The Maze
Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In our worship today, let us explore these words and find out how to reach God through Jesus.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, show me the right way to God.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me into the truth about God.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, give me the eternal life which you have promised.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 14:1-14 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. [4] You know the way to the place where I am going." [5] Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" [6] Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [7] If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." [8] Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." [9] Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? [10] Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. [12] I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Story:
Walking in Jesus' way leads us to the truth and that truth enables us to meet with God. When we meet with God we experience eternal life -- life lived with a capital "L" -- here and now on this earth. Then we begin to catch a glimpse of what life after death might be like.
The Maze
The most terrifying experience of Jane's life occurred when she was quite small, perhaps five or six years old. She and her brother Thomas were taken to a stately home in the country and their father took them into the maze. The paths of the maze were separated by high hedges and it was so exciting that Jane skipped off down a path without a second thought. But she soon discovered that she was unable to find her way out and she had no idea of the whereabouts of Thomas or her father.
When she realised that she was utterly alone, Jane panicked. She began to run wildly down any and every path, desperately hoping to discover herself either in the middle of the maze or back at the beginning, but it was no good. All the paths were identical and all she could see were the legs of tall strangers and the thick leaves of high hedges.
Terror filled Jane's mind. She began to cry and scream, but the more noise she made, the more people avoided her. In the end she sank down in a heap and sobbed quietly to herself, certain that she would die alone and astray, there in the maze.
Then a wonderful thing happened. Just when she thought all was lost, Jane's father appeared in front of her. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to safety. But Jane never forgot the terror of her experience and for the rest of her life carried a deep fear of getting lost.
This meant that Jane was always afraid to try anything new. She didn't know why she was afraid because as she grew up, she could barely remember the incident in the maze. She only knew that when anyone suggested anything new her stomach tied itself into knots, her hands and knees began to tremble and she could hardly breathe.
One day when she was quite grown up, Jane had to travel to a new city for her job. She couldn't find her way around and she knew nobody to help her. She experienced the usual panicky feelings and try as she might to overcome it, she knew that she would soon be swamped by fear. So she stepped into a church.
There was a service going on, so Jane stayed at the back. Then she heard some amazing words. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," read the priest.
Instead of the usual fear, Jane felt the tiny beginnings of hope. She wondered whether Jesus could really be the way for her? Would Jesus help her to overcome her dread of change? Would Jesus help her to understand what was really important in life? And most of all, would Jesus set her free from her terrors and so enable her to begin to live life as it ought to be lived and as she had noticed other people living it? Jane bought a Bible and began to read St John's gospel. To her astonishment, she discovered that it spoke to her, almost as if she was hearing Jesus' voice for herself.
Jane gave herself to Jesus that day. Because she knew she was nothing but a bundle of fear, Jane asked Jesus to come into her life and to take control of it. At that precise moment, she was filled by a deep peace and feeling of love which spread throughout her mind, almost, she said afterwards, as though her brain was being massaged by God.
Jane found that Jesus' words were true, for his love cast out her fear. She couldn't claim never to be afraid again, but the awful paralyzing fear which had blighted her life was gone for good.
"You really are the way, the truth and the life," whispered Jane. "I'm going to follow you for ever and ever." And she did.
Activity:
You need:
Three large sheets of paper
Crayons or felt tip pens
A long sheet of cardboard
Glue
Talk to the children about Jesus being the way, the truth and the life. Ask them what they think each of those terms means?
If they get stuck, gently remind them that we follow Jesus because he shows us the right way and the best way to live our lives (the Way). Then you could talk about the many television programmes about demons and vampires, and point out that none of that is real, because Jesus is the truth, not demons and vampires (the Truth). Finally, list all the things the children can think of that make life full and fun -- games, sport, love, using your brain, the countryside and seaside, families, friends, holidays etc -- and tell the children that following Jesus enables us all to have the fullest and best possible lives (the Life).
Now ask them how they could illustrate everything they've come up with. Put the title of The Way on one sheet of paper, The Truth on another, and The Life on the final sheet. Divide the children into three groups and get each group to illustrate one sheet of paper. When all have finished, glue the three sheets onto your long sheet of card. Write "Jesus is:" along the top in the centre and hand the finished masterpiece in church.
Prayers:
Jesus the Way, may our church clearly see the way you have mapped out for us. Help us to cling to your way and to follow you in everything that we do.
Jesus the Truth, may our world leaders, our national leaders and our local leaders always strive for the truth. May they never settle for dishonest spin and may they have the courage to reject lies, even when the truth might hurt.
Jesus the Life, we ask you into our hearts today. So fill us with your Spirit that we may enjoy life to the full, knowing that it is but a pale shadow of the life you have waiting for us after we die.
Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Life, we hold within your presence all who are sick or suffering or need our prayers. May they find the way, cling to the truth and experience the life that only you can bring.
Blessing:
May you walk with Jesus every day of your life
and so discover that truth
that you are led into
the delights and glories of that eternal life
that only Jesus can offer.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Be with you, be in your homes
And in your families,
With those whom you love
And with those for whom you pray,
Both now and always. Amen.
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In our worship today, let us explore these words and find out how to reach God through Jesus.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, show me the right way to God.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me into the truth about God.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, give me the eternal life which you have promised.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 14:1-14 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. [4] You know the way to the place where I am going." [5] Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" [6] Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [7] If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." [8] Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." [9] Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? [10] Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. [12] I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Story:
Walking in Jesus' way leads us to the truth and that truth enables us to meet with God. When we meet with God we experience eternal life -- life lived with a capital "L" -- here and now on this earth. Then we begin to catch a glimpse of what life after death might be like.
The Maze
The most terrifying experience of Jane's life occurred when she was quite small, perhaps five or six years old. She and her brother Thomas were taken to a stately home in the country and their father took them into the maze. The paths of the maze were separated by high hedges and it was so exciting that Jane skipped off down a path without a second thought. But she soon discovered that she was unable to find her way out and she had no idea of the whereabouts of Thomas or her father.
When she realised that she was utterly alone, Jane panicked. She began to run wildly down any and every path, desperately hoping to discover herself either in the middle of the maze or back at the beginning, but it was no good. All the paths were identical and all she could see were the legs of tall strangers and the thick leaves of high hedges.
Terror filled Jane's mind. She began to cry and scream, but the more noise she made, the more people avoided her. In the end she sank down in a heap and sobbed quietly to herself, certain that she would die alone and astray, there in the maze.
Then a wonderful thing happened. Just when she thought all was lost, Jane's father appeared in front of her. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to safety. But Jane never forgot the terror of her experience and for the rest of her life carried a deep fear of getting lost.
This meant that Jane was always afraid to try anything new. She didn't know why she was afraid because as she grew up, she could barely remember the incident in the maze. She only knew that when anyone suggested anything new her stomach tied itself into knots, her hands and knees began to tremble and she could hardly breathe.
One day when she was quite grown up, Jane had to travel to a new city for her job. She couldn't find her way around and she knew nobody to help her. She experienced the usual panicky feelings and try as she might to overcome it, she knew that she would soon be swamped by fear. So she stepped into a church.
There was a service going on, so Jane stayed at the back. Then she heard some amazing words. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," read the priest.
Instead of the usual fear, Jane felt the tiny beginnings of hope. She wondered whether Jesus could really be the way for her? Would Jesus help her to overcome her dread of change? Would Jesus help her to understand what was really important in life? And most of all, would Jesus set her free from her terrors and so enable her to begin to live life as it ought to be lived and as she had noticed other people living it? Jane bought a Bible and began to read St John's gospel. To her astonishment, she discovered that it spoke to her, almost as if she was hearing Jesus' voice for herself.
Jane gave herself to Jesus that day. Because she knew she was nothing but a bundle of fear, Jane asked Jesus to come into her life and to take control of it. At that precise moment, she was filled by a deep peace and feeling of love which spread throughout her mind, almost, she said afterwards, as though her brain was being massaged by God.
Jane found that Jesus' words were true, for his love cast out her fear. She couldn't claim never to be afraid again, but the awful paralyzing fear which had blighted her life was gone for good.
"You really are the way, the truth and the life," whispered Jane. "I'm going to follow you for ever and ever." And she did.
Activity:
You need:
Three large sheets of paper
Crayons or felt tip pens
A long sheet of cardboard
Glue
Talk to the children about Jesus being the way, the truth and the life. Ask them what they think each of those terms means?
If they get stuck, gently remind them that we follow Jesus because he shows us the right way and the best way to live our lives (the Way). Then you could talk about the many television programmes about demons and vampires, and point out that none of that is real, because Jesus is the truth, not demons and vampires (the Truth). Finally, list all the things the children can think of that make life full and fun -- games, sport, love, using your brain, the countryside and seaside, families, friends, holidays etc -- and tell the children that following Jesus enables us all to have the fullest and best possible lives (the Life).
Now ask them how they could illustrate everything they've come up with. Put the title of The Way on one sheet of paper, The Truth on another, and The Life on the final sheet. Divide the children into three groups and get each group to illustrate one sheet of paper. When all have finished, glue the three sheets onto your long sheet of card. Write "Jesus is:" along the top in the centre and hand the finished masterpiece in church.
Prayers:
Jesus the Way, may our church clearly see the way you have mapped out for us. Help us to cling to your way and to follow you in everything that we do.
Jesus the Truth, may our world leaders, our national leaders and our local leaders always strive for the truth. May they never settle for dishonest spin and may they have the courage to reject lies, even when the truth might hurt.
Jesus the Life, we ask you into our hearts today. So fill us with your Spirit that we may enjoy life to the full, knowing that it is but a pale shadow of the life you have waiting for us after we die.
Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Life, we hold within your presence all who are sick or suffering or need our prayers. May they find the way, cling to the truth and experience the life that only you can bring.
Blessing:
May you walk with Jesus every day of your life
and so discover that truth
that you are led into
the delights and glories of that eternal life
that only Jesus can offer.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Be with you, be in your homes
And in your families,
With those whom you love
And with those for whom you pray,
Both now and always. Amen.
