Zida Zolambirira

Ndondomeko ya Kulambira

Malemba Owonjezera

Psalm 29; Isaiah 6:1–8; Romans 8:12–17

Kukonzekera

For the worship center, use a fountain or small waterfall to represent water. Alternatively, fill glass containers with varying amounts of water. 

Each person will need a piece of paper and something to write with for the Focus Moment.

Takulandirani

Kuitana ku Kulambira

I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs (or angels) were in attendance above him; And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

The pivots shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” 

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I; send me!”

—Isaiah 6:1–8, adapted

Nyimbo Yotsegulira

“Ine, Ambuye wa Nyanja ndi Kumwamba” CCS 640

OR “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” CCS 31

OR “At the Heart of Sacred Calling” CCS 509

Pemphero la Utumiki

Print or project for all to see.

Mulungu, kodi Mzimu wanu udzakutsogolerani kuti lero?
Ndithandizeni kukhala maso mokwanira ndi okonzeka kuyankha.
Ndipatseni mphamvu kuti ndikhale pachiwopsezo cha chinthu chatsopano komanso
khalani dalitso la chikondi ndi mtendere wanu. Ameni.

Yankho

Pemphero la Mtendere

Yatsani kandulo yamtendere

Pemphero

O God, we are ready. We are here waiting for your direction, your love to flow through us and show us the way of peace. May you work through us to pursue peace in our world. We hold the world’s poor, the world’s hungry in our hearts, we hold all those who yearn to know peace in our prayers; and at this moment, we reach out to them hoping to spread your love a little farther. I pray O Lord that your love spreads like wildfire in the hearts of those around the world who also are ready, that they may be instruments of your peace. God, we know the struggle and hard work that peace will take and we are ready. I will go Lord, if you lead me. Bless my every step. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Nyimbo ya Mtendere

“Mulungu Wachikondi, Tipatseni Mtendere Wanu” CCS 316

OR “My Peace” sing twice CCS 149

Nthawi Yoganizira Kwambiri

Ask participants, “Where is God leading you today, at this moment?” 

Project or print the question for all to see. 

Have people write their responses on the paper distributed earlier. Play meditation music in the background as you give them time to write. Invite them to bring their responses to the worship center. Offer a prayer over their ministry and callings.

Nyimbo ya Utumiki

“Ambuye, Tipangireni Zida” CCS 364

OR “The City Is Alive, O God” CCS 365

Uthenga

Kutengera pa Yohane 3:1–17

OR Testimonies

Given by two or three people on how they have felt led by the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Unduna wa Nyimbo OR Nyimbo ya Anthu Onse

“For Jesus Loved Me/To Ietu Here” CCS 594

A soloist or choir sings or play the vocal recording found on Community of Christ Sings Audio Recordings available from Herald House.

KAPENA “Mpulumutsi Wanga Anati Ndiyenera Kukhala” CCS 589

If the tune is unfamiliar, consider singing the text to the tune O WALY WALY, CCS 45.

Kuyankha Mowolowa Manja kwa Ophunzira

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 164:9b

Nkhani

A community garden offered through the Stone Church in Independence, Missouri, USA, has blessed the neighborhood and larger community with opportunities for healthy food, volunteering, and community building.

Projects such as the Stone Church community garden are able to bless communities because of the dedication of disciples and their generosity. 

Tikayankha mokhulupirika ku utumiki wa Yesu Khristu, timakhala ndi udindo kwa wina ndi mnzake, kwa Mulungu, ndi kwa ife tokha. Kuyankha kwathu ku mphatso za Mulungu za chikondi ndi chisomo ndiko kutumikira ena ndi kulola kupatsa kukhala mbali ya chibadwa chathu.

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes.

Nyimbo               

Limbikitsani ophunzira kuti aziimba m'zilankhulo zina osati zawo.

“Yesu, Yesu, Tidzazeni ndi Chikondi Chanu” CCS 367

KAPENA “Ndakuitana ndi Dzina Lako” CCS 636

Chidaliro

Yankho

Pambuyo pa nyimbo

Mathandizo a Ulaliki

Kufufuza Malemba

“Born again!” This discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus tempts us to let  conversations and marketing today of “born again” Christians influence our thinking and miss the richness of what Jesus intended for us to understand. This scripture story is about God’s generosity. God is the giver of this precious Gift, Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. And when we are “born again,” it is “of the Spirit.” On Trinity Sunday, the experience of Nicodemus illuminates the idea that “God is a community of three persons and one eternal being” (Of Water and Spirit, 11) “…The being of God [is] revealed in the threefold name…God who is ever the Giver, the Gift, and the Giving: The Divine Community whose essence is love.” (Understanding the Way, 37–38).

The act of being “born again” is not a catchphrase to grant support to a particular definition of Christianity. In Jesus, God reveals God’s very nature. God’s love for us has no boundary. If we are willing to receive this love, receive eternal life, our lives each day will have new purpose and love that shape the “being” God intends for us.

Nicodemus comes to Jesus like many of us—alone and at night. How do we approach our loving God? Nicodemus knows there is something about Jesus he can’t explain. He calls him “rabbi” and recognizes him as a “teacher from God.” What do we think about this Jesus? Teacher, preacher, or savior in our lives?

Nicodemus is confused with Jesus’ statement about being “born again.” He can relate this only to the physical way of being born. Jesus, however, challenges Nicodemus to be “born again” into a spiritual way of life that shows God’s deep and enduring love for him.

Nicodemus approaching Jesus is an act of discipleship. Jesus asks each of us daily (as he did with Peter), “Do you love me? Will you seek me and receive God’s love that I have for you?” And then, “Will you feed my sheep?” Nicodemus’ act of discipleship provides a pattern for us. We daily approach our loving and generous God, seeking to understand and feel the transforming grace that comes from being a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for the Spirit’s presence in our lives. As disciples connected to this holy Triune Community, we inevitably feel led beyond the walls of the church into the world to pursue Christ’s mission.

Malingaliro Apakati

1. The Triune God is generous.
2. As a community of three persons, the Trinity relationship exemplifies a community of boundless love.
3. Jesus calls for us to be “born again.” But he does so from a spiritual understanding and
4. not from the actual physical experience of being “born again.”

Mafunso kwa Wokamba Nkhani

1. How is your journey on the path of the disciple like that of Nicodemus?
2. What are your understandings of who Jesus is as God reveals him in the world?
3. What does it mean to be “born again”?
4. How has God been generous in your life?
5. How easy or difficult is it to receive God’s gift of grace through Jesus Christ every day?

Maphunziro

Phunziro la Akuluakulu

Yang'anani Ndime ya Malemba

Yohane 3:1–17

Kuyang'ana Kwambiri pa Phunziro

This passage speaks of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. God generously gave his only Son to save the world and sends the Holy Spirit to search out our hearts that we might be born from above.

Zolinga

Ophunzira adza…

• phunzirani za malemba.
• recognize God’s grace and generosity, giving both Jesus as an example and teacher and the Spirit to call and invite all to be born from above.
• compare Nicodemus’s searching, questioning, and growing understanding with their own.
• be challenged to let the Spirit birth them over and over again as they strive to grow into whom God calls them to be.

Zinthu Zofunikira

• Baibulo
• Gulu la Nyimbo za Khristu ( CCS )
• Koperani of Isaiah 6:6–8 and questions for Dwelling in the Word (see Gather section)

Chidziwitso kwa Mphunzitsi

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for John 3:1–17 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament, p. 83, available through Herald House.

Sonkhanitsani

Isaiah 6:6–8

⁶ Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. ⁷ The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” ⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”

Lead a Dwelling in the Word activity using Isaiah 6:6–8, a portion of another of our lectionary scriptures for today. Provide a printed copy of the scriptural text. Read the text aloud and pause for a few minutes to allow people time to reflect on what they’ve heard. Read it a second time. Ask people to make note of a word, phrase, or image they are drawn to as they hear it read again. After a short pause, form small groups and give people an opportunity to share their responses. Examples of questions to ask are as follows:

• Kodi pali malo omwe ndimakonda kukhala kapena kufufuza?
• Ndi mawu, zithunzi, kapena mawu ati omwe akulankhula nane m'nkhaniyi?
• What is God’s invitation to me or my congregation in this scripture?

(For more information on Dwelling in the Word, go to Pastors and Leaders Field Guide, p. 14, found at missionalleaders.org and HeraldHouse.org.)

Pray for God’s blessing on the group as they learn together.

Chitani nawo

Read John 3:1–17 together, then continue with the lesson breaking into small groups of two to four for discussion questions.

Trinity Sunday celebrates the tri-unity of God…the reality of God, Christ, and the Spirit permeates the NT [New Testament]…The NT readings for this Trinity Sunday, (Rom. 8:12–17 and our text from John 3:1–17 also refer to Father, Son or Christ, and Spirit. The same God is at work in today’s reading from Isaiah 6:1–8, part of the sacred Scripture for Paul and John, as well as for Jesus and Nicodemus.

—Paul L. Hammer, Feasting on the Word: Year B, Volume 3, edited by David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009), p. 45

Each had responded to the Spirit and answered, “Here am I, send me.”

Nicodemus is an interesting character, not unlike ourselves. He has seen and heard Jesus, recognizing that Jesus has been sent from God because of the miracles he has done. He wants to know more. Nicodemus is a Pharisee, a leader of the Jews. John’s Gospel develops the character of Nicodemus throughout its pages. In 7:50–51, he defends Jesus, asking the other Pharisees to grant him a hearing. Then in 19:38–40, he helps Joseph of Arimathea with Jesus’ burial, bringing the spices needed. Nicodemus is at first wondering, but afraid. Then as he continues to learn more about Jesus, he gains courage and respect, standing up for him among his peers. Finally, Nicodemus joins with Jesus’ disciples in love and mourning, helping care for him after death.

• What are some questions about Jesus you might be afraid to ask in public?
• How can we give people permission to wonder and question without fear of ridicule?
• Give examples of your growth in discipleship.

Our text often is used by those who speak about being “born again.” This hinges on the translation of an ambiguous Greek word (anothen), which can be translated “again” or “from above.” It is Nicodemus who misunderstands and speaks of being “born again.” It is Jesus who says one must be “born from above.”

—Hammer, p. 47

For John, Jesus is saying that humans do not shape religious experience and enter into the Kingdom of their own choosing. “It is a gift of God’s Spirit, unshaped by human hands but ‘blowing’ where it will ‘from above’” (Hammer, p. 47). Furthermore, “Jesus is telling Nicodemus, and us, that God’s kingdom is here. The kingdom of God is not some far-off goal to be attained…The kingdom is present now, as a gift from God. Only God can gift us, can beget us as a totally new being in a new world” (Judith M. McDaniel in Homiletical Perspective, Feasting on the Word: Year B, Volume 3, edited by David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor [Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009], p. 47).

• Discuss the difference between being “born again” and being “born from above.” Who is responsible for each?
• Compare discipleship when God’s kingdom is a far off image after we die to something in which we live each day.

The last section of today’s scripture passage is the most familiar of all; however, we often cut it short. It is all about God’s generosity and grace. God wants to save the world and all that is in it. Verse 14 says that if the Son of Man is lifted up, honored, and believed in, all who do this will have eternal life. Verse 16 reiterates this point but adds an emphasis on how much God loves the world. Verse 17 continues the thought that God does not want to condemn or punish the world. God sacrificed and suffered for us so we could see how we should live with one another and be saved to live eternally in God’s kingdom starting the first day we respond to the Spirit.

• Compare the difference in discipleship if we look at this scripture without verse 17.
• How easy or difficult is it to receive God’s gift of grace through Jesus Christ every day?

Yankhani

Community of Christ’s Basic Beliefs statement begins with our belief in the nature of God.

Timakhulupirira Mulungu m'modzi wamoyo amene amakumana nafe mu umboni wa Israyeli, amene wavumbulutsidwa mwa Yesu Khristu, ndipo amayenda m'chilengedwe chonse monga Mzimu Woyera. Timatsimikiza Utatu—Mulungu amene ndi gulu la anthu atatu. Zinthu zonse zomwe zilipo zimachokera kwa Mulungu: chinsinsi choposa kumvetsetsa ndi chikondi choposa malingaliro. Mulungu yekha ndiye woyenera kulambiridwa.

—Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 33–34

• What in today’s scripture passage might have helped form this belief?

Our Enduring Principles of Grace and Generosity and All Are Called also highlight ideas found in today’s lectionary passages.

Mfundo Yokhazikika ya Chisomo ndi Kupatsa

• Chisomo cha Mulungu, makamaka monga momwe chinavumbulidwira mwa Yesu Khristu, ndi chaufulu komanso chopanda malire.
• Popeza talandira chisomo cha Mulungu, timayankha moolowa manja ndipo mwaulemu timalandira kukoma mtima kwa ena.
• Timapereka zonse zomwe tili nazo komanso zomwe tili nazo ku zolinga za Mulungu monga momwe zavumbulidwira mwa Yesu Khristu.
• Timagawana mowolowa manja umboni wathu, zinthu zathu, mautumiki athu, ndi masakramenti athu molingana ndi mphamvu zathu zenizeni.

— Kugawana mu Gulu la Khristu , Kope lachinayi, tsamba 28

Enduring Principle All Are Called

• Mulungu mwachifundo amapatsa anthu mphatso ndi mwayi wochita zabwino ndikuchita nawo zolinga za Mulungu.
• Yesu Khristu akupempha anthu kuti amutsatire mwa kukhala ophunzira omwe amagawana naye moyo wake ndi utumiki wake.
• Ophunzira ena amaitanidwa ndi kudzozedwa ku maudindo ndi mautumiki enaake a unsembe chifukwa cha anthu ammudzi, mpingo, ndi dziko lonse lapansi.
• Timayankha mokhulupirika, mothandizidwa ndi Mzimu Woyera, kuti timvetse bwino kwambiri kuitana kwa Mulungu.

— Kugawana mu Gulu la Khristu , Kope lachinayi, tsamba 29–30

Kambiranani:

• How do John 3:8, 16, and 17 speak to you of God’s unconditional grace and generosity?
• Compare Isaiah, Nicodemus, and yourself. How are the responses similar or different?

God searches for us to complete the revelation of God’s being. God searches for us to participate in God’s life. God’s seeking is not brought about by our circumstance, our worthiness, our sufficient understanding. Rather, that seeking derives from the anguish of God, God’s longing for the work of God’s hands. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world God created might be saved.

—McDaniel, pp. 47, 49

Kambiranani:

• How might we live in that kingdom where life is reborn from above?
• What does a community look like that is living the kingdom life?

SEND

Spend time this week listening and searching for God’s Spirit, asking questions you might have been afraid to ask before. God loves you and is calling you to be an active part of the kingdom. Whom will God send? What will be your answer?

Dalitsani

Close this time together reading or singing “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky” CCS 640.

Phunziro la Achinyamata

Yang'anani Ndime ya Malemba

Yohane 3:1–17

Kuyang'ana Kwambiri pa Phunziro

Nicodemus visits Jesus, Trinity Sunday

Zolinga

Ophunzira adza…

• describe Nicodemus’ visit to Jesus.
• name the parts of the Trinity (God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit).
• tell about the sacrament of Confirmation in Community of Christ.

Zinthu Zofunikira

• Pinwheel or kite (or a picture of a pinwheel or kite)
• Coffee filters or tissue paper
• Zizindikiro
• Spray bottle of water (if not available, use a bowl of water)
• Chenille stems
• Random items such as a cardboard tube, a napkin, a piece of cloth, an empty cup, or an empty box
• Pepala
• Nkhani ya Baibulo kapena ya Lectionary Baibulo, Chaka B , lolembedwa ndi Ralph Milton, lojambulidwa ndi Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2008, ISBN 9781551455648)

Chidziwitso kwa Mphunzitsi

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for John 3:1–17 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament, p. 83, available through Herald House.

Sonkhanitsani

Show children a pinwheel, a kite, or a picture of either. Discuss what pinwheels or kites need to move. They need wind or air. Without wind or air, how much fun is a pinwheel or kite? Do people like to play with them on windless days? Pinwheels and kites need wind to fulfill their roles, to do what they are meant to do, and to be fun.

Read and discuss this quote: “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without the wind, branches without sap, and like coals without fire, we are useless” (Charles Spurgeon, www.spurgeon.us/products/tug.htm).

What good is a sailboat without wind, a branch without sap, or a piece of coal without fire? We are like pinwheels or kites, and the Holy Spirit is like the wind.

Our lesson today is about the Holy Spirit. It begins with a story about Jesus telling a man named Nicodemus he needs to let the Holy Spirit change him. Then we will talk about how the Holy Spirit is part of God. Finally, we will talk about the sacrament of Confirmation, when we receive the promise of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Chitani nawo

In our scripture passage today, a man named Nicodemus visits Jesus. Read aloud “Visit of Nicodemus” in Lectionary Story Bible, Year B, pp. 129–130, or John 3:1–21. You might need to stop and paraphrase the story if reading directly from the Bible so children will understand what is happening.

Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be born again. Jesus said he needed to become a new person and let God’s Spirit be in him. Discuss what this means. It does not mean we are born again like babies. It means if we are willing to receive God’s love, our lives will have new purpose and new love. We will be able to become the persons God wants us to be.

Ask the children if they think God wants caterpillars to remain caterpillars forever, or if God wants them to become butterflies. When Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again, it is like the caterpillar going into a chrysalis and becoming a butterfly. Nicodemus must let go of the ugly things in his life and be born into God’s Spirit. He must become what God wants him to be.

Coffee Filter Butterflies

Invite children to color a coffee filter or piece of tissue paper with markers. This will even work with a white paper towel if necessary. Then let each child spray the coffee filter with a small amount of water. If a spray bottle is not available, sprinkle water from a bowl on the coffee filter. The colors will run and create beautiful designs. When the filters have dried, pinch them in the middle and wrap a chenille stem around the middle. The chenille stem can be shaped to be the butterfly’s body, and the coffee filter is the wings.

Yankhani

Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be born of the Spirit. We believe in one God who is God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in one. God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are different ways we understand and experience God. We use the term Trinity to describe God as these three persons. Today is Trinity Sunday when we learn about the Trinity.

Invite children to think of a word or idea—a thought. Now invite them to hold their hands in front of their mouths, and speak the word aloud. Explain that the “thought” is like God, where the idea begins. The “spoken word” is Jesus Christ, who was described as the Word (John 1). The breath they feel on their hands is like the Holy Spirit, the breath that carries the spoken word out, the action that puts the idea into practice. In fact, the Hebrew word for breath is the same work for spirit: ruach.

Invite them to think of another word or idea—something God would share with us—such as “Shalom” or “I love you.” They may say their words aloud, all together as they feel the breath that carries their words. God speaks, God’s word acts, and God’s spirit moves over creation. Affirm that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are all part of the same one God we believe in; they are different ways we understand God.

—Of Water and Spirit: Facilitator Guide, p. 14

Three in One

Pass around various objects, such as a cardboard tube, a napkin, a piece of cloth, an empty cup, or an empty box. Children can work alone or in groups to come up with three uses for one item. For example, they might say a cardboard tube can be used as a telescope, a rolling pin, or a place to store a piece of paper. Silly answers are acceptable!

Tumizani

One of the sacraments we share in Community of Christ is the sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation is sometimes called baptism of the Spirit. Confirmation includes a special prayer offered by one of two ministers who lay their hands on a person’s head. The person being confirmed becomes a member of Community of Christ through this sacrament.

Spend some time discussing how the sacrament of confirmation is related to Jesus telling Nicodemus he must be born again.

“The sacrament of confirmation recognizes the work of the Holy Spirit in the disciple’s life. The prayer offered witnesses to the Holy Spirit’s ministry, weaving people’s giftedness into beautiful patterns of community to enrich their discipleship and to strengthen the fabric of the church.” (CofChrist.org/sacraments)

Dalitsani

Give each child a piece of paper. Invite them to write something God would say to us. Ideas might come from today’s lesson.

• What did Jesus say to Nicodemus?
• What would God tell us about the Trinity?
• What message of love or hope would we hear in a confirmation prayer?

Help children who have difficulty coming up with ideas. Have children wad their papers into balls and throw them across the room. Then each child picks up a random piece of paper and reads the words on it.

End with a prayer of blessing.

Phunziro la Ana

Yang'anani Ndime ya Malemba

Yohane 3:1–17

Kuyang'ana Kwambiri pa Phunziro

Nicodemus visits Jesus, Trinity Sunday

Zolinga

Ophunzira adza…

• describe Nicodemus’ visit to Jesus.
• name the parts of the Trinity (God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit).
• tell about the sacrament of Confirmation in Community of Christ.

Zinthu Zofunikira

• Pinwheel or kite (or a picture of a pinwheel or kite)
• Coffee filters or tissue paper
• Zizindikiro
• Spray bottle of water (if not available, use a bowl of water)
• Chenille stems
• Random items such as a cardboard tube, a napkin, a piece of cloth, an empty cup, or an empty box
• Pepala
• Nkhani ya Baibulo kapena ya Lectionary Baibulo, Chaka B , lolembedwa ndi Ralph Milton, lojambulidwa ndi Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2008, ISBN 9781551455648)

Chidziwitso kwa Mphunzitsi

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for John 3:1–17 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament, p. 83, available through Herald House.

Sonkhanitsani

Show children a pinwheel, a kite, or a picture of either. Discuss what pinwheels or kites need to move. They need wind or air. Without wind or air, how much fun is a pinwheel or kite? Do people like to play with them on windless days? Pinwheels and kites need wind to fulfill their roles, to do what they are meant to do, and to be fun.

Read and discuss this quote: “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without the wind, branches without sap, and like coals without fire, we are useless” (Charles Spurgeon, www.spurgeon.us/products/tug.htm).

What good is a sailboat without wind, a branch without sap, or a piece of coal without fire? We are like pinwheels or kites, and the Holy Spirit is like the wind.

Our lesson today is about the Holy Spirit. It begins with a story about Jesus telling a man named Nicodemus he needs to let the Holy Spirit change him. Then we will talk about how the Holy Spirit is part of God. Finally, we will talk about the sacrament of Confirmation, when we receive the promise of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Chitani nawo

In our scripture passage today, a man named Nicodemus visits Jesus. Read aloud “Visit of Nicodemus” in Lectionary Story Bible, Year B, pp. 129–130, or John 3:1–21. You might need to stop and paraphrase the story if reading directly from the Bible so children will understand what is happening.

Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be born again. Jesus said he needed to become a new person and let God’s Spirit be in him. Discuss what this means. It does not mean we are born again like babies. It means if we are willing to receive God’s love, our lives will have new purpose and new love. We will be able to become the persons God wants us to be.

Ask the children if they think God wants caterpillars to remain caterpillars forever, or if God wants them to become butterflies. When Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again, it is like the caterpillar going into a chrysalis and becoming a butterfly. Nicodemus must let go of the ugly things in his life and be born into God’s Spirit. He must become what God wants him to be.

Coffee Filter Butterflies

Invite children to color a coffee filter or piece of tissue paper with markers. This will even work with a white paper towel if necessary. Then let each child spray the coffee filter with a small amount of water. If a spray bottle is not available, sprinkle water from a bowl on the coffee filter. The colors will run and create beautiful designs. When the filters have dried, pinch them in the middle and wrap a chenille stem around the middle. The chenille stem can be shaped to be the butterfly’s body, and the coffee filter is the wings.

Yankhani

Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be born of the Spirit. We believe in one God who is God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in one. God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are different ways we understand and experience God. We use the term Trinity to describe God as these three persons. Today is Trinity Sunday when we learn about the Trinity.

Invite children to think of a word or idea—a thought. Now invite them to hold their hands in front of their mouths, and speak the word aloud. Explain that the “thought” is like God, where the idea begins. The “spoken word” is Jesus Christ, who was described as the Word (John 1). The breath they feel on their hands is like the Holy Spirit, the breath that carries the spoken word out, the action that puts the idea into practice. In fact, the Hebrew word for breath is the same work for spirit: ruach.

Invite them to think of another word or idea—something God would share with us—such as “Shalom” or “I love you.” They may say their words aloud, all together as they feel the breath that carries their words. God speaks, God’s word acts, and God’s spirit moves over creation. Affirm that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are all part of the same one God we believe in; they are different ways we understand God.

—Of Water and Spirit: Facilitator Guide, p. 14

Three in One

Pass around various objects, such as a cardboard tube, a napkin, a piece of cloth, an empty cup, or an empty box. Children can work alone or in groups to come up with three uses for one item. For example, they might say a cardboard tube can be used as a telescope, a rolling pin, or a place to store a piece of paper. Silly answers are acceptable!

Tumizani

One of the sacraments we share in Community of Christ is the sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation is sometimes called baptism of the Spirit. Confirmation includes a special prayer offered by one of two ministers who lay their hands on a person’s head. The person being confirmed becomes a member of Community of Christ through this sacrament.

Spend some time discussing how the sacrament of confirmation is related to Jesus telling Nicodemus he must be born again.

“The sacrament of confirmation recognizes the work of the Holy Spirit in the disciple’s life. The prayer offered witnesses to the Holy Spirit’s ministry, weaving people’s giftedness into beautiful patterns of community to enrich their discipleship and to strengthen the fabric of the church.” (CofChrist.org/sacraments)

Dalitsani

Give each child a piece of paper. Invite them to write something God would say to us. Ideas might come from today’s lesson.

• What did Jesus say to Nicodemus?
• What would God tell us about the Trinity?
• What message of love or hope would we hear in a confirmation prayer?

Help children who have difficulty coming up with ideas. Have children wad their papers into balls and throw them across the room. Then each child picks up a random piece of paper and reads the words on it.

End with a prayer of blessing.