Faith To Go Podcast: Suffering, Rejection, and Resurrection
Hosted each week by the Faith Formation team at St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego, David Tremaine, Maya Little-Sana and Jackie Pippin, the Faith To Go Podcast highlight themes from the Sunday Gospel reading for you to take into your conversations throughout the week.
Activity Time: Jesus Says
Supplies: None needed
Tell the children that whatever Jesus says, they HAVE to do. But if Jesus doesn't say it, they shouldn't do it. It might be helpful to write some some commands beforehand.
Jesus says... Clap your hands.
Jesus says... Stand on one foot.
Spin in a circle.
Jesus wants us to follow him, but sometimes it is easy to be distracted by others. It's important that we are listening for Jesus in our lives, and if we mess up, try again!
Story Time: Gospel Reading and Reflection
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1) I wonder what Jesus said would happen to him.
2) I wonder what Jesus meant by that.
3) I wonder why Peter wanted him to stop talking like that.
4) I wonder why Jesus wants us to come closer to him.
5) I wonder how you can follow Jesus.
Dinner Time: Followers
Below is a prayer with which to start your meal and then discussion questions to explore this week’s topic with your family while you eat.
Prayer- God, you were present at the beginning. Be with me as I begin (a new school year, new job, new sport, new extracurricular). Comfort me when I am unsure of my new surroundings. Strengthen me when I stumble, and help me remember that your light shines in all places. All this I ask through you, my Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
Amen.
Questions:
I wonder what TV show characters you enjoy.
I wonder why you like that character.
I wonder what nice things they do for others around them.
I wonder if you have ever felt nervous following Jesus.
I wonder why Peter feels nervous.
I wonder how we know that following Jesus is right.
Bedtime: Reflections for Children at the End of the Day
During your bedtime routine, invite your children into a time of reflection about their day, maybe by saying, "Did you know that God really wants to know what happened in your day today, and that God is always listening whenever you need to tell God something?" Then continue with these questions:
1) What are some things that happened today that you want to tell God about?
2) What is one happy thing that happened today? What is one sad thing that happened today?
3) Did you see God or feel God with you when those things were happening? Where did you see or feel God when those things happened today?
4) Read to your children this week’s scripture selection, then ask the questions that follows.
Mark 8:27-38
Jesus asked his disciples what people were saying about him. “Who do they think I am?”
“Some people think you might be John the Baptist or Elijah or a prophet,” they replied.
“That’s interesting,” said Jesus. “Who do you think I am?” Peter said, “You are the Messiah, that’s who you are.” Jesus told him he was right, but not to tell anyone.
Jesus told his followers that soon he would suffer under the hands of the people in charge, that he would be rejected by them all and then killed. But that after three days he would come to life again. He didn’t try to keep it a secret. Peter took him aside and jumped all over him for saying this. Jesus looked them right in the eye and turned to Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! We’re not talking about the same thing. Your thinking is about what humans want. My thinking is about what God wants.” Then Jesus gathered the crowd around him and his followers. “If any of you really want to follow me, you have to put your own wants aside, and walk with me carrying your cross. If you mainly want to save your life, you’ll end up losing it. Those who lose the life they’re living on account of me and God’s message of love, will save it. After all, what’s the point of having everything in the world you could want, but then losing your life? Don’t be ashamed of me and what I’ve taught you, and I won’t be ashamed of you when I return in glory with the angels at the end.”
Did the story remind you of anything that happened in your day today?
5) What are some things that you want to tell God that you are grateful for today?
Share some of your conversations in the comments below: