earthquake and freedom was only a few steps away. But not for all inside. At this moment, while all those in chains saw life, the jailer could only anticipate death. He would lose his life with the escape of all those he had charge over. When Paul cried out in a loud voice “all are here”, fear and wonder overcame him. Could it be that the God who releases captives, considers the captors, as well? Perhaps, he was actually a captive longing for freedom. “What must I do to be saved?” This is the burning question on the hearts of both jailers and captives alike. Paul’s response to this man echoes through time, revealing the invitation of Jesus to all. There is only one way to experience true freedom and that is to turn from your own way and yield to Jesus. Paul said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” By persevering through worship, despite the circumstance, freedom in Christ was made available to others. Worship fuels our perseverance and perseverance honors God and makes a way for others to be blessed! Core Truths from the Topic: Summary Scripture: Rom 5:3-5- Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces patient endurance (perseverance), and (patient) endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 2 Cor 4:16-17- Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Romans 12:1- Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Cor 1:8-9- We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. James 1:2-4- Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Acts 14:22- ​​Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through much pressure (tribulation) we must enter the kingdom of God. 2 Thessalonians 1:4- As a result, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 2 Thessalonians 3:5- May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the perseverance of Christ. Hebrews 12:1-3- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Other Biblical Stories of “Persevere through Worship” Acts 5:17-42- Apostles arrested and freed Hebrews 11:1-40- Old Testament examples of persevering through worship and faith Matthew 10:16-33- Persevere to the end as sheep amongst wolves 2 Corinthian 6:4-10- Paul’s perseverance in trial Daniel 3:1-30- The fiery furnace Extra Resources The Kingdom and Patient Endurance by Adam Cox God On Mute by Pete Greig https://prayercourse.org/prayercourse2/ Fox's Book of Martyrs

Remember Breath Prayer Breath in: You are Good Breath out: And you always love me Song Themes: Giving thanks to the Lord for His endless love Remember one another Is anyone celebrating something that happened this week? Let’s share so we can all thank God together. Is anyone struggling, feeling sad, lonely or scared? How can we pray for one another? Remember what we learned last week Practice the Following Jesus Liturgy (With our youngest kids only focus on the portion that we’re currently learning) Leader: Who remembers what we learned last week? P.R.A.Y. - Pause, Rejoice, Ask, Yield There are many ways to pray. it's helpful to begin by calming our minds and bodies. Then we can focus our hearts on God's goodness by giving thanks. After that, God invites us to ask Him for the things we need, so we pray for others and talk to Him about the things that are important to us. We don't want to forget the "Y". We yield to God, or say "yes" to His plans, by letting Him know that we trust Him no matter how things turn out because He's a good Father with good plans. Reflect: PRAY We have learned that there are many ways to pray. Prayer is simply talking with God. Talking with God is as simple as talking to our mom or dad. We tell Him the things that are important to us. We tell Him how we're feeling and what we need. We enjoy knowing He is with us and He loves us, just like we enjoy being with our family and friends. Prayer is simply living life in friendship with God and knowing that He's always available to us. As we grow in friendship with God it becomes easier to talk to Him and know He is listening. We get more comfortable praying for our family and friends and the things we need and want. We learn how to say "thank you" for the good gifts He gives us. When Jesus taught His followers to pray He included an important challenge. He instructed them to pray for their enemies, the people who rejected them, were mean to them, and treated them poorly. That was surprising! Jesus invites us as His followers to forgive those who hurt us and pray for them. Read or Watch Jesus Storybook Bible: A Little Servant and the Proud General Respond: Talk to Jesus Discuss: In the story we listened to, who was prideful? Who was forgiving? What did the servant girl do? - Call on Elisha to help How is Elisha like Jesus in this story? How did the servant girl's actions impact Naaman? As you are talking with the kids, try to draw comparisons between the girl's actions and prayer. She sought help from God. We can call upon God to help the people in our lives who are not kind to us, being mean, and acting disrespectfully. God loves to heal broken and hard hearts like Naaman's. When we pray for our enemies it helps us to be able to forgive them and not become mean and bitter ourselves. Encourage discussion and questions around the topic of prayer, forgiveness, and how we relate to our "enemies". Experience: Empty Chair (Ages 4+) If space allows, set up a chair for each child. Try to give enough space between chairs that the kids can feel like they have a private space. Each child will sit in front of a chair. We will pretend that the chair is a throne and that God himself is seated on the throne. Tell the kids that we are going to be quiet for 2 minutes (keep it short for younger kids and extend the time for older kids). In that time you can tell God anything that you want. You can pray for someone who is an enemy and ask God to heal their heart. You can tell God thank you or ask him for something that you need. Have the kids pray quietly or silently so they are not distracting one another. Then open the time in prayer and let them know that you will tell them when the time is up. When you're finished talk about the experience. What was it like trying to talk to someone that you can't see? How did you feel? How do you think God felt when He heard you talking to Him? Answer questions and follow the children's lead. Encounter: Sing and Share If there is time, play the song and have the kids listen to or sing the lyrics. The lyrics are a story about the legacy of prayer and how we can come together as family to talk to Jesus.

Simple Reminders The primary idea you need to keep revisiting during this Following Jesus Pathway is that we are following and being formed by Jesus. This pathway can be learned simply or in great depth. We trust that you as a leader know your people and the dynamics of your group well enough to adapt and impart this topic with grace and wisdom. This guide is designed to help you and others follow and be formed by Jesus. Remember to keep it Jesus-Centered. We pray that you will be Spirit-Led and Spirit- Empowered as you lead and learn together. Pray Hand Motion Researchers have found that moving our bodies and adding actions to our learning significantly increases our ability to remember. Here is a hand action you can add to the command to remember it: Step 1: Take both hands and put them together in front of you palms touching & facing each other, fingers pointing up Step 2: Bow your head Brief Commentary and Context Brief Commentary for Matthew 6:5-13 - (The Motive, Meaning and Method of Prayer) Jesus sat down on a mountain side amidst desperate masses to give his most famous sermon. He had come to usher in a life-giving revolution called the Kingdom of God, the way and will of his Father, rising to restore a fallen, hurting, creation back to flourishing. At the very center of his revolutionary message he opened his central passion, prayer. Prayer is a relationship with the Father, a reciprocal communion of love, a river of affection. There is no one who understood communion with the Father more deeply or fully than this man Jesus. He is the one who had enjoyed eternal delight with the Father as the uncreated Word before time and the one, who now made flesh, had given himself entirely to loving union with his Abba, Father. Jesus lived and breathed prayer, practicing the presence of God in all of life. The gospel writer Luke records that Jesus' lifestyle of prayer inspired and provoked his young disciples who curiously asked, “teach us to pray.” Jesus didn’t hold back his secrets on this occasion. He laid out what is famously known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” It was the original creed, a simple thesis containing a core framework for the Kingdom of God and a simple pattern for prayer that draws us down endless pathways in God’s presence! Pete Greig remarks, “In these old, familiar words we are going to discover nine different paths of prayer: stillness, adoration, petition, intercession, perseverance, contemplation, listening, confession and spiritual warfare.” (How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People, p. 3.) In his teaching in Matthew 6:5-13, Jesus will lay out the motive, method and meaning of prayer. He challenges the motivation behind the failed righteousness of the Pharisees who desired to pray to be seen by people rather than the Father. There is a secret for those who enter the secret place to be seen and known by only the Father, a secret worth searching out all our days. To simply be with the Father is the pure motivation in prayer for Kingdom sons and daughters! Jesus also got incredibly practical in teaching a method of prayer when he said, “when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father.” He understood the human temptation to distraction and gave them a practical instruction to be alone and focused on the Father. Jesus didn’t stop with the motive and method of prayer, he opened up the substance and meaning of prayer in what is known as “The Lord’s Prayer”. Every line can be endlessly enjoyed and explored. It calls us into loving union and worship of “Our Father” and his beautiful “Kingdom…on earth as it is in heaven.” The paths of prayer begin with words like, “give us”, “forgive us”, “lead us”, “deliver us”. We do not need to say “empty words” or “many words” to impress God or people, but rather ‘meaningful words’ because the Father already knows what we need and loves us. Above all, Jesus came to welcome each of us into the same loving union with the Father in prayer and participation in His Kingdom that he enjoyed. Matthew 6:5-13 declares that the Father sees us, knows us and rewards us. Welcome to the greatest privilege and pursuit in all of human existence, prayer, and the greatest reward that one can ever have, the Father’s presence. Core Truths from the Topic: Summary Scripture: Ephesian 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Mark 11:24 - Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. James 5:16 - Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Matthew 26:41 - Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Colossians 4:2 - Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 John 5:14-15 -This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 Chronicles 16:11 - Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Other Biblical Stories to DBS (Discovery Bible Study) for further reflection and discussion on Prayer : Pharisee & the Tax Collector – Luke 18:9-14 Persistent Widow – Luke 18:1-8 Ask and Given – Matt. 7:7-11 Extra Resources Have leaders send introductory “How to Pray” video: https://prayercourse.org/session/why-pray/ Other Resources: P.R.A.Y. toolshed https://prayercourse.org/toolshed/ Prayer course link. https://prayercourse.org/home/ Other Prayer Courses by 24-7 https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource_cat/courses/ Book: How to Pray by Pete Greig How to Pray, A Guide for Young Explorers https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/how-to-pray-a-guide-for-young-explorers/ Lectio for Families & Lectio 365 & Inner Room https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource_cat/apps/

Remember Breath Prayer Breath in: Your Word Breath out: Is a lamp to my feet Song Themes: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord Remember one another Is anyone celebrating something that happened this week? Let’s share so we can all thank God together. Is anyone struggling, feeling sad, lonely or scared? How can we pray for one another? Remember what we learned last week Practice the Following Jesus Liturgy (With our youngest kids only focus on the portion that we’re currently learning) Leader: How is the Bible, the Word of God, like a lamp? Psalm 119:105 reads, "Your Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." How can the Bible light our way? How is it helpful in our life? Invite a conversation, listen, respond, and teach. Reflect: Obey the Word God leads us by His Spirit. He leads us through His Word. We know how we are to live and make wise choices because He teaches us these things. But, did you know it's not enough just to read the Bible, or even know the Bible? Imagine being able to hear His voice and being told what to do. Wouldn't that be AMAZING? Well, even when we do hear God whispering to our hearts through the scripture, or leading us by His Spirit, we must do more than hear and listen. We must DO the Word and obey what He has commanded. This is how Jesus knows we are His friends, when we do what He says. Read John 15:14 - "You are my friends if you will do all that I commanded you." It's not enough to hear. It's not even enough to listen. We have to OBEY the Word. There was a servant of God who loved God very much, but he struggled to obey. And it's no wonder! God asked him to do something very difficult. He asked Him to forgive His enemies, show them mercy, and share the gospel or repentance with them. Can you think of someone in the Bible who did not want to do what God asked of him? There are probably many, but today we are focusing on Jonah. Can anyone tell me about Jonah? When did he live? - Before Jesus Who were the Ninevites? - Enemies of the Israelites What did God ask Jonah to do? Let's listen to the story and learn about Jonah. Listen closely to see if and how Jonah heard and obeyed God's instructions. Respond: Right Way, All the Way, the Happy Way Experience: Role Play (For groups of 3 kids or more) You will need paper plates and markers Make a "Pass or fail" plate. On one side of the plate have the kids draw a check-mark or happy face. On the other side of the plate have them draw an "X" or a sad face. These are going to be used to "score" each role play. Chose two kids for each role-play. Assign one to give the instruction and one to obey (or not). Tell them their scenario and have them act it out. Then have the kids who were observing vote using their cards on whether the role-play was an example of obedience or disobedience. In order for the skit to earn the check mark or happy face, the role-play has to demonstrate "The right way, all the way, the happy way". Some skits will be purposefully designed to show what obedience looks like and some will act various examples of disobedience. Examples (You can also make up your own!) Classroom: A teacher asks a student to finish coloring and put their crayons away. The student whines, drags his/her feet and, in a final act of defiance drops a few crayons. Eventually, they put most the crayons back. Obedience or disobedience? Have the kids use their voting plate to answer. Ask questions and discuss. At grandmas house for a sleepover. Grandma says it's time to turn out the lights and go to bed. The child tells grandma they want to stay up late, but are excited for the next day. They lay down, snuggle in, and tell grandma goodnight (right away, all the way, the happy way) - Obedience. Dad sees that a child left toys in the backyard and says, "After dinner I want you to go pick up your toys from the backyard." The child finished dinner and runs to the backyard to pick up. Dad says, "Thank you." - Obedience. Bus driver - Student is riding the bus. The student stands up. The bus driver says it's not safe and the child needs to sit. When the bus driver turns around the child stands up and makes a silly face. The bus driver has to tell the child to sit 3 or 4 times before he/she obeys - Disobedience. Mom is going to the store and needs to take the kids with her. She tells everyone to load up in the car. Everyone does, but one child is complaining, whining, and making everyone miserable - Disobedience. The youth pastor finishes an activity and tells the kids to come over and sit quietly on their bottoms. The kids do great and look forward to hear the next instructions. - Obedience. With each scenario ask: Did he/she obey the right away, all the way, in a happy way? Invite discuss and observations. Have fun! Encounter: Pray Obedience is hard for adults as well as kids. Share with the kids a time that you struggled to obey. Let them know that, even as adults, we are called to obey God, His voice, and His Word, the Bible. Obedience is a gift from God. When we follow God we are worshipping Him through our choices and good attitudes. We are showing Him that we are His friends. Pray and ask God to fill each one with His Holy Spirit, the Helper, who helps us to be God's friend by obeying the Word.