Actions

To show how actions can speak louder than words.

by The Revd Guy Donegan-Cross

Suitable for Key Stage 2

Aims

To show how actions can speak louder than words.

Preparation and materials

• Prepare some simple mimes for 1. below. Either do them yourself or prime some colleagues.
• OHP and pen.

Assembly

1. Show some simple mimes and ask the children to guess what they are: e.g. eating a banana, milking a cow, being an opera singer.
   
   
2. Say that sometimes actions can say more than words. Ask for examples of actions people do without words that say things to other people, such as a kiss or hug, shaking hands, a wave from a distance or across a noisy room.
   
   
3. Read the parable of the two sons from Matthew 21.28-31, from a children's Bible or tell your own version (or use the GNB version below). One son said he would do something, but then didn't, and the other son said he didn't want to do something, but then changed his mind and did. Point out that it wasn't what they said that mattered, but what they did.
   
   Now, what do you think? There was once a man who had two sons. He went to the elder one and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 'I don't want to,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. 'Yes, sir,' he answered, but he did not go. Which one of the two did what his father wanted?
   
   
4. Ask what the children think are the best words that you can say to another person. For instance: I love you. I forgive you. You are special. Write them around the edge of an OHP acetate.
   
   
5. Say that you are going to show them something that Jesus did which says all these things. Gradually draw a simple cross in the middle of the acetate, asking the children to put their hands up when they know what it is.
   
   
6. Christians believe that when Jesus died, he was showing us by his actions all the best words that God wants to say to us. Finish by saying this: I asked God how much he loved me, and he said, 'This much.' (Stretch out arms.)

Time for reflection

Thank you, Jesus, for showing us how much you love us.
Help us to remember that what we do is as important as what we say.
Amen.

Song/music

'God who made the earth' (Come and Praise, 10)

Acknowledgements

Scriptures quoted from the Good News Bible published by The Bible Societies/HarperCollins Publishers Ltd UK © American Bible Society, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1992.