Theme Discussion
Reading: Mark 9: 30-39
Do you always like to be first in line? What about being first in games or contests? Would you like to receive an award or a prize for being the first? I’m sure most of us do. The person who ran the fastest, or sang with the most beautiful voice, or shot the most goals wins the prize. That’s normally how it works, right? But if we think about it, we cannot be first or the greatest or the best all the time.
In our Bible story today found in Mark 9: 30-39, Jesus heard his disciples arguing about which one of them was the best or the greatest. Jesus stepped in to end the argument. Jesus said that those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last. This really sounds weird and confusing, doesn’t it? What do you think Jesus means by this verse?
Well, I think Jesus was saying that greatness is not about being the first all the time although that is very good in many ways. Greatness or being the best means to think of others first before ourselves. When you help those in need or when you care for others or reach out to those who are lonely, you are actually putting others first before you.
Have you let someone go first in line? Have you given your seat to someone in the bus? Or let your brother or sister take the first pick of freshly baked cookies? Have you shared your favourite toy with someone that is not a close friend? How did you feel?
Jesus wants us to win by loving others and showing that you care. When you make others feel special, that is also being a winner. Do you think this makes sense? Do you agree with Jesus?
There’s also another part of the Bible story which is really neat. Jesus took a child and showed the child to his disciples and said: “Whoever welcomes this small child welcomes me and whoever welcomes me, welcomes God who sent me.” Children were not very important at the time of Jesus. They had no rights. They were not considered the greatest members of the society. But Jesus thought otherwise. Why do you think Jesus uses a child as a model of teaching greatness to his disciples and to us?
Jesus upholds that children are very special. To be the greatest or the best, you have to pay attention to children, to notice them and give them love. Do you think children are special? Why?
Response Activity Ideas
Great People
If you were asked, who are some of the greatest people in history, who comes to mind? What is it that has made them ‘great’? Do an internet search to learn more about some great people. There are some ideas below. What can we learn or copy from their life and experiences?
https://kids.kiddle.co/Mahatma_Gandhi
https://kids.kiddle.co/Nelson_Mandela
https://kids.kiddle.co/Kublai_Khan
https://kids.kiddle.co/Marie_Curie
Topsy-turvy
This is another one of Jesus’ teachings where things seem backwards – the last shall be first – which can seem confusing until we think about it for awhile. It’s like an optical illusion – it seems one thing at first, but when you study it, or change your view point, something else becomes clear.
Follow the tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B29Y-fkPVTY to draw a double-sided person – one that is happy on one side and sad at the other. Try modifying it by adding more details (eyebrows/mustache?) to make it your own. As you view from the ‘happy’ direction, think of ways you and your family can be great by putting others first!
Rainbow
Did you hear Rev. Kim’s Storytime this week? If not, check out the video or text version of it on the BCUC website. Using watercolours, (or other colouring tools on hand), illustrate the story she tells of all the rainbow colours arguing, but learning that they are all important and valued.