Jesus’ Encounters
This year, we use Echo as our storytelling to help us relate to God’s story to discover meaning and develop fresh insights. Our prayer is that you can engage with your family using creative writing, drawing, and conversation.
Students will use an Echo Journal to complete the weekly activities each week. If you like an Echo Journal at home, please get in touch with Heather.
Invocation
Find a Candle that you can light, and keep it with your Club 56 gear
Invocation: the act of inviting or welcoming or acknowledging that God is present in our space.
As you light your candle, say this invocation out loud: “I light this candle in the name of God, our Creator; Jesus, our Savior; and the Holy Spirit, our Inspirer. The three in one!”
Opening Question
What is something about you that others might be surprised by?
Review
The material we are using is called Echo, so let us echo the last section 🙂 Review the previous sections with your student (Jesus’ birth, baptism, his followers, Hope and Healing Jesus can give us, Miracles, Kingdom ways, the Parables). The most recent stories we covered are some of Jesus’ Encounters. Re-read those here Jesus Encounters
Do you have any new insight or questions that you have reflected on? What has surprised you about these stories?
Remix
For this activity, you’ll need a timer, paper, and something to write with. Set the timer for 5 minutes, write down EVERY question and thought that you would have with Jesus. After the 5 minutes, share what you wrote and discuss how you think Jesus would respond.
Were you surprised by any of your own questions, or something that someone else asked?
Connect
Take a moment and think back to the first scene of this story. It described Jesus’ encounter with a Jewish leader named Nicodemus.
+ Why do you think the Nicodemus arranged to meet with Jesus at night?
+ What do you think Jesus meant by saying “unless you experience a new birth (of water and spirit), you’ll never see God’s kingdom”?
+ How might God’s Spirit give people new life (as Jesus described)?
Now, let’s think about the second scene that described Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well. Take a moment to just replay that scene in your mind.
+ What stood out to you about Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well?
+ What might Jesus have been risking by talking to her— especially alone? – Why would Jesus take this risk?
+ How would you describe Jesus in this scene? Say the first thing that comes to mind. – What is Jesus like?
The last scene describes Jesus defending a woman caught in adultery who is about to be stoned.
+ What stood out to you from this scene?
+ What do you think it was like for the woman to be in the center of the crowd?
+ How would you describe Jesus in this scene? Say the first thing that comes to mind. – What is Jesus like?
What do you think these stories show us about God? About us?
When you pray…
Maybe you have a prayer that you are inspired to say – or you can try this:
Go outside and find a rock (you may have to dig one out of the snow). Hold it in your hand and say a silent prayer to God, apologizing for the things you have done wrong and how you may have judged others. Put the rock down, knowing that God forgives you. Keep the rock, repete this prayer again and again whenever you need a reminder of God’s unending love and forgivness.
Thank you for joining us today! If you have a student in Grade 5 or 6, sign them up for Club 56 today! If you have questions about this resource or would like additional information, please contact Heather or Pastor Ben.