This week we take a slight detour from encountering Jesus, to encountering John the Baptist. We “see” someone who “sees” Jesus clearly. What can we learn from John’s approach to discipleship for how we are called to be disciples of Jesus?
Light a candle, take some deep breaths, or sing a song, to draw your attention to God’s presence. Say this prayer together or read it to yourself.
Share with one another:
What has helped you to survive the first month of the year?
Read John 3: 22-36 aloud as a group before watching the video.
As time permits, spend some time in reflection using the following resources.
Close this time of worship by reading this blessing.
Lesson Highlights: John is unique in the way he orders events and stories in his gospel, and this being his first miracle is important. An abundance of wine points to an abundance in the reign of God. If the world works in ways that match who God is, there is more than enough, not just to meet needs, but to connect communities and celebrate joyfully.
Jesus was at a wedding
They ran out of drinks
But water changed to wine
Cause God gives us good things
Leader Reads:
Jesus and his family were invited to a wedding. Have you ever been to a wedding? Weddings are parties to celebrate when two people get married to each other. Some weddings are small, just a few family and friends. Some weddings are huge parties with lots of people.
The wedding Jesus was invited to was a huge party with lots and lots of people. They ate special food at the party!
Let’s eat together. Pretend to eat and say, “Yum, yum!”
They drank special drinks at the party!
Let’s get a drink. Pretend to drink and say, “Glug, glug!”
Everybody was having so much fun at the wedding party!
But then, oh no! Something went wrong at the wedding. They ran out of special drinks! What were they going to do with no more drinks?
Jesus’ mom, Mary, heard that all the drinks were gone. But she knew a secret about Jesus. She knew Jesus was God’s son. Jesus could do something to help! Mary said to Jesus, “They have run out of drinks. Do something to help, quick!”
Mary brought some of the party helpers to Jesus. “My son will help with the drinks,” she said. The people were very confused. What was Jesus going to do? How would he help? Would he go buy more drinks?
Jesus said, “I saw some really big jars over there. Go get them and fill them up with water. Fill them up to the very tippy top.” So the helpers went and filled up 6 huge jars with water. The jars were so big, you could have hidden inside them if you were playing hide and seek.
Now the people were even more confused. This was a party, why did Jesus want so much water? Who wants to drink water at a party? But, they filled the jars up anyway. All the way to the very tippy top.
Then Jesus said, “Dip a cup into that jar and give it to the man in charge of the party. Let him have a drink.”
The helpers looked at each other. Now they were the most confused. Why would they bring water to the man in charge of the party? Water was not a special drink. Was Jesus playing a joke on them? They weren’t sure. But, they did what Jesus said. They took a drink to the man in charge of the whole party.
They brought the cup to the man in charge of the wedding party. He took a little sip, and his eyes got wide. He took a bigger sip. His eyes got wider. He drank every last drop, and smiled a big smile.
“Where did you find this?” he asked. “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Quick, serve it to the guests so everyone can have some! Quick! Quick!” The helpers were so surprised! They had filled the jars with regular water, but Jesus had turned the water into wine. Now there was enough for everyone to drink as much as they wanted for the whole rest of the wedding party. Jesus gave them such a good thing!
Jesus gives us good things too! Those are our special words for today’s story. Jesus gives us good things. Can you say that with me? Jesus gives us good things! Isn’t that great? Let’s say it again together! Jesus gives us good things!
Visual for telling the story: Put some dry colourful punch mix in the bottom of a cup or jug. Fill another cup with water. Pour the water into the punch cup, and watch it change colour
Anytime Jesus does a miracle, we should ask: why? What does this miracle help us see about who God is or what God is doing in the world? If Jesus turned water to wine at this wedding, what does that tell us about what God is like?
It shows us that God is a joyful God, and the community of God should be joyful, a place of more-than-enoughness.
One of my favourite parts of this story is when the helper brings the glass of water to the host and everyone waits in anticipation, not knowing what will happen next. We thought it would be fun for the kids to experience this moment through play!
Please prepare a variety of beverage items such as different juices (premixed or from concentrate), cut-up fruit, soda, or any other options that could work for making a delicious punch. Here’s the catch: we want the kids to create their own unique mixes!
You can guide them by providing a recipe, or let them experiment and decide what combinations they like best. This can be done as a group collaboration or individually, with each child making their own drink.
Once they’ve finished mixing, have them present their punch to their parents for a fun taste test. Encourage the kids to share a little about their creation, what ingredients they used and even a name for their drink.
Even if it tastes a little funny, we encourage parents to react with joyful excitement. Jump into the narrative, celebrate their creativity, and most of all – have fun with it!
Weddings would have dancing. Play a dancing game! When the music is on, dance. When the music stops, freeze! Keep the dancing time shorter, and play as many rounds as they have interest.
Blow up balloons together and tuck in pieces of paper with prayer prompts inside. These prompts will be for prayers of gratitude about the things that bring us joy. Kids will take turns sitting or stomping on the balloon to pop it and get to the prompt.
No balloons? Kids hate popping? No sweat! Simply write friend, food, sound, smell, feel, each on their own paper or notecard. Put them face down, then mix ‘em up, pick one, and pray the corresponding prayer.
Here are some prayer prompts you can use, but feel free to come up with your own:
