Here are three great ideas gleaned from
our Writing Team's Great Commission Lesson Plans
Below are excerpts and summaries from three of the Writing Team's Great Commission lesson plans that especially lend themselves to the theme of "Go!" and Renewal. Each can be used as a lesson, or adapted for use as part of a "launch, renewal" event. They can also be used to inspire a children's sermon or used in worship for presentation.
We've included enough of the lesson plans for you to read and run with. If you are a Supporting Member, you can access the full lesson plan with all its details. Join today!
Lesson/Activity 1: Jesus' Road Signs for the Disciples
Students enjoy a "Disciple Road Signs" activity (with guided discussion in the lesson plan) in which they sketch road signs that Jesus might have created for his disciples to guide them in the way they should go, and to help them find or avoid things along the journey. Think "road trip!"
Go and....
Stop ahead to ...
Stop doing...
Yield to...
These are the Dead End(s) and Do Not Enter(s)...
Slow down to...
Here's what's Under Construction
Signs for "The School Zone"
and more
Lesson/Activity 2: The Great Commission to Mission
This lesson invites several key leaders from your church to talk with your group about how their work fulfills the Great Commission. The leaders present specific HANDS-ON opportunities to the participants that they can sign up to get involved, or do something right at the end of class or the event. The presenters bring in props, photos, and invite students to interact with them. The lesson plan even suggests a game that a presenter can play.
For example, the "Lead Greeter" shows kids how to greet others coming to their church, and how to spot and help new people trying to find a classroom or coming into their class for the very first time. The "facilities person" asks how to make things nicer or more inviting, and has things the kids can do to help. The food pantry volunteer gives the kids a list of foods to collect and where to bring them, and if the pantry/storage is at the church, invites some of the kids to come help with a quick sorting project after class.
Lesson/Activity 3: I'm Gonna Make This Place Your Home
The Writing Team found this fantastic music video from Tyler Perry's "The Passion" that features Jesus with his disciples in a contemporary setting asking, "Who do people say that I am?", and Jesus singing the words to the mega-hit "HOME."
Here are the lyrics to the song in case you haven't heard it a while (it was and still is super popular). When Jesus sings the song in The Passion music video, they sound like great encouragements and comfort for disciples about to begin his work:
Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
'Cause I’m going to make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you’re not alone
'Cause I’m going to make this place your home
The clip starts with Jesus (Jencarlos, the singer) and his disciples (including Michael W. Smith) in a coffee shop discussing "who do people say that I am?" Peter (Prince Royce) responds. Then after a brief narration by Tyler Perry seen at a park in New Orleans, we return to see Jesus and Peter meet outside the shop and sing "Home."
Supporting Members can see the full lesson plan that includes lots of details for discussion and also a way to dramatize the music.
