Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Have each family member complete this sentence in prayer: "Dear God, help me to be brave like the disciples when I need to tell others about You, especially when I'm at _______." (Let children fill in places like school, playground, sports practice, etc.)
Song (5 Minutes)
Catechism (5 minutes)
Have everyone read aloud simultaneously or allow everyone to try to answer before revealing the answer.
Q48: What is the church?
A: A community elected for eternal life and united by faith, who love, follow, learn from, and worship God together. (1 Peter 3:18)
A: A community elected for eternal life and united by faith, who love, follow, learn from, and worship God together. (1 Peter 3:18)
Questions from: https://newcitycatechism.com/. Go there to start from beginning or to read more.
Scripture (5 Minutes)
Mark 6:7–13 (NLT)
And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.
“Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”
So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.
“Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”
So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- What did Jesus give the disciples permission to take with them? What weren't they allowed to take? Why is that important?
- Why do you think Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs instead of alone?
- What were the three main things the disciples did when they went out? (preached repentance, cast out demons, healed sick people)
- What are some ways we can tell others about Jesus today?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the courage to tell others about You, just like You gave the disciples courage. Help us to trust You to provide for our needs, even when we feel scared or unprepared. Help us remember that You are with us wherever we go, just as You were with the disciples. In Jesus' name, Amen.