*** Working through Matthew - Workers and Wages - Matthew 20:1-16 ***

Further Question

As you reflect on all of this, continue to think about the question asked in the reflection – in an unfair world what can you do to show an individual that they matter just as much as you do?

Try to identify one new-to-you practical thing you can do this week to make the world a place where all are valued for who they are, and do it.

Young Folk

Please find activity sheets in the files section of our BofAPC Workbooks Facebook group.

And talk to each other about what you all think it means to be fair. A look at what you can do together show loving fairness.

Music

we plough the fields and scatter (CH4 299)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWHMZsf-Ano

*** Working through Matthew - Freedom and Forgiveness - Matthew 18:21-35 ***

Further Question

Your mistakes are forgiven as you forgive. Think through the grudges you hold, the things that still provoke you after the fact and try to forgive to wrongs of that situation.

Young Folk

Please find activity sheets in the files section of our facebook page.

More Music

Praise my soul the King of Heaven

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3dHeRB2c3g

Working through Matthew - Rocks and blocks - Matthew 16:21-28

Questions to think about

There is a lot to think about in today’s reading, and even though the focus in the piece is on thinking about rock and block, it is helpful to reflect on that further.

Take time to identify one rock, one thing that you can build upon in your life of faith, and one block that is stopping you doing something in your life of faith. Then give thanks for the rock and see how you can make sure the rock doesn’t crumble. And then think about the single block you have identified and think about what you can do to overcome it.

Things to talk to children about

Talk to your young people about what is meant by truth. Ask them about how they can identify the difference between was is truthful and what is not.

Then discuss with them about how you know, or believe, your faith to be true.

Remind them that doubt and questions are an integral part of a life of faith.

Hymns

510 Jesus calls us here to meet him

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ModYoPReYYw

533 Will you come and follow me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk6IUalJ3sk

*** Steps of Faith – Step On - Matthew 16:13-20 ***

Richmond’s Hope

Richmond’s Hope provides support for children and young people aged 4-18 years who have been bereaved. The charity provides a safe space for children to work through their grief both verbally and non verbally, to preserve memories of the person who has died, to explore their feelings, to develop coping strategies and to understand the impact the bereavement has had on their lives.

For more info look here - https://www.richmondshope.org.uk/

Further Questions

As you think through this week, take time to think about how you would describe Jesus to others. Start by describing your understand of Jesus to yourself, and then start to think about how and why the message and person of Jesus is still relevant.

With Young People

Continue to talk about how you might describe Jesus. Think about how he might have looked and how he might of dressed, and then look up “The Real Face of Jesus” (https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a234/1282186/) and see how your thoughts compare.

And then think how you would describe the actions and values that were important to Jesus, and how you might show them in how you act.

Music/hymn links

286 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6ji4y9Q-K0

739 The Church's one foundation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jotNbcFelX4

*** Steps of faith - Step up - Matthew  15:21-28 ***  

Questions  

What does it mean to you that Jesus changed his mind in the reading?  

What does it mean to you that Jesus listened to the Canaanite Women in the reading?  

What would you ask God for if you thought you could change something for the better?  

What would you be prepared to do to make that come true?  

 Young People   

Talk to your young people about mental health, reminding them that mental health is something we all have, and that sometimes it is in good health and sometimes it might need help.   Remind them that when they find themselves hurting in body and/or mind that they are still loved for who they are by God and by you.   Sit with your young person, maybe sit as a family, and take turns in saying to each other…  “God loves your for who you are. I love you for who you are. I especially love …(blank)… about you.” Filling in the blank with things you love about each other.      

hymn/piece of music  

Gather us in (CH4 623) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbNXqjwh8is  

Beauty for Brokenness (CH4 259) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO1G-o7Yj-c

Questions to think about

Take time to consider (perhaps write down as a list) times in

your life when you have found yourself starting to have that

sinking feeling. Troubling, challenging times when naturally

it has been difficult to cope emotionally and sometimes

physically.

We all have these times.

• What prevented you sinking?

• Who stopped you from sinking deeper?

• How did you manage to stay afloat?

Hopefully we recognise the hand of God in those moments.

Be thankful for the people, the self-resilience and the help

that was available to you as you managed these difficult

times.

Things to talk to children about

Today’s reading is about signs that Jesus gives.

The sign that God offers calm in the storm

The sign that as we start to sink God will reach out to us

Talk with your young people about what signs they see in the world; maybe road sings or the new signs in school that help with social distancing and special Covid measures. And then ask them what signs they see that point to God.

Talk to them about how and where you see God, and how you can look for God together.

Hymn/Music

485 Dear Lord and Father of mankind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gYuEXsKsiU

509 Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idAoS7at3nQ

Sunday 9nd August - BofAPC - Moderators Supply part 2

Sunday 2nd August - BofAPC - Moderators Supply part 1

Apologies for nothing uploading last week, not sure what happened there. 

Further Question(s)

Think about the Kingdom of Heaven, and what it means to you?

Do you think about the Kingdom of Heaven as something in an afterlife? Or do you think of it as a set of ideas based in love to live by now?

We cannot know in certainty what life after death will be, other than knowing God is big enough and loving enough to take care of that. What we can know is that Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is like and that the Kingdom is now. So we have to try to live out those Kingdom values now.

What would it mean to you if you tried to permeate love into all aspects of life?

Young Folk

See what seeds of love you can plant this week.

Send a message to someone you think might need to know love this week, or write a letter to someone you’ve not seen in a while. Tell them that they are loved, and show that in what you write to them.

Remember to ask a grown up to help you if you need help.

More Music

Love is like a magic penny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IclFQj4l3F0

Seek ye first CH4 641

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9MTRPA0z-E&t=71s

*** spreading seeds - the parable of the sower ***

Questions

Reflect this week ask yourself the question – where are the seeds?

Young Folk

This week think of scattering seeds with your young people. If you are able to get a packet of wildflower seed and go and scatter those seeds whilst talking about how you might share seeds of faith hope and love within your family and beyond.

Music

All things bright and beautiful CH4 137

How great thou art CH4 154