God's Dream for the Church
/We have been exploring God’s love for us. Two weeks ago we talked about God’s love being like an umbrella that covers everyone, and the church being like a rainbow of colors that combine together into a beautiful whole. Isn't that a lovely thought? Last week we learned about how God gave us all the gift of God’s spirit (sometimes called the Holy Spirit) that connects us to God and each other. This week we are talking about God’s plan for the church, and how our love for each other should be inclusive, welcoming, and safe for everyone, just as God’s love is.
Scripture
“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.”
“Love each other in a way that makes you feel close like brothers and sisters. And give each other more honor than you give yourself.”
Story: God’s Dream
God’s Dream, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, read by Reverand Brittany Juliette Hanlin.
Wondering Questions
I wonder what you dream about in your “loveliest of dreams”?
I wonder what it means to “look with your heart”?
I wonder where you could be in this story?
I wonder how we can make other people around us feel loved?
Reflection
Romans 12:15 encourages us to “Weep with those who weep, rejoice with those who rejoice.” Hebrews tells us to “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (13:3) Isaiah 1:17 reminds us, “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”
When the world around us is hurting, God calls us to be the church, to care about the things that God cares about. If we are to be the church, we must weep with those who are mourning or mistreated, seek justice, and learn to do right.
Activities
God is Love Coloring Page
Print out the following page, fill in your thoughts and answers, and then color it. If you don’t have access to a printer, you can design your own page! We hope you enjoy thinking about what love looks like and feels like to you.
Song: Love Each Other (Romans 12:10)
Prayer
Gracious God,
When other cry, we cry too.
Help us to seek justice, learn to do right,
and be a church full of love and kindness for all.
Amen.
