The Big Chair

 

The Big Chair:

a space to explore big issues such as who has power to change the world; to think about what we would ask God or what we would do if we were God for one day …

and to learn about Jesus on trial before Pilate and Herod.

 

Luke 23.1-12

Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’ Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

 

What questions would you ask God if you had the chance?

Why do you think today’s world is in such a mess?

Does it really matter who is in power?

What is the most significant world issue?

 

Questions taken from https://table-talk.org/friends/

 

This is a space to pray for the world.

You might want to pray about a Big Issue, such as war or climate change, or something closer to home, such as praying for your school or for a friend or family member.

Take a glass bead in your hand and use it to represent your prayer. Place it on the steps, to symbolise presenting your request before God. If you pray for a global situation, you might want to place your glass bead on the map instead.