I find that sometimes I get so busy that I don’t have time to think about the things in my life and their effects on my well-being. Relationships, jobs, habits… have such an impact on the way we feel and the way we function – through spiritual practises I noticed that I come to accept a lot of things in my life that I would have otherwise… blocked out. The solitude and set time to reflect and rediscover what is in your heart is irreplaceable and priceless.

~ Molly, age 16

My favourite part of spiritual practices has always been the silence. It doesn’t matter if I’m writing a letter to God or playing with clay. That one hour of silence is kind of like the quiet time our parents put us through when we were younger, now lost in our noisy lives. Somehow, that one restriction opens up every sense, bringing an amazing spiritual connection.

~ Dora, age 16

I find God in the spiritual practices time. I understand how God can exist. I just go inside myself and find peace and find Jesus around me.

~ Derek, age 16

~ from Go Deep: Spiritual Practices for Youth Ministry, Doris e. Kizinna

Today’s story begins with the prophet Samuel already retired after serving for many years as Israel’s judge – the highest authority in a nation loosely governed by elders of various tribes. At the end of the story, a reluctant Samuel heeds the people’s request and anoints Saul as king of the new monarchy. In the story we discover impulses that resist and reject God’s good leadership and vision for our lives in the face of human ambition.

In Mark 3:20-35, Jesus challenges assumptions of how we are to relate to one another and to God, teaching that it is God who is ultimately at the head of all of our relationships.

The session materials explore the issues of leadership. In what areas of your life do you find God leading you, and when do you resist?

• Access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage.

• Digging Deeper: Worldly Kings (Adult and Ages 15-18) explores the laws regarding leadership in Deuteronomy, the story from Samuel, and leadership in our world today.
• Option: use the paraphrase “It Makes Me Very Sad” (p. 133) based on Mark 3:1-6 or “God Calls Samuel” (p. 131) based on 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20) from the Lectionary Story Bible, Year B; available as mp3 and projectable art downloads

Some of the many options for exploring listening to God and leadership:

• Ages 3-5: listening activities, making reminders or door chimes
• Ages 6-8: drama, making a listening board, or tassel reminder
• Ages 9-11: art poster dialogue, leadership game, or gallery of images
• Multiage: Bible research, reminder tassels, leadership game, or collage
• Ages 12-14: listening prayer, leadership reflection, or actions for justice
• Ages 15-18: role play, Bible research, self-reflection, or contemporary stories
• Adult: art engagement, contemporary leaders, or drama

• Poster “King David”: Look at the poster with your group (without revealing the title). Talk about whether this person looks happy or sad. Notice how he looks like he is listening. Invite children to imagine that this is a painting of Samuel, listening to God and to the people. Read more about this poster in “About the Art.”
• Listen to “Circle Song” (#11), “Teach Me Wisdom” (#24), and “May You Find Peace” (#19) on the Seasons Vol. 7 Music CD or available as mp3 downloads

June 17: “Seeing Beyond”

(Focus: 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13)

As people of faith we are often called upon to trust in things that are beyond ordinary means of seeing. While this often means trusting in a God who moves in invisible and mysterious ways, we are also invited to look beyond appearances and see the potential that God sees in all of us. What are some of the things God has helped you see in your life?

For SeasonsFUSION (which inspires worship in a setting for all ages) see the SeasonsFUSION blog and sign up to receive the SeasonsFUSION tip of the week.