Day 11 – Submit to one another
Morning prayer
Start you day with this prayer
Father, enlighten my mind with truth;
inflame my heart with love;
inspire my will with courage;
enrich my life with service;
pardon what I have been;
sanctify what I am;
and order what I shall be.
(Silence)
Let your will be done.
Amen.
Prayer station
Use this symbol to lead you in prayer for the day.
Symbol: Phone charger
We pray for students and higher education institutions who have to continue their studies and have to complete their academic year.
We pray that they won’t be overwhelmed by uncertainty and anxiety, but that they will always remember that there are people around them who will support them.
Reflection
Read this reflection on the text for the day.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ – Ephesians 5:21.
In our world today it’s important to people to be equal to one another. No one is allowed to place themselves above others. We all have equal rights, after all. But, because it’s so important to us that men don’t control women, or that one group will not control another, we always try to treat people equally. However, this attitude also has us paying very close attention to make sure that no one is abusing our rights. For example, in a marriage a husband and wife can start keeping score of who does what to ensure that the one will not be treated advantageously above the other.
According to the letter to the Ephesians Christians aren’t equal to one another, and so believers shouldn’t strive to be equal to one another. No, believers should rather be willing to submit to one another. Christians should strive to be lesser willingly. To be the servant of others in love, rather than masters over one another.
In God’s family the members aren’t focused on being equal to one another. This is why they don’t insist on their rights and also don’t keep score of what others do or don’t do. Instead, like Jesus, they focus on placing the needs of others before their own. On submitting to one another. This is how everyone becomes equal – not because we stand firm on our rights, but because we serve each other.
Father, your Son did not come to this world to be served, but to serve. Help us as your children to follow his example and to serve one another in love. Amen.
Isaac’s Soap Opera
Watch this video with your children
Liturgy for life
See the ordinary things you do in and around the house as signs of God’s care.
We can live more with “Ndi khou pfa”
A colleague and friend of mine worked in the previously called Venda area in the northern parts of Limpopo. He told me that there is an expression in Venda that says, “Ndi khou pfa,” which literally means, “I am busy listening to you,” or, “I am busy seeing you.” All my senses are focused on you.
This expresses the need of people to be seen and heard. We all know that when we speak to someone who is clearly not listening to us and obviously isn’t interested in what we have to say, we will not continue to share our heart with that person. We really want other people to react to us with “Ndi khou pfa.”
Jesus is the perfect example of someone who truly saw people and listened to people. I think of Zacchaeus in the tree, the woman at the well, Matthew at his tax collectors’ table, the children who were brought to Jesus by their parents to be blessed … There are so many more stories where Jesus’ attitude towards people is made clear. We see in the Gospels that Jesus truly saw people and truly listened to them. And the miracle of it all is that He sees all of us now.
Children’s activity
Play with your children.
Wow! 21 Days of isolation. 21 Days in which we’re only allowed to be in our homes (or gardens) and can only go out for the most essential things like food and medicine. It can be a little rough! All the things we usually do during the day, like school, sport, church … are not happening anymore. It can really confuse you and maybe even bore you a little. These daily readings will help you to spend some time with Jesus every day in a creative and fun way. You can do these readings and activities by yourself, with your siblings, or with your entire family. Ask one of the grownups to post your activity on Facebook so that others can enjoy it with you. Tag it with #solitudecalendar #churchtogether
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Jesus came to teach us to serve others. Serving others doesn’t mean that you don’t care about your own wants and needs anymore, but rather putting the needs of others above your own. To be submissive doesn’t mean that others control you, but that you will follow Jesus’ example and serve others.
What does it mean to serve?
Talk about how you can serve others with all of your body parts: head, hands, feet, ears, mouth, eyes, heart. You can make a poster of all your ideas.
Activity
What makes the people in your home happy? Maybe someone likes a hug, a small gift like a flower, perhaps some kind words, or spending time together. Find out from the people in your home what they like and do something for them. Try to put in a lot of effort!
Trace your feet on a piece of paper and write the words “serve others” on it. Put it up somewhere in your home to remind you that we are called to serve others.
Creative prayer
Colour and reflect (Instructions are available under the picture)
INSTRUCTIONS
• Choose your art materials such as coloured pencils, coloured pens and koki pens. Any of these will work.
• Colour in the picture and do the activity.
TIPS
• Choose no more than five colours. If you’re unsure of which colours to use, take out all the colours and put them on the table. Close your eyes and pick up five.
• It may be easier for you to first start colouring the edges and not big blank spaces.
• Don’t stop halfway, especially if your reason for stopping is that you think your picture isn’t pretty. This is the purpose of the activity – to get your attention away from unnecessary thoughts like, “Am I doing this right?” and to focus on the people that you love.
• When you’ve finished colouring the picture, put the picture in a prominent place in your house, like your bedroom or in the kitchen.
Consider sharing your picture on social media with the hashtags #solitudecalendar #churchtogether
Thank you’s and testimonies
Share your testimony with us! Use the online form below.
I didn’t even know what day 7’s activity would be, and that day when our garbage was being collected, I got up early to give the garbage collectors something to eat. Those working at this time – I am so grateful for them.– Karin-Louise Beukes
Thank you for this calendar. My kids (ages 7, 10 and 12) enjoy the activities and conversations that flow from each day.– Riana
In this time of isolation I realised just how dependent we are on our heavenly Father. I’m realising again how important family and friends are. Everyone is willing to send a message of love and care to highlight that God Triune gives us the opportunity to glorify Him even more. Thank you, Lord, that You give us this opportunity to experience your love and grace.– Hein Schroder