Welcome
Welcome to the sermon series Your Kingdom Come: God’s project for making all things new. Here you will find a brief overview, a few ideas for going deeper into the sermon topic with Preschool, Elementary, and Middle/High Schoolers.
Recap
Last week we talked about a king—do you remember who it was? Yes, David. We talked about how God promised David that his kingdom would never end, and that one from his family would rule forever. This week, we get a look at that king. While you listen to this story, I want you to think about what kind of a king Jesus is.
One day, Jesus went into Galilee saying, “God’s kingdom is here. Turn away from being your own king, and believe God’s good news.” Jesus was walking by the lake. He saw some men out in their boats. He called out to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Fish for people? I wonder what that means. They might have wondered, too, because they hopped out of their boat and followed Jesus. He walked a little further down the shore and saw two other men in their boat. “Follow me!” Jesus called. They left their nets, their father, and the other fisherman and followed Jesus. You probably know that there were 12 men who followed Jesus—and as they followed Jesus, they saw what it meant to be a part of God’s kingdom—God’s king, ruling over God’s people in God’s place. Do you know what they saw? Lost and confused people being found, sick people being healed, dead people coming alive again, far off people being brought near, people being set free. When the disciples looked at Jesus, the king of God’s kingdom, they saw that, in God’s kingdom, people with power use it to make things better for others.
Preschool
Give your child some Little People, Duplos, or other people characters you might have at home. Invite them to play the story they have just heard. The goal is not comprehension, it is to see what parts of the story resonated with your child. Play is prayer for children this age—they are showing God what matters to them from the story, when the words may still be out of reach. Be curious, resist the urge to correct or teach them. This is their chance to respond to God’s word. If you’d like and your child is interested, read this story a few more times this week and give your child space to interact with it. Trust that God will meet them in their play. If you’d like a song to sing this week, The Wedding Banquet by Rain for Roots is a good story/song to go with this theme.
Elementary School
Read Mark 1:21-28 from a child-friendly version of the Bible like the NIrV.
What do you wonder about this passage? Also share what you wonder about as a parent.
How many times do you see the word “authority” in this passage? Circle them. What does that word mean? Look it up in a dictionary if you need to!
Whose authority is this passage talking about?
Based on the rest of the story, what does Jesus use his authority to do?
What do you think it means for you and me?
Where do you have “authority”? How can you use it for others?
Middle/High School
Read Mark 1:14-28 in the New Living Translation.
What do you think Jesus means when he says, "The Kingdom of God has come near"? What is the Kingdom of God? Is it near you?
Simon and Andrew, and then James and John, leave their nets and follow Jesus when he calls them. What do you imagine it was about Jesus that compelled them to follow? Imagine Jesus calling out to you and inviting you to follow him. How do you respond?
If Jesus teaches with authority, what can you do to listen to him well? The demon-possessed man was set free from his bondage. Is there anything you want to ask Jesus to free you from?