Additional Scriptures 

Psalm 29; Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 10:34-43

Preparation  

If meeting in person, prepare large colored paper footprints to be used during two Focus Moments. If meeting online invite people ahead of time to trace a pair of their own shoes and cut out several footprints to use during the second Focus Moment.  

This is a perfect Sunday to have the sacrament of baptism. It is included as an optional section. 

Instrumental Prelude  

Arrange instrumental prelude of less familiar baptismal hymns such as “By the Well, a Thirsty Woman,” CCS 500 and “Come as a Child,” CCS 503.  

Welcome  

In a new calendar year, it may already feel like time is beginning to spin too fast. We may be marching to the internal sound of school or work deadlines, or trying to figure out how to pay for the Christmas gifts we purchased, or looking for ways to be better in caring for the Earth and its creatures, or even how to continue to develop a closer relationship with God.  

Sometimes we march to the sound of voices, which call us away from a life of discipleship. Today we will look at marching with purpose as we continue to move forward into this new year.  

Gathering Hymn 

“Come Away from Rush and Hurry” CCS 83  

OR “God of Wonder, God of Thunder” CCS 18  

 Call to Worship, Affirming God’s Sovereignty  

Part 1: Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,  

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.  

Part 2: Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;  

worship the Lord in holy splendor.  

Part 1: The voice of the Lord is over the waters;  

the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. 

Part 2: The voice of the Lord is powerful;  

the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.  

Part 1: May the Lord give strength to his people!  

Part 2: May the Lord bless his people with peace!  

—Psalm 29: 1–4, 11 

 Hymn of Affirmation  

“Herr, du mein Gott/You Are My God” CCS 12  

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own  

OR “God of Wonder, God of Thunder” CCS 18  

 Invocation  

 Response  

Focus Moment–Part 1  

Invite a few volunteers (include children) to place footprints through the worship space leading to the baptismal font or a large picture of Jesus’s baptism as you share the following thoughts. If worshiping online, show a picture of Jesus’s baptism without mentioning the footprints before saying the following.  

We read in Matthew 3:13–17 of the time Jesus traveled from Galilee to find John at the Jordan River. Jesus asked John to baptize him. John tried to refuse, feeling he wasn’t worthy, but Jesus insisted and explained why this was important. John consented; Jesus was baptized and stepped out of the water with God’s affirming Spirit accompanying him.  

Hymn of the Journey  

As this hymn is sung, encourage the young ones and those young at heart to step out and follow the footsteps to the baptismal font or the picture of Jesus’s baptism and then re-trace their steps back to their seats before the end of the song.  

“With a Steadfast Faith” CCS 649  

OR “Take the Path of the Disciple” CCS 558  

[Optional] Sacrament of Baptism 

Insert this into the service if you have those ready for baptism. 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:13-17 

Charge to the Baptismal Candidate(s) 

Baptism(s) and Hymn 

Use “O God in Heaven, We Believe,” CCS 493. Intersperse the stanzas if there is more than one baptism OR sing two stanzas prior to the baptism and two after. 

Disciples’ Generous Response  

Statement  

Some of us may remember when tithing and offerings were often thought of as just one of many budget items among our household “bills.” That understanding has broadened to help us see that the life of a disciple encompasses whole-life stewardship and generosity, which is much more than money or wealth also includes our time, our giftedness, and our testimonies.  

 Use this opportunity early in the new calendar year to consider prayerfully ways you can be generous in offering your gifts of time, talent, testimony, and yes, money. Being a people who generously share our witness, resources, ministry, and sacraments is a disciple’s generous response to God’s generous gifts. 

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes  

 Prayer for Peace  

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 42:1–9  

Optional: Ask a volunteer to reverently ring a chime or bell three times.  

Statement  

In the northern hemisphere this is a time when there are fewer hours of daylight. And six months from now that will be true for the southern hemisphere. For some of us who live at a distance from the equator, the longer nights during this yearly cycle can be oppressive. There are other things that can feel oppressive: poverty, injustice, illness, isolation. But whenever we feel discouraged, we can find peace in words that bring comfort and promise.  

Light the peace candle.  

Today’s prayer for peace will be provided through music ministry. Let the words of “When the Darkness Overwhelms Us,” CCS 314 speak to challenge and comfort us.  

Prayer 

Ministry of Music OR Reading: “When the Darkness Overwhelms Us” CCS 314  

This can be sung by one person, a small group singing in unison, or using a video version found online. Be sure to secure permission to stream this copyright protected song. Another option is to ask someone to read the text while a solo instrument quietly plays the music. Add an Amen to the song.  

Message 

Based on Isaiah 42:1–9  

Focus Moment–Part 2  

Invite volunteers to place additional footprints leading to the exit doors while CCS 95 is being sung. For online services, invite people to use the footprints they made to mark a path to their front door.  

 Today’s theme is the title of the closing hymn, CCS 95, which translated means, “We Are Marching in the Light of God.” From Isaiah we hear again chapter 42:5–6. Read scripture. 

We walk with God’s creation and hear the prophetic call to be a light to the nations.  

When you think about Jesus traveling to meet John by the Jordan River, you might picture him walking, hiking, or maybe marching with purpose at the beginning of his faithful journey of ministry and witness.  

I invite everyone to stand as you are able as we sing CCS 95 in all languages. Let us join in symbolically marching in the light of God on our faith journeys.  

Hymn of Marching in God’s Light  

“Siyahamb’ Ekukhanyen’ Kwenkhos’/We Are Marching in the Light of God” CCS 95  

Because this hymn is foundational to the worship service, encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. If it is unfamiliar, sing along with the vocal recording found on Community of Christ Sings Audio Recordings. Consider adding drumming and other percussion to this song. Additionally, the participants can stand in place and motion or act out the words of the song.  

Ask the congregation to be prepared to remain in place following the Sending Forth scripture and to listen for directions.  

Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 152: 4a, d  

Walk in the light of God! Go in peace.  

Postlude Reprise: “We Are Marching in the Light of God”  CCS 95 

Invite people to leave the worship space following the footprint path to the exit doors while music for CCS 95 is played again. If meeting online, invite people to follow the footprints they laid down to their own front door. 

Gathering

Welcome

Prayer for Peace

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

Please enter into prayer with me as we pray for peace, remembering God’s promise to be with us and work in us. During periods of silence, listen for the sound of the Beloved’s voice.

God of creation, in the beginning your breath moved over the waters and brought calm and peace to a chaotic world. Breathe into my being this day; bring respite to my frenzied soul. Refresh my frayed sense of self and bring alive my hope for peace through words and actions inspired by your Spirit. Breathe on me, breath of God.

Pause 15 seconds.

God of reconciliation, 2,000 years ago you breathed, and the Word became flesh among us, teaching us the way of forgiveness, mercy, compassion, and peace. Breathe into our relationships this day; allow us to enflesh the teachings of your Son within our family, friends, neighbors, and even our encounters with those we do not yet know. Breathe on us, breath of God.

Pause 15 seconds.

God of sacred community, your Holy Spirit seeks to blow through the discord, disruption, and disease of the world to bring healing and wholeness once again. Breathe into the peoples and leaders of all nations. Remind us that many of your children lack the basic needs of life, including freedom, space to grow, and love to support them. Breathe on your people, breath of God.

Pause 15 seconds.

God of all, your planet is gasping for breath, heaving under the pressure and weight of unbridled consumption of resources and greed-driven destruction of your world. The Earth groans from forces of chaos that destroy what we have been given as a gift for all creation. Awaken us to our responsibilities to heal and bring peace to our earthly home. Breathe once again over the waters, skies, land, and all that inhabit them, breath of God.

Pause 15 seconds.

May the awareness of our own breathing connect us to you, O God, and to all that lives because you create it, love it, and call it good. In and through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Walking in the Light

During Epiphany and the season after Epiphany our spiritual practice will be “Walking in the Light.” Take a few moments to quiet yourself. When you feel calm, begin by imagining you are walking on a path of light. As we pray, visualize the light surrounding you. As the prayer continues, offer the gift of light to those close to you, to friends and acquaintances, to those you dislike or with whom you are in conflict, and to your community at-large.

Invite the group members to enter silence, close their eyes, release into a sense of calm, and imagine walking on a path of light.

As you hear each sentence, offer the gift of light to those mentioned.

May my loved ones be embraced in God’s light.

Pause 15 seconds.

May my family walk in the light of Christ.

Pause 15 seconds.

May my friends receive the gift of love and light.

Pause 15 seconds.

May my acquaintances sense the presence of light through our interactions.

Pause 15 seconds.

May the one with whom I am in conflict be surrounded by the light of Christ.

Pause 15 seconds.

May my community be blessed by the eternal light of God’s love and grace.

Pause 15 seconds.

Amen.

After the prayer invite people to share, as comfortable, any thoughts, emotions, or images they experienced during the practice of “Walking in the Light.”

Sharing Around the Table

Isaiah 42:1–9 NRSVue, adapted for gender-inclusivity

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
    he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry out or lift up his voice
    or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
    he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be crushed
    until he has established justice in the earth,
    and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the Lord,
    who created the heavens and stretched them out,
    who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
    and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
    I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,^[a]
    a light to the nations,
     to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
    from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord; that is my name;
    my glory I give to no other,
    nor my praise to idols.
See, the former things have come to pass,
    and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
    I tell you of them.

Today’s scripture passage is the first of four “Servant Songs” in Isaiah. Who is the servant? In the first part, Isaiah describes his own sense of calling and the characteristics of that call from the perspective of the Divine. As Christians, we usually interpret the servant as Jesus Christ. At Jesus’ baptism and again at the Transfiguration, God uses the same word as Isaiah uses to describe God’s “delight” in Jesus’ response.

In the previous chapter, Isaiah uses “my servant” to refer to the whole community of Israel. The middle of today’s reading subtly hints at that interpretation again.

The Spirit of God endows the servant with authority and power to bring about justice. This is not power “over” others, but the power to be gentle and persistent, to endure through disappointment and difficulty, to teach what people have been wanting to learn.

Then Isaiah describes God’s boundless generosity toward everyone. God’s servant is a light to the nations, enabling people to see, freeing people from their imprisoning darkness. God’s care, activity, justice, and delight are for everyone, and the servant is an instrument of God’s generosity and accountability.

Then, either in summary or emphasis, God boldly distinguishes between what has been and what is to come.

Questions

1. What thoughts or images come to your mind when God declares a difference between the past and the “new things” to come?
2. How does the passage feel when the “servant” points to Isaiah? Or describes Jesus? Or refers to us?
3. What quality or characteristic of justice comes to your mind when Isaiah says of the servant: “a bruised reed they will not break, and a dimly burning wick they will not quench”?

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.

The offering prayer for Epiphany is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

Revealing God, May we always be generous. You have gifted each of us with boundless grace and unending love. May our response to that love and grace be humble service to others, and may generosity be part of our nature. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

CCS 442, “When Jesus Came to Jordan”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Focus Scripture Passage 

Isaiah 42:1–9

Lesson Focus

A look at personal calling and justice; Jesus’s baptism

Objectives

The learners will…

• explore the scripture passage of Isaiah as prophesy of Jesus’s coming.
• explore the concept of calling in today’s church.
• understand why this scripture passage explains Jesus’s need to be baptized by John the Baptist.

Supplies

• Paper and pens or pencils
• Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, Herald House, 2018
• Bible
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS )

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Isaiah 42:1–9 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: Old Testament, pp. 34–35, available through Herald House.

Gather

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

Have one or two people briefly share their testimony of their call to the priesthood ministry or other form of ministry. Have class members note any similarities or differences in these experiences. Also note the stages of these calling experiences.

Offer a prayer to begin the class.

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Form small groups, assigning a different part of the scripture to each group. Should your class be small, review the entire scripture together. Have the class members note any similarities between this prophecy and the testimonies shared today.

Discuss the idea of “calling” in the light of Isaiah 42:9. When we respond to a call, what passes away? What becomes new?

This is the Sunday when we celebrate the baptism of Jesus. Have someone share the account from Matthew 3:13–17.

Discuss how Isaiah 42:9 applies to Matthew 3:13–17. What did Jesus mean when he said, “it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness”?

Respond

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

One of the church’s Mission Initiatives is Pursue Peace on (and for the) Earth. The Enduring Principle, Pursue Peace (Shalom) and our Basic Belief, Peace echo this Mission Initiative. (See Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 23, 30, 38.)

Have the class read the passage in Isaiah 42:1–9 again, noting all the verses speaking of justice.

• In what ways does this passage speak justice as related to the establishment of Peace on (and for the) Earth?
• What justice is this prophecy expecting in the life of God’s Servant?
• How do you see this justice playing out in today’s world?
• As a child of God, what role can you play in bringing peace and justice to your community?

Send

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

Has the Lord set upon your heart a desire to see some injustice addressed in your community?

• What is the first step you can take to respond to this call?
• Do you need more information? How can you research this need and ways you can learn more about what others are doing and how you can help?

Set-up a time this week to explore this issue.

Bless

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

Sing together “Seek Ye First” CCS 599.

Have someone offer a prayer of blessing on those who have made a choice to begin the pursuit of peace on and for the Earth.

Focus Scripture Passage

Isaiah 42:1–9

Lesson Focus

Called to serve God!

Objectives

The learners will…

• reflect on their gifts, talents, and skills.
• uncover hope in the ancient words of today’s text.
• create commitment statements of how they can serve their families, schools, and surrounding communities.

Supplies

• Paper and pens or pencils
• “Paper Chains” handout, one or more for each student (end of lesson)
• Scissors
• Staplers
• Index cards
• Bible
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS )

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Isaiah 42:1–9 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: Old Testament , pp. 34–35, available through Herald House.

Gather

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

Hand out paper and pens to each student. Give them two minutes to write the gifts, talents, skills, passions, or hobbies that they share with others. Next, collect the papers and hand them back to the students in any order. It doesn’t matter if they receive their own or not. Have the class read the responses on their handout.

Ask the class what they noticed about the responses.

• Were there any repeating responses?
• Were there any gifts, talents, skills, passions, or hobbies mentioned that have blessed you?

Note

You may want to expand on the questions. If the class is struggling to answer, remind them of the questions and have them read the responses on their handout again. Give them time to reflect.

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Today is the first Sunday after the Epiphany. We observe Epiphany on 6 January each year. The Epiphany season starts after the Christmas season and ends before the season of Lent (starting on Ash Wednesday). Epiphany focuses on themes of “appearance,” and often emphasizes life, formation, and Christ’s teachings.

Share some important context: Today’s scripture passage is from the Old Testament prophet words of Isaiah. The first hearers of Isaiah’s words were a broken community. The Babylonian Empire had conquered their lands. Some Judeans stayed in their homeland recovering from mass devastation. Others spread throughout the land along the water banks of the Euphrates River. No matter where they were, they felt the impact of their defeat. They were a people striving to understand how they were in exile. Our passage today gives hope to a people lost in confusion.

Read Isaiah 42:1–9.

Invite the class to imagine themselves in the situation of the people of ancient Judea. Form the class into small groups or work as an entire class, if the class is small.

Read Isaiah 42:1–9 again. Have the groups identify hopeful or empowering words and statements. Give the class five minutes to write. Next, give groups time to share their findings.

Explain: Even in their defeat, God reminds them God is the creator and God breathes life into all of creation. In this context, the servant, whom Isaiah references at the start of our passage, refers to the people of Israel. These servants are God’s chosen people to carry on God’s justice, hope, and love to others. The servant will help teach and share God’s message with others. While this ancient text was meant for a certain group of people long ago, as disciples it is our job to uncover the relevance of the scripture text today, in a respectable and meaningful way. Just like the people of ancient Israel, our calling is to serve others.

Ask: From today’s scripture passage, what is the responsibility of the “servant” and how are they to accomplish this? How can you be a servant for God’s mission?

Respond

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

The class will create a paper chain. Each participant will have their own links serving as a visual reminder for how their gifts can create something beautiful when embraced by their community.

Use the list of gifts, passions, and skills created at the start of class.

Pass out the “Paper Chains” handout and scissors. Invite students to write their gifts, skills, talents from the beginning of the class on the colored strips (one idea per colored strip). They may choose to write something different or the same thing on each color strip.

Note: Make sure each classmate has a strip of paper to give to each person in class. For larger classes, you may need to provide extra paper strips. For smaller classes, encourage them to use two of three gifts given to each person instead of one. 

Have students cut apart the strips and hand one of their strips to each classmate until everyone has given and received strips. Using a stapler, create a paper chain with the slips (the written side facing outward).

Explain: An individual strip of paper may represent “you” or other individuals in your community. When we share our gifts, talents, and passions with others, we create a communal bond that makes something more than just our gift, talent, or passion. The chain is a reminder of our sacred diversity in community.

Challenge them to find a special place to display their chain, reminding them how beautifully diverse we are.

Send

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

Ask the class how they would define “Servant Leadership.”

As a class, brainstorm leaders who they feel exemplify being in the service of others. The examples could include historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Jesus Christ, Mother Teresa, etc. The examples may also be on a personal level such as their band teacher, coach, or pastor.

Pass out index cards and pens. As they reflect on someone who exemplifies servant leadership, have them write a statement of commitment for serving others on the index card. Example: I will serve others this week by “being kind to my mom” or “cooking a meal for my busy parents.”

Challenge them to keep their index card with them throughout the week. Whenever they complete their challenge, have them mark it to track how many times they were able to serve others through this lesson’s challenge.

Bless

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

To end class, sing “Make Me a Servant” CCS 597.

Focus Scripture Passage

Isaiah 42:1–9

Lesson Focus

Serve God with your heart, words, and actions.

Objectives

The learners will…

• understand what it means to be a servant of God.
• make a quick sketch of a mental picture of today’s lectionary text.
• visualize what it means to be a servant of God by completing a “Who, Why, How, What” chart.
• participate in a body prayer to demonstrate their commitment to be God’s servant.

Supplies

• Chart paper or poster board, and markers
• Volleyball, tennis ball, ping-pong ball, or shuttlecock (to represent serving something over a net)
• Serving tray or kitchen towel (to represent a server at a restaurant)
• Bible or Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, by Ralph Milton, illustrated by Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2007, ISBN 9781551455471)
• White paper (one per child)
• Pencils (Other coloring utensils will lengthen the activity.)
• One copy of “Pictures for the Who, Why, How, What Chart” cut apart (end of lesson)
• Glue stick or tape
• Book: One Smile , by Cindy McKinley, illustrated by Mary Gregg Byrne (Illumination Arts Publishing Company, 2002, ISBN 9780935699234) OR an apple, knife, and kitchen towel or paper towel
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS )
• Optional: calendar

Notes to teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Isaiah 42:1–9 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: Old Testament , pp. 34–35, available through Herald House.

Ahead of time

Turn the chart paper or poster board horizontally and create a chart like the one found below. Turn it over so it is unseen until instructed in the Respond section below.

Gather

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

Begin today’s lesson with an apparent lack of understanding today’s topic. If the children in your group have not experienced servers in a restaurant, you can use the idea of serving as a leader or president or another elected position.

Say: Today we are going to talk about being a servant. I’m so glad I already know about serving. You serve when you hit a volleyball (or tennis ball, ping-pong ball, shuttlecock) over a net. (Hold up the item used in your example.) That’s the kind of servant we’re talking about today, right? (Kids may or may not catch on yet. If they do not, correct yourself explaining it cannot be the kind of serving you are talking about in Sunday School.)

Say: If that’s not right, then we must be talking about another type of server like the people who serve your food at a restaurant. (Hold up a tray or put a dishtowel over your arm.) That’s the type of servant we’re talking about in Sunday School, right? (No.)

Sometimes when people think of servants, they think of the kind of servant who must serve another person because people think they have less worth. We are not talking about that kind of servant either.

Today we are talking about being a servant of God through Jesus, the peaceful One. Servants of God want to serve and help people with love and generosity. When we love God and love our neighbor, we honor the worth of others by being God’s servant.

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

For older children begin here: Most people assume the wise men (magi) were at the stable the day Jesus was born because many images and nativity sets show them there. The magi did not arrive until Epiphany Day, celebrated on the sixth of January. Even though the magi were Gentiles, and not Jews like Jesus, they believed Jesus was born for both the Jews and the Gentiles. We believe this, too.

Between now and Lent, Community of Christ, along with other churches, celebrates the season of Epiphany when Jesus’s birth reveals God’s presence.

Note: Teachers may choose to highlight the dates on a calendar for children to see. The season of Epiphany lasts from 6 January through the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. 

For younger children begin here: Show the picture of Isaiah and Rebekah on p. 12 of the Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, by Ralph Milton.

Say: Today our Bible story comes from Isaiah. Before reading today’s passage, discuss the meaning of the word “justice.” A simplified definition is to do what is right or deserved.

Give each child a piece of white paper and a pencil. Explain how hearing words can make movies or paint pictures in people’s minds. Tell the class you will read a shortened version of today’s scripture passage three times, pausing between each reading. While you read, they should make a “quick sketch” of one of the pictures they see in their mind. A “quick sketch” means it is not a final, colored illustration. It may be difficult for some children to stop without adding details. (They may take the paper and finish it later.)

In this scripture passage, Isaiah wrote words he felt God was speaking to the people of Israel.

The Servant Poem

(Paraphrased from Isaiah 42:1–9)

You are my chosen servants.
You bring me happiness and delight.
I have blessed you with my Spirit, so you can bring justice to the world.
I, the Lord, have called you and will walk with you on your journey.
Because I am with you, you won’t get tired of working for justice.
As my servants, you are part of the promise I made to the people that good things will come. You will bring light to people who feel darkness. You will open the eyes of people who are blind.
I, the Lord, give my praise to you. I have promised you good things before and they have happened. The promises I make now will also happen.

After reading three times, ask the children to share their quick sketches and what stood out to them.

Being a Servant of God

Offer the children an opportunity to close their eyes and visualize (make a mental picture) a servant of God. After a few moments ask if anyone thought of themselves as a servant. Discuss why or why not.

Turn over the chart prepared ahead of time. Complete each corresponding box as listed below.

Who? Explain that even though God was speaking through Isaiah to the people in Israel, God wants the same for everyone in the world today. In the box that says, “Who?” write, “YOU!” Reinforce how God wants each of them to be God’s servant.

Why? Draw attention to the chart and ask, “Why should we be God’s servants?” Help children understand they are part of God’s promise that good things will come. God needs them to be a servant. God delights in them. Being a servant of God is a way they show their love and delight back to God.

For younger children: On the chart in the box that says, “Why?” write, “God needs us and we love God.”

For older children: write, “God needs us to bring justice and light to the world.” Discuss what this means to them.

Respond

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

How? God wants us to serve with our heart, words, and actions. Use a glue stick or tape to attach the heart picture from the “Pictures for the Who, Why, How, What Chart” (end of lesson) to the far left under the word “How?” Leave space below for the remaining two pictures and examples. Add the remaining pictures when indicated below.

How should we serve God? (serve humbly) Write “Humbly” next to the heart. When we are humble, we know we are not more important than anyone else. Also, we are not servants because we want someone to notice us.

We should also serve God with love. Write “With love” near “Humbly” on the chart. Because we love God, we should serve others with that same love. Under the heart picture, glue or tape the mouth picture. Another way we can be God’s servants and bring light to people who feel sad or lonely is with our words. Have children share ways they can use their words to be God’s servants for example:

• Ask someone who is alone if they want to play.
• If someone is being unkind to another person, tell them to stop.
• Write a note to someone who is sad.

As children share ideas, add them to the chart near the mouth picture.

Under the mouth picture, glue or tape the hands picture. The third way we can be God’s servant is with our actions. Have children share ways they can use their actions to be God’s servants such as:

• Help a struggling neighbor with yardwork.
• Donate clothing to a non-profit organization like a homeless shelter.
• Listen to someone who needs a friend.

As children share ideas, add them to the chart near the hands picture.

What? To complete the “What?” box, select one of the following visuals to demonstrate what happens when we are servants of God. Afterward write, and then discuss, what it means to say, “We will never know how many people we have touched when we are servants of God.” Assure children understand this is not why we serve God, but what happens when we do.

Read the book One Smile, by Cindy McKinley. This is a story about how one little girl’s simple act of smiling at someone spreads from one person to another, reaching people the little girl will never know. The simplicity of the story, along with its beautiful illustrations, make this a relatable book for children. Because the smile comes back to help the little girl at the end of the story, discussion can include we should not serve God because we expect something in return.

Alternatively: Hold up an apple. Predict how many seeds will be inside of it, then cut it open and count them. Explain when we can count something we say the number is “finite.”

Next, hold up one of the seeds and ask how many apples are in one seed. Help children understand if it was planted and taken care of, they could not count the number of apples there could be year after year. When we cannot count something, it is call “infinite.” That means we will never know how many apples are in that seed.

Send

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

Explain we will end today with a body prayer and a song to show our commitment to being God’s servants. For the body prayer, say the sentence and do the action, then have the children echo after you by repeating your sentence and action. Do the first line as a practice to assure everyone understands.

(Put your hands on your heart.) “God, help me be your servant with my heart.”

(Motion your hands outward from your mouth.) “Help me be your servant with my words.”

(Reach down to your feet.) “Help me be your servant with my actions.”

(Give yourself a hug.) “God, I trust your promise to always be with me.”

(Point to yourself) Echo after me: “I am ready to be your servant.”

Bless

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

Sing “Make Me a Servant” CCS 597.

Pictures for the Who? How? Why? What? Chart