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Second Sunday of Easter, Year B

Scripture: John 20:19-31

In fear, the disciples huddled behind locked doors – an obvious response to the crucifixion. (“Are we next?”) Suddenly, Jesus is right there, sensitively inviting the disciples to convince themselves that it is he – showing them the marks on his body. “Peace be with you,” Jesus says. The disciples are now to carry on the work Jesus had begun. Jesus breathes the power of the Holy Spirit upon them. As God sent Jesus, now the disciples are sent out. Their message is handed on to us, the torch of peace, so we can hand it on to those who come after us.

Download the lesson plan for the Second Sunday of Easter

LPTW Easter 2, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Easter 2, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Easter 2, Year B, Adults
LPTW Easter 2, Year B, All

There is also an Intergenerational Lesson Plan for this Sunday.

Second Sunday of Easter, Year B, Intergenerational

Scripture: John 20:19-31

The same Gospel reading occurs in the Second Sunday of Easter in all three lectionary cycles; so for each cycle, the lesson plan suggests a section of the reading as the focus. Today’s reading from the Gospel of John follows the discovery of the resurrected Jesus by the women at the tomb. Although several disciples raced to the tomb to see for themselves, they returned to the upper room – reasonably sure that they would be the next to be killed. While they huddled in fear, Jesus came to them, and even after all he had been through, he continued to teach the message of peace and forgiveness. For today’s session, the suggested focus is the concluding portion: verses 25 through 31.

Download the intergenerational lesson plan for the Second Sunday of Easter

LPTW Easter 2, Year B, Intergenerational

Easter, Year B

Scripture: John 20:1-18

This is John’s account of the resurrection, where Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb by herself and finds that the stone in front of the tomb had been moved. She runs to get Simon Peter and the beloved disciple who go inside the tomb to find the wrappings that were on Jesus’ body were still there, but Jesus was gone. The disciples return to where they are staying and Mary is standing outside the tomb crying when she is asked by angels, “woman, why are you crying?” She explains, only to have Jesus (who she does not recognize) ask her the same question. Jesus answers her by simply saying her name, which causes her to recognize him. Jesus tells her to go spread the news that he has risen and will be ascending to the Father.

Download the Lesson Plan for Easter

LPTW Easter, Year B, Younger and Older Children

Note: Many churches do not hold regular classes on Easter. If, however, you meet with the children we suggest this modified plan. No session for adults is offered on the assumption that any time after the service would be spent identifying people who are not regular members and extending hospitality to them as well as time spent celebrating Easter.

Palm Sunday, Year B

Scripture: Mark 14:1-15 or Mark 15:1-39(40-47)

Abundance, not scarcity. The costliest of ointments poured out for Jesus. A man carrying a jar of water – work usually reserved for women – shows the way to the Passover meal. Pilate may have had generosity as one of his motives in offering the crowd Jesus’ release, but they choose Barabbas; and so Jesus is crucified. The words pierce us across the centuries. A soldier who had stood guard exclaims: “Truly this man was God’s Son.” This conviction continues to penetrate our souls, creating a space to house the incredible news of Easter.

Download the lesson plans for Palm Sunday, Year B

LPTW Palm Sunday, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Palm Sunday, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Palm Sunday, Year B, Adults
LPTW Palm Sunday, Year B, All

Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year B

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Jesus continues the preparation of his followers. The hour has almost arrived for “the Son of Man to be glorified.” Whatever could he mean, his disciples wonder? So Jesus selects a concrete image, one they will all have experienced: a grain of wheat – apparently lifeless – yet falling into the earth and dying, bears much fruit. The paradox: those who love their life lose it. Whoever serves Jesus, must follow Jesus. And as Jesus accepts what is to come, the voice again is heard. The crowd thinks it is thunder, the disciples perhaps hear God assuring Jesus that God is being glorified by Jesus. And once again Jesus assures us that when he is lifted up from the earth he will draw all people to himself. The disciples shook their heads. We are still unpacking the power of this message.

Download the lesson plans for the Fifth Sunday of Lent

LPTW Lent 5, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Lent 5, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Lent 5, Year B, Adults
LPTW Lent 5, Year B, All

Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year B

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Jesus patiently prepares his followers for what is to come. Jesus is to be “lifted up” so that he may then lift up all of us. The light has come into the world – a light some will seek at all costs. For others, the darkness is preferable to the penetrating brightness of the light. God reaches out to all of us, sending the Son into the world so that all might be saved through him. We do not know what the disciples made of this revelation. Our concern is what we make of it and what re-alignment we may be called to make.

Download the lesson plans for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

LPTW Lent 4, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Lent 4, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Lent 4, Year B, Adults
LPTW Lent 4, Year B, All

Third Sunday in Lent, Year B

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Events teach. Often the learning comes after the event. Jesus teaches with elements that have immediate impact as well as lingering meaning. And they usually land well outside the expected. So, with Passover looming, Jesus goes into the busy temple and proceeds to clean house. “Take these things out of here!” he demands of the money changers, the animal merchants – even those who sold doves. Then he announces: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” A temple that took 46 years to build? Could he mean the temple God has been building since the beginning of time? What “things” need to be removed from our own personal temples?

Download the Lesson Plans for the Third Sunday in Lent

LPTW Lent 3, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Lent 3, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Lent 3, Year B, Adults
LPTW Lent 3, Year B, All

First Sunday in Lent, Year B

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Succinct! Mark wastes no words: Jesus’ vita as he presents himself for ministry – in 6 lines! Baptized, his call affirmed by God, ministry temptations faced, Jesus is ready to begin. Mark does not see the need to list the temptations, only that the angels were with Jesus as he did his discernment. Jesus emerges and announces his ministry: the time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe: our creed in a nutshell.

Download the Intergenerational Lesson Plan for the First Sunday in Lent

LPTW Lent 1, Year B, InterGenerational

First Sunday in Lent, Year B

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15 

Jesus is Baptized, the Spirit descends on him “like a dove,” and he hears the affirmation: “You are my Son, loved, and pleasing to me.” It appears that he is affirmed and ready for ministry. Yet, immediately the Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness where he must spend 40 days taming the temptations that come with power. Only then is Jesus equipped to proclaim the good news. And so we too are invited to notice the temptations that are pulling us off course, diverting our energy, and impeding our ability to proclaim the good news.

Download the Lesson Plans for the First Sunday in Lent

LPTW Lent 1, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Lent 1, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Lent 1, Year B, Adults
LPTW Lent 1, Year B, All

Second Sunday in Lent, Year B

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Just prior to our reading today, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they offer the various responses that they have heard from others. “But who do YOU say that I am?” asks Jesus. Who are you following? Today, Jesus once again teaches those around him who he is, therefore, what is ahead for the Son of God and what that means for the followers of Jesus.

Download the Lesson Plan for the Second Sunday in Lent

LPTW Lent 2, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Lent 2, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Lent 2, Year B, Adults
LPTW Lent 2, Year B, All