Collective Worship for Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education Church of England Primary Schools Crossroads is a huge mission event taking place across the Diocese. Initiated by the Archbishop of York and Bishops in the Northern Province, this event will take place over 4 days and we pray will lead to many people hearing the Good News about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This act of Collective Worship is intended to give children a better understanding of what mission is all about and to feel a part of a big Diocesan family event. Look at the instructions for slide 4 as some preparation beforehand is needed. You may wish to change the pictures on slides 5 and 6 as we have used pictures that are copyright free. Friday 9th September 2016

Begin by talking about……. What is this? A crossroads. How do you know which way to go? The signs tell you. A person has told you and then you use the signs Google told you! AA route finder told you Instinct? This is a well signposted crossroads, but what happens when ……… (slide 2)

Picture of crossroads with no signs Another crossroads, but there are no signs, so how do you know which way to go this time? How do you know which is the best way to go? Which way would you choose to go? On what would you base that decision?

Love Hate Anger Violence Fear Doubt Worry Confidence Selfish Greedy Thoughtless Sharing Truth Wrong False Lies PREPARATION NEEDED HERE Create a pretend crossroads in the hall; put the words that are on the slide onto individual cards, but keep them in groups of four. Have ready 4 groups of 4 children; give each group a set of cards. Explain beforehand that the children in each group will go and stand, one at each end of the roads. Now ask for 4 extra volunteers. One at a time the volunteers will stand in centre of the crossroads. Ask them to choose which way to go. Which is the best destination? Why? Why did they choose the direction they went in? Who has helped them learn and realise which is the best way to go? Change the cards and repeat. Did the volunteers make the right choice? As we travel through life we will encounter many situations, choices and decisions.

These are pictures of people who have possibly helped children to learn and realise which is the best way to go. Following the law – police Healthy Living – doctors etc Education at school - teachers Education from parents, family and friends.

Hopefully these 2 will probably have already been suggested by the children. Jesus and God’s teaching in the Bible show us the best way to go on life’s journey. What is the best way? By following Jesus’ example which is …………………mention your schools core values and behaviour. Think about who told you about Jesus and the Bible? How do people generally find out about Jesus and what the Bible says?

This weekend all across the Diocese an event called Crossroads is taking place. Christian people including vicars and Bishops are visiting the churches and other places where events have been arranged. They will take part in lots of activities telling people about Jesus and the right way to live their lives and then have eternal life in heaven.

The Lord said to his people, “Stand at the crossroads and look The Lord said to his people, “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths and where the best road is. Walk in it, and you will live in peace. (Good News Translation) Go stand at the crossroads and look around. Ask for directions to the old road, The tried-and-true road. Then take it. Discover the right route for your souls. (The Message) The mission event is called crossroads because of what the Lord said to his people, recorded in the book of Jeremiah 6:16 Stand at the crossroads and look for the old/ancient paths, the best road and then take it. Discover the right road. As Christians we believe that Jesus’ way is the right way.

People need to be shown the way, told about the best/right way and then they can make the choice. They can discover the way of truth, life, love, peace, hope, joy etc. Briefly repeat the discussion about people who have shown them they right way to go. If you haven’t mentioned the vicar now is a good time! It may be appropriate for you to mention who told you about Jesus and showed you the right/best way.

Events happening this weekend. Advertise events taking place in your parish this weekend.

Making disciples of Jesus Christ Being witnesses to Jesus Christ Growing leaders for Jesus Christ This is our Bishop, Julian, he has challenged all the churches and Christian people with Vision 2026. There are three aims to this vision To make disciples of Jesus Christ To be witnesses to Jesus Christ To grow leaders for Jesus Christ The crossroads mission is part of this vision. Jesus commanded his disciples to go and tell everyone.

Our Diocesan Vision Prayer Heavenly Father, we embrace Your call for us to make disciples, to be witnesses and to grow leaders. Give us the eyes to see Your vision, ears to hear the prompting of Your Spirit and courage to follow in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen This is the prayer that has been written especially for Vision 2026. A child friendly action version can be found on the Diocesan Web site, look under Vision champions (http://www.blackburn.anglican.org/more_info.asp?current_id=595) and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Conclude your worship with a time of reflection, thinking about the people/times/places who have told us about Jesus. Give thanks to God for these people and then say the Vision 2026 Prayer together.