Father in Heaven we praise and glorify you. Thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus, who is a model of how we are to love you and love one another. Please send us the Holy Spirit so we too, can be a model of love for our neighbors. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Jesus told His friends, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.” That’s a big way of saying, “Don’t be worried or scared.”
He told them that His Father (God) has a huge house in Heaven with plenty of room for everyone. Jesus said He was going there to get a special place ready just for them. It’s like Jesus is the ultimate host, making sure your room is perfect before you even get there!
One of Jesus' friends, a man named Thomas, was a little confused. He asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered with one of the most famous things He ever said:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Think of it like this: If you want to get to a secret garden but there is a giant wall in the way, Jesus is the door. Following Him is the only way to get to God the Father. We don't need a paper map; we just need to follow Jesus!
Then another friend named Philip said, “Lord, just show us the Father and we will be happy.”
Jesus smiled and told him that if they had seen Him, they had already seen God!
Jesus was telling them that He and God the Father are one. Everything Jesus does,the way He heals people, the way He is kind, and the way He loves,is exactly how God loves us.
Source: Saddleback kids. (20, May). God is with us [VIDEO]. YOUTUBE.Saddleback Kids. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOgKAAuEpcE
1. Recall (Remembering the Story)
In the story, Jesus says His Father’s house has plenty of room. What is Jesus doing there right now for us?
Thomas was a little confused about where Jesus was going. What did Jesus say was the "Way" to get to the Father?
When Philip asked to see God the Father, what did Jesus tell him about how they could see God through Him?
2. Empathize (Feeling the Story)
The disciples were feeling "troubled" or worried because Jesus said He was leaving. Can you think of a time you felt worried because you had to say goodbye to someone you love?
How do you think the disciples felt when Jesus promised He was going to build a special place just for them?
If you were Thomas or Philip, would you have been brave enough to ask Jesus a question when you didn't understand? How does it feel to know Jesus is happy to answer our big questions?
3. Apply to Our Life (Living the Story)
Jesus said He is "The Way." If we want to follow His "Way" at school or at home today, what is one kind thing we can do for a friend?
Next time you feel "troubled" or scared, what is one thing Jesus said in this story that you can remember to help you feel brave?
Jesus promised that because He is with the Father, we can do "great things" too. What is a "great thing" a 2nd grader can do to show God’s love to the world?
Come Holy Spirit come, fill our hearts with your peace and love. Help us to have faith that Jesus is God. Help us to follow in his footsteps, in prayer and in works, on the path to salvation, to the place He has saved for us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
