About Turn

Short Talk (SHT085) About Turn! © Jane Hulme 2018 Aim of Short talk: Use of Short talk: Main themes: Biblical references: Lectionary: Before the service: SHORT TALK: “About Turn” To unpack the meaning of the word, “repent” and to encourage people to use Lent as an opportunity to repent. This is a short All Age talk picking out one issue from the Lectionary Gospel reading of the Sunday main service. The talk stands alone and assumes that the Gospel Bible reading may not yet have been read to the congregation. It could be used for example, for the whole congregation before the children go out to their age specific groups, leaving the adults with a full sermon later. Jesus, Repentance, Kingdom of God Mark 1:9-15 Year B – The First Sunday of Lent If you have a member of the armed forces in your congregation, invite them to put the children/young people through their paces instead of you. ........................................................................................................................ Who has got some energy today? I need half a dozen young people to come and join me. (Receive volunteers) Let’s get you into a line (Put the oldest / most mature child at the front of the line)  So to begin with I would like you to march on the spot, keeping in time with me shouting left, right.  OK.....let’s go. Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right.  Let’s speed it up a bit and get those arms working too.  Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right.  Halt.  Well done. Now instead of just marching on the spot, I want you to march down the centre of the church.  When I shout “about turn” I want you to turn round and march back towards me.  Do you understand? OK....let’s get marching again.  Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right. (Children march down the centre of the church aisle. Before they reach the end shout:)  Halt.  About turn. (Children march back towards you)  Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right......(Keep going until the children reach you then shout:)  Halt.  Good. © Jane Hulme 2018 2 That was a trial run.  I want you to imagine that the Queen is coming to inspect her troops today and that you are one of them.  So no sloppy marching OK. When I want you to turn round and march back towards me, I won’t shout “about turn” but “repent” okay? OK....let’s get marching again.  Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right. (Children march down the centre of the church aisle. When they get near the end shout:)  Halt.  Repent! (Children march back towards you)  Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right......(Keep going until the children reach you then shout:)  Halt.  Excellent. Thank you troops.....at ease! When Jesus began his ministry this is what He said to the people:  ““The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”” (Mark 1:15) We don’t often hear the word “repent” nowadays do we?  But it simply means, “about turn,” or  “Change your mind.” When Jesus invited the people all those years ago to repent and believe,  He was inviting them to follow Him;  to do life God’s way and not their way. This would involve a complete “about turn” in their thinking and behaviour,  repentance....about turn.....  like we have just seen with the children marching. Jesus also invites us to repent and believe;  to come and do life God’s way,  rather than doing life our own way. This Lent can I encourage you to think about which way you are going at the moment?  Are there any areas of your life where you are walking away from Jesus?  Do you need to do an “about turn” so that you are walking with Him? © Jane Hulme 2018 3