1. Build your Character Habits @ Bishop Justus
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Communication

2. Bishop Justus Church of England School
Morning Worship
The voice of one crying out in the wilderness
7th December 2017
Bishop Justus Church of England School

3. Let the light of Christ shine in our lives
Gather
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let the light of Christ shine in our lives

4. Receive A voice cries out:
‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’
From the book of the prophet Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 3 to 5

5. Engage
John the Baptist was the son of Zachary, a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, and Elizabeth, a kinswoman of Mary.
When John was thirty, he began to preach on the banks of the river Jordan against the evils of the times and called people to repent of their sins and to be baptised "for the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand". He attracted large crowds.
John said that he was preparing the way for the Messiah, the anointed one of God.

6. Engage Video suggestion … The naming of John the Baptist
Some discussion ideas …
In Hebrew the meaning of the name John is: Jehovah has been gracious. Does your name have a meaning?
If you could give yourself a new name what might it be and why?
Discussion techniques - Go back to the Bible passage ask “How does the theme link with the Bible passage?”
Discuss the question in pairs for 30 seconds then invite a response from each pair.
Use quick-fire answers e.g. throw a soft bean bag / toy to a student, when they answer they throw it back and you quickly throw to another student.
Simplify the question - Invite quick one-word answers, write them on the board, then reflect on the answers – see connections.
Activity suggestion … Create a simple obstacle course in the classroom. Decide what the obstacles represent – difficulties we face in life. Play a game of guiding people around the obstacles.

7. Respond Amen Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, just and true:
[Reflect for a minute on the worship theme and our engagement …]
Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, just and true:
to you be praise and glory for ever!
Your prophet John the Baptist
was witness to the truth
as a burning and shining light.
May we your servants rejoice in his light,
and so be led to witness to him
who is the Lord of our coming Kingdom,
Jesus our Saviour and King of the ages.
Blessed be God forever.
Amen
Prayer / reflection technique – Give a summary of the theme and any responses that students may have made, then invite everyone to be still (remind no books open etc – lessen distraction). To pray or reflect on today’s worship. Be quiet for one minute. Then say the prayer …

8. Go out into the world with the light of Christ
Let us bless the Lord
Thanks be to God
Go out into the world with the light of Christ