One Little Heart

Hearts are meant to love

by Janice Ross

Suitable for Reception / Key Stage 1

Aims

To consider that we can choose good and kind things with our hearts.

Preparation and materials

• You will need to be familiar with the story in the ‘Assembly’, Step 6. It is adapted from Matthew 14.13-21.
• In the ‘Assembly’, Step 3, you will need to be able to explain to the children how they can feel for their pulse.

Assembly

1. Explain that today, we are going to be thinking about a special part of our body. It is a part that is hidden inside us, so we can’t see it. It is a part of our body that is essential for life.
   
   Ask the children whether they can guess what part of the body you are talking about.
   
   Listen to a range of responses, giving clues if necessary to reach the answer: the heart.
   
   
2. Explain that our heart has a very important job. It pumps blood around our body and keeps us alive. We can’t see it, but we can hear and feel what it does.
   
   
3. Show the children how to take their pulse.
   
   
4. Explain that people often mention the heart when they talk about love. This is why we see lots of heart symbols in February, around Valentine’s Day.
   
   We think of the heart as something that helps us to be kind and caring towards others too. Christians often say that God loves them very much and that they love God with all their hearts.
   
   
5. Today, we’re going to hear a story about a young boy, which has been adapted from the Bible. Jesus was very pleased with this young boy because he understood a very important message.
   
   
6. Explain that there are many numbers in this story, so when you mention a number, you want the children to start counting loudly up to the number.
   
   Tell the following story.
   
   It was the weekend and Joseph, who was about eight years old (allow time for counting to eight), was free to go out and play. Maybe he would see who was playing in the street . . . no, it would be busy today. There might be as many as ten children there already (allow time for counting to ten). Maybe he would go and play hopscotch with his three friends (allow time for counting to three) . . . no, it felt a bit too hot for that.
   
   In the end, he decided to go down to the lake, where it was cooler. Mum told Joseph that he could stay out until teatime and she packed him a lovely picnic of five little loaves and two small fishes.
   
   Joseph wandered down the path, kicking stones and enjoying the sunshine. He noticed that there were many people around today, more than he could count on his fingers (hold up both hands).
   
   The people were all very excited, and they were making their way to a grassy hillside just above the lake. ‘I wonder what’s happening,’ he said to himself, and he began to follow them. When Joseph reached the hillside, there were lots of people sitting on the grass: mums, dads, elderly people, children and even babies.
   
   In the middle of the crowd, a man was standing and talking. Joseph liked him. The man had a kind face and a gentle smile and he was talking about his heavenly father. ‘My father in heaven has sent me to tell you that he loves you and wants to be your friend. He also wants to show you how to love one another,’ the man said.
   
   The people kept on listening and three, four, five hours seemed to fly past. But Joseph began to feel hungry. It was a long time since he’d had breakfast and his tummy was beginning to rumble. He also noticed that some of the young children were beginning to whimper and pull at their mums’ robes.
   
   Jesus noticed it too and Joseph heard him tell his disciples to feed everyone.
   ‘Where are we supposed to get food for this huge crowd?’ one disciple asked.
   Before he knew what he was doing, Joseph was up on his feet and was making his way to Jesus, his packed lunch in his hand.
   ‘I can share my picnic with everyone,’ he said, holding out the two small fishes and five little loaves.
   Jesus took Joseph’s hands and smiled at him.
   ‘Thank you very much, Joseph. You are learning to love God with all your heart.’
   
   Jesus held the bread and fish up to heaven and said thank-you to God for them. Then, he put the food into 12 baskets for the disciples to distribute. Joseph’s eyes almost popped out of his head: there was masses of food. There was enough food to feed everyone, and there were even baskets of food left over.
   ‘Can I take some home for my mum?’ Joseph asked.
   ‘You certainly can,’ said Jesus, smiling, ‘and please tell her that I am so glad that her son is learning to love like God loves.’

Time for reflection

Ask the children to think about why Jesus was pleased with this little boy.

Next, ask them to be quiet and spend a few moments considering what opportunities there may be for them to do something kind and generous today.

Pause to allow time for thought.

Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for performing this amazing miracle of feeding many people with just a few small offerings from a boy who was willing to share.
Please help us today to think about the kind things that we could do to bless others.
Please help us to think about other people and how we can show that we care.
Please teach us to love one another.
Amen.