Bible Passage
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost  (Luke 17:5-10)

 

Today is the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost.  During the season of Pentecost we learn about Jesus and the early church

Today hear about a time Jesus was with his disciples. His disciples say, “Give us more faith!” .

Watch the video to find out why and what Jesus says:

Jesus’ disciples were afraid that that they didn’t have enough faith.  They wanted to tell others about God’s love and they wanted to follow Jesus, but they weren’t sure they’d be able to do it perfectly.  They asked Jesus to give them more faith.  Jesus told his disciples that they just needed to have faith the size of a mustard seed.  A mustard seed is very small, in fact it was one of the smallest seeds in the time when Jesus lived on earth, but it grew into a big bush, sometimes as big as 10 feet tall.  Jesus said if they had faith the size of a mustard seed they could tell a mulberry tree to throw itself into the sea and it would!

What Jesus meant was that the amount of faith that we have isn’t as important as living out our faith.  God loves us and gives us the faith we need.  Even a small amount of faith grows as we practice our faith.  When we pray, when we read the Bible, when we worship, when we serve others, when we stand up for what is right, our faith grows.  The smallest amount of faith can grow and grow.  God gives us the faith we need.

With God, all things are possible!

Discuss

  • What are some things that start out small and get big?
  • When have you been reminded that God was with you?
  • How can you practice your faith?

Song

Brave Enough.  Written and sung by Amanda Cutcher Meisenheimer (special thanks to her and Illustrated Ministry for permission to use)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wv5pTbaTDE

Activity

Make a pinecone birdfeeder.  Use seeds to feed birds.  It will remind you of Jesus saying we need faith only the size of a mustard seed.

https://onelittleproject.com/pinecone-bird-feeders/

Activity

Though it is small, faith has the ability to make great change.  In The Garden of Happiness, Marisol’s fait, and her one, small seed change the landscape of her neighborhood.  In this story, one sunflower seed brings a community together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PuFVeKuU0s

Closing Prayer

Loving God, we thank you that you are always with us.  We thank you that through the Holy Spirit you give us faith.  Help us use the faith you give us to serve others, stand up for what is right, and follow where you lead us.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home.  Contact him at [email protected].