(Materials Copyright @ The UCC GO Project 2022)
Theme Discussion
Watch this little cartoon video about a passage from the book of Matthew, or read it below:
Or read the passage. This version is taken from a modern translation of the Bible called “The Message”.
Matthew 11:28-30
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Going Deeper With the Story
Jesus knew the importance of balance in his life. He never rushed or seem hurried. He took his time, even when he had so much ministry to do! He often took time by himself to rest and recharge. He models to us spiritual rest, physical rest, and mental rest. He told us over and over to love others as we love ourselves, and to love others as God loves us. This week we're going to explore what it looks and feels like to love ourselves abundantly through resting in God's love for us - to see how that allows us to love others well.
Wondering:
I wonder what love is?
I wonder how you know or feel that you are loved?
I wonder how you tell or show other people that you love them?
I wonder what unconditional love feels like? (To receive it? To love others that way?)
Optional – Go Even Deeper…
Read these passages:
Luke 10:27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
John 13:34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
Do you notice any differences in these ideas of love?
I wonder what difference it makes when we say love others as we love ourselves and when we say love others as God loves us?
What happens when we don’t love ourselves?
I wonder what messages you get about yourself? (From social media? From peers? From advertising?)
How do you keep a positive relationship with yourself and your confidence?
Music:
MV77 – “Be Still and Know”
Response Activity Ideas
Lenten Toolbox and Emotions Tool
Each week, we’ll be suggesting different things to add to a toolkit that can remind us of how we can come closer to God, strengthen our relationships, and to know ourselves better. If you wish, find a shoebox or similar container and decorate it with coloured paper, paint, stickers, or any other art supplies you have available to hold all the items. While decorating, brainstorm ways you identify and express your feelings. How do you know you are happy, sad or frustrated? How can you read other people's emotions? Do you sometimes not know how you feel?
Today’s tool is an emotions wheel, to help you find a name for the feelings you are having. It could be printed and posted in a common area or a place in your home where people go to cool off when they’re upset.
Challenge: Instead of printing it out, try drawing simple faces for all of the words on the emotions wheel, maybe using a mirror to help you capture the different expressions!
Click to print PDF
Bookmark Craft
Make a bookmark with an affirmation that you can look at each night, that reminds you that you are a beloved child of God.
Cut a piece of cardstock or thin cardboard into a bookmark shape of your choice. Decorate it using paint, or fabric and modge podge, or stickers, or adding a ribbon, etc. Next, write out an affirmation that reminds you that you are always loved by God, no matter how your day went, what you’ve said or done, and that you’ll get a fresh start the next day! Attach this to your bookmark. Alternatively, type out an affirmation in a fancy font and print it out to glue on.
Ideas for affirmations:
I am a beloved child of God.
God loves me, no matter what.
God’s love wraps around me like a blanket.
God knows me and loves me.
God’s love for me is forever and always.
God’s love for me is bigger than a mountain.
Love List
Make a list of all the people you love and people who love you. You can write down their names, draw their picture or collect pictures of them. You could keep it simple (e.g. pencil on lined paper) or decorate and colour the page. You can look at this and remember all the people who care for you. Remember that love is limitless: no matter how many people we care for, there is always room for more love in our hearts. Through loving others, we have a small glimpse of how God loves us.
Did you receive a Lenten “Wreck This Journal” package, with fun, easy activities to do on each of the 40 days of Lent, yet? If not, and you would like one, please contact the church office!