Theme Discussion
Hello! What’s your name? Nice to meet you! There’s more to a person than just their first name, though, isn’t there?
Go around the room taking turns with your family talking about each other: What are some (kind!) names and adjectives you have to describe the others? (Sister, helper, reader, best cupcake baker, etc.)
If other people were asked to describe you, would they all say the same thing? What they say about you will depend on how they have experienced you. Your parents, your siblings, your friends, your teacher, your coach – each one would likely describe you in a different way. Who do you think knows you best?
Today’s Bible story, Mark 8:27-38, has two parts to it:
In the first part, Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They give many different answers. They have heard people say Jesus is John the Baptist, or a prophet like Elijah, or Jeremiah, come back to life. When Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter says, “You are the messiah.” Jesus tells them that they must keep this a secret because the people coming to see him wouldn’t understand.
The disciples have spent more time with Jesus than most other people and so they are beginning to understand that God has given him a very special role to play in the world. I think Jesus might be worried that if they call him the Messiah or the Saviour to other people who don’t know him so well, they will expect him to be like a king or a great military leader.
How does the way someone describes you change the way they act with you, or expect you to act?
Next, Jesus tells his disciples that there are going to be some hard times ahead and that the leaders will not like what he does and says. He tells them he will suffer and even die. Peter isn’t happy with this kind of talk. He takes Jesus aside and tells him to stop scaring everybody with this negative talk. Jesus gets cross with Peter and tells him that they all need to hear these things because they need to know what they are getting into by following Jesus. It will be hard and even sometimes scary and dangerous.
What do you think it would have been like to travel with Jesus as the disciples did?
What do you think is the hardest thing Jesus asks us to do as his followers?
How do people around you react when you do those things? How do you feel about yourself when you do them?
Response Activity Ideas
Jesus is like…. I am like…
Gather colouring tools and print out the worksheet (or use blank paper). At the top, draw a picture that represents the name or image you have for Jesus, and fill in the sentence to explain what you drew. At the bottom, think about yourself. What skills, qualities, gifts can you share with others? What are you like for the people around you? Again, draw a picture and explain with words.
Doing the Right Thing Poster (WWJD?)
Choose an inspirational quote or Bible verse that could remind you to consider what the right thing to do in a situation might be, even it’s not the easiest choice or the option you’d prefer.
Using markers, paint, or crayons OR working on the computer with different fonts and colours, make a small poster to put up at home or get tucked into your planner or a binder at school.
Here are some ideas to consider:
Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. – C.S. Lewis
Do the right thing. It will gratify some and astonish the rest. – Mark Twain
When in doubt, don’t. – Benjamin Franklin
Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right. - Theodore Roosevelt
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