Hosted by the Faith To Go team in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, David Tremaine and Charlette Preslar, and joined the each week by a special guest, the Faith To Go Podcast highlights themes from the Sunday Gospel reading for you to take into your faith discussions and reflections throughout the week.
Activity Time: Tell Me About Jesus
Supplies: paper, markers or pens
Put a sheet of paper up on the wall. From the following list, choose two or three statements that Jesus made about Himself. Choose them based on where your kids are in their relationships with Christ, how engaged your kids usually are during group discussions, etc. Write the statements you’ve chosen on the sheet.
1. I am the bread of life. (John 6:35, 6:48)
2. I am the light of the world. (John 8:12)
3. Before Abraham was, I Am. (John 8:58)
4. I am the door. (John 10:9)
5. I am the good shepherd. (John 10:11, 14)
6. I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25)
7. I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
8. I am the true vine (and you are the branches). (John 15:1, 4-5)
Ask how they would explain these statements to someone who doesn’t know Jesus. What would they say? How would they personalize their thoughts and make them relevant to their own lives? On the sheet, make notes about their thoughts.
Next, ask how they could talk to people about Jesus. How would they feel to talk about Jesus to a teacher, a friend, a grandparent? What is it that keeps us from talking about Jesus? Have each family member pick one way they can talk about Jesus and try to do it this week. Create opportunities to share that experience each day.
Story Time: Nicknames!
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you have any nicknames?
2. Do your friends call you something different than your family does?
3. How do your nicknames make you feel?
4. Jesus called Peter, “The Rock”. How do you think that made Peter feel?
5. Why do you think Jesus picked that name for Peter?
6. If Jesus gave you a nickname, what do you think it would be?
7. Why do you think Jesus would choose that name for you?
Dinner Time: Being Famous
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 -
Dear God, We know that you have a lot of names: God, Yahweh, Emmanuel, Jesus, Prince of Peace and many more. Help us to think about all the ways that we see you and feel you in our lives. Help us to remember that you have lots of names for us too. You love us and want the best for us. Remind us that we should talk about each other, and ourselves that reflect the way you see us. Amen.
Questions:
1. What does it mean to be famous?
2. Can you think of three famous people?
3. Imagine that I don’t know any of those people. Could you help me to know who they were only using three sentences?
4. Could you do the same thing to tell me about you?
5. About Jesus?
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.
Matthew 16: 13-20 (God’s Word, My Voice)
Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people think I am? What are they saying about me?” “Well, some of them say you’re John the Baptist, or Elijah, or one of the prophets,” said the disciples. Jesus asked them, “And who do you say I am?” Peter said, “I think you are the Messiah, God’s Son.” Jesus said, “God bless you, Simon! You didn’t come to this idea on your own; my Father put it in your head. I tell you, I’m going to build my church on what you just said. Here are the keys to heaven; God will respect what you do here on earth.” Then Jesus warned the disciples they’d better not tell anyone he was the Messiah.
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: