Introducing the Unit: Option 1

Use ‘thy’/‘your’ with the children according to the version they will hear in your church/at school.

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Jesus told us to pray for God’s Kingdom!

After 3, let’s say, ‘thy/your Kingdom come’ together

1, 2, 3 . . . thy/your Kingdom come!

And again . . .

1, 2, 3 . . . thy/your Kingdom come!

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Jesus taught us that prayer!

Christians pray ‘thy/your Kingdom come!’ all the time!

If appropriate: in the ‘Our Father’/Lord’s Prayer.

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But what’s God’s Kingdom like? Hands out in question

What are we praying for?

God’s Kingdom, God’s special place,

isn’t just up in heaven. Point up

It isn’t just in church. Shake head

 

Week 1:

Let me tell you a secret . . .

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Week 2+, if appropriate:

Can anyone remember our secret?

Give one of the children the opportunity to convey ‘the secret’ in his or her own words.

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Sssssssh!

Whisper God’s Kingdom is coming in the WORLD!

Hands down on the floor

All around us! Point around the room

God’s Kingdom is anywhere where we live

by God’s special rules of LOVE. Cross arms on chest

Let’s cross our arms on our chest to show love.

Lead the children in crossing arms on chest.

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Repeat, encouraging the children to join in after the dots.

God’s Kingdom is anywhere where we live

by God’s special rules of . . . cross arms on chest LOVE.

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Introducing the Unit: Option 2

Words: The Lord’s Prayer (use the version that’s used in your church or local school)

Tune (optional for groups who don’t know the ‘Our Father’): ‘Frère Jacques’

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Jesus told us to pray for God’s Kingdom:

to say, ‘thy/your Kingdom come!’

​

Either:

Let’s pray the ‘Our Father’/Lord’s Prayer together

When we get to ‘thy/your Kingdom come’, let’s stop!

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Let’s see if we can do that:

Our Father, who art in heaven,                            

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,                                          

hallowed be your name;

thy Kingdom come . . .                                           

your Kingdom come . . .

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Or (for very young children):

Let’s sing the prayer Jesus taught us:

‘my turn’ point to self, ‘your turn’ leader’s hands out to group

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To the tune of ‘Frère Jacques’:

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Traditional version                                    

Our Father                                                 

Our Father                                                 

Who art in heav’n                                     

Who art in heav’n                                     

Hallowed be thy na-me,                           

Hallowed be thy na-me,                          

Thy Kingdom come!                                  

Thy Kingdom come!                                 

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Modern version

Our Father

Our Father

I-in heav’n

I-in heav’n

Hallowed be your na-me,

Hallowed be your na-me,

Your Kingdom come!

Your Kingdom come!

 

All groups:

Jesus taught us that prayer.

We pray ‘thy/your Kingdom come!’ all the time!

But what’s God’s Kingdom like? Hands out in question

What are we praying for?

​

God’s Kingdom, God’s special place,

isn’t just up in heaven Point up

It isn’t just in church. Shake head

 

Week 1:

Let me tell you a secret . . .

​

Week 2+, if appropriate:

Can anyone remember our secret?

Give one of the children the opportunity to convey ‘the secret’ in her or his own words.

​

Sssssssh!

Whisper God’s Kingdom is coming in the WORLD!

Hands down on the floor

All around us! Point around the room

God’s Kingdom is anywhere where we live

by God’s special rules of LOVE. Cross arms on chest

​

Let’s cross our arms on our chest to show love.

Lead the children in crossing arms on chest.

Repeat, encouraging the children to join in after the dots.

God’s Kingdom is anywhere where we live

by God’s special rules of . . . Cross arms on chest LOVE.