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: Community Kindness
Supplies: sidewalk chalk
In front of your house, write some quotes about kindness. Decorate the rest of the sidewalk with beautiful chalk art. If you know a neighbor who could use a kind surprise, go and chalk a beautiful picture in front of their house too!
Story Time: The Reflection in Me
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
I wonder what your reflection would notice about you?
I wonder how you felt watching the video?
I wonder how you would feel if you said nice things to yourself?
I wonder what do you like most about yourself?
Dinner Time: Sharing Kindness
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 thank you for the gift of kindness. Help us to see that each small act of kindness is important. May we always remember to look down, so that we can lift each other up. Remind us that kindness is a gift that we give freely, without a wish for anything in return. Guide us in our interactions with friends, classmates, families and even strangers, so that everyone can see the love in our hearts. AMEN.
Questions:
What color is kindness?
What does kindness feel like?
What flavor is kindness?
How does kindness sound?
What is your favorite way to be kind?
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 1: 21-28 (God’s Word, My Voice)
Jesus and his followers went into the synagogue at Capernaum. Jesus started teaching the people there and they were astounded by how much he knew. A man who was mentally ill walked into the synagogue while he was teaching and yelled, “What are you doing here, Jesus? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You’re the holy one of God.” Jesus told him to quiet down and told the illness to come out of him. Just then, he convulsed and screeched, and then was healed of his illness. Everyone was amazed. “Wow,” they said. “Jesus must know what he’s talking about, and has authority to cure people.” Word got out about what Jesus had done and everyone in Galilee began to talk about him.
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: