Discussion Guide for The Ascension

In order to do this lesson as a family, set aside 15-20 minutes and grab a Bible, whether that's looking at the biblical text with older kids, or at the Spark Story Bible that we use for younger kids.  And while it's obviously not the same as going to church, I'd encourage you to think about ways to help make your home a worshipful space: light a candle, say a prayer, sing a hymn or a Chapel song, or maybe take a moment of silence and some deep breaths.  Everything listed below is meant to be optional -- you can pick and choose what will work best with your family.

Opening Your Time Together:

  • Checking In - After an Easter that probably felt a whole lot different than what we were used to, I'm sure that many of us are wondering what May or even the summer will look like.  It's a tough question that may look very different for many of us, but I'm sure that all of us will have plans, traditions, or travel affected by the ongoing attempts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  If you think your family is ready to process that disappointment, perhaps try to ask your kids about things they were looking forward to this summer - things that they hope will still happen, or perhaps ways that you could modify plans to account for this new reality.  There may be instances where our physical distance will be no substitute, but perhaps there are still ways to find joy and excitement.
 
  • Opening Prayer - God, as we head into this time after Easter - learning about the growth of the early church and the ways in which the earliest disciples tried to share your message of hope, joy, and love - we confess that we are having a hard time feeling those things sometimes.  As the school year starts to draw to an end, we miss being with our friends.  As we look ahead to summer, we're not totally sure what things will look like.  Help us to find hope in the small things, to see joy in our time together with family, and to live out your love through all the ways we can still connect and support one another.  We pray all this in Jesus' name.  Amen. 
 
  • Opening Hymn - They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBHJobmBdK0 - I've always been a big fan of this hymn, particularly during the season of Eastertide and the growth of the early church:
    • Verse 1 - We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord; we are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord; and we pray that all unity may one day be restored; and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
    • Verse 2 - We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand; we will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand; and together we'll spread the news that God is in our land; and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
    • Verse 3 - We will work with each other, we will work sided by side; we will work with each other, we will work side by side; and we'll guard human dignity and save human pride; and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
    • Verse 4 - All praise to the Father, from whom all things come; and all praise to Christ Jesus, God's only son; and all praise to the Spirit who makes us one; and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
 
  • Opening Chapel Song - Doxology - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUco1i7fEns - the link is to a piano version, which is exactly what we play at the start of Chapel each Sunday.  See if your kids remember the hand motions that go along with this hymn - they might be able to teach you too!

Reading the Bible:

  • Open up to the passage, whether in the Bible or the Spark Bible.  Ask your kids if they are familiar with this passage and, if so, what they remember.  
  • Read the passage together.  Bible - Acts 1:1-11,  ​Spark Bible - pages 498 to 499
  • (Optional) You can also practice something called lectio divina, which basically means you read through the passage once, asking kids to listen for a word or phrase that jumps out at them.  After reading, everyone shares their answers and then you read the passage again, listening for new insights!

Discussing the Passage:

  • For Younger Kids 
  • ​Today's passage is about Jesus leaving the disciples in charge: in charge of caring for other people, in charge of teaching them, and in charge of sharing love.  If you were in charge of your family's schedule for a day, what would you do?  What would you eat?  Where would you go?  Who would you see?
  • The early church grew because the disciples were really good at showing love to other people.  What do you think is the best way to show love to someone?  How could you practice that today?
 
  • For Older Kids 
  • ​How would you have felt if you were one of the disciples watching Jesus ascend?  Do you think they felt nervous about being in charge?  Or would they have been excited for the opportunity?
  • If you were in charge of the church today, what are some of the first things that you would do?  Who would you reach out to and what would you try to do?  
  • Think back to a time when you thought you wouldn't be able to do something... what did you learn after having tried it?  How might being a disciple, or being the church, take practice?
 ​
Closing Your Time Together:
  • Closing Prayer - God, as we remember the earliest days of the church, when small groups gathered together to dream about sharing your message far and wide, we are reminded that you are right here with us today.  Jesus putting the disciples in charge of the church reminds us that we too have responsibility to be the church today - so help give us the strength, the creativity, the patience, and most importantly a sense of your love to help guide us in doing so.  We pray all of this in Jesus' name.  Amen.
 
  • Closing Hymn - Lord, Prepare Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N1IeaBqvSE - this hymn is one of Miss Katy's favorites!  This simple piano instrumental should be easy enough to sing over - just follow along using the words below.
    • Verse - Lord, prepare me - to be a sanctuary - pure and holy - tried and true - with thanksgiving - I'll be a living - sanctuary - for you.