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“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down

one’s life for one’s friends.”– John 15:12-13

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The LasT CommandmenT

L i f e o f J e s u s 7

h2h: Life of Jesus 7 — 1

The Last Commandment

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have

loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s

life for one’s friends.” – John 15: 12-13

USING THIS THEME The sections provided in this theme are suggested to optimise 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 plan-ning involves this document or the PowerPoint presentation files (or both), this and every H2H theme includes:

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

n Presentation: Four main sections are provided to help you build your presentation: Life Line, Images & Analogies, Bible Time and Creative Interruptions. Remember that we give you much more than you should possibly attempt to use, so pick and choose what you think will work best for your setting and audience.

n Small Group Time: The key element of the Head to the Heart system is small group time, where groups care for one another and process the material from the presentation.

n Closing: A time to pray, review the subject, and close with a blessing.n Creative Interruptions: This supplemental section is packed with

extra teaching ideas such as skits, music, the FINKmania QuizBowl and various other suggestions.

n Thought-Time Sheets: The final four pages in this theme are the Thought-Time handouts (worksheets) for your young people. They are designed to be copied on either A3 or A4 paper. A more robust and pre-printed version of the Thought-Time handouts also exists in the Head to the Heart journals.

n Planning Pages: Plan your event and assign tasks to your helpers.

THE FOCUS THIS WEEKThe last command Jesus gave to his disciples was “love one another as I have loved you.” This wasn’t a suggestion. It wasn’t mere advice. The church calls this day Maundy (Command) Thursday, because of this command. The Teacher wasn’t just giving his students a “word” lesson on this. He put his love into action first by wash-ing their feet. Later that evening he would give himself again, with the bread and wine, asking his friends to “do this in remembrance of me.” Still later he would give himself again—literally laying down his life for his friends on a cross. His body would be broken. His blood would be spilled. For them. For us. For you.

LIFE OF JESUS 7

Objective: To help groups understand and experience Christ’s radical call to loving service.

Copyright © Faith Inkubators Australia. For use by “Head to the Heart” members only, and only during the 2013 calendar year. Any other use of this material is prohibited. www.faithink.com.au

2 — The LasT CommandmenT

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.

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

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

E. Opening PrayerTalk groups into a relaxed mood by having them stretch. Play a soft ver-sion of the hymn “Beautiful Saviour.” When all are sufficiently relaxed, tell them you’ll be reading this hymn as a prayer, pausing between each verse for them to silently fill in their own “Thank you Lord for…” You may wish to assign the verses to different individuals or groups to read aloud. Finish with this litany:

L: Dear Jesus, you told us the greatest love of all is that which is willing to lay down one’s life for a friend.P: Thank you, Jesus, for our friends.L: Then you showed us, Jesus, by dying on the cross.P: Thank you, Jesus, for our friends.L: You modelled a life we can share with all people.P: Thank you for the gift of love.L: You told us that where two or more are gathered you are there.P: Thank you, Jesus, for community.L: Let your love and presence show through in our lives today. All: Amen.

F. Theme SongIntroduce the theme song “Love One Another” 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 youth and leadership team members so you can sing with energy. Create dance, actions or a modified Auslan Sign Language to use with the chorus.

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Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things

with great love.

– Mother Teresa


II. THEME PRESENTATIONYou’ve welcomed your groups and previewed the topic. Now it’s time to present the most engaging presentation you can muster. Use the pro-vided Life Line, Images & Analogies, Bible Time, and Creative Inter-ruptions to add punch and dimension. Lecture alone hits only 5% of the capacity of the brain—be visual! “QuickPick” Suggestions: In a time crunch this week? Our favourite teaching suggestions for this les-son 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 StoryThank groups for their attention in advance and begin your presenta-tion time by sharing your own answers to the questions, “Why would any-one die for anyone else?” and “Who would I die for?” Is there anyone you love more than your own life? A child? A friend? A spouse? Tell groups about that person and explain why you might consider dying for him or her. Share your thoughts on the power of a love that is stronger than your instinct to survive. Con-sider inviting a local priest to share a short message on how his role as a priest relates to Christ’s role as our great High Priest. Choose a small group to prepare a list of a half-dozen questions and write a follow-up note of thanks.

B. Creative Interruption: SkitFollow this section by inviting your Theme Team, senior youth, Crazy Parents Commit-tee (CPC) or a small group to introduce the theme with your choice of the two skits provided. Delete or hide the slide marquee for the skit that you choose not to use.

C. Images & AnalogiesChoose from two or three of the following to develop the theme. Remember to stop for a Creative Interruption at least once (skit, song, activity, etc.) Idea: Take a look at the questions on the Thought-Time sheet 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 Thought-Time sheets and included in 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. Life of Jesus time Line: † Walk groups through the Life of Jesus Time Line found on the PowerPoint slides and on page 2 of this lesson. Ask three questions as you go: 1) What is new to you? 2) What is one thing you already knew that is worth repeating? 3) What is one thing you would like to know more about?

3. Define Love: Invite groups to pair up and answer the following questions: When you say the word “love” what images come to mind? What are the qualities of love? Which of these qualities do you find easy to do? Which are difficult?

4. Log in fire: If you pull a log from a fire it might burn for a while, but it will go out. If you pull yourself out of the Christian community, your fire may go out. What are some reasons people choose to withdraw from their community? Who are some people you know who have withdrawn from your community? What can you do to pull them back in?

Holy WeekJesus Time Line Cartoon 7(Enlarge and place at 33 A.D.)


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5. to Die for: Ask participants to respond to the following quotation and share reflections: “It is said that soldiers in battle fight for their country but die for their friends.” Who would you die for? Who would die for you? Remind them that their parents would probably die for them without thinking twice. If they ever find anoth-er love like that in their lives, they will be truly blessed. Also, Jesus was willing to die for them. Jesus’ death was for each person regardless of their personality, work habits or family background. Jesus chose the cross, not because he wanted to be a helpful person or because he was an adrenaline junky. He died to save us because of his unstoppable love. Ask groups the following questions: How are you treating those who love you the most? How are you treating Jesus?

6. 9-11: The fire fighters at the World Trade Centre in New York ran into a build-ing for people they didn’t even know. Why would anyone choose a job like that? If someone died to save your life, how would you respond? In certain cultures, if some-one saves your life, you owe them loyalty for the rest of your life. What about Jesus?

7. Love LAnguAge: † If you search the Bible for the word “love”, you’ll get nearly 700 responses. There are thousands of songs about the romantic nature of love. But Christ’s urging to love people as he loves us is a little different meaning of the word. There are 5 types of love. The thousands of “love” songs you hear are about desire (epithumia) and romance (eros). What we experience in our belonging and relation-ships is affection (storge) and friendship (phile). But the example Jesus urged, the type of love he modelled is a selfless, giving love called “Agape.” Is it possible to achieve that kind of love? Or can we just strive for it?

8. tempLe cLeAnsing: Shortly before his death, Jesus got into trouble with the authori-ties by driving the money-changers out of the temple. Jesus found so much clutter in God’s house that he became angry, made a whip and chased them all away, shouting,

“My temple should be a house of prayer, but you have made it into a den of thieves.” When your room is a mess, it is difficult to find the important things. When your life, schedule or mind are cluttered, it is also difficult to see what is important. Break into small groups and allow five minutes for them to brainstorm ways youth and families can unclutter their lives and schedules so there is more time for what is important. Consider having each group write a “Top Ten Priorities” list and present it to their parents. Have them compare it to their family schedules and calendars.


9. meDiA mix: Bring in an external song to illustrate your point:

song: † Head to iTunes and download “Show You Love” by Jars of Clay from their 2003 CD Who We Are Instead. Google the lyrics and talk to your young people about the meaning of this song. Ask them, “How do you show love and compassion without words? How did Jesus do this?”

movie: Purchase a copy of the DVD, Most (www.mostthemovie.com). Set and filmed in Eastern Europe, Most is the Czech word for bridge, fitting since the father in this story is the bridge keeper —the man that lifts the bridge to allow boats through and closes the bridge to allow trains to pass. Watch the scene from the 17:00 mark until 20:45 (if time permits watch the entire short film to get more of an understanding of the relationships and context of the story). Ask your young people what their thoughts were as they saw the train coming toward the open bridge. Talk about the father’s love for his son and the decision he faced: sacrifice his son’s life to save the passengers on board the train. How do you describe a love like this? How is Jesus like a bridge between us and God? (You can watch the clip at www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/most/the-bridge if accessing a copy of he DVD isn’t possible.)

D. Creative Interruption: Weakest FINK (Weekly Terms) Explore the theme’s key terms found in the PowerPoint slides provided, the Guide’s Thought-Time Supplement, or the Head to the Heart journal.

E. Bible TimeRead and highlight John 15:12-13, writing “Last Commandment” in the margins. If you have some more time, you may wish to dig deeper by using the following:

1. Love never enDs: † Read I Corinthians 13 to give you a practical example of what it means to truly love. Reread the chapter, substituting your name in place of the word

“love” and see if you fit the description of what love is.

2. BiBLicAL frienDship: Consider digging deeper into the following aspects of Biblical love and friendship. Write the words “stays, carries, sacrifices, confronts” on the board, then read, highlight and discuss the following passages:

n A Friend Stays: Read and highlight Ruth 1:16, writing “A Friend Stays” in the margins. After the tragic loss of her son, Naomi told her daughter-in-law that she didn’t have to stick around to care for her any longer. In one of the most touching and poetic scenes of friendship and love in the Old Testament, Ruth told Naomi that she wouldn’t leave her to fend for herself. She was too much of a friend. Ruth was committed to her rela-tionship with Naomi, even though it meant forging a new life in a foreign land. Because of her faithfulness, Ruth was grafted into the family of God’s promise. She became the great-grandmother of King David and an ances-tor of the Messiah—Jesus.

n A Friend Carries: Pair people up and stage a quick piggy-back race in your space. Award a gag prize to the runners up and a nice prize to the win-ners. Interview them following the race asking them to relate this exercise to friendship. Award another nice prize for the best insights. To bear one another’s burdens is a mutual effort. Friendships are two-way streets; yet at any one time one friend might have to be strong on behalf of the other. Ask participants if they’ve ever had a “one-way friendship” and what hap-pened to it. How would a wheelbarrow race or three-legged race be differ-ent from the race they just staged with their partners? Read and highlight Galatians 6:2, writing “A Friend Carries” in the margin.

For one human being to love another: that is perhaps the most difficult of our tasks; the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation.

– Rainer Maria Rilke


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n A Friend Sacrifices: To sacrifice is to give up something of importance. Often we think of friendship as “what I can get” out of a relationship. But sacrificial friendship is not about receiving; it’s about giving—giv-ing up things that are important for the sake of the friendship. Time and opportunities seem to be two of the biggest things we sacrifice on behalf of our friends. As participants read Philippians 2:5-8, and ask “What was the sacrifice Jesus made?” Write “A Friend Sacrifices” in the margin.

n A Friend Confronts: Sometimes friends seem afraid to talk seriously with one another about important things. How have you been able to talk to your friends about important things? Or has it been too difficult? Author Bill Easum says that Jesus wasn’t always very nice but he was always a good friend. Do you agree or disagree? Why? How do you think David felt when Nathan confronted him on his actions? Tell the story of Nathan’s challenge to King David in your own words. Then read and highlight II Samuel 12:7, writing “A Friend Confronts” in the margin.

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.

III. SMALL GROUP TIMEWith the Theme Song playing, dismiss into groups to share Highs & Lows and dis-cuss the topic. Photocopy and distribute copies of the Thought-Time sheets to each group, or turn to the “Last Commandment” chapter in your Head to the Heart journal. Invite all to discuss the theme and mark key verses as suggested. 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 one more time 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. You may wish to say something like this:

The last command Jesus gave to his disciples was “love one another as I have loved you.” This wasn’t a suggestion. It wasn’t mere advice. The church calls this day Maundy (Command) Thursday, because of the command. The disciples’ first test of Christ’s command would come that very night. They would all fail this test and run away, leaving him to die. The final test would come long after Jesus was raised from the dead and had returned to heaven. His friends would each be asked to lay down their lives for their Master. Every last one of them would pass this test. Every last one (except John) would die a martyr, refusing to deny their friend in the end. (John would die in exile after writing about Christ’s final triumph over death in his book, the Revelation to John.)

The difficulty is not so great to die for a friend as to

find a friend worth dying for.

– Homer (not Simpson)


Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.

– Martin Luther King Jr

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 yourself in the World Trade Cen-tre climbing the stairs in the second tower on September 11, 2001 shortly after the first tower collapsed. There is black, acrid smoke all around you. You are a firefighter, carrying a heavy hose and an axe. People are streaming down the stairs past you, choking, crying, coughing as you ascend floor after floor. You tell them to remain calm, even in the midst of your own fear. You pause for a moment to catch your breath. Two women are helping a bleeding friend down the flights. They tell you there are many others who couldn’t get out up ahead. One of the women pleads for you to help her sister. She’s under a pile of rubble only four floors above you and she can’t move. She is cold and numb and afraid to die. Conscious, but paralyzed. You prom-ise to find her. As you continue to climb the stairs, the chief calls everyone on the walkie-talkie to get out of the building. The first tower is down. “But please help my sister,” the woman pleads. “You promised!” “I did promise, didn’t I?” you say with a conflicted smile. The women turn and continue down the stairs. You trudge upward, but no one passes you. You push debris from the doorway and shove it open. Another call from the chief to get out of the building; there in the rubble, you see a hand move. “Help me,” whimpers a woman’s voice. “God help me.” You look out the window and see the white cloud of cement dust from the first tower. “God help me,” she cries. (Pause) And you turn off your radio. You sit, take the woman’s hand.

“I am here.”

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 ver-sion 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 following words or their own favourite blessing

“(Name), child of God, may you be a powerful servant of Jesus this day, in all you do and say. Amen.”


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TCreative Interruptions are various brain-based teaching pieces designed to enhance your presentation and keep your audience connected. At least once during the Theme Presentation, take time for a Creative Interruption that refocusses 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. Consider assigning one of these art projects:

n Love Mats: Well in advance of the event, purchase enough plain white paper table place mats for each parent of your young people. Invite each child to create a “love mat” decorating it with colour and words, signs of their love for their parent(s). Inform the group that for a ser-vant event, you will host small group dinners to honour your “loved” ones.

n Love in Any Language: Love is love in any language. Assign each group a “love” in a different language to create an A4-sized piece of creative art. Encourage groups to include symbols or colours that reinforce the concept. Create a collage using each group’s art and hang it at church in a high traffic area. Invite groups to host hospi-tality on Sunday morning and talk about their piece of the display.

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 favourite hymn as back-ground music. Consider lowering lights, warming the group up with a stretching and breathing exercise and adding the senses (smell, taste, touch, hearing, 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 Scripture to sink in and the Holy Spirit to speak.

LIFE OF JESUS 7

The important thing is this: To be

able at any moment to sacrifice what

we are for what we could become.

– Charles DuBois

Extras:Creative Interruptions


Rap, Chant or CheerYou may wish to use something like this:

If times are bad—I’ll share your sad‘Cause Jesus did, Cause Jesus didIf you’re in pain—I’ll hurt the sameCause Jesus did, Cause Jesus didIf life is rough—I’ll take your guffCause Jesus did, Cause Jesus didIf you need—I’ll even bleed Cause Jesus did, Cause Jesus did

SkitsAsk or assign a small group to perform one of the skits provided or to create an origi-nal three-minute skit on the theme. Be as elaborate and imaginative or as simple 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, “Love One Another,” or to create their own song based on the verse of the week. After you’ve learned the song, add movement or Auslan Sign Language to make the song even more memorable. Arrange to perform it at a future worship ser-vice.

Video GodmercialWell in advance of the Theme Event, ask or assign a small group to create a three minute video on the theme of the week. For an interview piece, ask people of differ-ent ages the following questions: “What qualities do all friends have in common?” and “What is the meaning of the word friend?” “Why would anyone lay down their life for their friends?” The video should involve everyone in the small group in some way. Invite the church to watch this during Sunday hospitality.

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

Many people mistake our work for our vocation. Our vocation is the love of Jesus.

– Mother Teresa


setting: Upper room after the footwash-ing/Last Supperprops: High back chair, lounging robe for Narrator, mobile phone, large map, applause signchArActers: Announcer, Peter, Thomas, Philip

Announcer: (In a droll, snobby English accent) Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to another installment of “The Life of Jesus.” Today we join the disciples of the Lord in the upper room, shortly after they have celebrated the Passover and Jesus has washed their feet. (Pause) Their smelly feet. (Pause) Their dirty, distasteful smelly feet. (Pause) Not that I have actually tasted their feet, but you get the picture. Anyway, let’s join Peter, (Peter walks in) Thomas (Thomas walks in) and Philip. (No one walks in) And Philip. (No one walks in. Announcer shouts) And Philip! phiLip: (Philip enters, talking on a mobile phone) Oops! Gotta go. Show’s starting.peter: Well, that Passover dinner was not what I expected. Bread and wine? Body and blood? I just don’t get it.phiLip: You rarely get it, Peter. peter: Hey, I’m the “rock” Jesus is going to build the church on.thomAs: I doubt it.peter: He said it! I’m the rock!phiLip: If that’s the case, the church is going to be in big, big trouble. Not only did you flub up the footwashing, but you also created an awkward silence when you asked Jesus about his betrayer.peter: Okay. Not one of my finer moments. phiLip: Nope, that’s kind of a “Disciple 101” thing. peter: Hey, I’m the rock!

phiLip: I thought he called you some-thing else. Now what was that? Oh yeah. Could it be Satan? That is what Jesus called you, didn’t he?peter: He also called me the rock on which he’d build his church.thomAs: Why us?peter: Huh?phiLip: Yeah, what do you mean?thomAs: I mean, why did Jesus pick us? Clearly we are not the sharpest or most faithful people in the world. I’ve got my doubts. Philip’s got his authority issues. And Peter...peter: You have a point. If I’m building a solid team of smart disciples, I’m not sure I’d start with guys like us. thomAs: And his “This is my command-ment that you love one another as I have loved you...” What’s with that?peter: Huh?phiLip: Yeah, what do you mean?thomAs: Then he washes our feet and expects us to do the same?peter: Hey, I told him not to wash my feet.phiLip: Yeah, and what did he say?peter: He said if I didn’t let him wash my feet, I could have no part in him.phiLip: Another example of him teach-ing and you not learning.thomAs: Which brings us back to my question. Why us?peter: Yeah.phiLip: Yeah. (Pause) Yeah. (Pause) Maybe it’s not about our brains or per-formance.thomAs: Hey, in this world brains and performance are all that matters.peter: Actually, looks and image are all that matters.phiLip: No, listen. Maybe it’s not about how good or smart or talented...peter: Or good looking...

phiLip: Or good looking we are. Maybe it’s not about us, but about him. Maybe it’s not about what we can do, but what God can do through us!thomAs: I doubt it.phiLip: Thomas, you doubt everything. Maybe it’s not our work aptitude, but our love attitude.peter: Aptitude. Attitude. Speak in a language we can all understand.phiLip: Maybe that’s just what Jesus did when he washed our feet. He spoke in a language we could all understand. A love language. Taking on the task of the lowest servant in the house and doing a dirty task no one else wanted to do to serve us. Maybe that’s something we are all capable of doing. Humbling our-selves, doing loving service, and giving ourselves for the sake of others.peter: Yes, and people will know we are his disciples if we love one another.thomAs: So no matter how talented or smart or rich or...peter: Or good looking...thomAs: Or good looking we are, we all have the capacity to be and do the one thing that really matters.phiLip: We can love.thomAs: “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.” That’s what he said.peter: We’re not so dumb! C’mon we’re gonna be late.phiLip: Late for what?peter: I signed us all up for a pedicure.phiLip & thomAs: A what?peter: Hey, if we’re going to be wash-ing other people’s feet, we need to have good looking feet ourselves.Announcer: (In a droll, snobby English accent) And so the disciples of the Lord left that place with a new command-ment—to love one another as Jesus loved them. What happened next? Did they follow his command? Did they humble themselves and become servants to one another? Or did they continue to misinterpret Jesus’ words, to bicker among themselves, and to mess up? We will find out on the next installment of “The Life of Jesus.” (Applause sign)


The Last

COMMANDSkit of the Week by Pete Erickson & Rich Melheim


What Would

PAT DO?Skit of the Week by Pete Erickson


setting: Outside at lunchprops: Skate board, cones and jumps for skateboarder, bag lunches for Pat and ChrischArActers: Skateboarder (no lines), Principal, Teacher, Pat and Chris

(Sitting “outside.” Pat and Chris are eat-ing lunch watching a skateboarder)

chris: You’ve gotta love this weather! Ah, the vernal equinoxpAt: Meaning dawn of the horse.chris: No, it means “equal night” or something like that, but more impor-tantly cricket season, shorts and thongs season and the sound of the skateboards.pAt: I’ve missed this weather.chris: Me too.pAt: (Pointing to skateboarder) This dude is good. Remember the last time I was on a skateboard? I totally…(Skateboarder crashes offstage, inter-rupting Pat)chris: (Pointing to the skateboarder’s wipeout) Did that?pAt: Wow! Did you see that? What should we do?chris: I don’t know, we could help!(Skateboarder limps on stage. They run over to the skateboarder who lies on the ground and groans a little bit)pAt: (Shouts at skateboarder) LOOK, YOU’RE GONNA BE OK!chris: OK, he’s hurt, he’s not deaf. (Looks around) There’s gotta be some-one who can help us…(Principal walks by)pAt: Hello sir/ma’am, you’re just in time. This student just bit it on their skate-board. Can you help us bring the carcass,

uh, I mean body…chris: (Interrupts) He means person to the front office?principAL: Um, yeah. You see, it’s actual-ly school policy to not have skateboards on school property. If I help this person, it might seem that I condone the action of skateboarding at our school. I’ll see if I can get someone from maintenance, after lunch. (Principal walks away)chris: (To Pat) What do you think the policy is about having a bleeding stu-dent with broken bones lying in the schoolyard?pAt: (Not getting it) You think there’s a policy about that? This person cannot catch a break.chris: I’m joking.(Teacher approaches)pAt: Oh, Mr./Mrs. Jones, can you help us get this skateboarder to the front office? I think he’s hurt.teAcher: Look guys, I’m union. I don’t think I’m supposed to touch broken bones or body fluids without a union representative. Besides, I only get seven minutes for lunch and I’m down to three minutes. Sorry…pAt: Wow. These people totally sound like me.chris: You know what? We have to do this on our own. pAt: You know it! (Starts to lay down next to the skateboarder) The greatest sign of love is to lay down next to a per-son who is hurt and lying down.chris: (Helping Pat up) Sort of, but I think you mean that no one has greater love that to lay down their life for a friend. We can and will help this person. You go

to the front office and get help. I will use my mobile to call for help and stay with him.pAt: Sounds like a plan. (Starts to leave but then turns back to Chris) It’s good to make a difference once in a while that doesn’t involve me spending time in the principal’s office.chris: Feels good, doesn’t it?pAt: (Pointing to injured skateboarder) I’m not sure he’s too pumped about the situation, but I feel strangely warmed by the whole deal. (Begins to drone on and on). You know, it’s times like this that make me feel special. Kinda’ like the time back in grade three when I got that popcorn seed stuck in my ear and I had to…chris: Pat?pAt: Yes?chris: Get moving.pAt: Oh yeah, right.


THE TEN QUESTIONSQuestion: On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took a towel and: A.) Snapped his disciples with it, B.) Washed the table before they ate the first Holy Communion, C.) Washed his hands, D.) Washed the disciples’ feetQuestion: In Jesus’ day, washing feet was done: A.) By the lowest slave in the house to make honoured guests feel welcome after a long day on the road, B.) To make sure guests didn’t bring any fungus to the dining table, C.) To make sure guests hadn’t stomped any grapes lately, D.) None of the aboveQuestion: The Thursday of Holy Week is called: A) Monday Thursday, because it was actually mislabelled on the Jewish calender, B) Maundy Thursday, because Jesus issued a new command on that day, C) Maundy Monday, for no apparent reason, D) Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) because of the feastQuestion: The word “Maundy” in Latin means: A.) Command, B.) Sad Meal, C.) Monday, D.) Holy Night’s EveQuestion: The new commandment Jesus issued on Maundy Thursday was: A.) “Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength,” B.) “Love your neighbour as yourself,” C.) “Love one another as I have loved you,” D.) All of the above and then someQuestion: When he stooped to wash Peter’s feet, Peter: A.) Objected at first, then said, “Wash my hands, too!” B.) Objected at first, then said, “Wash my hands and my head, too!” C.) Agreed at first, then objected, D.) Agreed at first, then asked for a massage and pedicure, tooQuestion: Jesus explained the foot washing by saying: A.) “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand,” B.) “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet,” C.) Both A and B, D.) Neither A nor BQuestion: After the foot washing, Jesus: A). Said, “One of you will betray me,” B.) Told Peter he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed, C.) Gave the disciples the very first Holy Communion meal with the words, “Do this in remem-brance of me,” D.) All of the aboveQuestion: Within a few hours of the foot washing, new commandment and Holy Communion, Jesus was: A.) Arrested and beaten, B.) Tried and convicted in an illegal after-hours trial, C.) Sentenced to death by the Roman Governor, D.) All of the above and crucified

finkmAniA finAL Question:John 15:13 says, “No one has greater love than this, than to lay down one’s life for...”: A.) “One’s teacher,” B.) “One’s principles,” C.) “One’s principal,” D.) “One’s friends”

theFinkmania

Quiz Bowl LIFE OF JESUS 7

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

Finkmania

Answer key

Three Ways to Play

High Tech: PowerPoint ProjectedChoose individuals, small groups or random teams to serve as con-testants. Distribute buzzers, bells or coffee tins to each team to use to signal they know an answer. Proj-ect the PowerPoint slides over head as you read them. The team with the most points wins.

Mid Tech: PowerPoint on TV If you don’t have a projector but do have a television, display the PowerPoint slides on your screen by hooking up your computer to the tube with a converter. See your local computer store or Har-vey Norman outlet to source one.

Low Tech: Team versus TeamGather teams up front and read questions one by one. Have each team choose a “human buzzer” to make a sound. When they know an answer, tap their buzzer’s head for the sound.


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I. Check-in (Highs & Lows)Sharing Highs & Lows is very important and sets the stage for more meaningful discus-sions on the theme of the week. Split your group into pairs and go one-on-one to share the best things and worst things that happened last week. Get back into small group and have everyone share their partner’s highs and lows. Hold hands or lock elbows in a circle prayer, inviting young people to pray for their partner.

II. Thought-TimeYou might not get through each section in the Thought-Time handout—pick and choose the parts that best fit your group and time frame. A. Verse of the Week: Review the theme verse by saying or singing it together. B. Quotations of the Week: Ask young people to choose a quotation and tell why they like it.C. Cover Art/Cartoon: Look at the cover art or a cartoon and talk about the story it tells.D. Thought-Time Questions:

1. Who is the kindest person you know? What motivates their kindness? Affirm all thoughtful answers.2. What are five tasks around your house that you hate to do? Who usually gets stuck doing them? This week, would you dare divide them up or do them together as a family? Why would you? Why should you? Affirm all thoughtful answers.3. What are three ways you could be servants of Christ in your:School: Start a peer counselling group, welcome new students, speak well of others, etc.Community: Clean up a park, support a local community welfare group, give to a local charity, etc.Church: Help with church maintenance, fold bulletins, hold a fund-raiser car wash, etc.Role Play: (Get up and act it out!)1. A friend who volunteers at church tells you privately she is tired of people who take advantage of her kindness and never thank her in return. She feels burned out and wants to quit. What advice do you give?2. You are on a mission project with a huge group of students. Today your group is assigned the task of cleaning the toilets. Your friends rebel, throw down their mops and say they aren’t going to do such a gross task. What do you say?

E. Terms of the Week: Discuss terms and write definitions.Foot Washing: Back in Jesus’ day, it was customary for a lowest slave in the house to wash the feet of guests who came in from the dusty roads. Jesus did this for his disciples to send a message: although he was their Master, he also was their servant. If they would be great and follow him, they were to be servants to one another from that night on.Friends: Your acquaintances, mates; the people you choose to spend your time and life with.Holy Week: The week before Easter Sunday.Love: A deep, tender feeling of affection toward another person.Maundy Thursday: The last command Jesus gave to his disciples was “love one another as I have loved you.” The church calls the day Jesus gave this command Maundy (Command) Thursday.

F. Optional Review: If you’re using the Head to the Heart journal, read through the FINKmania Quiz Bowl questions together asking what main teaching points your group wants to remember. (See answer key below.)

III. Group Business A. Servant Event Idea: Take the suggestions in question #3 above, and plan to make them happen!B. Family Check-in Time: If your church uses them, discuss the devotions contained in the Head to the Heart journal. Encourage young people to continue to take time with their families each night.C. Closing Prayer: Discuss special concerns and choose a prayer to bring back to the

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down

one’s life for one’s friends.”– John 15:12-13

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The LastCommandment

Thought-Time Sheet

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ThoughT-Time 2

“This is my com-mandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”– John 15:12-13

Begin small group time by sharing Highs & Lows of the week with one partner. Listen carefully and record your partner’s thoughts along with your prayer in the space below. Then return to your group and share your partner’s highs and lows. Close with hands held in a circle prayer, asking members to pray aloud for their respective partner’s needs.

My partner’s high this week was:

My partner’s low this week was:

My hope and prayer for my partner is:

Choose one of the following quotations that speaks to you and share why you chose it.

Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.

– Mother Teresa

For one human being to love another: that is perhaps the most difficult of our tasks; the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation. – Rainer Maria Rilke

The difficulty is not so great to die for a friend as to find a friend worth dying for. – Homer (not Simpson)

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1. Who is the kindest person you know? What motivates their kindness?

2. What are five tasks around your house that you hate to do? Who usually gets stuck doing them? This week, would you dare divide them up or do them together as a family? Why would you? Why should you?

3. What are three ways you could be servants of Christ in your:

School:

Community:

Church:

Role Play (Get up and act it out!): 1. A friend who volunteers at church tells you privately she is tired of people who take advantage of her kindness and never thank her in return. She feels burned out and wants to quit. What advice do you give? 2. You are on a mission project with a huge group of young people. Today your group is assigned the task of cleaning the toilets. Your friends rebel, throw down their mops and say they aren’t going to do such a gross task. What do you say?

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Choose questions from the following to feed the discussion on the topic.

Discuss the following terms and write a group definition.

Foot Washing

Friends

Holy Week

Love

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1) Share: How are things going? Find out by sharing Highs & Lows for the day. 2) Read: Read and highlight the verse for each day in your Bible, reflecting on how it applies to today’s Highs & Lows and asking God, “What does it mean for our family today?”

Week 1 Week 2 Day 1 John 13:1 Day 1 John 15:12 Day 2 John 13:2b-4 Day 2 John 15:13 Day 3 John 13:5 Day 3 John 15:14-15a Day 4 John 13:6-7 Day 4 John 15:16 Day 5 John 13:8-9 Day 5 John 15:17 Day 6 John 13:14-15 Day 6 John 15:20a

3) Talk: Read and reflect on one of the quotations, questions or terms from this handout. More family devotions and activities are also available in the Head to the Heart journals, available at www.faithink.com.au.

4) Pray: Lift up a PTA prayer. Praise God, Thank Jesus, and Ask the Holy Spirit as you pray for the day’s Highs & Lows and for one another. Close in Jesus’ name.

5) Bless: Close by marking one another with the sign of the cross on the forehead or back of the hand and recite this or a similar blessing: “(Name), child of God, may the love of Christ be alive in you, in all you say and all you do. Amen.”

Family Covenant: We have checked-in this week, shared Highs & Lows, read and highlighted verses assigned, prayed for and blessed one another.

_____________________ _____________________ __________ Parent’s Signature Teenager’s Signature Date

FAITH 5 Home HuddlesParents: Care to keep your family communicating each day and grow in your understanding of God? Try this simple, five-step, Faith Acts In The Home (FAITH 5) process for the next six days or nights and see if it doesn’t help! New to the process? Focus on Step 1 initially, and grow from there!


Go deeper online using FINKLink code:

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