Week 1—Week of February 18, 2018: Jesus Begins His Ministry
Scripture: Mark 1:9-15
Symbol: Water
Mark quickly moves from Jesus’ baptism, to Jesus’ temptations, to Jesus’ ministry.
Discussion & Activity:
Have water in a pitcher and an empty bowl. Pour water from the pitcher into the bowl. You may each want to dip your fingers into the water. Talk together about all the things that water does: It nourishes us. It cleans us. It offers us beauty. It provides transportation. Think together about these and other ways that water makes our life healthy and fun and beautiful.
Talk together about baptism. When we use water in baptism, we remember again Jesus’ baptism. If you would like, access this short video on baptism and view it together: www.umc.org/news-and-media/baptism-gods-gift-to-us-all.
This was the start of Jesus’ ministry of teaching us about God. When Jesus was baptized, he heard a voice saying, “You are my Son, the Beloved.” Naming is still an important part of our ritual of baptism. Create Name Posters for each person. Print your name on the poster. Then draw or cut out pictures from magazines that tell something about you. Say together the name of each family member, adding after the name, “God loves you and calls you by name.”
Take time for family members to say how they are doing with what they have added to and given up in their life.
Prayer:
Gracious God:
We remember Jesus’ baptism and give you thanks for the ways he has taught us to love you.
We remember that you call each of us by name, and we give you thanks for the ways you have created each of us.
Help us to remember we are not alone. We are your children and you are with us.
Help us to share this knowledge with others so that they too can know your love and care.
Amen.