LENT 3 - 7/03/10

Rules and Second Chances

BIBLE READING - Luke 13: 6-9

PREPARATION

Are there any stories that are topical - either in the soaps or in real life about people being given a second chance - or not being allowed one? The Weakest Link and similar quiz shows are also examples of something people are voted off by others and not given a chance to argue their side, or a second chance to rectify mistakes.

From children's literature you could use The story of Tracy Beaker (Jacqueline Wilson) Tracy lives in a Children's Home but always hopes her mother will come for her. She manages to wreck all the things she looks forward to. Towards the end of the story, she is due to go out for lunch with a writer called Cam. While she's waiting, she has doubts - what if her mother comes while she's out. She manages to pick a fight and ends up in the Quiet Room. Convinced she has blown it, she is surprised when Cam comes to take her out. Over lch it is clear that Cam is not blind to Tracy's faults - but likes her and wants to be with her just the same.

There are also numerous examples in Harry Potter (Professor Dumbledore often gives Harry and his friends a second chance; Hagrid gets a second chance after keeping the dragon…)

Chose an example your children will know and you are comfortable with.

Refer to the story line that you have chosen.

• What were the rules?
  
• How did x break them?
  
• What should be the consequences?
  
• What would this mean for x?
  
• What would having a second chance mean?
  
• Why might it be a good idea to allow x a second chance?

THE MESSAGE

• Tell the story of the fig tree (maybe have a plant and some 'cutting and chopping', and some 'tending and loving' garden equipment.
• Talk with the children about the story
  
• Why do the children think the man should want figs from his tree?
  
• Is he being reasonable?
  
• What would they do if they were the man?
  
• Why do they think the gardener stops him from cutting down the tree?
  
• Do they think the gardener was right?

God is like the gardener. Time and again his people break his rules. He really should punish them. Instead he treats them with love and forgiveness. Jesus, as he told the story, knew the gardener's love, and knew what the second chance (or third, or fourth.) would involve.

It's worth helping children understand that all of us need God's second chance - not just naughty people, or those who are not very clever.

As a response to God's love, draw out from the children ways they can offer other people a second chance.

PRAYER

Thank God for loving us so much that he never gives us up.
Pray that we might see people as God sees them, love with his eyes, never see them as 'lost' and beyond help