Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost- Week of Oct 22, 2024 - Proper 25
Praying
Begin your devotion time by praying this prayer: Gracious God, your blessing comes in many forms. Give us the courage to ask for help, and open our hearts to help those who need it. Amen
Reflect on the Way of Love together: This week’s practice on the Way of Love is BLESS. In this story, Bartimaeus receives a blessing after reaching out to Jesus for help. When have you asked Jesus for help? What happened? When have you blessed others by helping them in their time of need?
Reflect on the Way of Love together: This week’s practice on the Way of Love is BLESS. In this story, Bartimaeus receives a blessing after reaching out to Jesus for help. When have you asked Jesus for help? What happened? When have you blessed others by helping them in their time of need?
preparing
Children have more agency and greater influence today than any other period in human history. Yet, they still remain vulnerable. They depend on adults to care for them, to provide their basic needs, and to keep them safe. It is exactly this vulnerability that draws Jesus to the children who seek his blessing. In this lesson, children will explore what it meant to be a young person in ancient Israel as well as the ways they can support vulnerable children in today’s world.
Begin the time with your children by asking them to imagine that they trade roles with their parents or caretakers for a week. They would do everything the adults normally do and the adults would become like children. What would it be like to take care of all of the household responsibilities, go to work and care for the adults? What might make this fun? What would make this challenging? Would they rather take on the adult roles or continue being kids? Note that children need time to develop. Adults know it is important for children to grow up, so they provide what the kids need to ensure they can focus on being kids.
Prepare to read Mark 10:35-45 aloud.
First, provide context for the passage. (If you explored Mark 9:30-37 with the group a few weeks ago, you can recap the message of that text.) Explain that children were not seen the same way in Jesus’ time as they are today. Children were the least important people in that culture. They had to be cared for and couldn’t provide much help to their families. They had little protection, making them vulnerable. Encourage the children to keep this in mind as you read the Scripture.
Begin the time with your children by asking them to imagine that they trade roles with their parents or caretakers for a week. They would do everything the adults normally do and the adults would become like children. What would it be like to take care of all of the household responsibilities, go to work and care for the adults? What might make this fun? What would make this challenging? Would they rather take on the adult roles or continue being kids? Note that children need time to develop. Adults know it is important for children to grow up, so they provide what the kids need to ensure they can focus on being kids.
Prepare to read Mark 10:35-45 aloud.
First, provide context for the passage. (If you explored Mark 9:30-37 with the group a few weeks ago, you can recap the message of that text.) Explain that children were not seen the same way in Jesus’ time as they are today. Children were the least important people in that culture. They had to be cared for and couldn’t provide much help to their families. They had little protection, making them vulnerable. Encourage the children to keep this in mind as you read the Scripture.
Reading
Mark 10:46-52
The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Four minutes to watch this Godly Play Story for this week
Reflecting and Responding
Adults and small children
Read Mark 10:46-52 aloud.
Reflect: Today, people who are blind often use a cane to help them walk and make sure they don't bump into anything. They learn to read a special kind of writing called braille. The blind man in this story did not have anyone to help him, and so he had to beg for food in order to eat. When the man heard Jesus walking by he asked for help from Jesus and Jesus healed him. The man's life must have been much different after that. All he had to do was ask.
Just like Jesus does in this story, God can help you. Without the love and help of other people, we'd feel lost. It might be a bit like being the blind man in the story who didn't have anyone to help.
You might want to pray when you are feeling sad or afraid, and you may feel better. Many times, God helps us through the people in our lives. Every time a family member or friend gives us a hug, or tells us they love us, that's God loving us, too. It's important to ask for help from God and the people who love you.
Respond: Cover your eyes with a blindfold or a hat. Now have an adult lead you around the room. Don't peek! Imagine trying to go around the room without any help. You'd probably run into all sorts of things. Now have the adult cover their eyes. Lead them around the room, and make sure not to let them bump into anything. We all help each other.
Reflect: Today, people who are blind often use a cane to help them walk and make sure they don't bump into anything. They learn to read a special kind of writing called braille. The blind man in this story did not have anyone to help him, and so he had to beg for food in order to eat. When the man heard Jesus walking by he asked for help from Jesus and Jesus healed him. The man's life must have been much different after that. All he had to do was ask.
Just like Jesus does in this story, God can help you. Without the love and help of other people, we'd feel lost. It might be a bit like being the blind man in the story who didn't have anyone to help.
You might want to pray when you are feeling sad or afraid, and you may feel better. Many times, God helps us through the people in our lives. Every time a family member or friend gives us a hug, or tells us they love us, that's God loving us, too. It's important to ask for help from God and the people who love you.
Respond: Cover your eyes with a blindfold or a hat. Now have an adult lead you around the room. Don't peek! Imagine trying to go around the room without any help. You'd probably run into all sorts of things. Now have the adult cover their eyes. Lead them around the room, and make sure not to let them bump into anything. We all help each other.
adults and older children
Read Mark 10:35-45 aloud.
Reflect: Bartimaeus cries out even when the people near him try to shush him. hey are embarrassed, maybe, by how loud he is. Or maybe they've judged him unworthy of attention. But Bartimaeus doesn't let that bother him. He keeps calling out, even more loudly. Are there times when you have been shushed? Or, when you have shushed someone else?
Sometimes, if we want to be noticed, we have to cll out. No one can read our minds, and it's up to us to make our needs known. What kind of blessing do you need today? Do you need help with a chore or an extra hug? Do you need someone to stop and listen to you awhile?
Bartimaeus teaches us that it is holy and good to ask for what we need. Jesus hears Bartimaeus, and gives him healing - gives him what he is crying out for. How has God met your needs today or given you a blessing?
Respond: Practice being like Bartimaeus by asking for what you need. Maybe you're struggling with a problem and need someone to listen, and help you work it through. Maybe you need help getting something done. Take turns with someone else - maybe a parent, or a sibling, or a friend - being Bartimaeus, and asking fro help. Then switch. How does it feel to. ask for help? How does it feel to bless someone else by helping them?
Reflect: Bartimaeus cries out even when the people near him try to shush him. hey are embarrassed, maybe, by how loud he is. Or maybe they've judged him unworthy of attention. But Bartimaeus doesn't let that bother him. He keeps calling out, even more loudly. Are there times when you have been shushed? Or, when you have shushed someone else?
Sometimes, if we want to be noticed, we have to cll out. No one can read our minds, and it's up to us to make our needs known. What kind of blessing do you need today? Do you need help with a chore or an extra hug? Do you need someone to stop and listen to you awhile?
Bartimaeus teaches us that it is holy and good to ask for what we need. Jesus hears Bartimaeus, and gives him healing - gives him what he is crying out for. How has God met your needs today or given you a blessing?
Respond: Practice being like Bartimaeus by asking for what you need. Maybe you're struggling with a problem and need someone to listen, and help you work it through. Maybe you need help getting something done. Take turns with someone else - maybe a parent, or a sibling, or a friend - being Bartimaeus, and asking fro help. Then switch. How does it feel to. ask for help? How does it feel to bless someone else by helping them?
Connecting
On our mini-farm, we have eight ducks. They came to us as cute, fluffy ducklings, indistinguishable from one another. As they grew, it became clear that one moved a bit slower than her sisters. One of her legs was shorter than its counterparts, causing a pronounced limp. We named her Little Bit, and she quickly became our family’s favorite duck. However, just as quickly she became the outcast of the flock. Trailing behind the others, Little Bit was always last to the food and last into the coop at night. When we would put vegetable scraps out, the other ducks would run over, leaving Little Bit in their dust. If a threat was perceived (usually one of our dogs), the seven “abled” ducks would seek shelter, never waiting for our differently-abled girl to catch up. Little Bit’s fellow fowl did little to nothing to make sure she thrived or even survived.
Forcing those with disabilities to the margins of the community is not unique to ducks. Humans have done the same to our own species. In today’s lesson, children will explore the story of Jesus healing Bartimaeus to discover the ways people have ostracized those who are differently-abled and the importance of disciples of Christ creating inclusive, welcoming communities for those at the fringes of society.
Begin your time with the children by asking each to think about a time when they felt left out of a group. If they are willing, have them share these stories. Then ask them to share how it felt to be an outsider. Did anything happen that allowed them to become part of the group? How did this experience feel? Encourage the children to hold these memories in the back of their heads as they hear today’s story.
Prepare to read aloud Mark 10:46-52. Share a bit of background with the children about the treatment of those with disabilities during Jesus’ lifetime. Note that those who were disabled often could not work for a living. This meant that they were forced to beg for what they needed to live. While most people of the Jewish faith would see it as their responsibility to give beggars money or food, it still would not be enough to live comfortably. The main character of today’s reading, Bartimaeus, is blind and is begging outside of the city of Jericho when Jesus and his disciples arrive to the town.
Read Mark 10:46-52 aloud. Have the children recount what Bartimaeus does when Jesus and his disciples arrive. Then ask them how the disciples respond. Bartimaeus calls out for Jesus asking him to have mercy. The disciples yell at the blind man, telling him to be quiet. Still, Bartimaeus continues to speak to Jesus. Continue the discussion by having the children share Jesus’ response to Bartimaeus’ request to cure his blindness. Jesus heals Bartimaeus, despite the disciples’ initial refusal to allow him to speak. Finally, ask the children what Bartimaeus does after he is healed. He immediately joins the disciples, becoming a follower of Jesus. He is now part of a community, something he wasn’t able to experience while he was blind and begging on the side of the road.
Have the children reflect on Bartimaeus’ transformation. How did he likely feel while he was begging? What is different now that he is healed? How do you think Bartimaeus feels once he becomes a follower of Christ?
Extend the discussion to the children’s lives. Note that the message of this story isn’t just for the people who followed Jesus during his life on earth. It is for us also. As Christ’s modern-day disciples, we are called to bring those who feel like outcasts from their communities feel welcome and valued, just as Jesus did for Bartimaeus.
Ask the children to brainstorm a list of people or groups of people who may not feel welcome in the church. Encourage them to think of those in their immediate communities as well as those in the larger world. Talk about why these people feel like they are on the edges of the church community like Bartimaeus was. Then, talk about how the children might bring them into the fold. How can they be like Jesus was to Bartimaeus? Hone in on a few achievable action items. If the children can carry these out on their own, make plans for them to do so. If the larger church community needs to be involved, consider writing a letter or email to those adults who might assist the children.
Ask the children to brainstorm a list of people or groups of people who may not feel welcome in the church. Encourage them to think of those in their immediate communities as well as those in the larger world. Talk about why these people feel like they are on the edges of the church community like Bartimaeus was. Then, talk about how the children might bring them into the fold. How can they be like Jesus was to Bartimaeus? Hone in on a few achievable action items. If the children can carry these out on their own, make plans for them to do so. If the larger church community needs to be involved, consider writing a letter or email to those adults who might assist the children.
Praying
Close your time together by praying for one another, your neighbor, community and the world.
Source:
Mark Passage
JOELLE BRUMMIT-YALE is the director of children’s and youth ministries at Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. When not at the church, she can usually be found at home with her son and husband caring for their many animals and developing their family homestead.
-Presbyterian Outlook
Source:
Mark Passage
JOELLE BRUMMIT-YALE is the director of children’s and youth ministries at Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. When not at the church, she can usually be found at home with her son and husband caring for their many animals and developing their family homestead.
-Presbyterian Outlook
Children are welcome in Worship
Jesus Welcomes the Children
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Rev. Kenny Hubbells' Sermon last Sunday - 18 minutes
