Fenland Community Church

16th February

Aim:

To show that Jesus listens and hears. This is a skeleton only so adapt as necessary

Prepare:

For every one in the group you will need a piece of paper with a message on. I used "Jesus says, I love you, I will help you" I used decoration, and put the Makaton symbols under the words to aid understanding. These pieces of paper can be folded or put into envelopes.

Place one large black poly bag inside another. In the outer of the two place the bits of paper you have prepared earlier. Use pegs to roll down the edges of the bags to hide the existence of the inner bag - it is to look like there is one bag.

Action:

Ask when we are ill, or if something is a problem to us, what could we do?

Elicit a list, from the sensible to the bizarre. e.g.

• Nothing
• Go to Doctor
• Get Doctor
• Take pills
• Crystals
• Cry
• Moan and groan
• Tell Jesus

Say that you are going to read a story, and ask them to see what these people did with their problem. Read Mark 1:29 - 34 in what ever format is good for you. (See my version of the bible I am putting together)

At the end get the answer that they asked Jesus.

Give out a piece of paper and crayons / pens etc. to each person. Explain that you want them to write / draw / scribble / something - anything - that represents to them a problem - explain that it could be any problem. Explain that no one else is to know!

With your two black bags suitably arranged, go round getting everyone to out their bits of paper in the bag. The idea is that we are giving our problem to Jesus. We are telling Jesus.

Then pray about the problems - either in groups, or together or whatever. Carefully rearrange your bags so that the inner one - the one with the bits of paper they have drawn on - is now hidden, and the outer one - the one with the previously prepared envelopes - is visible. After suitable explanations go round inviting everyone to take an envelope and read the message. Jesus is listening to us, and He does reply.

Pray as you feel appropriate.

As necessary, make it clear that the drawings they did will not be read by you - and don't!