Community of Christ

Explore PEACE OF JESUS CHRIST with Young Children
Who is Jesus?

KEY CONCEPTS

We learn about Jesus through Bible stories.
Jesus loves me.
I want to love everyone.
Jesus showed us how to treat each other.
I want to be kind.
“Peace is for me, peace is for us, peace is for everyone, peace is for the planet.” (Children’s Peace Pavilion)

SCRIPTURES

Our understanding of the peace of Jesus Christ will grow through the study of these scriptures.

John 14:15–31
The promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “My peace I give to you.”

Ephesians 2:13, 14, 17
Through Christ Jesus we can all live in peace and love together, no matter what our differences.

Doctrine and Covenants 163:2b
We are to be in right relationships with God, others, and the Earth.

Matthew 5:1–12
The Beatitudes. Specifically, blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.

Luke 4:16–21
This reading describes what Jesus does in his earthly ministry.

Ephesians 2:11–22
The tension between Jew and Gentile seen in earlier letters of Paul is now resolved.

Unless otherwise noted, Bible passages are quoted or adapted from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Scripture and Theological Study
Study scripture and Community of Christ beliefs.

Peace Prayer
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. —John 14:27
Pray together: Dear Jesus, You came to show us what it means to live in peace. Help me to live like you. Amen.
Peace Candle
Explain that Jesus loves everyone and wants us to share his peace. A candle can be like Jesus’ love shining brightly for all to see, sharing peace with everyone. Give each child a core from a paper towel roll, wrapping paper, or bathroom tissue (cut longer cores as needed—about 4 in to 6 in/10 cm to 15 cm). Have them stand the core on end on a small paper plate and drip white glue (washable) from the top of the core down the outside of the core to look like wax drippings. Let the glue dry at least one hour. Set out blue acrylic paint (to symbolize peace, sky, and sea), brushes, and small pieces of gold foil wrapping paper, aluminum foil, or other shiny paper. Once they have painted the core, tape a shiny flame in the top of each. (Based on John 8:12.)

Missional Encounters
Generously share your gifts to help
others and the world.

In Jesus’ Arms
Invite your own child to sit on your lap as you read aloud the scripture story from Mark 10:13–16 about Jesus blessing the children. You may want to use the Lectionary Story Bible, Year B, p. 207. Talk with your child about how wonderful being with Jesus must have been for the children. How they probably felt much love in the arms of Jesus, just like your child feels much love in your arms. Remind them that even though they can’t go to Jesus exactly like the children in the Bible, Jesus loves them just as much as the children in the Bible. Jesus is with them and will always be their special friend.
Even When You’re Far Away
Talk with your child about how the people they love are not always right here with them. Help them think of different ways they can share love with someone who is not close by. They might draw a picture and send it. They might share a photo, send a letter or e-mail you help them write, pray for them, or call them on the phone. Using a toy phone, practice making calls to people they love telling them how much they are loved by Jesus and by them.

Personal Spiritual Practices
Pray and listen to God.

The Beatitudes
Jesus gave us some comforting messages when he went to the mountain to teach (Matthew 5:3–12). They are called the “Beatitudes” which means to “be blessed” or “to be happy.” Teach your child this song about the Beatitudes. Teach your child that when they need to get away by themselves, or are alone in their room or other personal space, they can sing this song. The song can help them feel happy if they’re sad, and feel Jesus’ peace and love.
Prayer for Peace
As a family go to the Daily Prayer for Peace and click on today’s date. Click to learn more about the country of focus. Talk with your child about this country and find it on a map together. If it is appropriate, read through today’s prayer or offer your own prayer to God for peace in our world.

Community Spiritual Practices
Come together to worship and praise God.

Sharing from the Heart
Sharing comes straight from the heart as children play this game. Arrange the children in a circle and give each child a heart cutout. Invite one child to walk around outside the circle as the group sings the “sharing” song. At the end, have the child give the heart to a classmate. Have the two children exchange places. Repeat the activity, encouraging each child to give the heart to someone who has not had a turn (sung to the tune of “London Bridge”).

     I am learning how to share,
     How to share, how to share.
     I am learning how to share.
     This heart is for you.
Listening, Watching, Doing
Explain to the children that you are going to teach them how to do something new. For example, whistle, snap their fingers, tie their shoe. The first time, teach them by using words only—tell them how to do it. The second time, teach them by telling and showing. The third time teach them by telling, showing, and by giving them help as they try to do it. Point out the three ways of learning: listening, watching, doing. Ask them which one was most helpful. Point out that Jesus used all three ways to teach his followers how to live in God’s way. He told them stories, he showed them by doing loving things for others, and he invited people to try living God’s way in their own lives. Jesus’ life teaches us how to live God’s way.

Personal Relationships
Be a friend.

Jesus Shares Peace
Do you know some stories about Jesus? Jesus was a loving person who cared about everyone. Jesus was God’s son, so Jesus is loving, just like God. Ask someone to read you a story from your own Bible about how Jesus loved and shared peace with others.
Jesus and Me
Jesus loves you! Draw a picture of Jesus. (To the teacher: if possible, purchase or create a Jesus “cuddler” (child-size soft Jesus doll) for children to sit with, hug, and talk to. Is Jesus your friend? What do you say to Jesus? What does Jesus say to you? The Jesus cuddler pattern may be found in the Gospel Wagon materials, Jesus and Me Jamboree.
Fair and Unfair
Jesus showed us how to treat others. Share a graham cracker with a friend. First, break off a small corner and hand it your friend. Say, “I have the same amount that you do. Now, let’s eat it!” Is that fair? Now break off one-fourth of the cracker and share it again. Is it still fair? Now give your friend half the graham cracker. What made it fair and unfair? (One person has more or less; their belly will still be hungry, they will be sad.) How will you always treat your friends? Lesson from Sharing in Community of Christ: Ages 3–5, page 7.
Peace for Us
Play a game with someone to learn about “peace for us,” an affirmation of the Children’s Peace Pavilion. Stand face to face with your friend. Touch your toes or hop up and down, make a face or another action. Have your friend copy (mimic) you. Then you mimic something they do. When you copy or mimic someone, you really have to pay attention to them. Are you better friends when you really pay attention to your friend? Is it fun to do?

Shared Experiences in Community
Be with family and friends.

Learn About Jesus
Go to Christian education classes. Listen to stories about Jesus and how he loved little children.
Be Like Jesus
Sit in a circle and talk about ways you can be like Jesus. How did he treat other people? How can we show kindness? Look at the person across from you, next to you and the ones in between. Jesus loves you and all people. Sing “Jesus Loves Me.”
What Would Jesus Say?
Color a picture of Jesus talking with children. What do you think he would say if he spoke to you today?

Witnessing and Storytelling
Hear about Jesus’ love.

Follow Me
Talk about Matthew 4:18–22. To help you remember that Jesus loves you and everyone else, make a fish out of a chenille pipe cleaner. Bend the wire in half then twist the two loose ends together (about an inch/2.5 cm from the end). Make extras to give away.
God Loves Me, You, and Everyone
Cut out a paper heart and glue on the words “God loves…” Then glue on the words “me,” “you,” and “everyone!” Give it to someone special.

Lifelong Learning
Grow your mind.

Learn About Jesus
Learn more about Jesus, where he lived, what life was like for him. Use a children’s Bible that includes maps, cultural and background information, and illustrations.
Share Peace
Practice peace. What you can do to live like Jesus, sharing peace with everyone? Read Bible stories in Seasons of the Spirit.
Butter Battle Book
by Dr. Seuss
Random House, 1984
ISBN: 9780394865805

Butter Battle
Read the Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss. What was the argument about? What do you do if you disagree with someone? Can you love and be kind to another person even if you do not agree with everything they say and do?
Make Peace
In a group, talk about making peace. What do you do if another child hits you or is mean? When you know that Jesus loves you, it is easier for you to love others.