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: Stumble or Build
Supplies: 6-12 plastic cups, small ball
Have one family member sit on one side of the table and a second family member sit on the opposite side. Down the center of the table, place a row of cups (forming a wall or barrier). Ask the family member with the ball to roll it to the person at the other side of the table. (they should not be able to do it)
Explain, that the cups are a stumbling block to getting the ball from one side of the table to the other. Tell them that one of the things about when there are obstacles in our path, is that other people can help us figure out how to get over them. Brainstorm as a family a way that you can build a solution to help the ball get from one side of the table to the other. You can use any household item that an adult deems appropriate.
Work together to turn the stumbling block into a fun connection building activity. After you have successfully had the ball travel from one side of the table to the other without throwing, consider consider other ways you could do it. Faith challenges us to think creatively about stumbling blocks, to reach out to each other for ideas and support. Building together is a great way to open the door for conversation about other stumbling blocks in our lives.
*If you need inspiration for your project, look up Kids Rube Goldberg Machine on YouTube.
Story Time: I Can Do Hard Things
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1. What were some of the things that the kids did in this book that were hard for them?
2. What is something hard that you do?
3. In the video we were reminded that we aren’t alone, especially when things are hard. Who is always with you? (family members, God)
4. How do you talk to God when you are doing something hard?
Dinner Time: Feeling Frustrated
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 -
There are good days, bad days, fun days and hard days. Sometimes the sun shines, and we can play outside. Sometimes the rain falls and we have to stay in. Remind us that whether the sun is shining, or the rain is falling that we are never alone. Help us to remember that plants need sun and rain to grow, the same way we need fun and challenges. Remind us that prayer is something that can help us when we are having challenges and that talking to you, God, always helps us feel better. Amen.
Questions:
1. In this week’s story, what was Jesus talking to the disciples about?
2. How do you think Jesus felt?
3. How do you think that Peter felt?
4. Why do you think Jesus got frustrated with Peter?
5. What do you think could have helped Jesus feel better?
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 16:21-28 (God’s Word, My Voice)
Jesus started to tell his disciples what was going to happen. How he would soon go to Jerusalem and things would get ugly; he would be executed, and three days later he would be raised. Peter didn’t like hearing that at all. “Stop talking like that, Jesus. We won’t let this happen to you.”
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get out of my way, Satan. You’re not thinking about God’s big picture, but only about what makes you feel better right now.” Turning to the rest of the disciples, he said, “If you want to follow me, you’ll forget about just what you want, and carry the burden of the cross alongside me. If you only think of yourself, you’ll lose everything. But if you give up your life, you will gain it all. The Son of Man will come with his angels at the end and everyone will get what they deserve. Some of you in front of me will still be alive when the kingdom of God comes.”
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: