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: A Thousand Tiny Birds (Feeder)
Supplies: cardboard, scissors, peanut butter, butter knife, bird seed
Draw shapes on the cardboard and cut them out. Ideally, shapes will be 4-6 inches big. Punch a hole at the top of the shape. Run the string or yarn through the hole and tie it to make a loop. Spread one side of the cardboard with peanut butter. Place it on a plate and sprinkle with birdseed. (make sure all of the peanut butter is covered in bird seed) Turn the shape over and repeat on the opposite side. Hang the bird feeder in a tree or shrub. Reflection:Just as God cares for the birds, God loves us more! This bird feeder is a way to invite the birds into our yard. When they come, let’s notice how they are different. What colors are they? What song do they sing? Do they have different personalities? The same is true of us too!
Story Time: Interesting Facts About Birds
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1. Can you tell me a few of the cool things you learned about birds in the video?
2. Which was your favorite bird? Why?
3. In this week’s scripture, we hear that God knows everything about even the little tiniest bird, and that God knows the same things about us. How does that make you feel?
4. What do you think that God would say was cool about you?
5. Do you want me to tell you what I think is cool about you?
6. What do you think God would say is cool about me?
Dinner Time: Standing Up For Jesus
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 -
Hold our hands, Lord, show us the way. Remind us that we should always pray. Give us grateful hearts that we may follow You. Help us remember to care for others too. Remind us that we never walk alone. Lead the way, Lord, we trust in You. Amen
Questions:
1. In this week’s scripture we hear about Jesus asking us to stand up for Him. What do you think that means?
2. How do we stand up for Jesus when He isn’t here?
3. Can you think of someone in our community/school/church who needs someone to stand up for them?
4. Can you think of someone in the world who needs someone to stand up for them?
5. How could we do that as a family?
6. What do you think it means when Jesus said, “if you stand up for me, I will stand up for you before my Father?”
7. What do you think it means when Jesus said, “But if you ignore me, don’t count on me to be on your side?”
8. Do you think there are times that we ignore Jesus? Why?
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 10:24-39 (God’s Word, My Voice)
A student doesn’t deserve more respect than his teacher, a servant doesn’t deserve more than his master, but they might be treated the same way. I’m telling you, if they call me the devil there’s no telling what they’re going to call you! But don’t be afraid of what they say about you. Everything will be clear in the end. I’ve told you some secrets that I want you to tell everyone. The things you haven’t talked about before, go up to the rooftops and shout about them. Don’t be afraid of people who can hurt your body; they can’t touch your soul. Instead, be concerned about God, who holds your soul in his hand. You can buy two tiny birds for a dime, right? Yet God knows everything they do. And did you know that God knows exactly how many hairs are on your head? Don’t worry. God values you more than a thousand tiny birds.
If you stand up for me, I will stand up for you before my Father. But if you ignore me, don’t count on me to be on your side.
Don’t think this is going to be easy. Things will fall apart before there is peace. You might have to choose between your family and me. If you choose me, it will be worth it. I want all you are and all you have to give, or don’t follow me at all. You may lose your body for my sake, but find your life in me.
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: