A Pilgrimage of Grace
|
Lent is a great opportunity for us to intentionally walk through these 6 weeks with our intergenerational whānau, as we explore God’s amazing and transforming grace.
Each of these weekly studies, written for the Anglican Diocese of Wellington, has something to talk about, explore, think and watch. You can pick and choose which bits you want to include or adapt to suit your context. There are also suggestions for a family movie each week, and all the films are suitable for both children and adults alike. Heat up the popcorn, make a blanket fort, turn off your devices (everyone!), and settle in for a fun evening with the whole whānau. All the films are available to stream or rent online. We have also included three key action points to help us explore how we can be family on mission. So in each study, we will:
|
Order the full Lent Studies
Pre order these studies by sending an email to the Wellington Anglican Centre Copies are $5 each + pp (tbc) 
|
Family Film Night
|
There are also suggestions for a family movie each week, and all the films are suitable for both children and adults alike. So, heat up the popcorn, make a blanket fort, turn off your devices (everyone!), and settle in for a fun evening with the whole whānau!
If your children are sensitive viewers, you may want to watch the film in advance, and check the parent and kid reviews on the Commonsense Media website (commonsensemedia.org). All the films are available to stream or rent online on iTunes or YouTube, and some are available on Netflix. Week 1 – Wonder (2017, PG) Week 2 – Cars 3 (2017, G) Week 3 – Paddington 2 (2018, G) Week 4 – Lego Batman Movie (2017, PG) or Beauty and the Beast (2017, PG) Week 5 – Christopher Robin (2018, G) Week 6 – Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017, G) or The Greatest Showman (2017, PG) |
|
Memory Verse
|
Our memory verse for Lent is “My grace is enough: it’s all you need” 2 Corinthians 12:9. This reminds us that God’s grace is all we need in life – in the good times, the tough times, the adventures, the mess ups. God’s grace - His love, kindness, compassion and forgiveness – is all we need. Write this Bible verse somewhere everyone can see it, perhaps on a window or mirror using window markers, on the fridge, or just by your bed so you can see it before you go to sleep.
For more resources to help you prepare your family and church for Lent and Easter, see the resources pages on this website |
“My grace is enough; it's all you need"
2 Corinthians 12:9 Message Translation |
TalkWhat has been the best gift you have ever received?
|
ExploreThe girl with the gift of grace - Mark 14
The Bible often talks about something called grace. No, not the girl’s name! Have you heard the word grace before? What do you think it could mean? Grace is giving someone something they didn’t ask for. The giver is giving out of graciousness, and unmerited favour. Grace would be making your brother and sister’s beds when they didn’t ask for it. Grace is doing the dishes when you haven’t been asked to. Grace can often get confused with mercy. Have you heard of the word mercy? Mercy is getting the opposite of what you deserve. So, when someone hits you, you can offer mercy by not hitting them back. If someone steals from you, mercy is not stealing back. It’s choosing not to get revenge. Mercy takes down the mirror that reflects the punishment they deserve. Today’s bible story is about a girl who gave Jesus an amazing gift: one that Jesus didn’t ask or request - but a wonderful, generous, gift of grace. You can read today’s story about a woman giving Jesus her greatest gift, in Mark 14:1-11, or the The Jesus Storybook Bible– ‘Washed with tears’ (p.280) and Diary of a Disciple: Luke's Story - ‘Servants, Sickness and Smells’ (p.121-125) |
Think
|
WatchWonder (2017, PG)
Wonder is an earnest, emotional family drama based on R.J. Palacio's award-winning novel of the same name. It centres on Auggie Pullman, a young boy with a genetic facial difference. Auggie meets both cruel bullies and good friends as he attends school for the first time; his supportive family (including his parents, played by Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson) is always there for him - even when he tries to push them away. The movie has clear positive messages about choosing kindness, appreciating everyone for who they are (rather than what they look like), and true friendship; empathy and perseverance are also strong themes – Commonsensemedia.org Common Sense Media rating: Suitable for 8yrs+ |
TalkHave you ever wanted something, just because someone else had it?
|
ExploreJesus calls his disciples - Matthew 4:18-25
The most amazing thing about how people, is that God made each of us to be wonderfully unique and different. Can you think of ways that you are different to others in your family? None of us are the same - even identical twins are different! We all have different skills, abilities, passions, dreams, and experiences. There is only one you in the world! But even though we’re all different, we can easily fall into the comparison trap. I wonder if you know what this is like? For example, I might love playing with my tablet or gadget – until my friend gets a better one. Or I enjoy playing soccer, until a friend of mine scores more goals than me and is selected for a better team. Or mum and dad want me to stay at home for the long weekend, when my friends get to go away to a bach. Comparison traps – they’re a killer! Just because something appears to be better than what we have, doesn’t mean that we are less valuable because of it. Extending grace to others, means we can celebrate when others have a new toy, skill or experience – without it affecting how we think about ourselves, or them. We don’t let jealousy or bitterness creep in, or make ourselves feel better by pull them down with unkind words. We can cheer them on, and look for the good in everyone – just like God does in us. Today’s true Bible story looks at a comparison trap that Jesus saw. When a woman who gave Jesus everything she had, and even though it wasn’t worth much in the world, it was worth a lot in God’s eyes. You can read it in Mark 12:41-44. |
Think
|
WatchCars 3 (2017, G)
Lighting McQueen finds himself pushed out of the sport that he loves, as a new generation of blazing-fast cars take the lead. Falling into a comparison trap, Lightning turns to Cruz Ramirez, an eager young technician who has her own plans for winning. Common Sense Media Rating: Suitable for 6yrs+ |
TalkHow does it feel when someone forgives you? Why do you think its important to forgive others?
|
ExploreThe Prodigal Son - Luke 15:1-32
Read through today’s story about a father and his sons. You can read today’s story about the Prodigal son Luke 15:1-32, in Diary of a Disciple: Luke's Story, Chapter 15 – ‘Sheep, pigs and sandals’ (p. 224), and in the Jesus Storybook Bible – ‘Running Away’ (p. 272). Today we hear about a father who offered his son mercy and grace. He loved his son so much, he let him take his share of the family money and live freely in the city, spending it all and making some bad choices. And when he came home, his dad didn’t punish him or reject him. He offered him mercy– remember what mercy was? Getting the opposite of what you deserve. While the son probably deserved to be rejected, his dad gathered up his robes, and ran out to his son to hug him, welcome him, and love him. And grace– instead of being a worker or slave, his dad threw him the best welcome home party. That’s grace. What do you think about this story? What would you have offered grace and mercy? |
Think
|
WatchPaddington 2 (2018, G)
“Paddington wouldn’t hesitate if any of us needed help. He looks for the good in all of us.”The much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. In this movie, Paddington ends up being accused of a crime he didn’t commit, and shows forgiveness, humour and kindness in the way he deals with it all. Common Sense Media rating: Suitable for 6yrs+ |
TalkIf you were given a million dollars tomorrow, what is the first thing you would you do with it?
|
ExploreJesus and Zaccheaus - Luke 19:1-10
Everyone would have known about Zac. He was the tax collector and spent his days taking money from people, and was probably the most unpopular person in the town. But even he didn't miss out on the news that Jesus was coming to town, and he had to go and have a look... Why do you think he had to climb a tree to get a good view of Jesus? When Jesus saw Zac up in the tree, he invited himself around to his house. He didn't ignore him or treat him like the rest of the town did, who muttered and gossiped about him. When Zac spent time with Jesus, he wanted to change his life and be a better man - giving and sharing all he had accumulated. When we experience the love and grace from Jesus, it changes us. Grace means that Jesus loves us just as we are, but his love changes us from the inside out. You can read about Jesus and Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10, the Jesus Storybook Bible: 'The man who didn't have any friends (none)' (p.264-271), and Diary of a Disciple: Luke's Story, Chapter 13: Trees, Taxes and Tears (p.265-268) |
Think
|
WatchThere are two suggested movies this week, depending on the age and sensitivity of your crew:
The Lego Batman Movie (2017, PG)
There are big changes brewing in Gotham, but if Batman wants to save the city from the Joker's hostile takeover, he may have to change the way he works by himself. Maybe his superhero sidekick Robin and loyal butler Alfred can show him a thing or two. Common Sense Media Rating: Suitable for 7yrs+ Beauty and the Beast (2017, PG)
Beauty and the Beast is Disney's live-action remake of the classic 1991 animated musical, with Emma Watson as book-loving, independent Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast. Film includes some mild peril and, well, a beast - so if your kids are sensitive, then prewatch to decide if this film is for them. A story of sacrifice, compassion, empathy, curiosity, and transformation. Common Sense Media Rating: Suitable for 8yrs+ |
TalkCan you think of anything that is free, but also so valuable?
|
ExploreThe Servant King - John 13:1-7
Sometimes the greatest gifts in life are both free - and valuable. A hug from your mum, time spent with a best friend, saying goodbye to a dying relative, a long walk on the beach. They may not cost much, but they’re as valuable as gold. God is generous and kind with his love for us. Even if we’ve just heard about Jesus for the first time, his love for us is as high as the heavens. Even if we’ve followed Him our whole lives, his love for us is as deep as the oceans. That’s what grace looks like – love that cannot be measured. In today’s true story, we hear of someone in the Bible who volunteered to do a stinky, dusty, horrible job that no one else wanted to do. But even though it wasn’t a job with status, it didn’t mean it wasn’t valuable. Love can turn up in the most unlikely ways. You can read about this story in John 13:1-17, or The Jesus Storybook Bible, ‘The Servant King’ (p. 286-288) |
Think
|
WatchChristopher Robin (2018, G)
In the heartwarming live action adventure Disney’s “Christopher Robin,” the young boy who shared countless adventures with his band of lovable stuffed animals in the Hundred Acre Wood is now grown up and living in London but he has lost his way. Now it is up to his childhood friends to venture into our world and help Christopher Robin rediscover the joys of family life, the value of friendship and to appreciate the simple pleasures in life once again.He finds that just because he has grown up, his old, childhood friends are just as valuable today. Common Sense Media Rating: Suitable for 8yrs + |
TalkCan you think of a time when you misunderstood something? Maybe it was what someone was saying, or a situation. What happened?
|
ExploreBring out the God-colours in the world - Matthew 5:13-16
Here’s today’s Bible passage from book called The Message: “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:13-16 Like little glow-worms, we can shine brighter when we are together with others who love Jesus too. And one of the best things about being a follower of God, is that we don’t have to do this faith journey alone. The church is made up of a beautiful collection of different, unique, special people. Young and old. Tall and short. Funny and serious. Sporty and creative. Together we can show people grace by being light, “bringing out the God-colours in the world.” |
Think
|
|
Watch
|
Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017, PG)
In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history. Common Sense Media Rating: Suitable for 6yrs + |
The Greatest Showman (2017, PG)
Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business & tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. The Greatest showman reminds us to celebrate our differences, welcome everyone, and be a community of grace. Common Sense Media Rating: Suitable for 10yrs + |
Other ideas
Journey through Holy Week
If you would like to take an intentional journey through Holy week together as a community of grace, head to our Lent and Easter pages for some ideas and resources to do this.
Parihaka
You might like to look at the story of Parihaka, a community that tells a story of peaceful resistance and belief in a God of peace, not violence. You can find some ideas and resources from Scripture Union
Greatest Showman Podcast
Here's a great sermon on The Greatest Showman from Rev Rich Johnson at All Saints Worcester, as part of their Faith and Film podcast on faith in film. This is more suited for adults.
Journey through Holy Week
If you would like to take an intentional journey through Holy week together as a community of grace, head to our Lent and Easter pages for some ideas and resources to do this.
Parihaka
You might like to look at the story of Parihaka, a community that tells a story of peaceful resistance and belief in a God of peace, not violence. You can find some ideas and resources from Scripture Union
Greatest Showman Podcast
Here's a great sermon on The Greatest Showman from Rev Rich Johnson at All Saints Worcester, as part of their Faith and Film podcast on faith in film. This is more suited for adults.