6/9/2009 Proper 18

Theme: The Royal Law (Love your neighbour)

Bible reading

James chapter 2 verses 1-17

Preparation

For the introduction to this act of collective worship you need the assistance of two adults - one is to be dressed extremely smartly (tiara etc if you have it), the other as much like a tramp as possible. If you can use adults the children will not immediately recognise then this will be more effective. The "posh" visitor is to be rude and make derogatory remarks about the school, the tramp is to be polite and complimentary. (Note: it would be possible to have children play these roles IF they are well briefed and can be relied on to stay in role.)

You also need a Bible, and a poster or OHP with "The Royal Law - Love your neighbour as yourself" written on it. (Alternatively, instead of the Bible, you may like to write out a paraphrase of the reading and actually place it in an envelope for a pupil to open and read out. If you follow this route, do make sure that the children are told this is from the Bible.)

Introduction

Brief the children that you are hoping a rather special visitor will be joining the school for assembly, although they are a little late. At this point have the school secretary usher in your "posh" visitor in a duly respectful manner. Make a great fuss about finding them a comfortable seat at the front. The secretary can then announce a second visitor has asked to join the school for worship - when the second visitor is shown in treat them with a lack of respect, make them sit on the floor etc.

Ask your first visitor if they would like to answer a few questions e.g:

• What do you think of our school?
  
• Do you like children?
  
• Why have you chosen to visit us?
  
• In each case the visitor answers rudely about the school. If you have time some children may also ask questions.

The second visitor should put up their hand to say that they would like to answer the questions as well. This time the answers should be rather more positive! The answer to the question about why they have come to visit should centre on yours being a church school, and their wanting to join in your worship.

The Message

Tell the assembly how what has happened reminds you of something you have read in the Bible and read out to them James chapter 2 verses 1-7 (you may decide to paraphrase or cut parts of the reading). This tells how members of the churches to whom James was writing behaved in exactly the same way as you have just done, in other words, they looked at the outside of the person, and made a snap judgement about them on the basis of how they looked. Ask the pupils whether, in their opinion, this is a sensible way to make a decision - do nice people always look nice and horrible people always look horrible?

Introduce James chapter 2 verse 8 (put up your OHP or poster) - James has found a law about behaving which he calls the "Royal Law" - why do you think that is it's name? (The most important one) Who do you think told James about this law in the first place? (Jesus) Discuss with the children the meaning of "love your neighbour as yourself", including establishing that "neighbour" means everyone and how this "love" could be worked out practically in family and school.

Why not adopt the Royal Law as part of your school rules for the day, or week, or term, or year!

Prayer

Pray that you will remember the message of Jesus and James and not be selfish but rather look out for opportunities to do good for (all) our neighbours.