MARCH 20, 2011

Gen. 12:1–4a Psalm 121 Rom. 4:1–5, 13–17 John 3:1–17

Year A: Second Sunday of Lent

A Night Visitor for Jesus Goal for the Session

Children will join Nicodemus to visit Jesus and discover they too are included in God’s unending love.

n P R E P A R I N G F O R T H E S E S S I O N

Focus on John 3:1–17 WHAT is important to know? A recurring structural pattern for the Fourth Gospel is: sign, dialogue, discourse. Jesus performs a sign that is followed by a dialogue between Jesus and those present and then a discourse by Jesus that interprets the sign. While Jesus does not perform a sign for Nicodemus, Nicodemus’s reference to “signs” in verse 2 introduces the conversation with Jesus and sets up Jesus’ discourse in verses 10–21.

— From “Exegetical Perspective” by Karoline M. Lewis

WHERE is God in these words? Not only is Jesus the presence of God, but those who are born from above—recreated in the water of baptism by the power of the Spirit—will see in these things Jesus has done the presence of the kingdom of God. For many Christians, the gospel is summarized by the words in John 3:16. Some Christians, however, understand faith or “believing in Jesus” to be simply what one does with one’s mind. In John’s Gospel, being born from above and believing in Jesus are not so much about what one does with one’s mind as about what one does with one’s heart and one’s life.

— From “Theological Perspective” by George W. Stroup

SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? When Jesus tells Nicodemus that he needs to be born again by water and Spirit, he is asking Nicodemus to let God work in his life. Jesus invites Nicodemus, as he invites each of us, to come into the light of day and become mature believers, full participants in the abundant life he offers. Jesus knows that neither Nicodemus nor contemporary believers can do this on their own. It is God who will give birth in water and Spirit. Rebirth is God’s gift to give, God’s work to accomplish, and it is God who labors to bring us new life.

— From “Pastoral Perspective” by Deborah J. Kapp

NOW WHAT is God’s word calling us to do? We can almost hear Jesus’ amusement in verse 10. What if Jesus was exercising a little rabbinical irony instead of divine judgment? It changes our place in the story; suddenly, there is room for our ignorance too! Nicodemus reminds us that even the best educated and most authoritative among us are still searching. No sense in clucking over what we fail to understand (and will probably never grasp in its fullness until we see God face to face, as Paul says); better to laugh at our own efforts, and then get up and try again. Wisdom such as this passage offers is mysterious and paradoxical. It begs for a little space—both to be and to laugh. © 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum.

— From “Homiletical Perspective” by Anna Carter Florence Multi-Age (K–6)

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A Night Visitor for Jesus

FOCUS SCRIPTURE John 3:1–17

Focus on Your Teaching Questions are a natural part of childhood, beginning very early. However, you may find that the younger children are more willing to ask them in the group than those who are older, who may not want to appear “stupid” or even “too interested.” However, Nicodemus can be a role model for all children, as they recognize that a learned man brought his questions to Jesus. As you lead the group, affirm their questions as important to a growing faith and as a way to build an environment of trust. Wise God, assure me of your love as I ask my faith questions so that I may welcome the children’s questions, too. Amen.

YOU WILL NEED

n L E A D I N G

T H E

S E S S I O N

o Purple fabric o 6 votive candles and lighter o Feasting on the Word Song CD 1 and CD player o Color Pack 1 o Flashlight o Bible or children’s Bible storybook with Nicodemus story For Responding: o option 1: copies of Resource Sheet 1; o option 2: copies of Resource Sheet 2,

GATHERING As you welcome the children, find out about them by asking each one a question. Then invite them to help arrange the purple fabric and votive candles on the worship table. Recall that purple is the color for the season of Lent. Gather the group at the table. As you light two votive candles, note that this is the second Sunday of Lent and say, “Jesus Christ is the light of the world.” Point out the unlit candles that represent the weeks until Easter. Sing together the gathering song for Lent, “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit” (lyrics in sidebar on p. 3) (track 3 on Song CD 1; excerpt available for this sample session only at feastingontheword.net/curriculum). Then extinguish the candles. Tell the group something you learned recently because you asked a question (directions to a place, someone’s phone number, how someone feels, how to use a feature on the computer). Ask them to tell about things they have learned from asking questions. Note that the story today is about someone who asked questions.

scissors, crayons or colored pencils; o option 3: shoe box, bright paper, markers, writing paper, pencils

EXPLORING Show the children the illustration of Nicodemus and Jesus (Color Pack 1). Suggest that together you are going to “read” this picture to prepare to hear the Bible story. Ask: P What clues do you see about the time of day? (There are several in the picture, so don’t stop with one.) Point out that one person is sitting. In Bible times, the teacher sat and the learners stood. Ask: P Where is the teacher in this picture? P Who do you think the teacher is?

© 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum.

Multi-Age (K–6)

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A Night Visitor for Jesus

When you use a children’s Bible storybook to tell the story, show the children where the story is found in the Bible. “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit” Lyrics Refrain: Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray. Yes, every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray. 1. Upon the mountain, when my Lord spoke, Out of God’s mouth came fire and smoke. Looked all around me, it looked so fine, Till I asked my Lord if all was mine. (Refrain) 2. O I have sorrows and I have woe And I have heartache here below But while God leads I’ll never fear For I am sheltered by his care. (Refrain)

P Look carefully at the other man. What do you know about him? (Look at the clothing and what he is holding.) P Why do you think someone would come to Jesus at night? If possible, darken the room. Use a flashlight to read the story of Nicodemus from the Bible, using John 3:1–5, 9–11, 16–17, or from a children’s Bible storybook. After the story, return to Color Pack 1 and recall what the group learned about Nicodemus from it. Then find out what they know about him from the story. Emphasize that he had studied the Scriptures. Ask: P Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus at night? P What did Nicodemus do when he didn’t understand what Jesus said? Connect their answers with the memories about asking questions in Gathering. Have the children find partners, or pair younger and older children. Have each pair pose as Nicodemus and Jesus in the picture. Explain that the child portraying Jesus and the one portraying Nicodemus are to act as though they are speaking or listening as you read Jesus’ words in John 3:16–17. They may need to do it a second time and exchange roles to get into the role portrayal. Then have them sit down in pairs to talk about these questions: P How do you think Nicodemus felt as he left Jesus that night? P What did you learn about God’s love as John 3:16–17 was read when you were portraying Nicodemus or Jesus? P What questions do you have about this story? Who might help you think about your questions and find answers? Conclude Exploring by noting that asking questions is an important way for us to learn more about God and Jesus.

RESPONDING EASY PREP

Depending on the ages of the children in your group and the time available, you may want to provide more than one option from this section. 1. Choral Reading Designate two children as the narrators for the choral reading on Resource Sheet 1 (Nicodemus and Jesus: A Choral Reading). Form two groups (a group can be one or more children) to read the Group 1 and Group 2 parts in unison. Rehearse the reading.

© 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum.

To include children with less skill in reading, have them form a chorus that says, in a hushed voice, “Nicodemus and Jesus, the visit in the night” following the times when the two groups speak.

Multi-Age (K–6)

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A Night Visitor for Jesus

2. John 3:16 Folding Book This option will help the children focus on the most recognized verse in this story, John 3:16. Each child will need a copy of Resource Sheet 2 (John 3:16 Folding Book). Lead the children in these steps, waiting until each one is finished before going to the next step: 1. Fold paper in half lengthwise, then open it. 2 Fold the paper in half crosswise, then open it. 3. Fold each short end to the center crosswise fold, then open it. 4. Fold the paper in half crosswise again. Use scissors to cut along the solid line, being careful to stop when you reach the first crease line. 5. Open the paper, then fold in half again along the lengthwise crease line. 6. Holding each end of the fold, gently move toward the middle until the center sections move away from each other to form two separate paper folds. 7. Bring the outside sections around the center sections to form a booklet.

Read the book with the children. If you have time, they can decorate their books with crayons or colored pencils. Talk with them about ways they can share their books and Jesus’ words with others.

3. Question Box To encourage the children to ask questions about other Bible stories, too, have them create a question box for the learning space. Cover the bottom and lid of a shoe box with bright paper. Decorate the box with question marks. Provide slips of paper and pencils for the children to write questions to put in the box. Talk together about how they might find answers to their questions (parents, pastor, church school teachers, books). Remind them that they can also include their questions when they pray to God.

CLOSING If the psalm is generally used in worship, suggest that the children listen for verse 8.

Display Color Pack 1 and ask: P What did Nicodemus learn from Jesus? P What did you learn about God from this story? Say John 3:16 in phrases for the children to repeat after you. If a question box was prepared, explain that it will be in the learning space for their questions each week. Conclude with a brief benediction, such as Psalm 121:8, “The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.” Say good-bye to each child and encourage them to return.

© 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum.

Multi-Age (K–6)

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Multi-Age Resource Sheet 1

March 20, 2011

Nicodemus and Jesus: A Choral Reading NARRATOR 1: One night Nicodemus came to see Jesus. GROUP 1: Nicodemus was Jewish, just like Jesus. GROUP 2: Nicodemus was a teacher of God’s ways, just like Jesus. NARRATOR 2: Nicodemus spoke first: GROUP 1: Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. GROUP 2: No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it. NARRATOR 1: Jesus told Nicodemus he was right, then added: GROUP 1: Unless a person is born from above, GROUP 2: it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom. NARRATOR 2: Nicodemus was baffled. GROUP 1: How can anyone be born who has already been born and grown up? GROUP 2: You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. NARRATOR 1: Jesus patiently explained: Unless a person submits to . . . a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. NARRATOR 2: Jesus offered an example: When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit. NARRATOR 1: Jesus reminded Nicodemus about the ways of God’s Spirit: GROUP 1: The Spirit is like the wind. GROUP 2: Humans can’t control how the Spirit works. NARRATOR 2: Jesus reminded Nicodemus about how God rescued the Israelites: GROUP 1: Saving them from poisonous snakes; GROUP 2: By giving them something to see and believe. NARRATOR 1: Jesus finished his teaching with these words: GROUP 1: This is how much God loved the world: GROUP 2: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. GROUP 1: And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; GROUP 2: by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. NARRATOR 1: God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. NARRATOR 2: He came to help, to put the world right again. Verses from John 3 in italics are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright (c) 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. © 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum.

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but may have eternal life.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world

One place to learn about Jesus is at church. Draw a picture of your church.

God loves the earth and every person and creature in it. Draw some pictures of what God loves.

Who was there when Jesus was born? Add them to the picture.

cut

that he gave his only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him may not perish

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© 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum.

Multi-Age Resource Sheet 2 March 20, 2011

John 3:16 Folding Book

SA M ON P L E LY

Multi-Age: Color Pack 1

© 2010 Feasting on the Word Curriculum.