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"The Good News"
(pre-K - 6th grade)
all ages are invited to participate in any lessons and activities |
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The intention of this lesson is to explore how to prepare ourselves for new understandings.
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"John the Baptist"
Mark 1 : 1-11
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| Story Focus:Understanding that we have both thinking and feeling abilities and when we use both we make wise li decisions.
Metaphysical Interpretation
Spiritual understanding begins with an intellectual perception of Truth. John the Baptist represents the mind in its longing to gain greater understanding of Truth. Just as John was the forerunner of Jesus, our intellectual perception of Truth comes before the fullness of true spiritual realization. This story invites us to understand that we must realize the limits of the intellect before we can attain full Christ consciousness. John and Jesus were cousins and this helps us see how closely our intellect and our heart are both connected with Spiritual realization. Exploring Spiritual Truths intellectually helps to prepare our consciousness to except our Christ nature. Once we attain the illumination of our mind, we understand that changes within us must occur so that the fullness of the Christ can be expressed through us.
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- What message did the prophet Isaiah share?
- What was John doing?
- What was he saying to the people?
- What did John do to Jesus?
- What did the voice from heaven say?
- John was to "make the way straight." What can happen if we are walking down a path with twists and turns on it?
- How is this different from walking down a path that is straight and clear?
- When we want to create something new and make it straight and clear how can our minds help us?
- How do our feelings affect our choices?
- How does using both our minds and hearts help us to grow spiritually?
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An Exercise in Patience
The purpose of this activity is to explore how we can stay focused on the present moment while still anticipating the good that is coming to us.
Prepare Ahead
Get whipped cream, cups & spoons. Slice up some berries & pound cake.
Share
- Talk about what it is like to anticipate something good that is coming. (Birthday, holiday, vacation, etc.)
- How do they feel when they think about it?
- How do they focus on what they need to be doing while still being excited about what is coming?
- Today we will spend some time creating a wonderful treat to eat but it will take time and we must have patience.
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Action
- Give each child a cup and spoon.
- Invite the children to place 1/2 of the pound cake in the bottom of the cup, then add some berries and finally scoop about 1/2 of the whipped cream into the cup. Repeat with another layer.
- Now place them in the refrigerator to eat later.
Discussion
- What was it like to create your dessert?
- How does it feel to have to wait to eat them?
- While we are waiting for the time to come to eat them, what are some things we can to do that will help us be patient?
Action
- Have the children wait about 15 minutes and then serve the parfaits.
- Discuss with them the value of anticipation and preparing for our good to come.
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