4th Week of Easter, Friday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"There are many rooms in my Father's house;... 
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going."

(From the Gospel)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

"My Father's house" - what do you think Jesus means by this?

He says that He is going to prepare a place for us there.

Then He says that we know the way to the place where He is going.

What do you think that way is? Or who?

The Father's house, where we will one day be with Jesus and the Father forever - I wonder what it will be like?

Thank you, Jesus, for showing us the way to the Father's house. Thank you for preparing a special place for us there. Thank you for your limitless love!

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."