Worship Tools

Worship Outline

Additional Scriptures 

Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 149; Matthew 18:15–20 

Prelude 

Welcome 

Gathering Hymn 

“When In Our Music God Is Glorified” CCS 1 

OR “All Creatures of Our God and King” CCS 98 

Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own. 

OR “Louez le Seigneur!/Praise, Praise, Praise the Lord!” CCS 106 

Sing several times. Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.  

See the Performance Note suggestion at the bottom of the page. 

Call to Worship Responsive Reading 

Instruct participants to repeat the phrase, “Praise the Lord!” whenever the reader pauses and raises a hand or another signal. 

Leader: Sing to the Lord a new song, let Israel [or use the name of your town] be glad in its Maker; let us, the children of Zion, rejoice in our King! 

All: Praise the Lord! 

Leader: Let us praise the Lord with dancing and the music of tambourine and lyre. 

All: Praise the Lord! 

Leader: Let the faithful exult in glory, let us sing for joy!  

All: Praise the Lord! 

—Psalm 149:1–6, adapted 

Hymn of Praise 

“Praise the Lord Together Singing”  sing in a two-, three-, or four-part round CCS 642  

OR “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!” CCS 52 

OR “For the Beauty of the Earth” CCS 130 

Invocation 

Response 

Prayer for Peace 

Light the peace candle 

Scripture Reading 

Alma taught that everyone should love their neighbors as themselves; that there should be no contention among them. King Mosiah sent a proclamation throughout the land that there should be equality among all; that they should not let pride or haughtiness disturb their peace; that everyone should esteem their neighbor, laboring with their own hands for their support; doing the things that abound in the grace of God. And there began to be peace in the land…  

—Mosiah 11:16, 152–156a, adapted 

Prayer 

Dear Heavenly Parent, 

Soften our hearts as we listen each day. 

Give us the guidance to follow your ways. 

Help our love grow with each new soul we meet. 

Heal us with grace so we can bring peace. 

In your living name, Amen. 

—Dawn Adams, used with permission 

Focus Moment: Walking the Neighborhood 

For information visit the Emporia Community of Christ congregation website. You are welcome to change words to make this practice fit the people in your group. If you are in person, and everyone is able, you could take this practice outside. Otherwise, encourage people to use their imaginations. 

Walking the Neighborhood is a simple practice, usually done outside, in your neighborhood, in small groups, as a way to discern what God might be calling you to do there. Today, we will take a few minutes to quietly walk our neighborhoods with God.  

Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths. Imagine it is a beautiful day as you stand outside your home. Look to the left and the right and notice the houses there. Start walking, whichever way you want to go. If you know your neighbors, smile and greet them. If you don’t know your neighbors, smile and greet them, too. Throw a stick for a dog. Smile at the kids. Wave at the people sitting on their front porch. As you are walking, ask God to bless this community that is your neighborhood. Walk back home, noticing any difference you feel about your neighborhood.  

Did you hear God’s whisper or nudge as you walked? Turn to another and share your experience. 

Scripture Reading: Romans 13:8–14 

Ministry of Music OR Community Hymn of Reflection 

“Peace of Jesus” CCS 318 

OR “Take the Path of the Disciple” CCS 558 

OR “Who Is My Mother, Who Is My Brother?” CCS 336 

Communion Message 

Based on Romans 13:8–14 

Invitation to Communion 

See the Invitation to Communion script.

Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine 

Disciples’ Generous Response 

Statement 

The church’s mission statement states: “We proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.” One way we do that is by promoting Christ-centered communities of justice and peacefulness. Loving our neighbors is a commitment to valuing the worth of each person and generously meeting their needs. 

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes 

Hymn of Neighbors 

“In Christ There Is No East or West” CCS 339 

OR “Help Us Accept Each Other” CCS 333 

OR “Somos el cuerpo de Cristo/We Are the Body of Christ” CCS 337 

Closing Prayer 

Postlude 

Sacred Space: Small-Group Worship Outline

Gathering

Welcome

Ordinary Time runs from Pentecost to Advent. This part of the Christian calendar is without major festivals or holy days. During Ordinary Time we focus on our discipleship as individuals and as a faith community.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Creator God, cleanse our hearts. Accept the confession of our flaws and failures and make us whole. Transform us, O God, into the people of peace and grace you created us to be.

Pause.

Redeeming God, bring to our awareness persons and relationships that are broken. Make us conscious of the need for reconciliation and forgiveness. Transform us for relationships of wholeness once again.

Pause.

Saving God, allow us to feel your love and concern for your children in communities around the world. We remember all nations. May we weep with your tears and act with compassion to heal those who are suffering.

Pause.

God of all creation, stir within us a deep connection with everything you have created. Make us aware of the sacred nature of all that surrounds us and lead us into deep reverence that cultivates nurturing actions.

Pause.

May these prayers of concern, compassion, and transformation for ourselves, others, all people, and the Earth lead us into a world shaped by your unconditional love, O God. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Dwelling in the Word

Read the following to the group:

Today we are focusing on the Enduring Principle of Continuing Revelation. We will practice this with Dwelling in the Word.

I will read the following excerpt aloud. As you hear it, allow words, images, or phrases to come to your mind. Try not to focus on them. Let them rest in you. After a moment of silence, I will read the excerpt a second time. As you hear the words again, listen for how God’s Spirit is nudging you or catching your attention.

Read this excerpt from Romans 13:8-14 NRSVue:

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

Pause.

Read the passage a second time.

Pause.

Invite group members to share responses to these questions:

1. What words, phrases or images came to mind?
2. How is God’s Spirit nudging you?
3. How does Dwelling in the Word create continued revelation within you?

Sharing Around the Table

Romans 13:8-14 NRSVue

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

An Urgent Appeal

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off^[a] the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit sex and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

—Romans 13:8-14 NRSVue

This is a powerful text, and Paul speaks directly to the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul invites believers and seekers to ground their everyday lives in the gospel’s most essential command: love one another. For Paul, love is not a feeling, love is an act of will. As a follower of Jesus, love is an active commitment to work for the good of others. This “debt of love” as Paul calls it, fulfills the entire law, and it echoes the teachings of Jesus. Loving God fully and loving one’s neighbor completely are the central core of faithful living. Everything else—every guideline, every ethical instruction—flows from this foundation.

Paul writes with a sense of urgency. Early Christians believed Christ’s return was near. Paul encourages the community to live as people of the light—awake, transparent, and committed to lives shaped by compassion rather than lives captive to hidden or destructive habits.  Paul describes behaviors like jealousy, quarrels, and self-indulgence as “works of darkness” because simply stated, they erode relationships and obscure the love Christians are called to embody and live.

To “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” is much deeper than following some code of moral rules. It is a deliberate, daily practice of aligning one’s heart and actions with Christ’s life and living from the inside out. This way of living becomes both protection against the pull of self-centered values and a visible witness of God’s love. For Paul, a Christ-centered life is not about fear of the future—it is about living now with clarity, purposeful intention, and love that does no harm.

Questions

1. Paul says the only debt we should carry is the ongoing obligation to love. How does this challenge the way we think about responsibility, boundaries, or priorities in our relationships? 
2. “The night is far gone, the day is near.” How might a sense of spiritual urgency—without fear—shape the way we navigate conflict, community life, or personal ethics/principles? 
3. Paul invites believers to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” What inner habits, attitudes, or patterns do you sense God inviting you to set aside for Christ’s way of love to become our primary identity? Your primary identity?

Sending

Generosity Statement

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response.

This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

God of our discipleship, As we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us to save wisely, spend responsibly, and give generously. In this way may we prepare for the future and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the mission of Christ, and the world. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

CCS 486, “O Breath of Life”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on the Group

• Communion
• Thoughts for Children

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Scripture

Choose one scripture to read from this selection: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39.

Invitation to Communion

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

We share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings (select one):

• 515, “In These Moments We Remember”
• 516, “Coming Together for Wine and for Bread”
• 521, “Let Us Break Bread Together”
• 525, “Small Is the Table”
• 528, “Eat This Bread”

Bless and serve bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

“Put On the Light of Love”

Materials: colorful heart stickers

Invite children forward and begin by showing a small flashlight and a cozy scarf or jacket.

Say:

Today, Paul teaches us something really important: he says that loving others is the most important rule of all. And he also tells us to ‘put on the Lord Jesus Christ’—almost like putting on a special coat that helps us choose what’s kind and good.

Activity 1: Light in the Darkness

Turn off or dim the lights (if possible).
Hold up the flashlight.

Let’s imagine it’s night. If we try to walk in the dark, we might bump into things or even step on someone’s toes! But if we have a light, we can see where we’re going.

Turn on the flashlight.

Paul says we should live like we’re in the light—kind, truthful, helpful—so no one gets hurt by our words or actions.

Ask:

What are some ways we can be like light for others?

Maybe by helping… sharing… being brave enough to tell the truth… or including someone who’s alone?”

Encourage children to name ideas.

Activity 2: Putting On Jesus

Hold up the scarf or jacket.

Now Paul says to ‘put on Jesus.’ Not like a costume, but like remembering Jesus is with us and helping us make loving choices. Let’s pretend to put on Jesus’ love like this scarf.

Invite each child to pretend putting on an imaginary “coat of Jesus’ love.”

Ask:

What might change if we wear Jesus’ love today?
How might we act at school? At home? With our friends?”

Closing Blessing:

Give each child a small paper heart or sticker (if available) or simply place your hand gently on each child’s shoulder.

Remember: love is our most important job. When we wear Jesus’ love and live in God’s light, we help make the world kinder, safer, and happier for everyone.”

Sermon Helps

Exploring the Scripture

Paul’s teachings in Romans 13-14 urges believers to live the gospel’s principles in practical, everyday life. Today’s passage focuses on two ideas: 1) the foundational commandment to love one another, which sums up the entire body of Jewish law; and 2) the urgency of a Christ-centered lifestyle as Christians wait for the Second Coming.

Paul advises the Romans to avoid debt. The only debt they should incur is indebtedness that results from loving one another. In ancient times, a standard definition of love was this: love is wishing only good for others, above all else. To want goodness for another carries a duty to work to make the wish for goodness active. Thus, it is impossible to love without being under the obligation (the debt) of love.

For centuries, rabbis and prophets debated which commandment was the greatest. Various answers were proposed, quoting scriptures such as Micah 6:8, Amos 5:24, and Leviticus 19:2. Matthew, Mark, and Luke recorded Jesus’ answer, based on Deuteronomy 6:5: to love God completely is the primary commandment. The second most important is to love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). However, before any of the Gospels were written, Paul identified love as the law’s fulfillment, which testifies to the early knowledge of Jesus’ teaching about love.

Paul’s list of directives in Romans 13-14 stands as a Christian summary of the ethics that bind them. Paul is direct. Living love underlies and supersedes all the rest, both for Jewish and Christian law. “Love does no wrong; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law” (v. 10). Although Paul continues to offer advice and urge ethical behavior, all else functions as examples of doing no wrong while standing under the debt of love.

“You know what time it is…” (v. 11). Early Christians believed Christ would return soon, possibly within their lifetime. Paul encourages them to be prepared and alert (v. 12). Righteous living includes giving up vices such as drunkenness, debauchery, immorality, quarreling, and jealousy. These vices he mentions as “works of darkness” (v. 12), done in secret, are held tightly within men’s and women’s hidden activity to decay and damage relationships. But “the night is far gone, the day is near.” Christians are creatures of the light: open, transparent, glowing with love and goodwill, awake and ready for Christ’s return.

“The armor of light” (v. 12) and “putting on the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 14) are synonymous. Both refer to adopting Christian values and a lifestyle that shines clearly for all to see, and that provides a barrier against the impulse of “the flesh, to gratify its desires” (v. 14). Here, the “flesh” refers not only to physical appetites but all the temptations of superficial, worldly existence, some of which he used as examples in verse 13. Like soldiers preparing for battle, the faithful “put on” Jesus Christ to ward off temptations and strengthen resolve. Paul’s intent, however, goes far beyond donning a mask or costume. “Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ” is a discipline of the heart that transforms and strengthens the believing community to fulfill the law of love in daily life.

Central Ideas

1. To want good in another’s life (to love) carries with it a duty to work for that good.
2. Love underlies and supersedes all Jewish and Christian law because love does no wrong.
3. Christians are creatures of the light: open, transparent, glowing with love, awake, and ready for Christ’s return.
4. Adopting a Christ-centered lifestyle provides a barrier against the lure of superficial, selfcentered values.

Questions for the Speaker

1. What debts do you owe to those you love most deeply? How do you perform those duties?
2. Do you agree with the idea that “love does no wrong”? Can you think of an exception? What is Paul saying?
3. How does your congregation show it is a community of light rather than darkness?
4. How do you deal with the paradox of being open and vulnerable as a form of protection against the world’s brokenness?

Lessons

Adult Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Romans 13:8–14

Lesson Focus

All Is Love

Objectives

The learners will…

• understand love of neighbor is the greatest commandment.
• recognize the meaning of agape love in action.
• illustrate the significance of the armor of light.

Supplies

• Bible
• Audio player or computer
• Community of Christ Sings Audio Recordings available from HeraldHouse.org
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Romans 13:8–14 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 101–102, available through Herald House.

Gather

There are many love songs, but few of them express agape love that Paul is describing in today’s text. Agape, from the Greek, is the fatherly love of God for humans, and the human reciprocal love for God. In scripture, agape love is the highest form of love and is contrasted with other forms of love (erotic love or brotherly love). For disciples, this love—love of God and love of neighbor—defines the attitude, behavior, and norms of the Christian life. It concerns action rather than emotion. Abiding in love is the way Christians fulfill the law.

As the music plays, read the words of “When the Poor Ones” CCS 290 as introduction to the love Paul is writing about.

Read Romans 13:8–14.

Engage

Paul continues explaining what he means by love, describing how it is central to Jesus’s identity and purpose. He argues God created us and we are a vessel for God’s love; we must love our neighbors. Not doing so means we can’t see God, who is in our neighbors. This love is not an emotion but is expressed through action: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Our behaviors are to be governed by agape love, which supersedes secular law.

• What is the best example of agape love you have experienced or observed? How did you feel as you observed or experienced it? What was the action of agape?
• In Paul’s thinking, love (agape) is above the law. Unjust secular law must bow to love. Think of and explain an example of this in our culture.
• How can secular laws help us know what it means to love?
• What debt (obligation) do you have because of agape love?

Respond

In verses 11–18, Paul describes the urgency of the mission of the early church. He uses the symbolism of dark and light to describe how the people must act as in the light.

• Think about a time when you did something you wouldn’t want your parent to know about. Paul would use the “dark” as a representation of that time. How does being in the light make us accountable?
• How can you put on the armor of light (Jesus Christ)?
• When Paul speaks of “make no provision for the flesh,” he is talking about self-absorption or preoccupation with one’s own emotions, interests, or situation. What does our culture teach about this? How do we accommodate both messages? How can we improve our agape?

Send

The good news in this scripture passage reminds us that God has, is, and will—through Jesus Christ—grant us grace and the possibility of genuine transformation.

Consider the words from Doctrine and Covenants 161:3d. “Understand that the road to transformation travels both inward and outward. The road to transformation is the path of the disciple.”

• What does this statement mean to you?
• How are you doing on your inward journey? On your outward journey?

Bless

From the Community of Christ Sings Audio Recordings, play the choir version of “Siyahamb’ Ekukhanyen’ Kwenkhos (We Are Marching in the Light of God)” CCS 95. Invite the class to participate by clapping, marching, or dancing to the joy of this promise.

May this joy continue as you march in the light of God this week. Amen.

Youth Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Romans 13:8–14

Lesson Focus

Love One Another.

Objectives

The learners will…

• explore the Community of Christ Mission Statement.
• consider many ways to show love.
• think about what it means to live in the light.
• identify ways to bring light to situations of darkness.

Supplies

• Bible
• Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, Herald House, 2018
• “Romans 13:8–14 Discussion Worksheet” for each student (end of lesson)
• Pens or pencils for each student
• Craft sticks
• Markers
• Yellow ribbon or yarn
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Note to teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Romans 13:8–14 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 101–102, available through Herald House.

Gather

Spend 10 minutes reading and discussing the ideas presented in “We Share a Mission” from Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 20–25.

Ask: How do you proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace?

Engage

Pass out the discussion worksheets and pens or pencils to the students. Have them write a few sentences for each of the questions. Their answers can be private or shared as desired.

In today’s scripture passage, Paul provides instruction on living our discipleship. In verse 8, Paul states, “the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” When speaking of the commandments from the Old Testament (v. 9), Paul concludes that they can be summed up in the commandment given by Jesus: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Discuss:

1. How do you show love to those who are close to you? to your parents? to your siblings?
2. How do you show love to friends you know well?
3. How do you show love to someone you recognize but don’t know their name?
4. How do you show love to strangers?
5. How do you show love to enemies?

In verses 11–14, Paul makes an urgent appeal asking disciples to awaken and not become lulled by the things going on around us.

• Name two “mindless” activities you do regularly. (binge watching TV, playing games on your phone, etc.)
• How much time do you spend on these per day?
• What two substitute actions would be a better way to use your time more wisely?
• What if you focused on showing love instead? How would you show love? to whom or to what cause?

Paul says in verses 12–13, “Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day…” This means we should make our time, and actions count and not take part in things that cause darkness for ourselves or others.

Think about this choice of living in the light or living in the dark. Consider which choice you make most often.

Discuss:

1. When ____________ happens, I respond with a positive action.
2. When ____________ happens, I respond with a negative action.
3. When I feel ____________, I respond with a positive action.
4. When I feel ____________, I respond with a negative action.

Respond

Using craft sticks and markers, choose phrases from Romans 13:8–14 and print them on the sticks. Use one phrase per stick.

Next, choose a stick, read the phrase, and act it out like charades. Allow class members to guess which phrase you are conveying.

After the acting is over, discuss what real actions are necessary to bring this aspect of the scripture passage to life.

Send

Read stanza 4 of “We Serve the Prince of Peace” CCS 348.

Ask students to think about (but not yet say) their answer to these questions:

• How do you shine so others know that you serve the Prince of Peace?
• What can you do to bring light to others?

When everyone has an answer, use yellow ribbon (or yarn) to create the rays of light that connect you. Hang onto one end of the ribbon and toss the rest to the next person. When someone receives the ribbon, they should share their answers with the group. They can also answer the questions about someone else by saying what they see in another member of the group. Then have them toss the ribbon (yarn) to the next person. Note: To create the rays of light (web of connection), it is important to hold onto the ribbon and not let go.

Share together as time and the length of the ribbon allow. At the end of this activity, lay the ribbon on the floor to see the connections made.

Bless

Together read or sing “Come and Bring Light” CCS 287. One way is to read the phrases one person at a time. Together everyone says the phase, “Open our eyes.”

This hymn has many ways of describing the darkness where people may find themselves.

• What do we need to do to “open our eyes” to these circumstances?
• What can we do to light the way in some of these places?

Close with this prayer: Loving God, guide us as we try to bring your light and love to the darker corners of our world. Amen.

Romans 13:8–14 Discussion Worksheet

1. How do you show love to those who are close to you? to your parents? to your siblings?
2. How do you show love to friends you know well?
3. How do you show love to someone you recognize but don’t know their name?
4. How do you show love to strangers?
5. How do you show love to enemies?
6. When _________ happens, I respond with a positive action.
7. When ___________ happens, I respond with a negative action.
8. When I feel ____________, I respond with a positive action.
9. When I feel _________, I respond with a negative action.

Children’s Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Romans 13:8–14

Lesson Focus

Jesus calls us to love one another and to adopt Christian values.

Objectives

The learners will…

• give example of their kind acts.
• explain that love should guide all our choices and actions.
• explore the concept of wearing the armor of light (God).
• join in mission to search for God’s direction in their lives.

Supplies

• Bible
• Extra construction paper cut into strips 2 inches / 5 cm wide
• Stapler
• Ten Commandment paper, cut apart (end of lesson)
• Uniform pictures (end of lesson)
• Armor of Light worksheets (end of lesson)
• Alarm clock (optional)
• Copies of the Mission Prayer (end of lesson)

Notes to teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Romans 13:8–14 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 101–102, available through Herald House.

Gather

Invite students to think about things they did to be kind to other people last week and write each act on a strip of paper. Allow a few moments for them to complete the task.

Say: Who would like to share their acts of kindness? (Allow time for responses.) Throughout the week each of you did more acts of kindness for people around you. Let’s make a chain to show how much kindness we have spread into the world. (Curl one strip into a circle and staple it in place. Thread a second strip through the circle and staple it into a circle. Continue with all the strips of paper. Hang the chain in your class space.) By itself, one act of kindness might not seem like a lot. Though all kindness is meaningful to the person who receives it and the person who gives it. Combined our kind acts show how we are all working together to pursue peace on Earth!

Engage

Say: In the gospel stories, Jesus tells us to love other people. Love does no wrong! If we always act in love, we can be sure we are treating other people well and doing what Jesus would do.

Read each statement from the list below and ask if love would cause you to act that way. For example, “If you act in love, would you be generous to others?” “If you love someone, would you treat them with respect?” “If you love someone, would you be kind to them so that they would do something for you in return, or just be kind to them for their sake?” etc.

• Love one another.
• Love = wanting the best for someone else.
• Be kind with no strings attached.
• Stay faithful even when it’s hard.
• Pray often.
• Be generous to others.
• Treat everyone with respect.
• Be compassionate—feel what others are feeling.
• Pay attention to the feelings of others and care about them.
• If people are mean, be kind in return.
• Be kind, even to those who are not kind to you.
• Be humble, not arrogant.
• Do not think you are better or smarter than anyone.
• Be a peacemaker.

Prior to class cut the Ten Commandments paper from the end of this lesson into 10 pieces of paper. If you have a large class, you may make a set for each student so that all may see and read them.

Say: The Old Testament lists Ten Commandments for the Israelites to follow. These rules teach us how to love God and how to love each other. Let’s look at each of the Commandments. (Hold up one of the pieces of paper with a Commandment on it. Have a student read the Commandment aloud.) Does this Commandment tell us how to love God or how to love each other? (Listen to responses. Continue with the other nine, sorting them into two piles: love God, love others.) It is important that we love God, but today we are going to talk about loving others. (Place the “love God” Commandments to the side. Lay out the “love others” Commandments face up so everyone can see them.) [Idea used with permission from http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2011/08/year-proper-18-24th-sunday-in-ordinary.html.]

Say: In today’s scripture passage from Romans, Paul continues to explain how we should act like Jesus. First, we got a list of “shoulds” and “should-nots.” Today he will talk about love. As I read the scripture, look at these remaining “love others” commandments and see how many Paul mentions.

Read Romans 13:8–10.

Say: Which commandments did you hear? (Keep your marriage promises, do not steal, do not murder, do not be jealous of other people’s things.) The suggestions from Paul and the Ten Commandments are good, but it might be hard to remember all the rules. Can we come up with one rule that helps us test if our actions are Christ-like? (Listen to responses. Help guide the class to the idea of love, such as “love other people” or “treat others with love.”

Respond

One by one, display each of the uniform pictures from the end of the lesson.

Ask various questions about the nature of each uniform: What is this uniform for? What would someone who is wearing this be able to do? How does the uniform help the person who wears it? Why does a person need this uniform? What would happen if a person tried to ______ (put out a fire) without this equipment? Would you want to _____ (someone to tackle you) without wearing this uniform? (Listen to responses.)

Next, ask questions about the effect the uniform has on other people: What would you think if someone in a t-shirt and shorts came to pull you out of a fire? How would you feel if someone in a swimsuit and no mask entered your hospital room and said they would be operating on you? Do you think someone in sweats without a rescue tube should be the one to watch kids at a pool?

Say: Uniforms serve two purposes. They help prepare and protect the person wearing it while they perform certain tasks and jobs. And they signal to other people what the wearer can do. Today’s scripture passage also tells us about a certain uniform we can wear as disciples.

Read Romans 13:11–14.

Say: What do you think the “armor of light” is? (Listen to responses.) What does it mean to “put on Jesus Christ”? (Listen to responses.) Just like the other uniforms, putting on Jesus’s uniform can have two purposes. It prepares us for our task—having a relationship with God means we know we should treat other people with love and spread the good news of Jesus. And if people know we are Christians, they know we can be helpful and loving.

Pass out the Armor of Light worksheets.

Ask:

• What skills and abilities do you have as a disciple of Jesus? (Help the children brainstorm specific talents they have. Help them identify more generic gifts from God, like prayer, the Holy Spirit, the church or congregational community, reading scriptures, etc.) Write these on your shield. This is how God helps you be prepared to serve in ministry.
• How would another person know you are a follower of God? (Help the children brainstorm actions they may do or statements they can make, such as being kind, standing up to bullies, telling someone they are sorry, etc.) Write these on your shield. This is how you honor God by being a faithful member of God’s community.

Say: Our church has a mission statement, which is a short sentence telling everyone who we are, what we stand for, what we want to do as a church. It’s how we make sure everyone is understands the same shared mission, or goal. It is our church uniform to tell the world who we are, what we believe, and what we want to do.

We proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.

Let the students write the church mission statement on or around their shields.

Send

Say: Do you use an alarm clock to wake you up in the morning? A lot of alarm clocks have a snooze button. When your alarm goes off, you can hit that button and go back to sleep. In nine minutes, the alarm will go off again.

If available, present an alarm clock and demonstrate how it works.

Say: There are two problems with snooze buttons. The first is that if you keep on hitting the snooze button, you may be late or completely miss out on something. The second problem is that if you keep hitting the snooze button, you may get accustomed to the sound of the alarm so you don’t even hear it at all and you will sleep right through the alarm.

Say: Sometimes God sounds an alarm in our lives. “It is time to wake up. It is time to follow me. Here is someone you can invite to church. Here is someone who needs help.” Some people just hit the snooze button and say, “Not now Lord, call me again a little bit later.” Some people hit that “snooze button” so many times that eventually they don’t even hear God’s call at all. [Idea used with permission from https://sermons4kids.com/snooze.html.]

Say: In her book All in a Day, author Cynthia Rylant writes, “The past is sailing off to sea, the future’s fast asleep. A day is all you have to be, it’s all you get to keep.” It’s easy to focus on the “could haves” and “should haves” of the past. Or say you’ll wait until someday in the future. But God calls us to live right now, in the present. We need to work hard to make sure we hear God’s alarm (call) and that we answer the call.

Bless

Pass out copies of the Mission Prayer.

Say: Reciting this prayer daily can help you remember to pay attention to what God is calling you to do. Let’s say it together now.

God, where will your Spirit lead today?

Help me be fully awake and ready to respond.

Grant me courage to risk something new

and become a blessing of your love and peace.

Amen.

Only worship God.

Do not have idols.

Be careful with God’s name.

Keep the Sabbath day special.

Honor your father and your mother.

Do not murder.

Keep your marriage promises.

Do not steal.

Do not lie.

Do not be jealous of other people’s things.