Slideshow image

Read Mark 3:20-35.

Today is the 2nd Sunday of Pentecost.  Pentecost is a long season of the church year that starts now and goes all the way through the summer and into the fall.  The color of the Sundays after Pentecost is green.  Green reminds us of growth.  Throughout this season, we have the opportunity to grow.  We can grow closer to Jesus.  We can grow closer to our families.  We can grow closer to our friends.

This week, in our reading from the gospel of Mark, Jesus talks to a crowd and invites them to be his followers.  He tells them who is part of his family.

Let’s watch this video together to hear more about what Jesus had to say:

Jesus told the crowd that he came to earth to do God’s will.  He said that God’s family is made up of those who do God’s will.  So while our family is made up of our parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, special friends, and others, it is also made up of all those people who do God’s will, those people who love God and love others, those people who serve others in Jesus’ name.  Our family is much bigger than we think.  It includes people from all over the world.  People we know and people we haven’t met.  People who are older than us and people who are younger.  Our family includes people who just like us and people who are very different.

Sometimes in order to do the things that God wants us to do it is very easy.  Sometimes it can be hard.  Sometimes it is popular and sometimes it isn’t.  Whether it is hard or easy, popular or unpopular, we are not alone, because Jesus is with and we are part of God’s family…God’s BIG family.  All families are different and all are important.  We can we happy that we are part of an amazing family…God’s family!

Discuss

  • What is Jesus’ mom’s name?
  • How does it feel to know you are part of God’s BIG family?
  • What is one way you follow Jesus?

Song

Ohana KidSpring Children’s Ministry.  (Ohana is a Hawaiian word meaning family). This is a great song.  You’ll love it!

Activity

As school has or is about to draw to a close, use a sheet of paper or a posterboard and write, draw pictures, or cut out and glue pictures of some things you’d like to do together as a family this summer.  Brainstorm together and then put together your poster.  Think about a food you’d like to try, a place you’d like to visit, a movie you’d like to see, a game you’d like to play, a way you’d like to celebrate a summer birthday or holiday.  How would you like to grow closer to God?  Once finished, post it somewhere.  Most importantly, do the things you want to do!

Activity

Jesus said that those who do God’s will are part of God’s family.  They are sister and brothers of Jesus.  Think about a way you could serve someone and then do it together as a family.  You could collect canned goods or items for a food pantry.  How about making a meal and taking it and sharing it with someone who has been isolated during COVID?  Even if you still need to wear masks and socially distance, maybe you could share the meal outside safely.  There are so many ways you can serve in Jesus’ name.  Find something you can do in your community and do it together remembering that you are part of God’s BIG family!

Closing Prayer

Jesus, we are thankful to be part of your family.  Help us to do the things that God wants us to do on earth.  Help us to love you and others.  Help us to serve others in your name.  Thank you for making us part of God’s BIG family.  Amen.

Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home.  There will be a new one for each Sunday while we are unable to gather together physically in our congregational buildings.  Contact him at dfugate@iksynod.org.