Explore and respond

A sequence of active worship ideas; individual items can stand alone.

Ideas for a sermon or interactive talk

See also ‘Thought for the week’ to read out in place of a sermon; and 'The week in focus', linking the readings to the news.

It can be helpful to study –to compare and contrast –the characters of Jeremiah and Pashhur, the Temple Administrator. Both men responded to God’s call to public ministry, but their response, their actions, were rather different –we might say one was foolhardy and the other faithful. How do we know that what we want to proclaim has come from God? What do we learn from Jeremiah about doing what Jesus calls us to in Matthew?
If Jesus didn’t come to bring peace (Matthew 10:34), why did he call the peacemakers blessed in 5:9? Can you recall a time in your community when the church or people in it were involved in peace-making? What did that experience feel like, and what did it do for the life of the church? In particular, how can we act as peacemakers in families both in the church and beyond?
Bursting with joy at the good news of Jesus –how do we shout from the rooftops about our faith? How do we engage locally with our communities when we are bursting with the love of Jesus? Assuming that we are –have we become complacent in our faith? Have we settled for a cosy view of Christianity that doesn’t really stir us –are we the people who are shrugging our shoulders? How do we restore that passion?
What are the costs of being a Christian? What did Jesus mean when he said I did not come to bring peace? What does it mean to turn mother against son, and so on? Jesus didn’t promise a life of ease. So, what is the true cost of discipleship and are we prepared to pay it? The Book Thief is a story about sacrifice and love. Liesel lives with her foster parents in Nazi Germany where books have been banned. Her foster dad, Hans, teaches her to read and she steals books from the Mayor’s house to learn more. The family secretly house a Jew and risk everything. It’s a powerful film about love and kindness and sacrifice in the face of adversity.

Thought for the week

Read out in place of a sermon if you wish

The Prince of Peace states that he didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. What does this actually mean? These words of Jesus seem hard for us to understand. Why would Jesus want us to deliberately set son against father or daughter against mother? Why would Jesus not want us to love our son or daughter or mother or father more than him? Jesus surely doesn’t want us to deliberately cause conflict within our families? But he was pointing out that the cost of following him is great, it is sacrificial. Sometimes Christianity can be branded as a cosy ‘come to Jesus and everything will be great’ type of religion – this is not authentic. The road of faith is filled with danger and risk. Are we prepared to accept this? Jesus did not promise a life of ease.

So, what does this look like in practical terms? For some, it might mean rising early to pray rather than have a lie-in. It might mean experiencing pain as we journey with those who are bereaved, isolated or lonely. Perhaps it means not always being available for family because we are serving God. It is certainly about putting ourselves out for others, going the extra mile, spending time with the person nobody else wants to. It might mean sacrificing finances, or something else completely.

There are many films about sacrifice. In Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Belle gives up her freedom to save her father. In Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph risks his own life for Vanellope, a character from another computer game. In The Book Thief , based on a true story, Hans and his family put themselves in danger by teaching their foster daughter Liesel to read, in a Nazi Germany where books have been banned, as he wanted her to be educated. They also secretly housed a Jew, which risked their lives. Some people go to great lengths for family, friends and even strangers, knowing that there are risks involved, knowing there may be consequences ahead. Are we prepared to do the same for our faith, no matter the cost?

All age act of worship Session

Active worship

Share stories

Hear from those in our communities who have taken great risks

It’s Refugee Week. Do you have any refugees in your church or your local community? If so, could you invite them to come and share something of their story, of the risks and challenges they have faced in their journey (obviously being sensitive to their situation)?
In groups, ideally of mixed ages, discuss what stood out from what was shared. What did they have to stand up for to get to where they are now? How could your church community journey with them more closely? Are there practical things you could help with? W E A

A simple worship activity

Explore the meaning for us of 'taking up our cross'.

Read the following quote from Henri Nouwen: ‘Who can save a child from a burning house without taking the risk of being hurt by the flames? Who can listen to a story of loneliness and despair without taking the risk of experiencing similar pains in his own heart and even losing his precious peace of mind? In short: Who can take away suffering without entering it?’ (from The Wounded Healer).
Play some gentle reflective music (e.g. ‘Für Alina’ by Arvo Pärt – avoid something with words, they may be distracting). Lead a time of meditation by asking the following questions. Leave a reasonable time after each one for people to reflect (up to a minute); ask the final one just as your chosen music ends, so that reflection on that question is in silence.-What does sacrificial discipleship look like for you?-When have you had to stand up for your faith?-What conflicts have you encountered with family and friends about your faith? -What risks have you taken concerning your faith?-What does taking up your cross daily look like for you?
At the end of the reflection, encourage people to share with neighbours, or in small groups, something of what they have been thinking. And end by inviting people to pray for each other and the costs of discipleship, now and during the week ahead. Alternatively, read Psalms 3 and 23 to end. W E S A

A musical reflection

Contemplate the awesomeness of God.

In Matthew’s Gospel, we are encouraged to tell in the light what is shared in the dark, to shout it from the rooftops. Watch the video of the song ‘Indescribable’ by Chris Tomlin and listen to the words. It may be helpful to print them out or display them.
Ask people to ponder and then share which line of the song – or perhaps just a word or two – particularly speaks to them of the awesomeness of God? What can or do you learn from those words or phrases? W E

Make a collage

Explore what sacrifice means to us.

You will need: sheets of paper (e.g. strips of wallpaper), magazines, newspapers, scissors, glue, pens, crayons, other craft materials as available.

Invite everyone to make a collage picture, either on their own or working with a few others (give the latter a larger sheet of paper). Use images of famous people who have led sacrificial lives, or situations that depict sacrificial acts or living, or headlines that do the same. They can add their own words and colours, etc. –whatever they are drawn to do to create something beautiful. And encourage people to put something in their collage that depicts Jesus’ sacrifice. W E S