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Scripture: Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23)

Our reading today is part of one of the major discourses in Matthew and it comes right after Matthew shares with us a collection of Jesus’ words and deeds. In our passage, Matthew is naming the disciples and the sending out of the 12 disciples as laborers in the harvest. This sets up Jesus’ ministry of sending people forth in ministry and mission to love and heal those around them.

Note: Since this is a long passage, we will just be focusing on Matthew 9:35-10:8.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 6

LPTW Pentecost 6, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Pentecost 6, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Pentecost 6, Year A, Adult
LPTW Pentecost 6, Year A, All

Ordinary Time, Proper 8, Year C, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

This week we skip further ahead to the end of Elijah’s ministry. Elisha is a disciple of Elijah who has been following and learning from the prophet. In today’s passage we follow Elisha and Elijah as Elijah reluctantly passes the torch to Elisha and goes to Heaven in a whirlwind. Why Elijah is reluctant, we do not know. Is it too great a burden to pass? Does Elijah feel he still has more work to do? The text doesn’t say. However, like Ruth following her mother Naomi, Elisha refuses to leave Elijah’s side. When asked what Elisha would like to inherit (like a son) Elisha asks only for a “double share” of Elijah’s “spirit.” This seems to be what calms Elijah before he is carried away with chariots, fire, and a whirlwind.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 8

LPTW Proper 8, Year C, Old Testament, Younger Children
LPTW Proper 8, Year C, Old Testament, Older Children

Ordinary Time, Proper 5, Year C, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16

The widow in today’s Old Testament lesson was certainly walking through an “ordinary” day when Elijah called upon her. Our lesson from this morning is a great reminder that ordinary days quickly become extraordinary when they are spent with faith in the Lord.

Sometimes it is hard to trust that there will be enough for everyone. It is easy for many of us to identify with the widow’s plight – even if not personally. She works tirelessly to provide for her family, yet, at the end of the day it feels like she will never have enough. We are conditioned in our society to always desire more and to feel like what we have will not sustain us. The widow’s plight is different as she is in real danger of starvation. Oftentimes it takes seeing a situation like this to remind us where we stand in the world. When Elijah comes to the widow and delivers his request from God, he is asking something that sounds impossible. But as we know from the miracle of the loaves and fishes, God has the power to make abundance from scarcity for those with faith. That abundance can come from simply a shift in perception or even, as with the widow, from a physical transformation of resources.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 5

LPTW Proper 5, Year C, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Proper 5, Year C, Older Children, Old Testament

Ordinary Time, Proper 7, Year C, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a

Our lectionary this week is a bit of a “back to the future” trip with this section of Kings coming before the lesson we heard last week about Jezebel having Raboth killed to give Ahab the vineyard. Here we encounter Elijah just as he is run out of the kingdom by Jezebel who is murderously angry after Elijah has banished the gods of Baal by having “fire rain down” upon them resulting in the death of all of the false prophets. Elijah is afraid that Jezebel will kill him and while in the wilderness even wonders if he will survive this trial. God sends angels to wait on Elijah before calling him to Mt. Horeb to meet God. In this passage we hear about a time when God got quiet to say something really important. This passage reminds us that God will speak to us – if we are open to waiting for the quiet times.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 7

LPTW Proper 7, Year C, Old Testament, Younger Children
LPTW Proper 7, Year C, Old Testament, Older Children

Ordinary Time, Proper 6, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a

This week’s lesson tackles some very difficult themes: greed, power, envy, and murder to name a few. These themes are intimidating when it comes to teaching children. However, the theme which redeems the lesson is the one which brings us all to God – forgiveness and grace. In order to round out our lesson this week, we will add to the lectionary text verses 25-29 in which Ahab sees the error of his ways and seeks God’s forgiveness – which is granted him. Even the worst among us are worthy of Grace in the sight of the Lord.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 6

LPTW Proper 6, Year C, Old Testament, Younger Children
LPTW Proper 6, Year C, Old Testament, Older Children

Ordinary Time, Proper 4, Year C, Old Testament

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29), 30-39

This week’s Scripture passage is a story about the prophet Elijah, as told in 1 Kings. In this story, Elijah encounters the Prophets of Baal, who worship a God other than the God of Elijah. The prophets and Elijah have a contest to see whose god is more powerful. Though they pray and call on their god all morning, the prophets are unsuccessful. Then, Elijah calls on his God, and God burns Elijah’s sacrifice, even drying up the water that is poured over the altar. Through this act, people see the awesome and mighty power of God. Elijah’s prayer was answered.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 4

LPTW Proper 4, Year C, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Proper 4, Year C, Older Children, Old Testament

Trinity Sunday, Year C, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

This week’s text comes from the book of Proverbs, a book traditionally classified as “wisdom” literature. This book teaches us how to live good and wise lives. The passage in Proverbs 8 exalts wisdom (portrayed as a female character) and reminds us that she was with God from the beginning of creation. Furthermore, all are invited to seek wisdom, as she is found in many different places.

Download the lesson plans for Trinity Sunday.

LPTW Trinity Sunday, Year C, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Trinity Sunday, Year C, Older Children, Old Testament

Pentecost Sunday, Year C, Acts Lesson Plan

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost fulfills a promise that Jesus makes to his disciples before his ascension. In Luke 24:49, Jesus tells his disciples that he will send “what [his] father promised.” Then, on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples and they are equipped to share the good news of Jesus with those who are in the city with them. The fulfillment of Jesus’ promise gives them the ability to tell others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Download the lesson plans for Pentecost Sunday

LPTW Pentecost, Year C, Younger Children, Acts
LPTW Pentecost, Year C, Older Children, Acts

Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year C, Acts Lesson Plan

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Today we hear how Saint Paul gets arrested with his friend Silas for healing a slave girl. The owners did not like this healing because it meant she could no longer make them money by telling fortunes. Paul and Silas pray and sing hymns while in prison reminding themselves that God is with them and they are not alone.

Download the lesson plan for the Seventh Sunday of Easter

LPTW Easter 7, Year C, Younger Children, Acts
LPTW Easter 7, Year C, Older Children, Acts

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C, Acts Lesson Plan

Scripture: Acts 16:9-15

Today we hear how Saint Paul followed God’s guidance. He traveled and preached where he was led. Lydia heard this preaching and was baptized with her whole household. When we believe in Jesus we do Christian things and follow where God invites us to go. 

Download the lesson plan for the Sixth Sunday of Easter

LPTW Easter 6, Year C, Acts, Younger Children
LPTW Easter 6, Year C, Acts, Older Children