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: Secret Kindness Ambassador
Supplies: slips of paper, pencil, small jar Write each family member's name on a slip of paper, fold the slips, and place them in a basket. Have each person draw out one slip of paper and look at the name of the person they drew. Do not say your name aloud! For this week, your secret mission is to do small acts of kindness for the person on the slip. Try to do them quietly so as not to reveal your secret. Then at the end of the week, take turns guessing who was your secret kindness ambassador!
Story Time: Baby Bat Burritos
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1. What does comfort mean?
2. Where do you find comfort? (people? things?)
3. How did it make you feel to see the person caring for the baby bats? Why?
4. Do you seek comfort from God?
5. How do you feel God’s presence?
Dinner Time: Keeping Commandments
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, to be chosen, to be wanted, to know that I have someone to whom I belong is so comforting to me today. Help me to include others in my conversations, my work and my play. Help me to notice those who don’t feel wanted and invite them into my circle and my heart. Support me as I remember that we belong to each other just as we belong to you. Amen.
(Christ Church Day School Chapel Book - Belonging Prayer)
Questions:
1. In this week’s Bible story we heard Jesus say, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” What do you think that means?
2. What commandments do you think Jesus is talking about?
3. Do you know what Jesus said when he was asked what was the greatest commandment? (Read Matthew 22:36-40)
4. Why do you think Jesus said those two?
5. Who do you think would be a neighbor for you?
6. Is it easy or hard to love your neighbor? 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.
John 14:15-21 (God’s Word, My Voice)
Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me, you will remember what I’ve said to you and follow my commandments. When I leave I am going to ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth. The Spirit will be inside of you and stay with you. So you see, I’m not going to leave you alone. I will be with you. In a little while, the world won’t be able to see me, but you will be able to see me. And because I am alive, you will be more alive, too. You will know that I am one with the father and you are one with me. And if you love me and keep my commandments, the Father and I love you and know you as well.”
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: