the great commission...the miracles of jesus t h e p a s s i o n j esus dies on cross on good friday...

Annu

ncia

tion

by D

r. H

e Q

i (w

ww

.heq

igal

lery

.com

)

The Great

Commission

TM

Leader’s Guide

10Life of JesusTHEME

Life of Jesus 10 — 1

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19

FOCUS THIS WEEKJust before ascending into heaven, Jesus commissioned his disciples to carry on the mission. They were to go and make disciples of all nations. They were to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They were to remember he was with them always. Help your groups experience this call in their own lives. They don’t have to wait until they are old to begin their calling!

USING THIS THEMEThe sections provided in this theme are designed to optimize both your planning and the brain-based learning structure of Head to the Heart (H2H). They follow the same basic format as our companion PowerPoint presentations. Whether your planning involves this document or the PowerPoint presentation files (or both), this and every H2H theme includes:

n Opening: Set the stage for a welcoming and fun event with songs, movement, and energetic learning games to preview the theme.

n Presentation: Begin the teaching time with your choice of resourc-es in the four sections provided: Life Line, Images & Analogies, Bible Time and Creative Interruptions. Remember: we give you much more than you could possibly use, so pick and choose what you think will work most effectively in your setting.

n Small Group Time: Model FAITH5 (share, read, talk, pray, bless), care for one another and process the presentation themes.

n Closing: Review the theme once again, enter your imagination with the prayer journey, pray for group and individual highs and lows, and close with a quiet blessing.

n Creative Interruptions: Enrich the theme and experience with these supplemental teaching extras: skits, music, a QuizBowl and various other options. Include a group of high school youth, a Crazy Parents Committee (CPC), or a Cross+Gen team up front to put these fun theme enhancements together.

Objective To help guests understand and experience Christ’s call to go and make disciples of all nations.

Copyright © Faith Inkubators. For use by “Head to the Heart” members only, and only during the 2019-2020 school year. Any other use of this material is prohibited. www.faithink.com

The Great Commission


2 — The GreaT Commission

I. OPENING The opening sets the mood for the entire session, saying, “Something great is going to happen.” Use this time to welcome your small groups and introduce the Theme in a fun and memorable way. Be excited! Have fun! Remind your volunteers to do the same!

A. Gathering MusicThe Master Musician or Music Team kicks the event off with energy. Five to fifteen minutes before gathering time, set the mood of joy and vitality with two or three upbeat, singable, familiar camp/church songs relating to the theme. Project lyrics overhead so all hands are free to clap.

B. Welcome & IntroductionsAt the stroke of the hour, the Master Musician or MC stages a countdown “10, 9, 8, 7…” and begins the event (think “event” not “class”). Thank everyone in advance for their attention, make key announcements, and welcome special visitors. If you are celebrating a Servant Event of the Week, highlight the accom-plishments of the small group and award a gag prize or traveling trophy.

C. QuizBowlInvite individuals or representatives from small groups up for a quick pre-view of the theme using the FINKmania PowerPoint slides or the questions provided. Idea: Let your senior high youth or Crazy Parent Committee (CPC) take ownership of this.

D. Theme IntroductionIntroduce the theme “The Great Commission” with the PowerPoint slides provided. A version of the theme song is embedded into the slides to help you build the mood.

E. Opening PrayerHelp guests get into a prayerful mood. Encourage them to stand together with their neighbor, shoulder to shoulder. Relax, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Huddle together. Think of those on your right and left as a gift. Join hands. As the leader pauses, repeat, “Use us as your Sacred Agents for change in the world.”

L: Dear God, you created us in love. You claim us in love. You call us in love, tell-ing us to:P: Go and make disciples of all nations.L: Dear Jesus, our world is broken. We don’t know how to fix it. Yet, you call us to step out in faith as your Sacred Agents of love, healing and peace.P: Go and make disciples of all nations.L: Holy Spirit of God, our friendships and relationships are often broken, too. We are more often part of the problem than part of the solution. Yet, you still call us.P: Go and make disciples of all nations.A: Though we are unworthy, help us to be willing. Though we are weak, give us your strength. Though we are broken, heal us, then send us out to be wounded healers in Jesus’ sacred name. P: We hear your call to go! We will go in your name. Amen.

F. Theme SongIntroduce the theme song “Go Therefore” embedded in the PowerPoint slides. (This song is also available via iTunes® or Amazon.com search: Life of Jesus: These Are Written.) Practice this in Huddle with all Guides, senior high youth and leadership team members so you can sing with energy. Create dance, actions or a modified American Sign Language to use with the chorus.

0 b C

B i r t h o f J e s u s

( o r i s i t 6 B C ? )

3 0 - 3 3 a d

T h e T e a c h i n g o f J e s u s

3 3 a d

T h e G r e a t C o m m i s s i o n &

J e s u s A s c e n d s i n t o

H e a v e n

3 0 a d

B a p t i s m a n d W i l d e r n e s s

r e s u r r e C T i o n

J e s u s r i s e s f r o m d e a t h o n E a s t e r

S u n d a y !

h o L y W e e k

J e s u s g i v e s c o m m u n i o n a n d

i s s u e s a l a s t c o m m a n d m e n t

3 0 - 3 3 a d

T h e M i r a c l e s o f J e s u s

T h e P a s s i o n

J e s u s d i e s o n c r o s s o n

G o o d F r i d a y

3 0 - 3 3 a d

T h e H a r d S a y i n g s o f

J e s u s


II. THEME PRESENTATIONYou’ve welcomed your groups and previewed the topic. Now it’s time to present the most engaging presentation you can mus-ter. Use the provided Life Line, Images & Analogies, Bible Time, and Creative Interruptions to add punch and dimension. Lec-ture alone hits only 5% of the capacity of the brain—be visual!

“QuickPick” Suggestions: In a time crunch this week? Our favor-ite teaching suggestions for this lesson are highlighted with a †. If preparation time is tight, look at these pieces first. They should do the trick for a 20-30 minute presentation.

A. Life Line Story † Begin your time with a story from your own life when you knew God was telling you to do something but you didn’t want to do it. Who was the lord of your life at that moment? Why was it hard to give the situation totally over to God’s will? How does this relate to the theme of

“The Great Commission?” Consider inviting a Christian politician, police officer or retired military chaplain to talk about how Jesus fits in with his or her understand-ing of authority and faith talk in their work. Choose a small group to pick this per-son up, prepare a half-dozen questions, take him or her out for pie after the ses-sion and write a follow-up thank-you note.

B. Creative Interruption: Skit † Invite your Theme Team, senior high, Crazy Parents Committee (CPC) or a small group to introduce the theme with your choice of the skits provided.

C. Images & Analogies Choose from two or three of the following to get your point across. (You won’t have time for many more than this!) Remember to stop for a Creative Interruption at least once (skit, song, activity, etc.) Idea: Take a look at the questions on the FAITH5 Small Group Time handout to make sure you cover them during your presentation.

1. arT aTTaCk: † Refer everyone to the cover art by artist He Qi (pronounced heh-chee) located on their FAITH5 Small Group Time handout and included on the PowerPoint slides. Invite groups to study the art for a moment, then ask volunteers to describe what they see. Where do they find themselves in the art? How do the image and the verse of the week apply to their lives today?

2. Jesus Time Line: Walk groups through the life of Jesus using the Jesus Timeline PowerPoint slides, or print out the cartoons shown here on pages 2. Digital files of these cartoons are found in your “Intros and Extras” folder. For extra impact consider enlarging them to poster-sized prints. Ask three questions as you go: 1) What is new to you? 2) What is one thing that you already knew that is worth repeating? 3) What is one thing you would like to know more about?

3. The GreaT Commission: † Write the word “commission” on a large piece of news-print or a 4 x 8 piece of plywood. Walk around the group talk show-style, asking groups what they think it means. Toss out Tootsie Rolls to all who give an answer. Now tear or break the word in two. Read the following definition from www.dictionary.com:

“The act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a particular task or duty.” (Middle English commissioun, from Latin commissi, commissin-, from com-missus, past participle of committere, to entrust.) Next, read the Great Commission. What powers and authority have Christians been granted by Christ? What task or duty are we entrusted with? How can Jesus claim such power and authority? How is it possible that a young person could take this commission seriously? What can a young person do in their family? In their school? In their community?

The Great Commission

Jesus Time Line Cartoon 10(Enlarge and place at 33 A.D.)


4. embarrassed: Are people embar-rassed to be seen with Jesus today? How do they show their embarrass-ment? Are they embarrassed to be seen going to church? Embarrassed to be seen saying grace at meals in restau-rants? Embarrassed to be seen with a Bible in their backpack or briefcase? Read and highlight Matthew 10:32-33, John 18:25-27, and Romans 1:16. What are some ways we can show we are not embarrassed by our faith?

5. Whose biLLboard are you?: † Walk around the room talk show-style ask-ing youth to tell you about the signs, symbols, and tattoos they are wearing. What do they mean? Why do they wear them? Companies spend billions to get people to wear their logos. What do the symbols you wear say about you? What would you like them to say about you? Are any of the youth wearing Christian symbols? What do the symbols mean to them? Why do they wear them? What are they advertising by wearing them?

6. Time Line sTrinG revieW: If you have been using this prop each week, enlarge the “Great Commission” cartoon and hang it on the line with a clothespin after the “The Resurrection” cartoon. Take a walk down your “Life of Jesus Time Line” and review each of the ten themes in order. Review the theme verses covered over the last ten weeks. Invite groups to highlight any verses they might have missed in their Bibles. Walk around the group talk show-style asking key questions from each of the FAITH5 Times, the FINKmania QuizBowl questions or the Terms of the Week. Throw handfuls of Hershey’s kisses to the first people giving you clear, thoughtful answers for each question asked.

7. insTruCTion ConsTruCTion: Engage groups in a hands-on review by making enough copies of the ten Time Line cartoons for every pair. Hand out string, clothes pins, glue, paper plates and cartoons. Invite pairs to assemble the Time Line in proper order, based on their memory. Allow a few minutes, then gather into small groups to see if everyone built their Time Lines correctly. For added fun, drag your kinder-gartners into the process and have groups construct and instruct at the same time!

8. revieW finaLe ConTesT: Give groups the option of a 100,000 point final exam or a contest where their small groups compete with others for fabulous prizes. (The grand prizes might include a case of SPAM®, or a home-cooked meal at your pas-tor’s house). Pit grade against grade, small group against small group, or consider staging a contest between your elected church officers and your “Confirmation All-Stars.” Use the terms, Bible verses, FINKmania questions and key biblical figures from the last ten themes as your source for questions. Consider inviting your senior high youth to gather the questions and run the entire event. (You’ll be secretly doing a Bible review for older youth at the same time that they help you run this.) At the close of the contest, allow groups to wager some or all of their points on one final question. Write down all wagers, then give groups three minutes to finish this sentence: “Whether Jesus returns in ten minutes or in ten thousand years, young Christians today should...” Publish the best results in your bulletin and bring your

“All-Stars” into worship to tell about the event.


9. Ten Theme Team revieW: Hand over your notes and assign each group or indi-vidual one of the ten Life of Jesus themes to present to the entire group. Allow ten minutes for prep, asking groups to review the main verses, introduce key charac-ters, sing the theme songs, refer to the Time Line cartoons and Bible bookshelf. Ask each group to write or choose two questions for a final quiz.

10. media mix: Bring in a song or movie clip to illustrate your point:

sonG: Head to YouTube® and view“Dive” by Steven Curtis Chapman from his early album Speechless. Google lyrics and ask guests how this song relates to the Great Commission.

You could also try “I’ll Join the Rocks” by the group FFH from their album Ready to Fly. Google lyrics and ask guests how this song relates to the Great Commission.

D. Creative Interruption: Weakest FINK (Weekly Terms)Use the game show format on the PowerPoint to explore and understand the five key terms of the week.

E. Bible TimeRead and highlight Matthew 28:16-20. Write “Great Commission” in the margin. What one thing jumps out at you as you read these verses?

1. famous oT Commissions: † For a little deeper Bible study, consider taking a quick look at some of the responses of people God called in Old Testament times. Warning: These people weren’t all good examples!

n Abraham Genesis 12:1-4 n Moses Exodus 3:1-14 n Samuel I Samuel 3:1-10 n Isaiah Isaiah 6:1-8 n Jeremiah Jeremiah 1:4-8

2. PubLiC vs. PrivaTe: Does faith talk belong anywhere in the public arena? In schools? In politics? In public squares? Ask the question, then ask: True or False—The phrase “separation of church and state” is in the Constitution. Answer: False. The words “separation, church and state” do not exist together in the Constitution. All the Constitution says about religion is: “Congress shall make no law respect-ing an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” and “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public Trust under the United States.” The phrase “separation of church and state” came first from a Baptist minister, Roger Williams, who was afraid that colonies like Connecti-cut might make the Congregational Church the official religion. In 1802, Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association to assure them that no such law would ever be made. He wrote, “I contemplate with solemn reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should

‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exer-cise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.” Does faith talk belong in the public world? Can the government quote the Constitu-tion to delete faith talk from public life? Daniel once got in trouble for praying out loud. Read and highlight Daniel 6:10, writing “ticket to the lion’s den” in the margin. Daniel found himself in trouble for practicing his faith. What would motivate you to practice your faith out loud? Who could stop you? What does all this have to do with the theme verse?

F. Cartoon of the WeekReinforce the theme by introducing this week’s cartoon using the PowerPoint slides or an enlarged version of the cartoon provided. Idea: For added fun, invite actors or the entire group to read it aloud with cartoonish voices.

If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a heavenly king be considered a sacrifice?

– David Livingstone


III. SMALL GROUP TIMEDismiss to FAITH5 Small Group Time. Use this theme’s chapter of your H2H Journal, or print both the Youth and Guide Handout to distribute. If using the handouts, you will also need to distribute the Home Huddle Handout, containing the nightly Bible verses for FAITH5 Home Huddles. Tip: Plan at least 30 minutes for Small Group Time.

IV. CLOSING Don’t let your small groups disappear after meeting. Gather everyone back together for a contemplative closing.

A. Theme Song ReviewPlay the theme song again to give groups another chance at learning the verse.

B. Wrap-up ReflectionThank groups for their attention once again, then invite a representative from each group to share one new thing they learned during this session, one thing they already knew but feel is worth repeating, and one thing their group would like to know more about. Then reflect on the Bible verse and theme one final time before prayers and blessings. Let groups read the PowerPoint silently as the theme song plays or is sung. Move from there into this final thought, the Prayer Journey, and PTA Prayers.

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus stood in his own home synagogue and read his mission: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

At the end of his ministry, Jesus stood on a mountainside and gave his disciples their own commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

That was his mission. That was his commission. If you are a disciple of Jesus, that is your mission statement and those are your marching orders. Will you accept your mission? Will you accept your commission? What if you do? What if you don’t?

C. Prayer JourneyDim the lights and light candles to build a worshipful mood for prayer. Play the theme music embedded on the PowerPoint slide softly. Lead your group through a series of stretching and breathing exercises. Then sit down, relax, close eyes and…

Picture your heart. It’s broken. It’s wounded.

(Pause)

What has broken it? How will it ever be healed?

Some of you carry deep wounds on your hearts this day. Who can heal them?

(Pause)

Picture your family. There is some brokenness there, too. Some of the wounds are

Youth is by nature a time of rebellion.

Rather than to squelch the

rebels, why not enlist them to join

the cause of the greatest rebel

of all time… Jesus Christ.

– Ouevelle

Expect great things from God;

attempt great things for God.

– William Carey


The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity.

– Mike Stachura

The world is my parish.

– John Wesley

their fault. Some of them are your fault. It doesn’t matter whose fault it is right now. What matters is, who will be the healer?

Does Jesus have the power to heal your heart AND home?

(Pause)

Picture your friends and schoolmates right now. There are some wounds there, too. Who will heal the brokenness? Who will make the first steps?

(Pause)

Picture the world. Wars. Poverty. Cruelty. Environmental disasters brought on by greed or carelessness. Who will God use to heal the world? You?

(Pause)

But you are wounded. How can you be a healer? You are young. How can you be God’s Sacred Agent?

(Long pause)

Amen.

D. PTA (Praise, Thank, and Ask) PrayersInvite each small group to bring at least one PTA Prayer to this closing time. Invite anyone with special concerns to pray aloud at this time or write their concerns on slips of paper and hand them to you for public reading. Continue with the soft version of the theme song to maintain the mood.

E. Benediction & BlessingGive a group bene dic tion. Then invite small groups to step to the baptismal font and bless one another with the sign of the cross on the forehead and the follow-ing words or their own favorite blessing:

“(Name), child of God, may the love of Christ be alive in you, in all you say and all you do. Amen.”


Creative Interruptions are various brain-based teaching pieces designed to enhance your presentation and keep your audience connected. At least once dur-ing the Theme Presentation, take time for a Creative Interruption that refocuses your groups, and brings a brain-based, multi-faceted aspect to the teaching. You may wish to ask or assign small groups to create these interruptions.

Art GalleryUse the PowerPoint slides provided plus scans of your own original art to celebrate the theme in images. Weave in quotation slides plus music. For added impact, invite a group to create a large banner, poster or wall-hanging with the verse of the week and the art from the cover of this theme. Raise this new piece of art into the air on fishing line at the moment you introduce the theme.

FINKtoonCreate an original cartoon based on the verse of the week, the theme or one aspect of the life of Jesus. Or add your own punch line to the cartoons provided. Display the cartoon in front for all to see. As an alternative, enlarge one of the cartoons in this theme and use it during the presentation time.

Prayer JourneyUse the guided meditation provided or write your own prayer journey on the theme. Play the theme song embedded on the PowerPoint slides or a favorite hymn as background music. Consider lowering lights, warming the group up with a stretching and breathing exercise and adding the senses (smell, taste, touch, hear-ing, sight) to your prayer experience to build the mood. Speak quietly, clearly and slowly. Include the theme verse at the core of the journey. Leave room for the Scrip-ture to sink in and the Holy Spirit to speak.

SkitsAsk or assign a small group to perform one of the skits provided or to create an original three-minute skit on the theme. Be as elaborate and imaginative or as sim-ple as you wish in creating the dialogue, costumes and props.

Theme Song with MovementAsk a musician, small group or a member of your Music Team to perform and teach the theme song, “Go Therefore,” or to create their own song based on the verse of the week. After you’ve learned the song, add movement or American Sign Lan-guage to make the song even more memorable. Arrange to perform it as a “confir-mation choir” at a future worship service.

Some things have to be

believed to be seen.

– Ralph Hodgson

ExtrasCreative Interruptions



Video GodmercialWell in advance of the Theme Event, ask or assign a small group to create a three-minute video on the theme, “Home and Away.” Make sure everyone in the group is involved in some way. Interview people on the street, religion professors at a col-lege, shelf-stockers in a grocery store, youth from last year’s confirmation class, par-ents of group members or the five oldest members of your church. Ask:

1. Is it easier to win a game at home or away? Why?2. Is it easier to talk about God and faith at home or away? Why? 3. Do you have a spiritual home that isn’t your real home? Where?4. How would your life change if God’s Word became a regular part of you both at home and away?5. On a scale of 1 (terrible) to 10 (fantastic), how happy are you with the way things are going in your home right now?

Weakest FINKMake up your own key terms to supplement the theme using the template slide provided.

Christians today spend more money on dog food than missions.

– Leonard Ravenhill


seTTinG: Secretary is reading a magazine and doing nails at a deskProPs: Magazine, desk, nail polish, busi-ness card, phone, thunder sound effectCharaCTers: McSwindle, Assistants 1-3, Secretary Angel

mCsWindLe: Let me do the talking. I’ll show you how a pro makes a sale.assisTanT 1: You think God will go for it?mCsWindLe: The sale’s as good as done. Watch me. (Approaching Sec-retary and clearing throat) Hmmmm. Hmmm. Hmmm. (She doesn’t notice until he makes a loud noise into her face) Uh hummm!seCreTary: (Lowering magazine, speak-ing in nasal Jersey accent) Hello. You want-ed to see someone?mCsWindLe: How kind of you to notice. I’m wondering if I might speak with God?seCreTary: Any time. You don’t even need an appointment. Why?mCsWindLe: McSwindle’s the name. Consulting and campaign slogans are my game. (Hands Secretary a card) I’d like to speak to the Almighty about this recruiting campaign slogan.seCreTary: Recruiting campaign slogan?assisTanT 2: Yeah. Your campaign slo-gan has got to go. (Secretary glares)mCsWindLe: What my impetuous associ-ate means to say is, we have some sugges-tions that we believe will result in a rather immediate gain in market share.seCreTary: Market share?assisTanT 3: We think we can do better. seCreTary: (Picking up phone) I’ll see what I can do. (Speaking to phone) Hello? Yes. Yes. (Pausing and reading card) McSwin-dle Consulting to see you about your “recruiting campaign” slogan. (Pause) I’ll see. (To McSwindle) Which recruiting slo-gan exactly are we talking about here?mCsWindLe: The “Go Therefore, Make Dis-ciples, Baptize and Teach” campaign.seCreTary: (Into phone) You got that? Yeah. Yeah. I’ll see. (To McSwin-dle) And what’s the problem with the

Great Commission?mCsWindLe: Well, you don’t expect any-one to take you up on that, do you? I mean, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations?” Pul-eeze! It’s got to go.seCreTary: (To phone) He says it’s got to go. (Pausing) Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. (To McSwindle) What’s the problem?mCsWindLe: Well, for starters, this “go” lan-guage is a tad, shall we say, bossy! No one wants to be told what to do any more. We think it should be...assisTanTs 1-3: (Chanting) Consider the possibilities of maybe sometime leaving your present position!seCreTary: (Laughing in phone) Ha! Yeah. You heard it right. (Pause) Ha! Okay. I’ll see. (To McSwindle) What else you got?mCsWindLe: Well, this “make disciples” is so yesterday’s language. We’re in the new millennium. No one is interested in mak-ing disciples. I think we should make it…assisTanTs 1-3: Share options for a co-equal belief system in a non-threaten-ing, non-judgemental manner!seCreTary: (To phone) So their slogan is “Consider the possibilities of maybe some-time leaving your present position to share some alternative options for a co-equal belief system in a non-threaten-ing, non-judgemental manner! (Pause) Yeah. Yeah. You heard it right. That’s it. (To McSwindle) What else?mCsWindLe: Okay. This “all nations” is a bit egotistical, ethnocentric, and intolerant. I mean, why should you tell other nations and faiths what to do? They could be offended by you thinking that you have something better that they need. assisTanTs 1-3: “Only those who invite a co-equal faith dialogue!”seCreTary: (To phone) Did you... oh... you heard. (To McSwindle) Is that all?mCsWindLe: No. There’s more. We also think the end of that verse “Baptizing and teaching” should change to...assisTanTs 1-3: “Leaving people to find their own way, unless they come to you

for your personal perspectives.”seCreTary: (To phone) Yeah. You heard right. (To McSwindle) Anything else?mCsWindLe: Almost done. Here’s the clincher. We replace “I am with you always, even to the end of the world” with…assisTanTs 1-3: “And remember, I and the other so-called “gods” are within you always, even until you cease to exist.seCreTary: I think we’ve heard about enough. Tell you what, I’ll type all this up and submit it to the celestial slogan com-mittee. They’ll get back to you.mCsWindLe: Wait. Let’s go through it once more so we have it down. Ready? Hit it!assisTanTs 1-3: Consider the possibilities of maybe sometime leaving your present position to share some...assisTanT 1: ...alternative options for a co-equal belief system in a non-threat-ening, non-judgemental manner!assisTanT 2: Sharing only with those who invite a co-equal faith dialogue!mCsWindLe: Leaving people to find their own way, unless they come to you for your personal perspectives.mCsWindLe & assisTanTs: And remem-ber, I and the other so-called “gods” are within you always, even until you cease to exist!mCsWindLe: So, what do you think? (Grabbing phone from Secretary) So! What do you think? Have we got the con-tract? Do you like our suggestions?(A loud crack of thunder is heard)mCsWindLe: I’ll take that to be a yes?(A louder crack of thunder is heard. McSwindle and Assistants cower behind the Secretary)mCsWindLe: A no? Okay. A no. We’ll go back to the drawing board and...seCreTary: I think it’s safe to say God’s going to keep the slogan Jesus came up with just the way it is. mCsWindLe: That was Jesus’ slogan? No wonder it didn’t fly. We’re competing with the Boss’s son. Come on. Let’s go. (Exiting)


commissionreplacement

Life of JesusSKIT A

10by Rich

Melheim


seTTinG: A Dark AlleyProPs: Large garbage can, flashlight, water bottle, letter jacket, car keys, bot-tles, cans CharaCTers: Narrator, Teen, God (behind or in garbage can) Bag Lady, Hobo

narraTor: We are entering a dimension of sight and sound, of atoms and acne, of car keys and chemistry tests, where a typical American teenager who wasn’t supposed to even be out of the house tonight has “borrowed” the family car for a quick trip downtown and now, much to his dismay, has lost the keys, here, in the Teenage Zone.(Music for Twilight Zone plays)Teen: (Searching through trash) Where did I drop my keys? Where? Where? I’m going to be late getting home, they’ll find out, and I’ll never see the car again until I’m thirty!baG Lady: Hey, sonny. Got a quarter?Teen: (Shouting) I lost my car keys! I don’t have a quarter! I won’t have a life if I don’t find them and get the car back.baG Lady: Sorry I asked. Can I just have a drink of your water, then? Teen: I would, but I’m not interested in sharing your germs. I’d like to, you know, live. There’s a fountain over in the park. baG Lady: (Exiting) Sorry I asked. (God peaks out from the garbage can, then closes the lid again)hobo: (Wandering in) Hey, buddy. I’ve been down on my luck a little. I couldn’t help notice your nice coat...Teen: Leave me alone.hobo: It’s just that I’ve been out of work ever since I got laid off.Teen: Leave me alone or I’m calling the cops.hobo: Hey, I don’t want trouble. It’s just that I’ve had a tough year and it’s cold tonight…Teen: Look, I’m having a tough night. I lost my car keys and I wasn’t even sup-

posed to be out of the house. You think you’ve got trouble? Get lost.hobo: (Exiting) Sorry for living!God: (Lifting the lid on the can and speaking in a loud whisper) Psssssssst. Hey Johnny (or Jane, depending on gen-der).Teen: (Looking around) Who said that?God: Over here. In the can.Teen: Over where? In what can? (See-ing can) Who are you and what are you doing in there?God: I’m your contact.Teen: My what?God: The agent assigned to you. Your contact.Teen: (Pause) I’m getting out of here.God: No. Wait. You’re John/Jane.Teen: How’d you know my name?God: I got connections. Anyway, I’ve also got your mission papers right here. Teen: I don’t know who you are or how you know my name, and I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m out of here. God: Want to know where your keys are?Teen: (Turning back) What do you know about my keys?God: Hey, I got connections. Anyway, hear me out and I’ll help you find your keys.Teen: Start talking or I’m walking.God: Okay. (Handing folder) You (name) have been chosen for a special mission. Teen: Special mission? Yeah. Right.God: Hear me out. You’ve been chosen for a mission, and this mission comes from the very top. The mission is, you are called to be a Sacred Agent to bring some hope and healing to the hurting of the world.Teen: What you talking about?God: Sacred Agent. One of God’s special messengers to make the world a better place.Teen: You got the wrong guy/girl. I’m no Sacred Agent kid.

God: Not yet. You haven’t accepted the mission. But as soon as you do—the moment you do—you’re on the force.Teen: The force? So what am I supposed to do?God: Go. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach. Love. Make the world a better place. Teen: And how am I supposed to do that?God: You gotta find that one out your-self.Teen: But how? God: First, you tune your heart to God. Then to other people’s pain and needs.Teen: I’ve always thought of myself as quite considerate of others’ pain and needs.God: Especially when it comes to giv-ing a drink of water or sharing your coat, right?Teen: Yeah, I am… oh. You got me there. So what am I supposed to do about it?God: The past is not my concern. The future is what matters from here on out. If you accept this mission, you’ll be asked to tune yourself to the pain and needs of the world and help like Jesus did.Teen: Sounds easy enough.God: It’s harder than it sounds. But we believe you’re up to it. So, are you in?Teen: I’ll have to think about it. Now, about my car keys.God: First place your right hand on your heart and swear that you’re in.Teen: (Reluctantly placing hand on heart) Okay. I’m in. I’m in. (Feeling car keys in pocket over heart) Hey, my keys! You found my keys. I mean, I found my keys. Thanks! (God has disappeared) Where’d you go? Where’d you go?narraTor: Will John/Jane accept the mission? Will he/she forget the past but strive from this moment on to be a Sacred Agent for God? Answers to these and other questions await those who are willing to look not to others, but into their own hearts, homes, friends, and youth groups, here in the Teenage Zone.


sacred agent kid

Life of Jesus SKIT B

10by Rich

Melheim


Question: After Christ’s resurrection, he appeared to: A.) Mary Magdalene in the garden, B.) Two dis-ciples walking on the road to Emmaus, C.) The disciples in a locked room, D.) All of the above, and over 300 of his followersQuestion: The first time Jesus appeared to his disciples in the locked room, Thomas: A.) Was not with them, B.) Was with them, C.) Was hiding in the closet, D.) Had just gone out for a fish tacoQuestion: The second time Jesus appeared to his disciples, Thomas: A.) Placed his finger in the nail holes in Jesus’ hands, B.) Placed his hand in the spear wound in Jesus’ side, C.) Proclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” D.) All of the aboveQuestion: After appearing to his disciples, Jesus told them to wait for him on a mountain near Gali-lee. When they saw Jesus again on the mountain: A.) They worshiped him, B.) Some doubted, C.) Both A and B, D.) Neither A nor BQuestion: Jesus said to them, “All authority in ________ has been given to me”: A.) Heaven and on earth, B.) Galilee and Jerusalem, C.) All matters of faith and conduct, D) All matters except what you do on the internet when no one is lookingQuestion: In Matthew 28:19, Jesus said: “Go therefore and make”: A.) “Church members of all nations,” B.) “Anglicans, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians of all nations,” C.) “Disci-ples of all nations,” D.) “Me a fish taco”Question: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” is sometimes called: A.) The Great Omis-sion, B.) The Great Commission, C.) The Great Commandment, D.) Highly unrealisticQuestion: A “commission” is: A.) A mission you do alone, B.) A mission you do with others, C.) An act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a particular task or duty, D.) Technically C, but B isn’t so far from the truthQuestion: After issuing the Great Commission, Jesus: A.) Told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for power, B.) Ascended into heaven, C.) Returned to God and is now seated at God’s right hand of power, D.) All of the above, and he will one day return to judge the living and the dead

Final QuestionIn Matthew 28:20, Jesus said: “And remember, I am with you…”: A.) “When you are good,” B.) “When you are sleeping, when you are awake, when you are bad or good, so be good, for goodness sake,” C.) “Always, to the end of your life,” D.) “Always, to the end of the age”

Quiz Answers: D, A, D, C, A, C, B, D, D, D

quizbowl


Copyright © Faith Inkubators. For use by Head to the Heart members only during the 2019-2020 school year. Any other use of this material is prohibited. www.faithink.com

the great commission...the miracles of jesus t h e p a s s i o n j esus dies on cross on good friday...

Documents