5 October: Trinity 16, Luke 17.5–10
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ 6The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.
‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? 8Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? 9Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’
Things to think about with the child at the centre:
Activities
Mustard seeds for everyone to hold – perhaps you could plant these and then over the coming weeks and months see how much they grow.
Response
The disciples want MORE FAITH – I wonder why? Do they think that the bigger their faith, the more impressive the miracles they’ll do? Or maybe they keep getting tempted or discouraged, and think more faith will make them more resistant or more determined.
Jesus points out that faith isn’t really something that you can measure. Faith is about recognising who God is. You can’t believe a little bit in God – you either believe it, or you don’t.
The servant in Jesus parable knows who their master is, and is prepared to serve whatever they are asked to do and for as long as they are needed.
Faith means realising that God is God – our master and then serving God in whatever way we can.
Prayer
Using your mustard seed – thank God for all the potential in you to serve God and make a difference in the world, like a seed has the potential to grow into a something special
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