The Sunday after Ascension Day
for Legionary Nathan and his Friends
O GOD, the King of glory, who lifted up your only Son Jesus Christ with great victory to your kingdom in heaven; We pray to you, do not leave us without a Friend; but send us your Holy Spirit to comfort us, and lift us to the same place that our Saviour Christ has gone, who lives and rules with you and the same Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Read the Bible Story
Read the Lesson
Do the Lesson Exercises
If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you
John xv. 26 and part of xvi.
"When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start. I've told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he's doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I've told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you'll be well-warned and ready for them.
Ease 85.8%, Level 5.6
LESSON
Grace and Peace be with you Christ's Soldier!
The Holy Spirit is our Friend. He helps us to pray. He helps to guide us. He makes us brave. He helps us to love Jesus. God sends his Friend to everyone who believes in Jesus.
Jesus' men were going to need the Friend with them. Some really bad things were going to happen to them. The Friend is going to be a helper, just like Jesus had been to them. He is going to give them comfort. Do you know what comfort is? Well, did you ever fall down and skin your knee? What did your Mom do for you? Did she help to take the hurt away? That is what comfort is. Did you ever feel sad? Did someone make you feel better? This is what comfort is also.
Now, Jesus told them all the bad things that would happen. Then he said, "I've told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you'll be well-warned and ready for them. " This made the disciples stronger, because they knew they could do what was right. They knew the Friend would comfort them. They knew that people would get mad at them for telling the truth. But you know what? They loved Jesus more than anything, so it did not matter. They would do what was right, no matter what anyone said.
Let us Pray
O Lord Jesus. You sent the Friend to us from the Father. We give you thanks. We sing with happy voices to you. You are our true friend and brother. We will not be afraid. You are our King of Glory. Amen
Go in peace, and may God bless you and your family and friends this day!
Thanks be to God!
Ease 100%, Level 1.3
- Can you name the people in this story, and tell a friend about them?
- In you own words, what do you think this story is about?
- Draw a picture that tells the Gospel story. (You may copy or trace the one on the lesson if you wish.)
- Make up a story (parable) or share a true story about a Friend who comforted you that is like our lesson today.
- Can you think of something you would like to do for God or another that is like this lesson?
- Sing a song about today's story.... There's a Friend for Little Children