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.
from NPR
Questions:
1) Who are the important figures in this story?
2) What was the choice that the leaders in the story faced?
3) What do you think have been the temptations in their journey as leaders in South Sudan?
4) Where is the hope in the story?
5) How did this hope come about?
Views and Qs: Magic Gift Box
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1) What was the temptation in this scenario?
2) What common themes began to emerge between each of the kids?
3) How did they respond to temptation?
4) How did they model the response of Jesus in the wilderness being tempted?
5) What do you think motivated their final decisions?
Feast and Faith: Temptation and Awareness
For this week’s dinner discussion, we are talking about Jesus' temptation in the wilderness following his baptism in the Jordan River.
Prayer -
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and
light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all
our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you
would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save
us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see
light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Discussion –
This is the first week of Lent, so as you sit down to dinner tonight, the conversation will focus on the foundational story for the Lenten season of Jesus in the wilderness and the dynamics of temptation in our humanity. The story models for us at least three common ways we either questions ourselves or doubt the world around us:
Questions:
1) How would you define temptation?
2) One way Jesus is tempted is to doubt his identity as the beloved of God. Have you ever doubted your identity as beloved?
3) What is it like to question your own identity or have it questioned by others?
4) What are some other temptations you have faced or continue to face in your life?
5) Is it possible that these temptations are pointers to a deeper desire that is present in you? If so, what might that be?
Final Nugget: In the season of lent it is common to follow Jesus' example in those 40 days in the desert and either give something up or take on a spiritual practice for the season. If you decide to give up or take on, think about it as a practice of reflection throughout this season on where our desires come from and where they are calling us. What actions do you do that cause you discomfort or suffering? What would it be like to give that up for 40 days and whenever that desire arises not push it away or indulge in it, but create a space to breath and engage with it in order to learn more about yourself?
Stay and Pray: A Devotion for Families at the Close of the Day Each week we feature a way for your family to reflect and pray together. For families with older children this is an at home liturgy for your family to participate in together. It is a daily devotion for families adapted from The Book of Common Prayer.
Before you begin, take a few moments to decide who will read the scripture reading and who will read the collect and closing.
Read the Psalm and Lord's Prayer in unison.
After a moment of silence, begin with the Psalm.
Psalm 32
(read in unison)
1 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
and whose sin is put away!
2 Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, *
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3 While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *
because of my groaning all day long.
4 For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *
and did not conceal my guilt.
6 I said," I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." *
Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
7 Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; *
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
8 You are my hiding-place;
you preserve me from trouble; *
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
9 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; *
I will guide you with my eye.
10 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *
who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you."
11 Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *
but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.
12 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; *
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.
Gospel
(read by assigned person)
Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Prayers for Ourselves and For Others (take this time to each offer one person/event that you would like to hold in prayer as well as one thing you are thankful for)
Dear God, tonight I ask your prayers for.......
and I give you thanks for ..........
Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
(read in unison)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen
The Collect
(read by assigned person)
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Share some of your conversations in the comments below: