Reformation Day (Yrs A, B, C) Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) On Reformation Day the church honours Martin Luther and other reformers of the six­ teenth century, and reformers of every age. Luther’s teachings focused on the promises of scripture, emphasizing that the Spirit works in our hearts to speak God’s word to us and that we receive God’s grace through our faith in Christ. This is the truth that makes us free. Our life in the Body of Christ is shaped by this gift of freedom. Focus Scripture John 8:31–36 Focus Scripture: John 8:31–36 Additional Scriptures Most scholars believe that the gospel of John Through Jesus, the Son, we are given a Jeremiah 31:31–34 was written around 85–90 CE. Jesus’ identity permanent place in the house of God. True Psalm 46 and teachings are the priorities in this gospel. freedom comes through Jesus the Christ, not Romans 3:19–28 John draws us into the new life and under­ any human ancestor. True freedom comes not standing of God’s purpose that Jesus makes from one’s heritage, but as a gift from God. possible. Truth for the Jews involved their identity in Gracious God, Reflected in the focus reading today Abraham; Jesus’ truth involves identity in is the struggle within the early church God. write your law on between Jews who accepted Jesus as Messiah The leaders of the Reformation empha­ our hearts and and those who did not. This division was sized the gospel teaching that true freedom let your word of probably not as sharp in Jesus’ time as the is not related to ethnic distinctions or social grace dwell in us words in John might lead us to believe. When class. Only Jesus the Christ can free us from so that no matter the gospel of John refers to “Jews,” it usually slavery to sin, and does so through the truth where we are, we is speaking of Jewish religious leaders. It may of the gospel. may know we are be helpful to think of the dialogue in John Martin Luther felt that the heart of gospel forgiven and free. truth is summed up in Romans 3:19–28. All between Jesus and the Jews as a challenging Amen. discussion among “family members” who are people fall short in their relationship with experiencing a strained relationship. God, but God offers forgiveness of sins Verse 30 is a springboard into the focus through Christ. We are justified – put right verses. Jesus has been teaching, and verse with God – by the gift of God’s grace, through 30 reports: “As he was saying these things, faith in Christ. many believed in him.” Jesus’ words to these The Hebrew exiles in Babylon blamed the new believers begin in verse 31. slavery of exile on their ancestors who had Living in Jesus’ way leads to truth, which disregarded God’s law. In Jeremiah 31:31–34, in turn leads to freedom. The Jews are puzzled the prophet envisions a future time when the by Jesus’ teaching and claim that because ability to know God and God’s truth will be a they are descendants of Abraham, they are gift from God, written on each heart. already free. They claim they have never been Psalm 46 is the inspiration behind Luther’s slaves, neglecting to recall the time of slavery classic Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress in Egypt or the Babylonian exile. Is Our God.” The words of the psalmist, and In John, the writer uses the phrase “very the words of Luther, call disciples to place their truly I tell you” (v. 34) to signal that a new hope in God alone. teaching is to follow. In verses 34–36, Jesus • • • • • addresses the group’s misunderstanding of Scripture calls us to live with God’s law on freedom with the new teaching that everyone our hearts, to let our faith determine how who sins is not free and is a slave to sin. we act. Jesus invites us to open our hearts to Jesus teaches that slavery is not limited to an receive God’s gifts of grace and salvation – economic reality, but also is an inward state of to claim our freedom in Christ. What in the being. Even those who claim freedom through church today needs to be reformed by God’s Abraham are not as free as they think. grace? What might you and your church do differently through the reforming, restoring power of the Holy Spirit? Seasons of the Spirit © 2012 Wood Lake Publishing Seasons of the Spirit™ Ages 6–8 Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) 1 www.seasonsonline.ca; www.woodlakebooks.com Reformation Day (Yrs A, B, C) The Focus for Ages 6–8 hildren aged six to eight love drama the heart of his teaching – something we want and dramatic stories of lives lived big. the children to remember, along with the dra­ COn this day they will have a chance ma of the story. The resource sheet “Martin to celebrate the life of someone who lived life Luther’s Seal” (p. 6) provides you with the to the full. The story of Martin Luther is one image of the seal and a description of the six of the great stories of the Christian tradition. main elements of the seal to help you in the Today’s session can help children learn how discussion with the children. The six parts of Martin Luther made such a difference to the the seal are presented with statements simple Christian way, and perhaps be inspired by his enough for the children to understand. Invite life story in their own journeys of faith. children to share their own understanding Children in this age group are concrete about the symbolism of the seal. They can be learners and it is help ful for them to have your teachers when it comes to appreciating a something they can take away from a session statement like “We can trust in Jesus to show and use later to link back to the story. Martin us God’s way.” Pray that Jesus will be a guide Luther’s seal is a wonderful example of such to God’s way for these chil dren, just as Jesus a symbol. It not only has an important place was for Martin Luther. within the story, but it also carries within it Prepare Before the session q Prayerfully reflect on the focus scripture, (p. 6), enlarging if possible; colour as indi­ John 8:31–36, and biblical back ground cated by the description of the symbols; material (p. 1). cut the symbol into separate pieces. q Prepare a worship area with red fabric, Respond white pillar candle, and Bible with a book­ Choose from the following suggested activi­ mark placed at John 8:31–36. ties. Prepare and bring the materials. q Bring candlesnuffer and matches. q Bookmark: bookmark-lengths of wide red q Bring CD player, if possible. ribbon, small pieces of felt, white paper, scis- sors, staplers q Decorate the room with red items (such as q streamers, paper hearts, balloons). Story bags: small plain paper bags, art and craft supplies, glue sticks; if possible, make Gather arrange ments for photocopying. q Bring song “Circle Song” (#11 on Seasons q Edible seal: copies of resource sheet “Martin Music CD, volume 7) or “We Thank You, Luther’s Seal” (p. 6), sliced bread, pieces of God” (#22 on Seasons Music CD, volume 9); dried fruit, cream cheese, butter knife, large tin both recordings also available as Seasons or other cutter, coloured pencils or markers mp3 downloads. Bless q Make two small signs: one saying “No q Bring song “God’s Family” (#12 on Seasons way!” and one saying “Yes! That’s right.” Music CD, volume 7) or “Following Where Jesus Engage Leads” (#14, Seasons Music CD, volume 8); both q Bring resource sheet “Meet Martin Luther” recordings also available as Seasons mp3 (p. 5) and many paper heart shapes and buttons. downloads. q Make a copy of the seal illustration from resource sheet “Martin Luther’s Seal” 2 Seasons of the Spirit™ Ages 6–8 Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) Seasons of the Spirit © 2012 Wood Lake Publishing www.seasonsonline.ca; www.woodlakebooks.com Reformation Day (Yrs A, B, C) Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) Scripture FOCUS To celebrate Reformation Day through the story of Martin Luther. John 8:31–36 Welcome the children and invite them to notice Sing “Circle Song” (#11 on Seasons Music CD, all the red decorations. Explain that red is a volume 7) or “We Thank You, God” ((#22 on Sea- colour that is used for special days in the church sons Music CD, volume 8). year. Mention that today we are celebrat ing Ref­ Connecting life and theme ormation Day. It is the day we remember Martin On one side of your meeting space place the sign Luther, who brought the good news of the Bible saying “Yes! That’s right” and on the opposite to many, many people. side place the sign saying “No way!” Invite the Opening ritual children to play a game where they will move Gather in the worship space and invite a child to to the signs to indicate their agreement or disa­ help light the Christ candle. greement with statements such as “Soccer/foot­ Pray the following prayer, inviting children to ball is fun to play; I love pickles; Brushing teeth repeat each line after you. is important; I think everyone should come to Dear God, church.” Talk together about how it is easier to as we gather in this circle today, share how we feel about things like pickles but help us to learn more about it can sometimes be harder to share what we following in the way of Jesus believe about more important things.