In this story for sunday school children I have left the pastor’s and teachers name blank. So that you can put your own name in.

Sunday school but different.

It was Sunday morning – so off to church went the children with their parents – some more enthusiastically than others.

The atmosphere was different to usual, it was sort of crackly with expectation. Kind of like just before a thunder storm. The parents didn’t seem to notice though.

It was a strange if not unique morning for _______. All the helpers for the children’s work had called in to tell they couldn’t be there. ________, the pastor on hearing this had offered to cancel sundayschool or try to get more help for her. _______ had declined and thought she would read the children the story about Jesus blessing the children and ask the children what questions they would like to ask Jesus about the story.

When the time came for the children to leave the adults they trooped off after ______. Following them through the building to the usual meeting place. The younger children sat on the matted area and the older ones sat on the benches – all were facing _____. Unusually no one was misbehaving – all were quiet, attentive and looking eager.

______ explained what she was going to do and asked the older ones not to ask and answer questions first. ______ then said “OK let’s begin with prayer.” All the children closed their eyes and lent forward just a little. “Lord Jesus we welcome you…” ______ stopped praying. The young people who were used to much longer prayers, after a few seconds,opened their eyes.

One by one their eyes followed ______ startled stare. In the corner near the bar was a white glow which was swirling around and growing – spreading out towards the children and Nicky. Very soon it filled the room. ______ and the children saw in the swirling cloud a glowing figure that looked like a man. As he approached the group all the children and ______ kind of toppled over to lay on the floor. All knew they were in the presence of Jesus. Even though no one had yet spoken. Some of the bravest peeked at Jesus as he approached the group. What no one had yet noticed was that the room had gone.

As the cloud dispersed they started to see Jesus and their surroundings more clearly. They were all laying on a wonderful green grassy slope. Those who were braver, noticed first that they were near a village and beyond the village was a huge lake. Jesus was sat on the grass the children and Nicky were laying all around Him.

_____ said “Children there is nothing to worry about.” But when _____ looked at the children not one of them looked worried. They all had their eyes fixed on Jesus, Jesus still hadn’t spoken but all the children knew they were safe and secure with Him.

Jesus smiled a smile that warmed the hearts of each child and _____. Then He spoke: “Good morning to all of you.”

Now we know Jesus spoke Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin but when he spoke to Nicky and the children He spoke in English. At least that’s the language they all heard.

_____ asked “Are you Jesus?” Then felt silly because she knew He was.

Jesus answered “Yes _____, I am Jesus. Here I am known as ‘Yeshua’. Jesus said it in such a way that _____ no longer felt silly but was feeling a sense of power fill her and embolden her.

“Lord where are we?” _____ asked.

Jesus answered “We are overlooking Capernaum and the lake is the Sea of Galilee in an area of Israel known as the Galilee. You invited me into your group and I thought you would like it here rather than the Miller’s bar.” All the children nodded their agreement quite vigorously. Jesus went on “I am with you all always but today I wanted you to see me and where I lived and worked when I physically walked the earth. Do you like this place?”

All including _____ again nodded vigorously.

“_____” said Jesus “you invited me, what do you want me to do or say on this special day?”

_____ replied “Lord, we were going to read the story of how you blessed the children and then we were going to ask the children what questions they wanted to ask about the story.”

“_____, rather than talk about blessing these children, are you OK with me blessing them then letting them ask me questions?” Jesus asked.

_____ was amazed that Jesus had asked her if it was Ok to bless the children. So much so that all she could think to answer was “Yes”. Then realised how much Jesus was empowering her so she turned to the children and asked them if that would be OK. They all nodded there assent whilst shuffling on their bottoms towards Jesus.

Jesus asked “Who would like to go first?”

All the children’s hands shot skywards.

“Well” said Jesus “I can give you a collective blessing and then bless each of you individually. Is that Ok with all of you?”

All nodded and some of the older children said an enthusiastic “Yes”.

Then Jesus looked up to the sky and spoke “Blessed are you Father God for your desire is to bless all your children. I know that you long to bless these children and you have given me your words to speak over them. I am the true vine and I bless you all to stay close to me especially when it might feel easier to quit. I bless you to know you are loved. The Father and I love you, and I bless you all to love each other even putting others above yourselves. I bless you to know that even as I had hardships so will you. I will always be with you. I bless you to know the Holy Spirit, He will show you what is true in all situations he will help you to do the right thing. I bless you to remember to ask Him. I bless you to read your bibles always asking me to help you understand what you are reading. I bless you to talk about me that others might come to know me. I bless you to heal those who are sick, or sad or in trouble. I bless you to forgive those that hurt you so that you might be free of having bad thoughts towards then. I bless you to live and to love.”

Jesus went on ”Ok, shall we bless the youngest first?”

So it began. As the youngest child got close and stood before the seated Jesus they waited for Him to speak. Jesus knelt before the child, held out His arms and hugged the child. It seemed like ages that he hugged the child then He started to speak to them. He knew the child’s name and seemed to pour His love into them. He did this with each of the children. The children waiting seemed enthralled to be watching what was going on.

After what seemed like both a short time and a long time all the children had been hugged and blessed. Then Jesus smiled at _____ and said “Come here _____ your turn.”

_____ walked up to Jesus and stood before Him. Jesus stood up and took her in His arms and started to dance with her. Music seemed to fill the air and _____ was trusting enough to let Jesus lead. Very soon a few of the younger children wanted to join in the dance. Soon all the children, _____ and Jesus all holding hands in a circle, were dancing and laughing.

Too soon the music faded and Jesus asked “Does anyone have a question they want to ask me?”

A little girl asked “How old are you?”

Jesus smiled “I am something clever grownups call ‘The Pre-existent One’ all it means is that I have always been alive and always will be – you will to because you know me and love me.”

A Young boy asked ”Why did you have to die?”

Again Jesus looked pleased at the question “Well Adam messed up and that allowed wrong or evil to come into the world. All of creation was affected by what Adam did. I needed to come to earth as a human being to that I could be the perfect payment for all the wrong that had ever been done or would be done. I died as you and for you and all other people.”

Another child said “Did you always know you were God?”

“Good question” answered Jesus “I always knew, even as a small child I knew. I also knew I was a human being like yourselves. I needed to live an earthly life like that. This was so that when I healed people, blessed people, or did miracles I did them knowing that my heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit were working through me. That way you can know that you, with the Holy Spirit’s help, can do them to.”

“Did you have any brothers and sisters?” Asked another child.

“Yes” Jesus said “I had brothers and sisters. I had a loving and caring family. My earthly father died when I was young so I knew that sense of loss. When I started my work at thirty then they thought I had gone a little crazy. I loved and still love them all and I enjoy spending eternity with them.”

“Can you be in two places at once?” Blurted out a child.

Jesus replied “Yes, I can be everywhere at once. Just as I will be with each of you always, so I am with all believers everywhere always.”

An older child asked “What happened to the dinosaurs?”

“That’s a good question.” Answered Jesus “All things were created through me. That includes the dinosaurs I made all creatures. When the flood happened lots of animals died but lots were saved because of my servant Noah doing what I asked him to do. Most dinosaurs perished but some like crocodiles still survive.”

Jesus continued to answer all the questions that were put to Him by the children. He explained things simply and always like the stories in the bible. Each child felt they had been heard and understood by Jesus.

“Does anyone have a question they would regret not asking?” Asked Jesus.

_____ put up her hand and Jesus asked what her question was “Jesus it says you are coming back – when?”

“I really would like to be able to tell you the date but I cannot. That is something that only The Father, The Holy Spirit and myself know. It is obviously sooner now than two thousand years ago. It will be soon by Father God’s timing. Things still have to happen to pave the way for me to return. Stay alert and keep close to me – all of you.”

Jesus spoke again “I asked my friend Peter ‘Do you love me?’ He got a bit angry the third time I asked. I love Peter and I love you. I will never stop loving you. It upsets me when you do things you know are wrong but I will still love you. I always will.”

A little boy asked “Won’t mummy and daddy be worried I not there?”

Jesus answered ”Thanks you for thinking of your parents. I know that sometimes mum’s and dad’s got things wrong. When they do, forgive them – that isn’t always easy but it does need to be done. Ask me and I will help you. Then I will increase your blessings. Now, I have really enjoyed my time with you and it feels like a long time for some of you little ones. Back in Banbury the speaker has just finished their talk – they went over by a few minutes. The band is just about to sing a song about me. So it is time to go back to Banbury.”

Jesus seemed to change before their eyes. His clothes got whiter and whiter, brighter and brighter and the mist appeared again and seemed to swirl around Him. Soon all the children and _____ were in the swirling mist. Then it started to clear and although Jesus could not be seen all the children and _____ knew He was very close by.

Before any one could say anything the door to the Miller’s bar opened and in walked the first of the parents.

-oo0oo-

The names of the children who heard this story were known beforehand. All had a blessing constructed around the meaning of their name. A google search will give the meaning of names.

Posted in Sunday School Stories