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: Keeping My Feet On The Path
Supplies: sidewalk chalk, blindfold On your sidewalk or driveway, draw a straight, narrow path; about 18 inches wide and about 10 feet long. The object is to walk from one end of the path to the other without stepping off the path.
First: Have everyone take turns being blindfolded and trying to walk the path. (make sure you start them directly in front of it.) After everyone has gone, talk about why it was hard. Did anyone stay on the path the whole way?
Second: Repeat the activity in pairs. One person is blindfolded and placed in front of the path. The other person walks beside them and helps them know where to step. After everyone has gone, talk about it again. Was it still hard? How did it feel to have someone telling you where to step? (Add-ons for more fun.)
Third: Go through again in your same pair groups. This time, spin the blindfolded person around three times and try to get them from one end of the path to the other without
Story Time: Another Pep Talk From Kid President
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to get a pep talk?
2. Can you think of a time that you either gave one to someone or received one from someone?
3. Why do you think people give each other pep talks?
4. Can you give yourself a peptalk?
5. What is something that you really need to hear right now?
Dinner Time: On The Way
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 -
Jesus, We know that you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Help us to follow your words and actions each day so that we can be more like you. Remind us of what is true so that we can live more deeply with you. Amen
Questions:
1. What do you think Jesus meant when he said he was the Way?
2. What about the Truth? The Life?
3. How do you follow Jesus?
4. What happens if you take a wrong turn?
5. Who helps you follow Jesus?
6. What could we do as a family to follow Jesus more?
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.
John 14:1-14 (God’s Word, My Voice)
Jesus told his disciples, “Don’t let yourself worry about things. Place your trust in God and me. Do you know that God’s house has a place for everyone? I’m going to go to that place and make sure it’s ready for you. And then I’ll be back to bring you there myself, even though you know the way there.”
Thomas said, “What? Why would you think we know the way there? We don’t know where you’re going, much less know how to get there.”
Jesus said, “You know the way! I am the way, the truth, and the life. You come to me and you’ll have your way to the Father. You know me; you know my Father.”
Philip said, “Show the Father to us, Jesus, and we’ll stop bugging you about it.”
Jesus said, “How long have I been with you guys, and you still don’t know who I am? If you’ve seen me, then you’ve seen the Father. Don’t say show me the Father. I know it’s hard to understand but I am in the Father and the Father is in me. And the words I speak, they aren’t my own words. They belong to the Father. All the work I do is in the Father’s name. Whatever you ask the Father for in my name, I will do it. That’s how close the Father and I are.”
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: