"40 Days" Family Dinner Liturgy: "The Greatest and the Least"

During this "40 Days of Faith" (Lent), we encourage you to try the Family Dinner Liturgy once a week. We hope that this will be a fun way to take a moment to turn toward God together as a family. How do you do it? It’s easy.

1. Pick a day of the week when you are most likely to have everyone in the family at the dinner table. 
2. Take 3-5 minutes to do the liturgy below before the dinner.
3. Repeat weekly during the "40 Days of Faith."
4. Consider getting together with other families for dinner and liturgy.

For this week's "The Greatest and the Least" liturgy, click here and/or see below.

Family Dinner Liturgy: "The Greatest and the Least"
 
Opening Prayer
(Together holding hands)
We make room for you,
Come and fill us with your Spirit.

Candle Lighting
(Any kind of candles; as many as you want)
 
Blessing
(This is worth memorizing. A grown-up can say the blessing as she/he looks into everyone’s eyes OR everyone can recite this together for each other.)

“The Lord bless you
   and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine on you
   and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you
   and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

Story of the Week | The Greatest and the Least
(Families with young kids might want to skip this part)

Luke 9:46-48
It was often hard for Jesus’ followers to understand the Upside-Down Love of God.

One time, some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could touch and bless them. But Jesus’ followers stopped the parents and scolded them for bothering Jesus. They didn’t think the children were important enough for Jesus to spend time with. When Jesus saw what was happening, He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! God’s Kingdom belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a child will never enter it.” Then He took the children in His arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them.

Another time, Jesus’ followers argued about which of them was the greatest and the best. They still didn’t understand Jesus’ Upside-Down Love. Jesus knew what they were thinking and brought a child to His side. Then He said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this is welcoming me. And whoever welcomes me also welcomes God. So whoever is the least important among you is the most important. Whoever is the smallest among you, love them with the greatest care.”   

Jesus also said, “The greatest among you must be a servant.”

Reflection

• “Jesus is __________ in this story”
• Discuss how you would fill in the blank (e.g. “forever,” “loving,” “humble”).
• Together, decide on one word.
• On a post-it, draw an upside-down heart and write the word inside it.
• Stick the post-it where it will be visible for a week. Every time you see it, hold the word inside of your heart for a few moments.