Luke 24:44-53

32 min read

Living Blessing #

Seventh Sunday of Easter, Ascension of the Lord
When to use: May 17, 2026

Worship Tools #

Worship Outline #

Additional Scriptures

Psalm 47, Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23

Preparation

For the Disciples’ Generous Response provide “play” money as directed.

Worship Center

Project the following photo. The images from this web page are available for download without charge under the Getty’s Open Content Program.

Prelude

Welcome

Call to Worship

Psalm 47:1, 6

Provide space in the bulletin or hand out paper for worshipers to write a sentence or expression of praise to God. Ask the group to move around the worship space sharing their expression with others.

Hymn of Praise

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” CCS 101

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “Creation Flows Unceasingly” CCS 107

Invocation

Response

Prayer for Peace

Light the peace candle

Peace Hymn

“Gonna Lay Down My Sword and Shield” CCS 321

OR “The Peace of Jesus Christ” CCS 317

Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Amen.

—attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi

Scripture Reading

Luke 24:44–53

Hymn of Scripture

“The Living Word of Scripture” CCS 65

OR “Called to Gather as God’s People”  stanzas 1 and 2  CCS 79 

Message

Based on Luke 24:44–53

Disciples’ Generous Response

Discussion

Have a large amount of play money (this can be bought at toy stores, found in board game sets, or handmade by cutting paper into rectangles). 

Ask: “How much money would it take for you to feel rich?”

Guide the discussion until an amount is agreed to. Count out that value in play money and let everyone see the stack. Place the stack where all can see it.

Then ask: “Do you think being rich in our city is the same as being rich in other locations around the globe?” 

Use rural Appalachia (USA) as an example. Count out $1,700 and show the stack of money. 

Seventeen hundred dollars is what is needed for a family of four to live for one month in Appalachia.

Place the stack of money next to the first one.

Do you think being rich in Appalachia (USA) is the same as being rich in another country, like India? 

Count out $1,600. 

Sixteen hundred dollars is what many families in India earn for a whole year.

Show how the two stacks (Appalachia and India) are almost the same, but the first is for one month, and the second is for a year. Discuss the contrast. 

Next, compare the two piles (Appalachia and India) to the original stack of money that was identified as making the participants feel rich. Discuss the following questions:

  • What does it mean to be rich?
  • How much money would you need to feel rich?
  • What else in life makes us rich besides money?
  • Let us remember that we are rich in so many ways and then be generous in our giving.

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Hymn of Generosity

“Take My Gifts and Let Me Love You” CCS 609

OR “From You I Receive” Sing several times   CCS 611

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. 

Commitment Reading

Leader: Now, behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth.

All: Open our hearts to your words, Lord.

Leader: If you yearn to serve God, you are called to the work.

All: Open our might to your words, Lord.

Leader: Faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualifies you for this work.

All: Open our minds to your words, Lord.

Leader: Remember, faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, kindness, godliness, charity, humility, and diligence.

All: Open our strength to your words, Lord.

Leader: See that you serve God with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.

All: Open us to your words, Lord.

Leader: Ask and you shall receive, knock and the door shall be opened.

All: Amen.

—Adapted from Doctrine and Covenants 4

 Closing Hymn 

“What Does the Lord Require” CCS 300

OR “Send Me Forth” CCS 651

Benediction

Sending Forth: Luke 24:46–48

Go and share your testimony!

 Postlude 

Sacred Space: Small-Group Worship Outline #

Gathering

Welcome

Ascension Day is when Jesus hikes with his disciples to a mountaintop. There he blesses them and tells of the coming Holy Spirit before he ascends into heaven.

Prayer for Peace 

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.

Lord, Creator of all life, we are aware of your presence in this space and in our hearts.

Let us pray in silence.

Thank you for this time of holiness. We gather in worship and praise for all you have given, shared, and done. We gather in peace, seeking your peace.

Let us pray in silence.

Grant us your grace. Forgive us for all we have left ungiven, unshared, undone.

Let us pray in silence.

Help us more fully understand the gift of your Son in our lives and to all peoples.

Let us pray in silence.

Open our hearts and minds. Connect us through our worship that we might deeply embrace the call of your kingdom as a congregation, mission center, and global faith community.

Let us pray in silence.

Lord, we thank you for all things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Jesus Prayer

Today we will experience an ancient spiritual practice from Orthodox Christianity. It is a way of connecting with the gracious spirit of Christ as we ask to receive mercy. The prayer comes from the scripture of the blind man calling for Jesus to heal him. We will practice this prayer together for three minutes in the context of a breath prayer.

Sit with a relaxed posture. If you are comfortable, close your eyes. Center yourself and let your breath become slow and even. I will say the prayer aloud for the first few breaths, and then you will continue praying, silently repeating the phrases as you breathe.

Take a breath in and let it out. As you take your next breath in pray silently, “Lord Jesus Christ.” Then exhale in silent prayer, “Have mercy on me.”

Inhale: “Lord Jesus Christ.” Exhale: “Have mercy on me.”

(Repeat these instructions as you breathe two more times.)

Monitor the time. Occasionally give instructions. Inhale: “Lord Jesus Christ.” Exhale: “Have mercy on me.”

After three minutes share the following instructions:

Close your prayer with a final repetition of the prayer words. When you are ready, take a deep breath and open your eyes.

When everyone is finished say aloud, “Amen.”

Yearning for God

Sharing Around the Table

Luke 24: 44–53 NRSVue

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

Jesus tells the disciples he is sending what God has promised them. He tells them to stay in Jerusalem until they receive power from on high. The power they will receive is a gift from the Divine. Because they are to wait for it, they have a heightened sense of expectancy and excitement.

Jesus leads his followers to Bethany and blesses them. The Greek word the author uses for bless means “to speak well of.” Jesus speaks well of them and praises them. It is a blessing of well-being, and wholeness. After being blessed, the disciples return to Jerusalem with great joy and continually bless or “speak well of” God.

Questions

  1. What gifts from God have you received? How do you use these gifts in your discipleship?
  2. When has someone “spoken well of you” or blessed you with well-being and wholeness?
  3. How do you bless others?

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 wisdom and love, May the gifts we share be in response to the generous gifts you have given us. May the monetary offerings we give be received in love and used with wisdom. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting 

Closing Hymn 

CCS 636, “I Have Called You by Your Name”

Closing Prayer


Optional Additions Depending on Group

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.

Communion Statement

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.

The Spirit is present with us as we share Communion, as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community.

In preparation let’s sing Community of Christ Sings 524, “For Bread Before Us Broken.”

Blessing and serving bread and wine. 

Thoughts for Children

Materials: large paper or poster board, marker

After Jesus finished teaching the disciples, he went back to heaven. He told the disciples to share the stories of Jesus with all people.

We are disciples, too. We also are called to tell people about Jesus.

Let’s list all the things we know about Jesus. If children are hesitant to share, ask other group members to offer what they know. List responses on paper.

When several things are listed, say: This is a wonderful list of things we can tell people about Jesus.

This week I want you to try to be like Jesus’ disciples and do what Jesus told his disciples to do: Tell someone something you learned about Jesus.

Sermon Helps #

Exploring the Scripture

Today’s passage is part of the longer account in Luke 24 that includes the empty tomb and the encounter of two disciples with Christ on the road to Emmaus. These stories are in harmony with Luke’s entire message that Jesus has come to bring restoration to Israel. In other words, Jesus’ mission is fulfilling God’s promise.

Specifically, the text encompasses Christ’s appearance in Jerusalem and includes Christ’s blessing and his ascension. Consistent with author’s purpose, verses 44–53 provide continuity between the past and present, then move toward the future. In verse 44 Jesus refers the disciples to the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms. Jesus stresses this link with the past. God was involved from the beginning. God is faithful and engaged in history.

People in modern cultures have a tendency to discount the past. But it is important to recognize that tradition and history have much to contribute. The Holy Spirit has encountered many who have gone before us. We are not the first to be blessed by God. We would do well to listen to their stories and testimonies about their encounters with the Divine.

In verse 45 Jesus opens their minds. In the following verses the disciples witness where God is moving at their particular moment in history. He describes divine events they witnessed. It is a reality for them. They know it as truth. Now, Christ has their attention. He challenges them to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sin to all.

As disciples, we, too, need to be aware of where God is moving today. When we allow God’s grace to enter our lives, transformation occurs. When we worship, pray, study, hear the word, and share in the sacraments, God appears and blesses. We are called to share that good news with the world.

Then, in the text, Jesus brings the future into the story. Jesus tells the disciples he is sending what God has promised. He directs them to stay in Jerusalem until they have power from on high. The power they will receive is no theirs. Rather, it is God’s power. It is a gift. This power will come from the Divine. Because they are to wait for it, they have a heightened sense of expectancy and excitement. Something is going to happen. How will the power be revealed?

In verses 50–53, Jesus leads his followers to Bethany and blesses them before he ascends. The Greek word the author uses for bless means “to speak well of.” So, in this text Jesus speaks well of them and praises them. He is asking God to help them gain peace, well-being, and wholeness. We, too, receive Christ’s blessing. As disciples, we are called to share that blessing with others. There are many among us who need blessing. We are to “speak well of” them and ask God’s Spirit to give them peace and wholeness.

In the text, after being blessed, the disciples worship Jesus. They return to Jerusalem with great joy and continually “speak well of” God (vv. 52–53). Our families, congregations, and faith community should also be continually full of joy and praise. Today we speak “well of God” because of our experience that God’s unbounded love and unconditional grace embraces all.

Central Ideas

  1. Jesus came to fulfill everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the prophets, and in the psalms.
  2. The power we receive is from God. It is a divine gift to be used for God’s purposes. It is not power to use for our own benefit.
  3. We are called to be witnesses—proclaimers of repentance and forgiveness of sins—to all nations. Christ’s mission is our mission.

Questions for the Speaker

  1. How do the traditions of your congregation reflect God’s presence? (past)
  2. When has your “mind been opened to scripture”? (present)
  3. Have you ever felt expectant to receive from God? (future)
  4. What are some ways you and your congregation witness of and proclaim the Risen Christ?
  5. How would you explain the ascension of Jesus to a new disciple?

Lessons #

Adult Lesson #

Focus Scripture Passage

Luke 24:44–53

Lesson Focus

Christ is proclaimed through the sacred story of scripture and the church.

Objectives 

The learners will…

  • reflect on past, present, and future experiences with the Risen Christ.
  • discuss the focus scripture passage.
  • explore Community of Christ affirmations of scripture and connections to the focus passage.
  • discover Christ’s call through the sacred story of individuals and community.

Supplies 

  • Bible 
  • Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, Herald House, 2018
  • Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Luke 24:44–53 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Gospel according to Matthew), pp. 72–73, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

In the weeks of Easter, we focus on passages from John’s Gospel. Today’s passage is the final passage of Luke’s Gospel, which culminates with the ascension of the Lord. Spend a few moments reflecting on your journey as a disciple and respond to one of the following as a large group or in small groups of two or three.

  • How has the risen Christ been revealed to you in the past?
  • In what ways have you seen the Christian message represented in ways that did not “speak well of” God?
  • How will the risen Christ be revealed in the future?

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Read Luke 24:44–53.

The closing passage of Luke’s Gospel affirms the message found throughout the entire book: Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel. The Gospel closes with the Risen Christ commissioning his disciples to bear the good news to the world of what God has done in Christ. The community of Jesus’s disciples is called to be more than a support group for personal salvation and spirituality. It is called to continue the story of God’s mission to the world. The closing passage connects the past (Israel), the present (Jesus), and the future (the church), which is a foundational message for the author of Luke and Acts.

The disciples’ response to Jesus’s death included fear, loss, and uncertainty. In this passage, after the resurrected Jesus blessed and commissioned the disciples, and after the Ascension, the disciples respond in joy and blessing. The Greek word for “bless” literally means “to speak well of.” Jesus speaks well of his disciples, who in turn speak well of God. We are called to “speak well of” God by the way we live as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Respond to the following questions as a large group or in small groups of two or three.

  • What traditions (congregation, church, or broader Christian tradition) “speak well of” the nature of God revealed in Jesus Christ?
  • In what ways have you seen the Christian message represented in ways that did not “speak well of” God?
  • Luke’s author records that Jesus opened the minds of the disciples to understand the scriptures. How has your mind been opened to the scriptures?
  • What was Jesus revealing to the disciples about scripture in this passage?

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Today’s passage reveals an important understanding of scripture. It is reflected in Community of Christ affirmations about scripture. These affirmations are found in Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, Herald House, 2018. They reflect and expand our understanding of the Enduring Principle Continuing Revelation.

Note to Instructor

If possible, provide copies of “Scripture in Community of Christ” from pp. 63–65 of Sharing in Community of Christ. If time permits, read each affirmation and consider how it connects with today’s passage.

Read and discuss the preamble and following affirmations of scripture in Community of Christ.

Preamble 

Scripture provides divine guidance and inspired insight for life when responsibly interpreted and faithfully applied. Scripture helps us believe in Jesus Christ. Its witness guides us to eternal life and enables us to grow spiritually, to transform our lives, and to participate actively in the life and ministry of the church.

Affirmation 1 

We declare that Jesus Christ—who lived, was crucified, was raised from the dead, and comes again—is the Living Word of God. It is to Christ that scripture points. It is through Christ that we have life (John 5:39–40). It is Christ whom we must hear (Mark 9:7).

Affirmation 2 

We find the Living Word in and through scripture. Scripture is the indispensable witness of the saving, transforming message that God has entrusted to the church. The church formed the canon of scripture so that it might always have a way to hear the good news, nurture its faith, measure its life, test its experience, and remember its identity.

Discuss:

  • How does each affirmation reflect “Jesus opening minds of disciples” to understand scripture?
  • How is the author of Luke’s message that Jesus is the fulfillment of scripture reflected in each affirmation?
  • What is important for us to understand about responsibly interpreting and faithfully applying scripture?

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

We Share a Sacred Story 

The sacred story is the unfolding drama of God’s reconciling work in the world. This story reveals God as the One who calls humanity into relationship and who seeks the well-being of all creation. This revelation, first made known in the books of the Hebrew Bible, continues in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God. This library of books called the Bible roots the church in the sacred story and nurtures and informs Community of Christ’s faith, identity, and mission to the world.

The story of God’s transforming work in the world did not end with the testimony of the biblical writers. It continued in the life and witness of the whole Christian church, as well as in other places. The sacred story is the all-encompassing saga of God’s redeeming action in the world. Generations of Christian followers have written new chapters to this continuing story. The sacred story, as found in scripture and in the larger Christian tradition, anchors and nurtures our understanding of ourselves and our call. Our unique identity includes claiming our place within the wide circle of those who in every time and place have called on the Lord Jesus Christ. With them, we continue to write new chapters to the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 16–17

Prayerfully consider your response to the following questions. Reflect on these questions as part of your daily spiritual practice in the coming week.

  • How have you been shaped by the sacred story of Jesus and his love?
  • How are you being called to continue the sacred story in your life as a disciple? In your congregation? In your community?

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Read or sing “God, Whose Grace Redeems Our Story” CCS 570 to close this time of learning and sharing.

 

Youth Lesson #

Focus Scripture Passage

Luke 24:44–53

Lesson Focus

Jesus blessed his disciples before he left them. Disciples bless others with words and actions.

Objectives 

The learners will…

  • hear the scripture passage about Jesus blessing his disciples and ascending to heaven.
  • think about what Christ’s commission means.
  • learn that blessing means to “speak well of.”

Supplies 

  • Bible
  • Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, Herald House, 2018
  • Community of Christ Sings (CCS)
  • Dictionary
  • Chart paper and markers

Note to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Luke 24:44–53 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Gospel according to Matthew), pp. 72–73, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

In the ancient Celtic tradition, a prayer called Saint Patrick’s breastplate (a piece of armor) includes the words below (adapted). Use this prayer to remember that as you follow Jesus, you are strengthened to share Christ’s mission and message. Have students stand and create movements representing the action of the text as the prayer is read.

Christ be with me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ beneath me
Christ above me
Christ on my right
Christ on my left
Christ where I lie
Christ where I sit
Christ where I arise
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Amen.

Of Water and Spirit, Herald House, p. 53

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

The prayer of Saint Patrick’s breastplate expresses how we are loved by God and surrounded by Christ through the Holy Spirit. In Luke 24:44–53, we read the story of Jesus’s last appearance. In these final verses of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus reminds them of all they have seen and heard while he was with them. He tells them “You are witnesses.” Then Jesus blesses the disciples, and they respond with great joy and blessing.

Have a member of the class read aloud Luke 24:44–53.

Imagine you are standing with the disciples as Jesus speaks. Reread verses 44–48.

  • What is your response to Jesus’s statement, “You are witnesses of these things”?
  • How would you describe the word “witness” to a friend?
  • Using Google or a dictionary, look up definitions of the word “witness.” Which definition best fits with the passage from Luke? Explain.
  • How are we witnesses today?

This passage includes a commissioning (to authorize, send on a mission) of the disciples. Luke 24:47 states “that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

Form small groups of two or three and assign each group one of the following passages. Discuss how this passage compares with the passage from Luke. What is the same, and what is different? Share responses with the larger group.

Matthew 28:19–20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

John 20:21: “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.'”

Mark 16:15: “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.'”

Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

The Easter season affirms our belief that the Lord is risen! Disciples of all generations must ask, “What shall we do?” Just like the first-century church, we must consider what it is the Lord has sent us to do. Community of Christ has been counseled that “the mission of Jesus Christ is what matters most for the journey ahead” (Doctrine and Covenants 164:9f).

In Luke 4:18–19, Jesus proclaimed his mission when he read from the writings of Isaiah:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

The kingdom was present in Jesus’s ministry as described in the Gospels, and his disciples’ actions as described in Acts. Those first believers continued Christ’s mission by proclaiming the Living Christ, inviting all people into community, valuing the worth of each person, generously and compassionately meeting their needs, and pursuing justice and peace for everyone.

Our call is to reclaim that same vision and passion for the whole mission of Jesus Christ today through five life-changing, church-changing, and world-changing Mission Initiatives:

  • Invite People to ChristChrist’s mission of evangelism 
  • Abolish Poverty, End SufferingChrist’s mission of compassion 
  • Pursue Peace on EarthChrist’s mission of justice and peace 
  • Develop Disciples to ServeEquip individuals for Christ’s mission 
  • Experience Congregations in MissionEquip congregations for Christ’s mission 

Discuss: 

  • How do these five Mission Initiatives encourage our response to Christ’s commission?
  • As a disciple, what Mission Initiative do you prioritize in your response to Jesus’s commissioning of you? Explain.

Form small groups of two or three. Ask each group to write, draw, or act out how the five Mission Initiatives are connected, and how they work best when they are lived together. Share with the larger group.

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Luke 24:50 describes Jesus “lifting up his hands, [and blessing] them.” To “bless” people means to “speak good things” about them.

  • What is significant about Jesus lifting his hands to bless the disciples?
  • How has someone blessed you with their hands or by speaking good things about you?
  • In what ways can you use your hands or words to bless another in your home? Your school? Your community?

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Close with this prayer attributed to St. Teresa of Avila (1515–1582). Consider your response to Christ’s commission as the prayer is read.

Christ Has No Body

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

 

Children’s Lesson #

Focus Scripture Passage

Luke 24:44–53

Lesson Focus

Jesus blessed his disciples before he left them. We can use our hands and actions to bless.

Objectives 

The learners will…

  • hear the scripture passage about Jesus blessing his disciples and ascending to heaven.
  • think about what it means when the scripture passage says Jesus was carried up to heaven.
  • define blessing means to “speak well of.”

Supplies 

  • Bible 
  • Construction paper
  • Several colors of washable paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Sheet of paper for each child
  • Crayons or markers
  • Scissors for each child
  • Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Luke 24:44–53 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament, pp. 72–73, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Spiritual Practice: Body Prayer 

Say: Prayer helps us listen for God and follow Jesus. There are many ways to pray. Today, we are going to pray with our bodies.

Body Prayer

Excerpted and adapted from The Prayer of St. Patrick—Anonymous)

Use motions and ask children to repeat words and motions:

Jesus before me (stretch arms out in front of you)
Jesus behind me (stretch arms out behind you)
Jesus in me (cross hands over heart)
Jesus beneath me (sweep arms toward feet)
Jesus above me (raise arms above head)
Jesus on my right (stretch both arms to right)
Jesus on my left (stretch both arms to left)
Jesus when I lie down (lie down on floor)
Jesus when I sit up (rise to sitting position)
Jesus when I rise (stand up)
Jesus in all I say (point to lips)
Jesus in all I see (point to eyes)
Jesus in all I hear (point to ears)
Jesus in all I do (hug self)

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Say: Although he had several encounters with his followers after his resurrection, Jesus didn’t stay with his them. Our story today is about what Jesus said and did before he left his disciples.

Read Luke 24:44–53 (paraphrased).

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” He helped them understand what was written about him in the scriptures, and he said to them, “Remember, I told you that I would die and rise again on the third day. You have seen this happen…And now, I am getting ready to send upon you what God has promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up to heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

Say: The scripture passage says that while Jesus was blessing his disciples, he left them and was carried up to heaven. There are many ideas of what or where heaven is. Some people think heaven is up in the sky. Scientists tell us that the sky is not only up; it is all around us. The Earth’s atmosphere begins at our feet, with the air around us. At night, we can imagine how far the sky extends by looking into the stars, but the sky is still all around us. When we look up at the stars at night, we say we are looking up into the heavens, but the heavens are still part of the atmosphere that is all around us.

The Bible uses parables and stories to help us learn about God. When the scripture passage says Jesus was carried up to heaven, it may have been a way for the writer of the scripture passage to help his readers understand that Jesus had been with them, but he was no longer. Heaven is around us, not beyond us. Jesus is with us through the Holy Spirit, even though he is not physically with us.

Going Deeper into Basic Beliefs and Enduring Principles 

Share with children ideas from the Basic Beliefs statement on Creation and the Enduring Principle Sacredness of Creation. Emphasize God as Creator and our role as caretakers of God’s creation, including “the heavens and the earth and all that is in them.” Ask children to share ideas about how we can take care of God’s creation and why it is important.

Basic Beliefs: Creation 

As an expression of divine love, God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, and called them “good.” Everything belongs to God and should be cherished and used justly according to divine purposes. God sees creation as a whole without separation of spirit and element. God calls people of every generation to join with God as stewards in the loving care of creation.

Enduring Principle: Sacredness of Creation 

  • In the beginning, God created and called it all good.
  • Spirit and material, seen and unseen, are related.
  • Creation’s power to create or destroy reminds us of our vulnerability in this life.
  • God is still creating to fulfill divine purpose.
  • We join with God as stewards of care and hope for all creation.

Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 28–29, 34

Painting the Heavens 

Provide construction paper and several colors of paint. Ask children to paint their ideas of the heavens. Remind children that the heavens are all around us, and the sky begins at our feet. So, they can paint anything they see or imagine. Invite children to share their creations.

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Say: The scripture passage says Jesus blessed his disciples. Blessing means to speak well of someone. Jesus was getting ready to leave his disciples, but he wanted to bless them first.

  • What do you think Jesus might have said to bless, or speak well of, his disciples?
  • If you were going to leave someone for a while, what is something you might say to bless them?

Blessing Each Other 

Ask children to sit in a circle on the floor. Teacher starts by going around the circle and briefly blessing each child by “speaking well” of them. Depending on size of class, ask children to bless each other by going around the circle and “speaking well” of each child or the child next to them if you have a large group.

Blessing Walk 

Say: “God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, and called them ‘good.’ Everything belongs to God…” (Basic Beliefs statement on Creation) We can pay attention to everything around us and speak well of, or bless, anything we see.

Take a walk outside, if weather permits, or around the church or class setting. Remind children that they are “walking in the sky,” since the Earth’s atmosphere is all around us, even when they are inside. Ask children to notice what is around them. Tell children when they see something they would like to bless to tell you. The class will pause the walk to share in blessing. (examples: Bless you, tree. You give me shade. Bless you, car. You take me places. Bless you, kitchen. You help us share food. Bless you, book. You help me learn.) Continue the walk until everyone has had a chance to offer blessing.

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Say: Jesus lifted up his hands to bless the disciples. We can use our hands to bless people with our actions.

Help children trace one of their hands on a sheet of paper. Ask them to think of someone they can bless today at church. On the hand, ask children to write the person’s name and how they will bless that person today. Help children think of a simple act of blessing they can do today (hug, handshake, helping carry something). Ask children to cut out their hand shape (help younger children as needed) to take with them and give to the person they will bless today.

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Read the last verse of the focus scripture passage, “And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.”

Remind children that to bless means to speak well of. When we praise God, we speak well of God.

Sing “Uyai Mose (Come All You People)” CCS 84. If children are not familiar with the hymn, teach as a call and response.

Close with a sentence prayer of praise. Stand in a circle and ask each child to complete the sentence, “God, I praise you for…”

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