Here are the readings for Sunday, June 21:
Our focus for this class are a few lines from the Gospel, Matthew 10:29-31:
(Jesus said) "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows."
There is a great Teacher, who does many amazing things. Jesus! One time, he was talking with the people who were about to go around the world and tell about loving God, loving neighbors, and taking good care of themselves. These people, Jesus' disciples, were worried. This is what Jesus told them:
"Stop and think about some living thing you see every day, that isn't worth much (maybe 5 cents, if you had to guess a price). Some ordinary little thing that isn't particularly important to anyone." Jesus said, "How about sparrows?"
(At my house, my garden is full of sparrows, lots of little birds that flit around, eating bugs, I guess, and chattering. In one of the languages of the Bible, Hebrew, sparrows are called this: "tsippors" - it means something like "chirpers" or "hoppers"! I like those little tsippors, but I don't really pay any attention to them.)
Jesus said, "Well, God pays attention to them. God watches every move they make, and knows all about each little bird. God has his eye on everything, even a tsippor."
And then he told his friends (and us!) this: "God knows all about YOU, too - even how many hairs are on your head!"
Jesus comforted his friends, saying, "So - do not be afraid. Know this: you are even more valuable than flocks of sparrows!"
