Treasure Champs. 17: Responsibility - 'The Parable of the Two Sons'

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In short

Themes: Christianity; The Parable of the Two Sons; stories Jesus told; responsibility; 'don’t judge a book by its cover'.

Summary: This assembly, which is suitable for an act of collective worship, focuses on one of the parables in the Bible that Jesus told - the Parable of the Two Sons.

Resources: The and an image to display .

The video

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This story is found in the New Testament in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 21:28-32). The four Gospels are the books in the Bible which describe the life of Jesus.

It's a story told by Jesus at a very important time in his life after he had ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey. Christians celebrate this event on Palm Sunday. After Jesus enters Jerusalem, he teaches people and uses lots of stories called ‘parables’. The video tells the Parable of the Two Sons. Jesus uses this story to invite the listeners to think about who is invited to join in with the father’s work and to show people that it isn’t always those we expect to join in, that do so. This can help us to reflect on the value of responsibility.

Duration: 3' 48"

Final words: 'See you again soon! Bye!'

Video questions

In the story, what was the man’s name? (Mr Something - because we don't know his actual name)
How were the two sons different? (One was very relaxed and the other was always very busy)
What job did the man ask his sons to do? (Harvest the grapes in his vineyard)
What did the second son do? (He agreed to help his father - then broke his promise)
Which son actually helped his father? (The first son - the one the father didn't expect)

Suggested framework

1. Entry
As the children enter play your chosen music and display the word 'Responsibility' if you wish to.

2. Introduction
Draw attention to the word 'Responsibility' and ask the assembly what they think the word means. Gather some responses and then ask: Has anyone ever been given an important job to do? Again, gather responses and ask whether doing the important job made the children feel 'responsible'?Explain that everyone is going to watch a retelling of a story that is found in the Bible, in which there is an important job to do.

3. Play the video
The duration is 3’ 48” and the final words are: ‘See you again soon. Bye!'

4. After the video - Time to talk
Consolidate the children's recall and understanding of the story by asking some or all of the Video questions above. Then lead a discussion about 'responsibility' by asking:

What do we mean when we say 'don't judge a book by its cover'?
Did anyone make such a judgement in the story?
What are some of the occasions when it is important to be responsible? For example - jobs.
What are some of the occasions when you have to be responsible?
How do we show other people that we are responsible and can be trusted?
Why is it important to be responsible?

5. Opportunity to sing
Suggestions from ��˿�� collections below.

6. Opportunity for reflection
Close your eyes as we think about some of things we've heard today…
Think about a time when you have been given responsibility…
What did you have to do? How did it make you feel?
Has there ever been a time when perhaps you've been distracted, and failed to show responsibility?
Acting responsibly around school can help to keep everyone happy and safe…
What are some of the ways you can show that you are responsible today…?

7. Opportunity for prayer
Begin with your usual form of address (‘Dear God’, ‘Let us pray’, etc) and:
Thank you for our story inviting us to think about being responsible.
Help us to avoid making judgements about people, based only on what others say about them.
Help us to be grateful for those who show responsibility everyday through their actions - whether in big ways or small.
Amen.