This worship series helps children (and adults) connect their lives to creation and the intersection of other issues. We’re all connected. As a through-line for the children’s message, we recommend building a terrarium together - or some kind of nature-centered altarpiece. Each week has suggestions about how to do that. If your worship space does not lend itself to this activity, alternatives are also suggested.

John 10:27-28, New International Reader's Version

My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never die. No one will steal them out of my hand.

Revelation 7:16-17, New International Reader's Version

“‘Never again will they be hungry.
Never again will they be thirsty.
The sun will not beat down on them.’
The heat of the desert will not harm them.
The Lamb, who is at the center of the area around the throne,
will be their shepherd.
‘He will lead them to springs of living water’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ”

Visual Aids:

Water or representation of water (this will go next to the terrarium for now, not in it)

Message:

Today, we have some water. Today’s Bible lesson is from a book we don’t talk a lot about - Revelation This part of the scripture talks about how when God makes all things new, God’s people will never be thirsty. “The heat of the desert will not harm them.” Jesus, who is our shepherd, will lead God’s people to “springs of living water.” In today’s Jesus-story, Jesus talks about knowing his sheep. Do you think Jesus knows you?

During the last two weeks, we talked about people in different bodies and different food situations. So, I have a question: Does it rain differently on people with different bodies or different food situations? Does it rain differently on people who have different families, schools, churches, skin colors, hair, clothes, or shoes? Or does it rain the same no matter who you are?

The rain doesn’t change just because of who you are. Water is water. And whether we’re a plant or an animal or a person, no matter what kind, we all NEED water. So Jesus giving us springs of living water is pretty great.

Some people in history have decided where water should or shouldn’t be by blocking it and building what’s called a dam. Sometimes, it’s because there’s too much water and they want to save where people live; sometimes, it’s because they’re greedy. Can someone tell me what greedy means? (Allow a child to answer).

Sometimes, people decide not to care who is downstream from them, and they make the water dirty. Is it good to make decisions for other people or to decide who should have clean water and who shouldn’t?

In the Jesus story today, Jesus tells the people that he knows his sheep and they’ll know him. What does the story say about us? Do we get to decide who Jesus’ sheep are?

Like water, Jesus sees all of us as equal. Can we be like water and like Jesus and give everyone a fair share and the same chances we get?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to be our shepherd and to lead us to things that we need. Help us see the world the way you do, as worthy of love and getting a fair share. Amen.

Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

We have added conversation starters to each children’s message series to help spark conversations within families during the week. We encourage families to use these questions to guide them through conversations and subject matter discussed during the worship service, including the children’s messages on Sundays. These conversations will reinforce learning and nurture faith formation for the entire family.

This series will offer picture book suggestions to go with each week’s topic. Adults in the lives of children might want to use the story time already scheduled in the week to spend a little extra time talking about faith. There is no need for your church to buy all or any of the recommended books. Most of these books should be available in public libraries. Certainly, not all the books need to be read by each family.

Suggested books about people and water:

How Does Water Move Around? By Madeline J. Hayes and Srimalie Bassani
Upstream, Downstream: Exploring Watershed Connections by Rowena Rae (for older kids)
Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by Miranda Paul and Jason Chin

I wonder what it would feel like to have no water.

I wonder how water gets to me.

I wonder what I can do to help keep water clean for myself and others.

Suggested books about discrimination and racism:

Abuelita and Me by Leonarda Carranza and Rafael Mayani
That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown and Nikkolas Smith
What I Am by Divya Srinivasan

I wonder what I can do to help others see all people as people, no matter how they look.

I wonder how I can be more aware of my words and make sure they’re kind.

Books about darkness and light - and that one is not inherently bad:

God’s Holy Darkness by Sharei Green, Beckah Selnick, and Nikki Faison
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o and Vashti Harrison

I wonder why darkness is often seen as “bad.”

I wonder how I can help other people see how beautiful darkness can be.

For the littlest ones - this book comes in a board book edition. It discusses noticing race, being proud to be yourself, and a short history of the beginning of racism. Like the others, it includes its discussion questions:

Our Skin: A First Conversation about Race by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Isabel Roxas

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