Exploring the Christian Vision of the Kingdom of God on Earth

Christians and The Kingdom of God on Earth

What will the world be like when you re 50? Enough water Clean air Food Homes Technology Energy use Climate Species War / peace Governments Make your prediction! You could include your thoughts on: ?? Will humans even live on earth?

Was your predicted future a good or bad place to live? Was it good for some but not for others? Do you look forward to the way the world will be when you re 50? Do you / could you put in any work to make the future world the way you want it to be?

What do Christians believe about the present and the future? What do they look forward to and work towards for the future?

Did anyone talk about the Christian view of the future being mainly about an afterlife in Heaven?

Christians certainly do look forward to an afterlife, but a far-off Heaven to be reached after death is not the only Christian vision of the future . Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Have you heard these words before? Where do they come from?

This is part of the Lords Prayer, sometimes called the Our Father : the prayer which the Bible says Jesus taught his disciples (Matthew 6:10) What do you think Jesus is talking about when he tells his disciples to pray for God s Kingdom to come on earth as in heaven? ...Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Jesus taught a lot about the Kingdom of God was central to his teaching. But what exactly is it, and how do people enter it? Kingdom of God it The Kingdom of God is a bit mysterious in Christianity, and sometimes in the Bible it seems to be a future hope but sometimes it seems to be something that is happening on this Earth right here right now.

Christians believe both that the Kingdom of God exists in an afterlife Heaven and that we can catch glimpses of it and work for it here on earth. It is not a physical place you can t draw a map of it or visit it for holidays. The Kingdom of God is where God s will is done . So wherever that is true, that s where God s Kingdom is, now or in the future.

Because it was a bit mysterious, Jesus told lots of stories (parables) to explain what the Kingdom of God is like. Kingdom of God Have a look at one and discuss it with your partner. Be prepared to explain to the class what you think Jesus was trying to communicate about the Kingdom of God God in your parable. Kingdom of

The Parable of the Mustard Seed Jesus asked, What is the Kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and plants it in his field. The plant grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make their nests in its branches. (Luke 13: 18-19) What is Jesus is trying to explain about the Kingdom of God in this story? What do you think?

The Parable of the Mustard Seed Jesus asked, What is the Kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and plants it in his field. The plant grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make their nests in its branches. (Luke 13: 18-19) What is Jesus is trying to explain about the Kingdom of God in this story? Maybe one idea is that the Kingdom of God can grow from a tiny beginning. It starts as a small seed both in the lives of believers and in the wider world and grows and grows. The illustration of the birds roosting in the tree might point to the fact that all people from all backgrounds are welcomed into God s Kingdom. Could it be that God s Kingdom starts small, with an individual, but spreads to eventually include all of society? What do you think?

The Parable of the Yeast Again Jesus asked, What shall I compare the Kingdom of God with? It is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour until the whole batch of dough rises. (Matthew 13: 33) What is Jesus is trying to explain about the Kingdom of God in this story? What do you think?

The Parable of the Yeast Again Jesus asked, What shall I compare the Kingdom of God with? It is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour until the whole batch of dough rises. (Matthew 13: 33) What is Jesus is trying to explain about the Kingdom of God in this story? Maybe it s that, just like the small amount of yeast for a large amount of flour, small actions to bring about the Kingdom of God can have big consequences. Maybe it s that the work of the Kingdom of God is invisible, but its effects are very evident. Yeast can t be seen in the bread, yet without it, the bread would not be bread. With it, the whole batch is transformed. Is it that yeast makes dough rise from within? When people work to bring about the Kingdom of God, they are agents of change, slowly transforming a culture from within. What do you think?

The parable of the pearl Jesus said Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46). What is Jesus is trying to explain about the Kingdom of God in this story? What do you think?

The parable of the pearl Jesus said Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46). What is Jesus is trying to explain about the Kingdom of God in this story? Maybe it s that the Kingdom of God (or Kingdom of Heaven) is so precious that it s worth giving everything else in order to achieve it. Maybe it s that working for the Kingdom of God has to be your top priority. What do you think?

The Parable of the sprouting seeds Jesus said, 'The Kingdom of God is like a man scattering seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows he knows not how. The earth, by itself, produces first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once the man puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come. (Mark 4:26-29) What is Jesus is trying to explain about the Kingdom of God in this story? What do you think?

The Parable of the sprouting seeds Jesus said, 'The Kingdom of God is like a man scattering seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows he knows not how. The earth, by itself, produces first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once the man puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come. (Mark 4:26-29) What is Jesus is trying to explain about the Kingdom of God in this story? Maybe it s that, as well as the man, God is working to bring about the Kingdom. As long as the man takes the initial steps and scatters the seed, he might not know what the results of his labour are, because the seeds will be growing by themselves and at some point in the future, will be ready to be harvested. Maybe God s Kingdom is like that it takes work by people but they won t necessarily see how the work is progressing because God will also take a part until it s ready. What do you think?

Based on what you already know of Christian beliefs, and Jesus actions and teachings, add to the list below. The Kingdom of God is where: God rules People find a home and shelter

The Kingdom of God is where: Is your summary of The Kingdom of God on Earth according to Christians what you think the world should be like? What about the future when you re 50? Was your prediction quite similar to the Kingdom of God ideas you ve written down, or very different?

Your Kingdom come on Earth Jesus taught his disciples to pray for the Kingdom to come on Earth, but Christians don t believe it s enough to pray, sit back and wait. They believe they are called to work for the Kingdom too. Just like in the parable of the Pearl, the Kingdom is your top priority. Just like in the parable of the Sprouting Seeds, it takes the man s work as well as God s to produce the harvest. Can you think of any ways that Christians work to bring about God s Kingdom on Earth?

How do Christians work towards the Kingdom of God? We re going to look at some examples now. You will each take one of these examples. Underline or highlight the key information if that helps you and fill in the table you ve been given. After 5 minutes, be ready to hand your information sheets back in and teach your partner(s) what they need to know to fill in their own table.

CEPAD, Nicaragua (Central America) CEPAD (the Council of Protestant Churches of Nicaragua) is a Christian agency organised by a group of Nicaraguan churches. Based on Gospel principles, CEPAD states that it aspires to: Proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ as Jesus did throughout Galilee, training community leaders and providing ways for Nicaraguans to better their way of life. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 CEPAD was founded in 1972 to provide emergency aid after a major earthquake hit the capital city, Managua. Now it runs programmes to support: sustainable agriculture; women s income generation; education; refugees from neighbouring countries; and a radio station speaking out for rights of ordinary Nicaraguans. One of their projects is Family Gardens: women receive seeds and training so they re able to plant fruits and vegetables around their homes. Kids get better nutrition and the women are able to sell the excess, generating an extra income while still making sure the children are taken care of.

EAPPI(Worldwide volunteers working in Palestine and Israel) The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) was started in 2002 by the World Council of Churches (a bit like the United Nations but for Churches!) when local church leaders requested an international presence in the country to help with efforts to protect the most vulnerable and to build peace. The EAPPI provides a team of volunteers from churches all around the world from all age groups who offer a permanent protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitoring and reporting human rights abuses. Since 2002, thousands of volunteer accompaniers have spent time in the country, working to create the conditions for a just peace . Amongst the things that EAPPI says it provides are: Protective Presence Our presence makes the costs of human rights abuses more apparent to the perpetrators, persuades them to act differently, and deters attacks on civilians. Monitoring of human rights violations When presence cannot completely halt human rights violations, we are there to monitor and report these abuses to the United Nations and other human rights agencies. Principled Impartiality - We are not pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian and we do not take sides in the conflict. We are pro-human rights and international humanitarian law. We do not discriminate against anyone and stand faithfully with the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized. The EAPPI accompaniers join with Palestinians and Israelis who work in nonviolent ways for peace, and they work with many international, Israeli and Palestinian partners including the Red Cross, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The World Council of Churches says that: The biblical promise of a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21: 1), where love will prevail, invites us as Christians to engage in the world. The contrast of that vision with the reality makes that invitation compulsory and urgent . The EAPPI is a witness to the assurance of the coming kingdom of God in Jesus Christ . (EAPPI, Theological Reflection on Accompaniment)

Traidcraft (UK) Traidcraft is a trading company based in the UK, founded in 1979 by a group of Christians wanting to fight injustice in international trade and show that it s possible to build a business and still give producers a fair deal. Traidcraft smission is to fight poverty through trade, practising and promoting approaches to trade that help people in developing countries to transform their lives . Traidcraft started by importing craft goods but soon brought the first ever fair trade tea, coffee and chocolate to the UK. It works closely with producer groups and cooperatives, always guaranteeing them a fair price for their products to support them in generating income and finding a way out of poverty. Traidcraft initially sold its products through churches in the UK before going on to sell more widely through catalogues, website and retail outlets. In 1992 Traidcraft co-founded the Fairtrade Foundation which awards the fairtrade mark, on products now sold in all major supermarkets. Although it works and trades with people of all faiths and none, Traidcraft was founded on Christian principles. So let us firmly place again the work of Traidcraft in this broad vision of the Kingdom of God. Let us accept the challenges and cost of being prophetic in a world filled with injustice. Let us renew our vision for the work of Traidcraft within the grand narrative of God s Kingdom purposes. Let s nourish our own lives with the Lord s prayer: Let your Kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven . Speaker at a service attended by Traidcraft supporters to pray for justice in international trade and business.

Where / when were they founded? Aims How does their work relate to the Kingdom of God? Who? Christian motivation CEPAD EAPPI Traidcraft

Of course, its not just Christians putting in work towards building a better future on earth. Why The UN Sustainable Development Goals Really Are A Very ... Countries across the world are working towards the United Nations Global Goals , agreed in 2015 with 17 different targets to make the world a better, fairer, more sustainable place for everyone by 2030. Click to watch a film clip and see whether you think there are any similarities between people working towards the UN Global Goals and Christians working towards the Kingdom of God on earth.

Could the concept of the Kingdom be useful or inspiring to people of any faith or none? Use what we ve discussed today, and your own ideas. Is there anything about this Christian belief that could be useful or inspiring for our world today, more widely than just within Christianity? Pair up with the person next to you and combine your answers.

Working towards the Kingdom of God is more than just believing in the teachings of Jesus. Explain what you think referring to some of the religious teachings and examples we ve looked at today. You should also refer to whether your argument is strong or weak and explain why. Explain why someone would disagree with you, referring to these examples and the strengths and weaknesses again.

Top section: 1 religious teaching from today. Middle section: 1 thing you think might be inspiring / useful about the concept of the Kingdom of God, more widely than just within Christianity. Bottom section: 3 beliefs about the Kingdom of God.

World Class Teaching project has been funded with support from the European Commission. The contents of these actions are the sole responsibility of the contractor and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.