Worship from Home

SHINING LIGHTS

(This activity works best at night)

Light a candle in a dark room.

Read Matthew 5:14-16

Now place a tin over the candle and watch what happens to the light.

Read the verse again. Think about what you can do to make your light shine. (You might also think about times when you hide your light).

Pray, asking God to help you shine your light out even when it’s difficult.

Thanks for these suggestions!

TREASURES

What are the most important things in your home? (Apart from people!) Collect some things you think are most precious.

Read Matthew 13:45-46

What precious thing did the man find? Do you think he was sad to sell everything else to get it?

Jesus should be the most precious thing in our lives. Reflect on why he is so precious and on how you treat him. Do you treat him like your most important thing?

Take time to thank Jesus that he is so precious to you.

HEROES

Think or discuss people who you think are wonderful. It might be people you’re close to or people who are doing a fantastic job right now.

Look at Matthew 21:1-11. As Jesus entered Jerusalem how did the people let him know they thought he was wonderful? What did they say?

Consider your own ways of telling Jesus how wonderful he is and say your reasons. e.g. ‘Jesus I think you’re wonderful because you care for me’

PRAYING WITH THE NEWS

Read 1 Timothy 2:1-2. it reminds us to pray for all people.

Read or watch some news stories. Take time

to pray for the people and situations in each story. Try to pray over a range of local, national and international news stories.

PRAYER BOWL

You will need a bowl/jar/pot and strips of paper.

On each strip write the name of someone who you know. Fold it up and place it in the bowl.

The Bible tells us that Paul often prayed for the people he knew. (Read some of the verses: Romans 1:8; Ephesians 3:14-19; Philippians 1:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; Philemon 1:4-6)

Place the bowl on your table. Every time you sit down to eat, each person can pull out a name for the bowl, pray for them and put it back.

OUR NEIGHBOURS

Sketch a quick map of your street or block of flats. How many people’s names can you write in the homes around yours?

Read Luke 10:25-37.

Would you be ready to help your neighbours if they were in trouble?

Think about what you can do this week to get to know more of your neighbours. Think about you can do to help them. (And make sure to do something as soon as you can)

GIVE ME STRENGTH

What things make you fearful? Make a list.

Now read Psalm 18:1-3

If you are worshipping with children you might get them to draw a picture from these verses like a shield or a fortress.

Imagine being surrounded by a huge shield or an impressive fortress as a mental image of how we are protected by God.

Take time to thank God for his protection and pray for others who need it today

MORE LIKE JESUS

Find a small branch or large twig and place in a pot.

1) read Galatians 5:22-23 together and talk about the difference the Holy Spirit makes in our lives

2) cut out 9 pieces of paper fruit and write one thing from the list on them and place on the branch

3) as each piece is added, read the Bible verses. Love (1 John 3:18); Joy (Romans 15:13); Peace (John 14:27); Patience (Ephesians 4:2); Kindness (Ephesians 4:32); Goodness’s (Luke 6:27); Faithfulness (Deuteronomy 11:22); Gentleness (Romans 12:3); Self-Control (1 Peter 4:7).

4) In turn, each person chooses one fruit which they need at the moment and takes it off the tree. Pray and ask for God‘a help to produce it in your life.

POTTERY CLASS

1) Using Playdough, Plasticine, Clay or even Blu-Tac make a pot.

2) Read Jeremiah 18:1-7. God is like the potter and we are like the clay. We’re not perfect yet but, if we allow him, God will mould and shape us into the people he wants us to be.

3) Silently reflect on what God might want to re-shape in your life and pray.

USE YOUR LOAF

Whether you are on your own or with others you can use your meal time as a moment of worship any day of the week.

1) Take some bread and give thanks to God

2) Read a passage in the Bible (Matthew 26:26-29 or 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 or 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

3) Break the bread and eat it remember the great gift of salvation that Jesus won for you on the cross