Interactive Prayer Stations for Lent 2014: I am the Bread of Life

Who do you say that I am?

Throughout the weeks of Lent, the Families at Five service is thinking about the different “I am” statements of Jesus.  The service meets regularly in the chapel for a short thirty minute child-friendly service each week.  However, we wanted Lent to be different.  During the six weeks of Lent, we will discover through prayer stations who Jesus says that he is.  It is my hope that I will be able to chronicle our discoveries and explorations each week!
Who does Jesus say he is?  Jesus says that he is: “the bread of life,” “the light of the world,” “the gate,” “the good shepherd,” “the true vine,” “the way, truth, and life,” and ultimately “the resurrection.”  It is through our knowledge of Jesus, that we learn more about who we are as children of God.  Through this journey of discovering who Jesus says he is, we will worship using our entire selves.

Week 1: "I am the Bread of Life"

"Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

"Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day." Exodus 16:4

Interactive Prayer Station #1: Kneading Through Our Sin (Prayers of Confession)

Jesus is the bread of life.  Bread takes a long time to make. It requires flour, yeast, water, and lots of kneading!  Just like dough, we are being shaped and formed my God.

Take a piece of dough as you tell God about your struggles and ways you would like to be changed and formed by God.  Work the dough in your hands.  Knead it as you talk to God.  Create a shape with the dough that reflects God’s love for you.  Place it in the basket.  After kneading the dough, clean your hands off in the bucket of water.  Receive God’s forgiveness and know you are being shaped and formed by God.

Materials:

·         Dough

·         Plastic for floor

·         Place for dough after done (basket?)

·         Bucket of water

·         Towel

·      

Interactive Prayer Station #2: “I am the Bread of Life,"  “Give us Each Day our Daily Bread” (Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession)

Take a piece of bread. What does it feel like in your hand? What does it smell like? Eat it slowly. What does it taste like? What does it mean that Jesus is the bread of life? Thank God for good food to eat, each day that gives us life.

Take another piece of bread.  Hold it in your hand and remember those are hungry, whose parents cannot or do not give them good things to eat.  As you place this piece of bread in the basket in front of the globe, ask God to give bread for this day to those who are hungry.   Listen as God tells you ways you can help to make sure that everyone has their daily bread.

"God is great God is good let us thank Him for our food by his hands we all are fed, give us Lord our daily bread."  

Materials:

·         bread

·         globe

·         3 baskets

·         

Interactive Prayer Station #3: Manna from Heaven (Prayers of Offering)

Just as God sent us manna for the Israelites to eat in the desert, so we have been given so many good things to eat and amazing gifts.  Take a piece of manna.  Draw or write things that you are grateful for and gifts you have been given.  Once you are done, place them in the basket.

Materials:

·         Manna cards

·         Basket

·         Crayons/markers

Interactive Prayer Station #4: A Way to Listen to God: A Coloring Prayer

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” 

What does this mean to you? 

How does bread help us?  Why do you think Jesus called himself bread?  When was the last time you ate bread?

Use one of the cards to draw what comes to your mind when you think of Bread of Life.  Use this quiet coloring time to listen to God and to tell God what is on your mind.

Materials:

·         Cards at each table

·         Markers/Crayons

·         Paper with center circle that says, “Bread of Life”

Interactive Prayer Station #5: A Place to Listen to God

·  When asked about how she prayed, Mother Teresa replied, "I sit with God and listen. " When asked what God does, she replied, "God listens too. "

Here is a good place to join God in listening… to the story… to the needs of the world… to the desires of your heart.

• ·       You may wish to tell the story again with the figures or materials.
•         You may wish to read the story again from one of the story Bibles.
•         You may wish to hold one of the crosses and quietly listen for God as you breathe in and out slowly.