When You Learn to Follow Jesus
Following Jesus means we are changed, and often means we are different from the rest of the world. There is a popularized Christianity that pervades our culture, and while there are some parts of that which are very helpful and very faithful, there are also ways that truly following Jesus means deviating from some of that. When we really follow Jesus we will do some things and say some things and make some choices that cause others to “stop and take a look,” to quote this month’s song. In early childhood, our job is to help our children know the faith that backs up these choices so that they can make their own faithful choices as they grow up. It’s not about protecting them from the world, but rather about equipping them to interact faithfully with the world. In these young years, a great way to do this is by embracing the strangeness and silliness of it all. This month’s scripture is about the radical way that Peter, Andrew, James and John left everything they had and knew to follow Jesus.
Read It
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Matthew 4:18-22
18 As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. |
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Do It
Following Jesus Bulletin Board
Put up a bulletin or magnetic board in your house and title it, “Following Jesus.” Decorate it in a fun, creative, even silly way (think spirals, silly faces…), and add some footprints to remind you of following. Then, for the next month or year or however long you want, let everyone in your family put things on it that remind you to follow Jesus. This can be written reminders (like, “I chose to share my snack when my brother spilled his”) or objects and symbols (a piece of trash to remind you to pick up litter).
Silly time
Turn on this month’s song, and be silly while you listen to it. Some ways to do this:
• Blow bubbles
• Spin in circles and dance
• Play follow the leader
• Make silly faces in the mirror
• Turn off the lights and use glow sticks
• Play dress-up
Put up a bulletin or magnetic board in your house and title it, “Following Jesus.” Decorate it in a fun, creative, even silly way (think spirals, silly faces…), and add some footprints to remind you of following. Then, for the next month or year or however long you want, let everyone in your family put things on it that remind you to follow Jesus. This can be written reminders (like, “I chose to share my snack when my brother spilled his”) or objects and symbols (a piece of trash to remind you to pick up litter).
Silly time
Turn on this month’s song, and be silly while you listen to it. Some ways to do this:
• Blow bubbles
• Spin in circles and dance
• Play follow the leader
• Make silly faces in the mirror
• Turn off the lights and use glow sticks
• Play dress-up
Pray It
God, thank you for sending Jesus and for the way he showed us how to live faithfully. Sometimes your way makes a lot of sense to other people, and sometimes it makes us look a little strange. Give us courage to follow you, even when it makes people stop and take a look. And give us words to answer people when they stop and take a look so we can help them know how to follow you, too. Amen.
Sing It
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This year’s faith practices go with songs from the CD “New World Coming,” by Bryan Moyer Suderman. They work well on their own, but if you want a bonus for your family’s experience, buy a CD to listen to for the year.
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