Worship Tools

Worship Outline

Additional Scriptures

Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Matthew 22:34–46

Preparation

This worship is designed to be a reflective service. Worship leaders are encouraged to create a tranquil setting for participants. Setting considerations include soft music playing, dimmed lighting, pre-recorded water soundtracks, candles lit, etc. Be mindful of worship participants’ need to safely navigate the worship setting.

We Gather

Prelude

Hymn of Gathering

“All Creatures of Our God and King” CCS 98

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “Praise to the Living God” CCS 8

OR “Called to Gather as God’s People” CCS 152

Welcome

Call to Worship: Psalm 90:1-2

We Center

Hymn of Centering

“Meet Me in a Holy Place” CCS 162

OR “Open My Heart” CCS 171

OR “Come, Holy Spirit, Come” sing at least twice CCS 154

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “Ubi Caritas et Amor” Sing several times.  CCS 152

Invocation

Response

Prayer for Peace

Light the peace candle   

Ring bell/chime and pause

Prayer

Let there be peace on earth…

And let it begin with those who are willing to risk courageous love.

Ring bell and pause.

Let there be peace on earth…

And let it begin with a community who is dedicated to the pursuit of justice and equality.

Ring bell and pause.

Let us walk with each other…

And let us shine your radiance into the darkness of the world.

Ring bell and pause.

Let peace begin with me…

And let this be the moment where we walk a new path towards healing and reconciliation.

Ring bell and pause.

Amen.

—Ryan Pitt,
paraphrase from “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” CCS 307,

by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson ©1981 Jan Lee Music

We Reflect

Hymn of Reflection

“Teach Me, God, to Wonder” CCS 176

OR “Searcher of Hearts” CCS 178

OR “Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire” CCS 166

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8

Ministry of Music or Community Hymn

“He Came Singing Love” CCS 226

OR “We Are the Ones the World Awaits” CCS 305

OR “God Forgave My Sin in Jesus’ Name” CCS 627

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

Message

Based on 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8

We Share

Disciples’ Generous Response

Statement

God’s generosity is revealed in beautiful sunrises, waves on the shore, the face of a newborn child, music that touches our soul. But it’s also revealed in things as simple as the chairs we sit on or the clothes we wear. Discover what you’ve already received, where it came from and how you can use it for God’s purposes and vision for creation.

Sharing

Share your thoughts on what you have generously received from God.

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 165:2b

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

We Respond

Hymn of Renewal

“Spirit of the Living God”   sing several times  CCS 567

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “Called by Christ to Love Each Other” CCS 577

OR “When Holy Ghost Shall Come in Power” CCS 628

Pastoral Prayer

Sending Forth

Doctrine and Covenants 161:1b, starting with, “Be faithful….”Postlude

Sacred Space: Small-Group Worship Outline

Gathering

Welcome

Ordinary Time is the period in the Christian calendar 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.

We are so very grateful for the gift of life and all that you have given us to sustain our lives. We confess that our actions do not always reflect your desires for your children to live as representatives of Christ’s peace.

Help us to be more aware of the needs of others in our struggle to be the loving example you have called us to be. We desire to experience peace in our own lives as we share it with those we encounter on our life’s journey. 

Continue to be with us each day as we journey together, led by your Spirit and guided by your love.

In your precious Son’s name. Amen.

—Ministry Training Gathering, Michigan

Spiritual Practice

Loving Kindness Blessing

Read the following:

Today’s Enduring Principle focus is Worth of All Persons. This principle states, “We seek to uphold and restore the worth of all people individually and in community, challenging unjust systems that diminish human worth.” By practicing a loving kindness blessing, we remind ourselves of the worth of each individual.

For the blessing I will say a phrase, and then you will silently repeat the phrase in your mind.

Take a few moments to quiet yourself. If you are comfortable doing so, close your eyes and simply become aware of the natural rhythm of your breath.

Allow the words of the meditation time to resonate in your heart and mind.

May I be blessed with loving kindness.    [allow time for silent repetition]
May I be blessed with health.    [allow time for silent repetition]
May I be blessed with true happiness.    [allow time for silent repetition]
May I be blessed with peace.    [allow time for silent repetition]

Pause.

Think of someone who is beloved to you. Visualize the person as you pray. If you wish, insert the person’s name into the prayer as you allow the words to silently rest in your heart and mind.

May my beloved be blessed with loving kindness.
May my beloved be blessed with health.
May my beloved be blessed with true happiness.
May my beloved be blessed with peace.

Pause.

Now think of a close friend. Visualize the person as you pray:

May my friend be blessed with loving kindness.
May my friend be blessed with health.
May my friend be blessed with true happiness.
May my friend be blessed with peace.

Pause.

Think of someone with whom you are in conflict, or someone who has harmed you. Visualize this person. Breathe deeply and lovingly pray this blessing:

May the one who harmed me be blessed with loving kindness.
May the one who harmed me be blessed with health.
May the one who harmed me be blessed with true happiness.
May the one who harmed me be blessed with peace.

Pause.

Think of the Earth and all creation. Visualize all creation. Breathe out love in your blessing to all of creation:

May the Earth be blessed with loving kindness.
May the Earth be blessed with health.
May the Earth be blessed with true happiness.
May the Earth be blessed with peace.

Pause.

Invite people to share the thoughts, emotions, reflections, and images that emerged during this spiritual practice. Offer a brief prayer of thanks for all that was shared during this time of blessing.

Sharing Around the Table

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 NRSVue

You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals but to please God, who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed, nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

—1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 NRSVue

1 Thessalonians is considered a warm, affectionate, pastoral letter written to respond to the anxiety of the new, young-in-faith, Jesus believers. They were mostly Gentile converts in a culturally diverse city, who were troubled by Paul’s absence and perceived abandonment after his first visit to Thessalonica where a church was planted. Although there is no evidence of significant problems within the fellowship, Paul expresses his ongoing concern for the church group. 

After words of thanksgiving (1 Thess 1:2-10), Paul reminds believers of the divine origin of his mission and the sincerity and the purity of his motives when he says “You yourselves know” (v. 2:1).  Paul was given courage from God to combat the opposition and the shameful treatment he received in Philippi. Likewise, he did not turn back when again faced with opposition in Thessalonica. He was motivated by his commitment to please God, the One who entrusted him with the gospel, and had produced good results (“coming to you was not in vain”).  

Paul regarded “apostle” not as an official title, but as a designation for anyone commissioned by God to proclaim the gospel. He emphasized that all who are sent by the Spirit of Christ to share the Good News may be considered apostles.

Cosmopolitan cities like Thessalonica attracted traveling rabbis, teachers and philosophers many with reputations of greed, deceit, and impure motives. They had competing truth claims and demanded comfortable accommodations and privileged treatment from their followers. Paul contrasted his approach as one based on integrity, with upright and blameless conduct. He offered sincere words, meant to please God, not mortals. He compared himself to a nurse who tenderly cared for children. He and the missionaries shared their very lives with the Thessalonians, which showed their care and how they valued time spent with the believers.    

Paul’s evangelistic methods were more than casual reminiscences. They served as a model for the Thessalonians to follow in their mission to others. “Do as I did,” Paul told them. Avoid seeking privileges and status. Minister humbly and fearlessly, even when faced with persecution. Go live among the people and get to know them. Nurture them as they grow. Speak the truth gently, guided by the Holy Spirit. Witness for the glory of God, not human gain. And God will bless the work in the future as in the past.  

Questions

1. Paul reminds us that we need to be witnesses to the gospel amid opposition. How do you sense opposition in today’s world?  How would you describe that opposition?
2. Paul compares the apostles to a nurse, a feminine metaphor. Nurses were servants, who nurtured children to become strong, healthy and confident. How is this a helpful metaphor for you?   
3. How would you characterize the relevance of Paul’s ministerial ethics in today’s world? 

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 these ways 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

Community of Christ Sings 657, “Make Us, O God, a Church That Shares”

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

Materials: Balloon (not inflated)

Say: Does anyone know what it means to transform? 

Affirm answers.

Transform means to change from one shape or way of being into another.

The presence of God in the Holy Spirit helps people transform. Sometimes people have experienced really hard or sad things in their lives, and their hearts need help transforming into hearts of love and joy.

I want to do an experiment that can show us what this looks like. 

(Hold up the balloon.)

This balloon represents a person. My breath represents the Holy Spirit. 

(Blow up the balloon.)

The Holy Spirit fills our life with love, and we are transformed just like the balloon.

When we follow Jesus and invite the Holy Spirit to be in our life, our hearts feel transformed just like this balloon. We can make others’ hearts feel transformed by loving them as well.

What are some loving things you can do for others? 

Affirm answers.

Offer a short prayer that all hearts will be transformed in love.

Sermon Helps

Exploring the Scripture

When teachers, philosophers, or parents wrote letters of advice to children or students in Paul’s day, they used reminders of their relationship and shared history. Today’s passage focuses on such reminders, as Paul reminisces about his first trip to Thessalonica.

Acts 16:16-40 records the difficulties Paul experienced in Philippi, just before he traveled to Thessalonica. The Philippians accused him of greed, unlawful conversions, and deception. In writing to the Thessalonians, Paul refers to the suffering and opposition he experienced in Philippi. God gave him the courage to share the gospel despite the opposition. When he testified to the Thessalonians, he used no deceit or trickery to convince them. Paul spoke the truth from the heart to please God, not human beings. They are his witnesses that he did not flatter them, seek personal gain, or try to promote his worth by seeking their approval and praise. The defense of his conduct gives us an insight into the behaviors of others who sought fame and financial gain by evangelizing.

In verse 7, Paul refers to himself, Silvanus, and Timothy as “apostles.” The Greek word for “apostle” meant “one who is sent” and was not a title or officer of the church. All who were sent by the spirit of Christ to share the Good News could be called apostles. Paul often used the term for outstanding men and women, who were diligent, Spirit-filled leaders among the Gentile churches. He recognizes that he and his companions could have made demands common for traveling rabbis, philosophers, and teachers. Such sought payment for their instruction, wanted comfortable accommodations and demanded privileged treatment from their followers. Paul, however, earned his living to avoid burdening the infant churches with his needs.

Some philosophers taught by scolding and insulting their students. But Paul’s team spoke gently, like a nurse caring for her children or suckling a baby. Later in the chapter, Paul switches to the image of a father lovingly caring for his child. Both images reinforce the idea the new disciples in Thessalonica are young in their faith and must continue to mature in the gospel. Paul is ready and willing to help them on that journey.

Paul’s ministry went beyond words to the ministry of presence. He and his team remained in Thessalonica long enough to get to know the people. Only when they knew the people’s hearts and minds could they encourage the witness that went out from Thessalonica to other areas. Ministry is an empty shell if the minister does not offer the gift of self and presence while sharing the gospel.

Paul’s rehearsal of his evangelistic methods was more than casual reminiscences. They served as a model for the Thessalonians to follow in their mission to others. “Do as I did,” Paul was telling them. Avoid seeking privileges and status. Minister humbly and fearlessly, even when faced with persecution. Go live among the people and get to know them. Nurture them as they grow. Speak the truth gently, with transparency, guided by the Holy Spirit. Witness for the glory of God, not human gain. And God will bless the work in the future as in the past.

Central Ideas

1. Paul’s team began the mission in Thessalonica after persecution in Philippi and despite opposition in Thessalonica.
2. Paul’s team avoided trickery, deceit, flattery, and false pride as they shared the gospel. They intended to please God, not humans.
3. Instead of demanding payment or privilege, Paul and his leaders earned their living, spoke gently, and tenderly nurtured the new converts.
4. The Thessalonians followed that model of ministry as they continued to spread the gospel.

Questions for the Speaker

1. What helped the Thessalonians move from being imitators to models of ministry?
2. How would you translate Paul’s model of ministerial ethics from the 1st century into today’s world?
3. When have you been tempted to profit by your calling as a minister?
4. When have you found yourself placed on a pedestal by the people despite your wish to avoid status and honor?

Lessons

Adult Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

1 Thessalonians 2:1–8

Lesson Focus

Support each other in faithfully sharing the good news.

Objectives

The learners will…

• explore Paul’s attributes as found in the focus scripture.
• discuss how adopting some attributes might help in risking something new.
• strategize how to encourage each other in doing what matters most.

Supplies

• Bibles and additional copies of 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 as needed
• Map (world, or of modern Greece, or of Paul’s missionary journeys); locate Philippi before class; Note: study Bibles have maps of Paul’s journeys
• Board or flip chart, marker

Notes to teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 112–113, available through Herald House.

Gather

Many believe First Thessalonians is the oldest New Testament document discovered to date. It is also Paul’s first letter. It might seem strange that its placement in the canon comes at the halfway point. It certainly makes sense in one way to begin the canon with the focus on Jesus’s birth, life, death, and resurrection because that is the genesis for everything that follows. It was because of those events that Paul was converted and commissioned to tell others about them. Paul faced many challenges in doing so. In today’s focus scripture there are clues about some of what he suffered. More complete details are recorded in the book of Acts. But Paul’s focus when writing to the Thessalonians wasn’t on himself. He wasn’t telling his story but remained committed to telling the gospel story of Jesus Christ in all circumstances.

There is an interesting side of Paul revealed in these eight verses which may surprise people. See if you can discover what that might be.

Engage

Paul’s pastoral connection with the Thessalonians supported them in sharing their new-found faith. This week’s focus scripture has a different tone. As we read it, see if you can determine how it is different.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8.

Respond

Ask class members to think about attributes that are helpful today in sharing the gospel message. Write those on the board or flip chart.

• Explore what might be possible for your congregation as a witnessing community. Think creatively. Invitation is often easier through media (online services and activities, social media groups, etc.).
• Strategize an action step in adopting one of the attributes to encourage and facilitate sharing the good news.
• Explore how to respond to potential adversity when engaging in mission.

Send

Paul did not abandon those he reached on his missionary journeys. He used his letter writing to encourage, teach, and sometimes correct those in the communities he helped form. It was an early expression of our Enduring Principle of Develop Disciples to Serve.

Develop Disciples to Serve—Equip individuals for Christ’s mission

We are poised to equip men, women, and children to be true and living expressions of the life, ministry, and continuing presence of Christ in the world.

—Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, p. 23

Encourage class members to spend a minute in quiet reflection thinking about someone to whom to send a card or letter with a message of encouragement or affirmation. Ask them to make writing and sending it a priority during the coming week. Provide class time for this, if time allows.

Bless

Explain that you will offer a prayer to bless the letter and card writing task. During the prayer you will pause for class members to, in silence, add the name of the person to whom they will write.

Youth Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

1 Thessalonians 2:1–8

Lesson Focus

Have courage to promote the true values of Jesus.

Objectives

The learners will…

• explore the differences between authentic and less authentic versions of the gospel.
• promote a version of Christian community that includes all voices.
• understand that part of discipleship involves risk.
• focus on the Enduring Principle All Are Called.

Supplies

• Bible
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)
• Board or chart paper, and markers
• Way to watch the video, Risk Something New, at YouTube

Note to teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 112–113, available through Herald House.

Gather

Two Truths and a Fib

Share with the class that today’s lectionary scripture passage is a letter from Paul that addresses the Thessalonians. Part of the focus in this letter is about sharing the message of the gospel in a way that is authentic, while also challenging other ways that are deceitful or misguided.

Invite the participants to think of two unique and interesting facts (truths) or short stories about themselves, and to then make one up (fib). Have them share these two truths and a fib with the group, and have others try to guess which of the three is the fib.

Engage

Context: Paul begins this letter to the Thessalonians by acknowledging challenges and persecution endured in Philippi. This treatment highly contrasts the welcome reception and hospitality of the Thessalonians. Paul points to this contrast to highlight the merit and authenticity of his apostolic work, claiming that “we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition” (1 Thessalonians 2:2). Paul makes it clear that his intention in this work is to please God and share the message of Christ.

Paul lives in a time where many claim to hold religious truth and authority. He names some of the motives that might inspire his competitors. He states that his intentions do not “spring from deceit or impure motives of trickery” (v. 3), they are “not to please mortals” (v. 4), and that they “never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed (v. 5). While Paul truly seeks to broaden God’s reach in the world through his ministry, others who make similar claims do so with manipulative and self-serving intentions.

Another unique attribute of Paul is his persuasive writing style. Rather than an assumed hierarchy and power, Paul imagines a more equal field with the Thessalonians. He was seeking to be persuasive rather than coercive. In this model of the church, all disciples have value and importance and are loved as part of the body of Christ. There are many forms of Christianity that are exclusive and diminishing of the worth of persons, but it is important to remember that the gospel at its heart is inclusive and supportive of all God’s children.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8.

Activity: Spend some time exploring who is present in your community, and who is missing or not present. Use the board or chart paper to record reflections about who is missing in your community. This might include neighbors of different races, economic status, age, or other backgrounds.

• How might we envision these individuals as part of the body of Christ?
• How can we create a more inclusive community to which we can invite others?

Respond

Risking Something New

Aspects of Paul’s ministry involved risk. Even in the face of persecution and opposition, Paul is persistent in the work of ministry he feels called to offer. We will consider risk in two ways. First, we will reflect on the personal invitations to risk that God presents in our lives, to move beyond our comfort zones and be part of divine work in the world. In Community of Christ, we frame this invitation through the Mission Prayer:

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.

This prayer invites us to open our hearts to God and see with open eyes as we journey through the day.

Ask the group to respond: What new kinds of risks might God be inviting you to take in the days ahead? At home? At school? In your relationships? In your neighborhood?

Another way we encounter risk is through the costly nature of discipleship. Often, the peaceful way of Christ stands in opposition to the currents of culture. Promoting justice, peace, and equality sometimes means bravely challenging greed, corruption, and injustice. Paul promoted this kind of discipleship, stating in 1 Thessalonians 1:2 “we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition.” Doctrine and Covenants 163:3b invites us to this kind of risk:

Above all else, strive to be faithful to Christ’s vision of the peaceable Kingdom of God on earth. Courageously challenge cultural, political, and religious trends that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God. Pursue peace.

Ask the group to respond:

• What cultural, political, and religious trends do you see in the world that are contrary to God’s vision of peace and wholeness?
• What courageous steps and risks might we take to challenge these trends?

Send

All Are Called is an Enduring Principle in Community of Christ, which states that “God graciously gives people gifts and opportunities to do good and to share in God’s purposes.” (See Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 29-30.)

Have participants take turns reading the stanzas of “I Have Called You By Your Name” CCS 636.

Reflect together on the following question: How is God calling you to be a presence of peace in the world in the coming days?

Bless

Watch the video, Risk Something New, to bless and encourage ventures into new mission. Find the video at YouTube.

Children’s Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

1 Thessalonians 2:1–8

Lesson Focus

Paul demonstrated how to serve God from the heart rather than for personal glory.

Objectives

The learners will…

• explain Paul’s methods and motivation for teaching.
• learn about and how to develop good discipleship.
• identify congregational leaders and their roles.
• List heartfelt ways to serve God as a disciple.

Supplies

• Bible
• Object for “Sneaky Giving” game (See Gather section.)
• Cups or blocks for stacking
• Paper and pens or pencils for each student
• Pictures from the end of lesson
• List of congregational leaders past and present
• Board or chart paper, marker
• Red paper heart for each student
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 112–113, available through Herald House.

Gather

Welcome students to class and ask them to sit in a circle. Play “Sneaky Giving.” Choose one student to start as the Giver and hand them a random object. Instruct the rest of the class to close their eyes. The Giver should place the random object in front of one of the students in the circle. Their goal is to do so quietly so that the person doesn’t hear them. If the person does hear them, they can reach out and try to tag the Giver. If someone tags the Giver, the Giver loses that round. If the Giver succeeds undetected, the Giver wins the round. Once the Giver has either successfully laid down their object or been tagged, all the students can open their eyes. The student with the object in front of them, or who tagged the Giver, becomes the next Giver. Play several rounds. [Source: https://ministry-to-children.com/lesson-do-not-let-your-right-hand-know-what-your-left-hand-is-doing/ ]

Say: To be successful at this game, you had to be sneaky and quiet without letting others know what you are doing. Sometimes in life people do not act like that. Instead, some people like to tell others what they are doing and make a big deal about their actions. Raise your hand if you have ever known someone who just likes to show off and brag all the time? What do you think about when you hear people bragging? (Listen to responses.) When Paul visited the Thessalonians, he did not do so to make them praise him or for personal gain, but instead he shared from his heart to spread the gospel and to please God.

Engage

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8. This is a simpler version adapted from the International Children’s Bible:

Friends, you know that our visit to you was not a failure. Before we came to you, we suffered in Philippi. People there insulted us. You know about that. And when we came to you, many people were against us. But our God helped us to be brave and to tell you his Good News. Our message was a message to encourage you. We were not trying to lie. We had no evil plan. We were not trying to trick you. But we speak the Good News because God tested us and trusted us to do it. When we speak, we are not trying to please other people. But we are trying to please God, who tests our hearts. You know that we never tried to influence you by saying nice things about you. We were not trying to get your money. We had no selfishness to hide from you. God knows that this is true. We were not looking for praise from you or anyone else. We are apostles of Christ. When we were with you, we could have used our authority to make you do things.

But we were very gentle with you. We were like a mother caring for her little children. Because we loved you, we were happy to share God’s Good News with you. But not only that, we were also happy to share even our own lives with you.

Say: Not everyone was happy to listen to Paul, and many people tried to make his life difficult. But God gave him the courage to share the gospel despite the opposition. Paul and his companions knew they could demand food and lodging from the people they were teaching. But Paul did not want to burden the new churches with his needs. Some leaders taught by scolding and insulting their students. But Paul’s team spoke gently, like a parent caring for a child. Paul didn’t just speak to the Thessalonians. He spent time with them to build a relationship with them so they could learn from and trust each other.

Provide cups or blocks for the class. Tell the students you are going to time them to see how fast they can build a tower. Experiment with various (short) lengths of time, such as 15 or 30 seconds. Each time observe how tall and sturdy their tower is. Next tell them you want them to build the strongest, tallest tower they can without a time limit. Encourage them to really think about their plan and take time to make it a good tower. After they have exhausted the materials or their ideas, take note of their creation. How tall is it? Is it built differently than the speedy towers?

Say: You could build a quick tower, but it wasn’t very sturdy. When you took the time to plan your tower, it was much stronger. Relationships are the same way. You can hang out with someone the first day you meet them, but only with time, honesty, and work do you build a trusting, strong relationship. Our discipleship is similar. Being a Christian is more than checking off a list of how you are supposed to act. Being a Christian—like building a sturdy tower or a strong relationship—means working every day to follow and act like Jesus.

Respond

Assign each student a partner and have the pairs sit back-to-back. You can participate if there is an odd number of students. Give one student in each pair a blank piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Give the other student in each pair a copy of one of the pictures at the end of the lesson. The student with the drawing should instruct their partner how to draw the picture. After students complete the drawing or when they have had enough time to attempt the drawing, let the students reveal and compare their pictures. Reverse roles as time allows. Students could also create their own original drawing if they prefer.

Discuss:

• Were you completely successful guiding your partner to copy your picture?
• Would you explain anything differently if given another opportunity?
• If you were the second “explainer,” did you learn anything from your role as a listener that helped you explain your picture to your partner?
• With practice do you think you could get better at telling someone how to draw a picture?

Say: Discipleship is not something you reach, but it is a journey. We can continually learn more about God and invite others to Jesus. One of Community of Christ’s Mission Initiatives is Develop Disciples to Serve. The church wants to prepare people (including children) to be living examples of Christ in the world.

Prior to class, prepare a mental or written list of leaders in your congregation, both past and present. Include pastors, worship planners, choir director, sound/video technicians, teachers, etc.

During class, ask the children to list congregational leaders they know, both past and present. Use your prepared list to help as needed. Write the names on a board or chart paper. Ask the students what they know about each leader. What do they do for the congregation? What is their role in the church? Are they a priesthood member? Did they bless, baptize, or confirm any of the students? What challenges might the church have had that person not served? What gifts and talents do the person have that support their ministry? Did the person teach any of the children something they’d like to share with the class?

Say: Community of Christ believes that everyone has a calling to serve God. Our Enduring Principle, All Are Called tells us that God graciously gives people gifts and opportunities to follow Jesus and serve in ministry. We respond by doing our best to understand and follow God’s call. (See Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 29–30.)

Send

Ask: Do you feel God calling you? Can you be a disciple? How can you serve our church?

Help students brainstorm ideas: invite a friend to church, ask a new student to sit at your lunch table, volunteer to help younger children in class or camp, share a talent with the congregation during worship, and so on.

Give each child a red paper heart.

Say: We learned at the beginning of class that Paul ministered to others not for his own glory, but because he wanted to serve God and teach about God’s love. Paul spoke and acted from his heart. What can you do as a disciple called by God to spread the good news? (If needed, remind the students of the ideas listed a moment ago.) Write on your heart something specific you can do this week to serve God with your full heart.

Bless

Sing together “We Are One in the Spirit” CCS 359.

Ask a blessing for the ideas on the paper hearts, and that the children will feel the Holy Spirit and have courage to serve God as disciples.