Added on 13 Oct 2008
Aim
To introduce the idea that Jesus offers us freedom from sin
We tend to take freedom for granted. Let’s see what it’s really like to be free – or not so free…
Bring forward four volunteers and attach each of them by a length of twine to wrist or elbow and then secure the other end to wall bars or similar. Just out of reach are placed four envelopes containing co-operation points. We then release the twine with scissors and allow them to reach the envelopes.
How did it feel to be free to be able to move and do what you wanted to do?
Let’s think about something else that can make us feel as though we’re really not free. How do we feel inside when we’ve really messed up, when we’ve done something bad, maybe got someone into trouble or lied or perhaps told someone something that was someone else’s secret?
Get children to suggest words which are then written on post-it note and attached to brick, and loaded up by children into a rucksack. Pick up load, staggers.
How does it feel when you’re not free to be yourself, to do the things you want? How would it feel if someone said they’d take all that burden off you?
Children help to remove bag, straighten up.
Explain Christian perspective on forgiveness offered by Jesus and subsequent freedom.
Reflection
Let’s all just take a moment to think of something we’ve done that we’re not happy about, that we’re ashamed of. Now let’s close our eyes and try to imagine how it would feel if we said sorry to the person we’d hurt, and if they forgave us. It might even be that we would want to say sorry to Jesus. What an amazing relief!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that we are free to be the people we want to be, and to be friends with you if we want. Thank you that you also offer us the wonderful gift of not having to carry round the weight of all the wrong stuff we’ve done.
Amen
Song
Come on and celebrate