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Reply to "MISC Workshop Ideas and Resources for the Lord's Prayer"

The Lord's Prayer

"Prayer Panel" Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

In this workshop the children will learn that there are many different ways to talk to God. They will understand that God desires to hear what is on our hearts.  Adults and teens come into the class and the children can ask them questions about prayer.

(See questions listed below)


Supplies List:

  • Pretty paper on which the children can write their prayers. Be sure the paper has been punched to go in their journals.
  • A list of questions for the moderator to ask the guests;
  • a dry erase board and markers (or a poster board with markers);
  • a watch or clock to keep on schedule with the speakers;
  • a bulletin with a meditation prayer printed in it. 
  • Adults willing to be speakers and be questioned about prayer by the kids.


Teacher preparation:

  • Write the Lord’s Prayer on a dry erase board or a poster board.
  • Underline the words that might be confusing for the children.
  • If working with poster board, create strips of paper to tape over the existing words. Have in mind some replacement words in case the children need guidance.
  • If working with a dry erase board, you can just erase and write the new word. Each class will come up with their own list of words.
  • Read through the list of questions that you will be asking the guests.


 Presentation

Opening-Welcome and introductions:

Greet the children and introduce yourself. Remember that you are interacting with a different group of students each week--some may not know you. Wear your nametag and make sure that the children are wearing theirs.

Dig-Main Content and Reflection:

Explain to the children that today they will be learning about prayer. Ask the following questions (Accept any answers. The answers in parentheses are possible answers to help guide them. You may have others to add):

  • Why do we pray to God? (We need God’s help and guidance every day and God wants to know what is on our hearts.)
  • What do we do when we pray? (When we pray, we give God thanks, we pray for the needs of others and ourselves, we adore God, and we confess our sins.)
  • How do you pray? Are there any special prayers that you say at your house?

Explain that Jesus had many people that followed him and listened very carefully to what he was teaching. One day, he taught the people about prayer. He told them that they didn’t need a bunch of fancy words to talk to God. They didn’t even have to have their prayers memorized. They just needed to tell God what was on their hearts. Jesus showed them what he was talking about by saying a prayer for them We call this prayer the Lord’s Prayer. Ask them if they remember hearing this prayer during our worship service? Have them stand up and come look at the prayer that is written on the board. Have someone read it. Explain to them that even though some of the words may look confusing to us, in Jesus’ day these were very simple words. Ask if there are any words that they don’t understand. Together come up with another word or words to replace the difficult word.
For example, art could be is, was, are, and shall ever be; hallowed is holy, awesome, sacred, incredible; thy is your.
After you have explored the Lord’s Prayer, have the children sit down. Tell them that everyone has different ways of praying.

 Today, we will hear from several people about how they pray.

Tell the children that you have several questions that you will be asking each person.

Ask the children if there are any questions that they would like for you to ask the panel members about prayer, making sure you add the children's questions to cards.

Introduce your volunteers.

 After they come in, explain to them that you are learning all about prayer and would like to ask them a few questions.

Refer to the attached list of questions.

Closure:
After all the volunteers leave, ask the children what they learned today. Explain to them that praying is talking to God. Tell them they everyone prays differently because everyone has different things that they want to say to God. Although some people feel more comfortable memorizing prayers and saying them, God loves to hear from us personally. God likes to hear about what we are thinking and what is on our hearts. Tell them that today they will have the chance to write a prayer telling God what is on their hearts.

Journal Time:
You should wrap up the workshop by 10:15 to allow time for journal writing. Explain to the children that today they will have a special journal time. They will need to use their best handwriting so that others can read it. Pass out the special paper. Their journal time today will be writing prayers that will be used during worship. They will be prayers for meditation on the front of the bulletin that are silently read before the service begins. Show them a bulletin that has a prayer printed. Note: The younger children may need some help. Have them say their prayers and write them on another sheet of paper. Have them copy their prayers on their special paper.

Closing:
Have the children stand or sit in a circle. End with a “popcorn” prayer: the teacher starts with a few words and then each child says a few words as it continues around the circle. The prayer continues once or twice around the circle. If no one ends the prayer, then the teacher should end it by thanking God for caring for us and listening to our prayers.

Dismissal:
Have the children help you tidy up the workshop space. Dismiss them with instructions about where they are to go.


References:

  • some suggestions made by the Covenant People curriculum of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

 

Attachment—Questions for Panel Discussion

The following are some suggestions for questions to ask your volunteer panel. They are divided into two different age groups, but you may use any of them at any time. Be sure to watch your time.

Beginners:

  • How old were you when you started praying?
  • Are there any prayers that you have memorized from when you were young?
  • Do you still say these prayers?
  • Does your family pray together?
  • Who says the prayer?
  • When do you pray?
  • What do you pray about?


Primary/Juniors:

  • Do you pray prayers that are memorized or do you just make them up as you go?
  • How do you know what to say when you are praying?
  • Do you pray out loud in front of other people?
  • Who taught you how to pray?
  • Is there a right or wrong way to pray?
  • Do your prayers ever get answered?
  • Do you like to pray?
  • How often do you pray?

 

A lesson originally posted by Jan Marshall, Brookhaven Church

 A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Last edited by Luanne Payne
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