The Fourth Sunday after Trinity
for Legionary Nathan and his Friends
ALMIGHTY God, who makes the minds of all faithful men to have one wish; Make your people to love the thing to you command, and to want the things you promise; so that even in a mixed-up world our hearts and minds will hold fast to your Kingdom, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Read the Bible Story
Read the Lesson
Do the Lesson Exercises
John 16:5
But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, "Where are you going?' Instead, the longer I've talked, the sadder you've become. So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you.
"When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.
"I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I've said, "He takes from me and delivers to you.'
Note: Flesh Reading ease 90%, Flesh-Kincaid Level 4.3
LESSON
Grace and Peace be with you Soldiers for Christ!
Last week we heard Jesus say that he would go away for little bit, and then come back. We also learned of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Today's Gospel story comes in the lines just before last week's Gospel story.
Today's picture shows Jesus sitting at night with his disciples. He's telling them what will come. He's so good that his face shines. What's Jesus telling his disciples? What's going to happen? Well, when Jesus goes away, he'll send another in his place to help them. The person who copied this bible calls him "Friend". The real word means a helper, and someone who will speak for you and stay with you. That's what a real friend does, isn't it?
No one can see the Friend. He's a spirit. No one can touch him. He doesn't have a body. But he's like Jesus and the Father. He's the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus sends the Friend to all who love him. The Friend is a good and perfect gift from Heaven of the Father.
The Friend will teach you to love God. He'll pray for you. He'll help you to pray too. He'll comfort you when you are sad. He'll lead you to good things. He'll make you to be brave, and do what is right.
How does the Friend do this? Jesus also said, the Friend "will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is." Have you ever had someone strong to take you by the hand? Have you ever taken a little person by the hand to lead them? God has sent the Friend to take you by the hand. He'll lead you to all truth. He'll give you only the good things that God wants for you.
Let us pray.
O God, who has sent your Spirit to be with us and help us, make us to know him more and more. Make us to follow him into all truth, and to love the things you ask us to do, and to find your true joys. Thank you for sending us the Friend to lead us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Note: Flesh Reading ease 98%, Flesh-Kincaid Level 1.9
- Can you name the people in this story, and tell what they did?
- 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 time a friend led another 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?