God does not exist to answer our prayers, but by our prayers we come to discern the mind of God.

~ Oswald Chambers, 1874-1917

Holy One, I choose life. I choose openness. I choose beauty, and faith. I choose to create. In all the things I intend for my life and the life of the world, O God hear my prayer, and in your love and understanding, answer. Amen.

~ from Go Deep by Doris e. Kizinna, p. 40

The nature of leadership and the role of faith and prayer in making decisions – as individuals and as the church – are highlighted in the scripture passages this week. The focus reading from Acts speaks of the decision-making process used to select the replacement for Judas.

All age level sessions explore decision-making and choices. Children can be helped to see that they too, like the disciples, can ask God for help in decisions. The Ages 15-18 and Adult sessions include outlines of a discernment process for decision-making.

NOTE: Next week’s session is designed for all ages to come together to explore the story of Pentecost. If you will be meeting as an age group next week, consider how you will adapt the session.

• Access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage.
• Option for Ages 15-18 – listen beforehand and bring the story recording “Twelve Again” found in the Extra Resources folder on Ages 15-18 disk.

• Option: use the paraphrase “Matthias Becomes an Apostle” (p. 120) based on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 or “Jesus Prays for His Friends” (p. 119) based on John 17:6-19 from the Lectionary Story Bible, Year B; also available as mp3 and projectable art downloads
• Dig Deeper: Leaders and Leading (Adult and Ages 15-18 resource sheets): Review scripture verses that contain phrases that describe qualities you would expect to find in church and community leaders.

Some of the many options for learning about choices and decision-making:

• Ages 3-5: art engagement and/or community mural, or prayer sticks, or floating prayers
• Ages 6-8: prayer cards for leaders, leadership mural, or prayer sticks
• Ages 9-11: discipleship cube game and/or prayer sticks, or thank you cards for leaders
• Multiage: guest speakers and/or discipleship cube game or prayer sticks or collage, or thank you cards for leaders
• Ages 12-14: learning about twelve disciples, discipleship game, and thank you notes
• Ages 15-18: art engagement discernment discussion, and/or prayer magnets
• Adult: biblical research, art engagement, discernment discussion, and/or prayer magnets

• Look at the posters Camp Stump, Old Woman in Prayer, and Consuming Fire and invite group members to talk about how these images might be a symbol of a quality of leadership.
  For very young children: spread all the posters on the floor and sit around them. Encourage children to point to the posters that they think have happy colours. Which posters seem to have sad colours? Suggest other feelings and encourage children to name and find those colours in the posters. Mention that, just like Jesus’ friends did, we can talk to God in prayer about our feelings.
• Listen to the songs “Light of Christ” (#6) or “Listen Now for the Gospel” (#25) and “Somlandela/We Will Follow” (#22) on the Seasons Music CD, Volume 7; also available as mp3 downloads

May 27: Pentecost Sunday

(Focus: Acts 2:1-21)

All Ages Session

This week is an “All Ages Session” designed for Pentecost Sunday. We experience moments of re-creation when God’s Spirit is present in new and often surprising ways, bringing life. Clearly God’s truth is not to be hidden or kept down, but shared and spread through the world. Even in times when it seems difficult and pointless, we are always reminded that the power of God’s Spirit is ultimately greater than the powers of the world. Where do you experience God’s spirit 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.