A Sent People

Lent is a great 6 week opportunity for us to intentionally walk through this season with our intergenerational whānau. Each week focuses on the theme of being a sent people, as we are challenged to join God in His transforming mission in the world.
 
Each day has a starter question, a story to read or watch (get creative!), and a family friendly film to watch. You can pick and choose which bits you want to include or adapt to suit your context.
 
As we go our 3DM journey as a diocese, we have also included three key action points to help us explore how we can be family on mission. So in each part of the story, we will:

• Look up! To see what God has to say
• Look in! To see how to live out the story with faith-filled friends
• Look out! To see how we can take the story to people who are outside of God’s family

These studies were prepared to go alongside the Lent Studies for the Anglican Diocese of Wellington, providing them with some all age resources suitable for an intergenerational group study.

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Family Film Night

There are suggestions for a family movie each week, and all the films are suitable for both children and adults alike. Put on the popcorn, get out the blankets and make a blanket fort, turn off your devices (everyone!), and settle in for a family film night. All films are available to stream online (iTunes links are below) or should be in your local DVD store.
 
Week 1 – Secret Life of Pets (2016)
Week 2 – Finding Dory (2016)
Week 3 – Moana (2016)
Week 4 – Sing (2016)
Week 5 – Trolls (2016)
Week 6 – Inside Out (2015)

Use your discretion when showing them to younger children – you might like to watch them in advance if your kids are sensitive viewers, and watch the film with them, guiding them through the plot. 

Memory Verse

Our memory verse for Lent is “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” John 20:21. This reminds us that Jesus was sent to us, and we are sent into the world. We are a sent people. Put this verse from scripture up where everyone in the family can see it - write it on the window or mirror with window markers, turn it into a poster, put it on the fridge, or stick it up by your children’s beds to look at as they go to sleep.

For more resources to help you prepare your family and church for Lent and Easter, see the resources page on our website pages

“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you"

John 20:21 

Week 1
A Sent God 
What are you waiting for?

Talk

When was the last time you had to wait for something?  

Explore

John the Baptist, and Jesus is baptised - Mark 1:1-15
No one knew when the Saviour of the world would come, or what he’d look like. But God knew. And his friend John knew what to look out for. When Jesus arrived at the Jordan river and met John, He had been waiting for His adventure to begin for over 30 years. It was time for Him to show the world what God’s kingdom was like.

You can read today’s story about John the Baptist and Jesus in Mark 1:1-15. You can also find it in The Jesus Storybook Bible - Heaven breaks through, p. 200, and Diary of a Disciple: Luke's Story, Chapter 3 – Doves and Dunkers.

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Think

• Look up! 
  The same words God says about Jesus at his baptism in the river, He says about you! Write your name on a big piece of paper and the words: “This is my own son/daughter. And I love him/her. I am very pleased with him/her.” Make one for every member of your family and put them where you can see them this week
  
  
• Look in!
  Waiting is always easier with a friend, and friends of God can encourage each other to wait patiently. Think of a friend who might be waiting for something, and spend some time with them. Remind them that waiting for God’s timing is worth it.
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• Look out!
  We can often miss out on sharing God’s hope with people, because we’re waiting for a better time, or for someone else to do it. Who could you share God’s love with this week? 

Watch

The Secret Life of Pets (2016, PG)
What do our pets do when we go out of the day? Do they sit there, waiting for us to return? Max, the terrier, is missing on the streets of Manhattan, and the other pets have to leave their home comforts to save him. 
Themes to talk about: family, courage, responsibility, care for animals.
Buy or rent The Secret Life of Pets on iTunes

Week 2
Called and Sent
Off on a new adventure

Talk

When was the last time you have had to do something new? How did you feel? (e.g. new school, new skill)

Explore

Jesus calls his disciples - ​Matthew 4:18-25
“God’s story isn’t just a story about our friendship with God. It’s also about joining God on an adventure.” – Jason Byerly in God’s Big Adventure. The disciples have just set off on a new adventure with Jesus, and new experiences can be daunting – but they can also be wonderful. Little did they know that this new start would be the beginning of something amazing.
 
You can read today’s story about Jesus calling the first disciples and healing the sick in Matthew 4:18-25. You can also find it in The Jesus Storybook Bible - ‘Let’s Go’ p. 208, and Diary of a Disciple: Luke's Story, Chapter 5 – Floppy Fishermen and a man on a blanket

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Think

• Look up!
  Draw a picture of yourself doing something new. How does it make you feel? Draw God into the picture or write some words to describe how God feels about it.
  
• Look in!
   Friends of God cheer each other on and want the best for each other. Pray for a friend doing something new this week.
  
• Look out!
  Being the new kid in a school, club or sports team can be nerve wracking. How can you make them feel welcome and included this week?
  

Watch

Finding Dory (2016, G)
For Dory, everyone’s favourite forgetful fish, the world is new every few minutes. Dory may be different, but this film shows us that being different is ok. With a little help from her friends, Dory sets off on adventure to find her family – and they soon discover the magic within their flaws, friendships and family.
Themes: friendship, being different, courage, family
Buy or rent Finding Dory on iTunes 

Week 3
Sent Disciples
Being brave and courageous

Talk

Can you think of a time when you have had to be brave? 

Explore

Jesus sends out the 12 disciples - Matthew 10:1-15
I wonder how the disciples would have felt, when Jesus told them they were going out on their own mission? How would you have felt? Jesus didn’t just send them out alone, they would go out together and, even better, the Bible says he sent them out with two important things. He gave them his power to heal and get rid of bad spirits, and he gave them some instructions about what to say, where to go and what to do. Their courage came from Jesus’ words. They were brave because Jesus sent them with his power, and we can be brave because God gives us his Holy Spirit.

You can read today’s story about Jesus sending out his disciples in Matthew 10:1-15, and the Diary of a Disciple: Luke's Story, Chapter 6 – Baths, Blessings and Builders.

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Think

• Look up!
  Jesus called 12 unlikely disciples to join him on his adventure. He wants us to join him too. Yes you! Write your name on a piece of paper or Post-it note, and 3 encouraging things God says about you. Put it somewhere you will see it this week. 
• Look in!
  Who are one or two friends you can include on your adventure with Jesus? Start praying today for God to send you more friends who love Jesus.
• Look out!
  The disciples’ first mission was to Israel, not anywhere too far. God’s adventure starts where we are. What is one thing you can do to help the people who live in your neighbourhood or community?

Watch

Moana (2016, PG)
Moana is an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana meets the once-mighty demigod Māui, who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. 

Moana knew that her role in life was bigger than staying on her island, as she knew she had a bigger mission to fulfil – a mission that required a great sacrifice to save others. What would have happened if Moana had ignored what her heart was telling her to do, and just stayed on the island?

Themes: courage, self-sacrifice, care for creation.
Buy or rent Moana on iTunes

Week 4
Sent to Serve
Loving God and loving others

Talk

Would you rather be famous - or successful? Why? 

Explore

Jesus predicts his death and a mum asks Jesus a big question - Matthew 20:17-28
In today’s true story from the Bible, we hear how Jesus told his disciples about the suffering he was going to endure. And soon after that, the mother of Zebedee’s sons asks for a special place for her boys. This story reminds us that people wanting status and recognition is nothing new! And while some want a life of fame and fortune, Jesus lived the complete opposite. Jesus didn’t come to earth to be famous, he came to be a servant.

You can read today's bible story in ​Matthew 20:17-28

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Think

• Look up!
   Kids of the King put God first, not themselves. Make a list of ten things that are awesome about God.  
• Look in!
  ​Friends of God encourage one another, celebrate all the good things about them, and believe that God has great plans for them (even if they don’t know what they might look like yet). Who could you encourage this week?
  
• Look out!
  We are part of a big story of God, sent into the world for others – but we don’t do it alone, God is with us! Who does God want you to spend time with this week?  How can we serve others as a family?

Watch

Sing (G, 2016)
In a last-ditch attempt to save his failing theatre, koala Buster Moon puts on a singing contest. Animals from all over the city enter, in search for fame and fortune.
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Themes: Gifts, talents, perseverance, courage, fame, family responsibilities. 
Buy or rent Sing! on iTunes here

Week 5
Sent Communities
Our mission with God

Talk

If you were on a desert island, who would you take with you - and why?

Explore

The Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20
In these final words to the disciples, Jesus tells them what they are to do when he goes. Don’t sit still, don’t hide, don’t wait – go and share the good news of Jesus with everyone! These words have been known as the ‘Great Commission.’ But what does Commission mean? You can break the word commission into two: co and mission. ‘Co’ means ‘with/alongside/together’. So our mission isn’t a solo one –  we do it with God. It begins with what God is doing in the world, and we get to join in with all God is doing. Together.

You can read today's bible story in ​Matthew 28:16-20 or The Jesus Storybook Bible, Going home, p. 318, and The Diary of a Disciple: Luke’s Story, Chapter 24 – Not the end!

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Think

• Look up!
  If Jesus was here now, talking about the amazing faith adventure you were going to go on together, what would he say to you? 
  
• Look in!
  Friends of God work together to share the good news of Jesus! We are like family, helping and supporting each other. How can we include everyone in this exciting mission?
  
• Look out!
  God is already at work in your neighbourhood and community, restoring and fixing the world. Can you see what He is doing? How can we join in with God in His mission to heal and restore your community? 
  

Watch

Trolls (2016, PG)
After the giant Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy, the happiest Troll ever born, and overly-cautious Branch set off on an adventure to rescue their friends. Together the unlikely pair learn about trust, empathy, working together, and the true meaning of “No troll left behind.”
 
Themes: friendship, belonging, family, courage.
Buy or rent Trolls on iTunes

Week 6
Misunderstood Mission
Sometimes it can be a bumpy journey

Talk

Can you think of a time when you misunderstood something? Maybe it was what someone was saying, or a situation. What happened?

Explore

Peter’s misunderstanding - Matthew 10:16-28
In today’s story, Peter misunderstood what was happening with Jesus, and why he had to die. Sometimes we can misunderstand situations or people too, if we can’t see the whole picture. This can lead to people being confused, hurt, or offended. And sometimes our friends outside the church might not understand why we believe in God, and we can feel misunderstood. They might even be unkind and call you names. However, we can choose how we respond to those times - with love and grace. 

You can read today's bible story in Matthew 10:16-28

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Think

• Look up!
  ​What kind words does God choose to describe you? Write them down and remind yourself of them every day this week. If you find it difficult to think of some words, ask your family to help.
  
• Look in!
  Friends of God support each other on. How can you stick up for your Christian friends, or a friend who is being picked on?
• Look out!
  ​When you see someone being picked on, stand up for them. Who are the people God might be sending you to help today?

Watch

Inside Out (2016, PG)
Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it's no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. As she struggles to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, Riley discovers that life can be confusing, with many misunderstandings along the way. 

Themes: control, emotions, mental health, friendship, empathy, rescue. 
Buy or rent Inside Out on iTunes