for Sunday, August 29 (Proper 17)

Head of the Line
Proverbs 25: 6–7; Luke 14: 1, 7–14

Kids are likely to identify very easily with the concepts of these readings, but perhaps not to hear that identification on simple reading because of the layers of culture embedded in the texts. Even Eugene Peterson, in The Message, mostly sticks to the enculturated presentation. But you might use this v.11 from the Luke: “‘If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.’”

• Try out some different seating arrangements and discuss which ones make it easier to follow Jesus’ advice — or make it completely unnecessary. If it’s convenient, include your traditional Sanctuary and discuss all of the seating there, including choir and chancel.

• You might even consider a game of musical chairs, or one by the normal rules and then another asking everyone to behave as Jesus suggests, especially if you make one seat extra special in some way.

• You could also work the eating-arrangements angle, especially if you have participants or neighbors — I think of some Indians or Koreans — who can share their eating customs of sharing rather than portioning.

There is an interesting tie back to the recent water discussions at the end of the Jeremiah, pertaining to the difference between living water and that collected in cisterns.
[Chess set by Kenyan artisans via serrv.org]