The 5th Sunday after Easter
called Rogation Sunday
for Legionary Nathan and his Friends
O LORD, who gives us all good things; Help us, who are your children, to think good things, and to do them also; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Read the Bible Story
Read the Lesson
Do the Lesson Exercises
and he'll most certainly give it to you"
John 16:23ff
"This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!
"I've used figures of speech in telling you these things. Soon I'll drop the figures and tell you about the Father in plain language. Then you can make your requests directly to him in relation to this life I've revealed to you. I won't continue making requests of the Father on your behalf. I won't need to. Because you've gone out on a limb, committed yourselves to love and trust in me, believing I came directly from the Father, the Father loves you directly. First, I left the Father and arrived in the world; now I leave the world and travel to the Father."
His disciples said, "Finally! You're giving it to us straight, in plain talk—no more figures of speech. Now we know that you know everything—it all comes together in you. You won't have to put up with our questions anymore. We're convinced you came from God."
Jesus answered them, "Do you finally believe? In fact, you're about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."
LESSON
Grace and Peace be with you Christ's Soldier!
Today I will teach you a new word, "Rogation". It isn't used much any more. The word comes from Latin "rogare." It means "to ask." We call this "Rogation Sunday." Jesus says, "Ask in my name, according to my will."
The next three days this week are Rogation Days. We may pray for good farming this year and to feed the poor. Then comes Ascension Day on Thursday. We will remember the day Jesus rose up into heaven.
What did Jesus say that we should do? He said to ask in his name. Do you ever pray like that? It is easy, and here is a way. You start with "Our Father," or "O God." Next you may say something special about God. Then ask for something good that you need or want him to do. The Holy Spirit will help you to think of good things. Then end your prayer by saying, "In Jesus name. Amen."
Now, the Father will give you only good things you need. If you make a mistake, it's OK. God will not give or do anything that is bad for you or another.
Next, Jesus told his disciples that he would be going to heaven. I'll write to you about that on Thursday and next Sunday.
Goodbye for now, and may God's peace be with you all week.
Ease 92%, Level 2.3
- 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 prayer 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?