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: God Calls Me By Name
Supplies: paper, pencil, crayons or markers At the top of the paper write, “God Calls Me By Name” Down the left side of the paper write your name in puffy letters. Think about words that describe you that start with each letter. (Remember God LOVES you and always sees the best in you!) Select one word for each letter and write it next to the letter. When you have finished, color the letters and the background of the paper and hang it on the door to your room.
Story Time: The Shepherd's Voice
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1. How many people tried to call the sheep before the shepherd? 2. How did the sheep act? 3. What happened when the shepherd called the sheep? 4. Why do you think that happened?
Dinner Time: God's Voice
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, This week we have been talking about sheep and shepherds. Remind us that you love us and want what is best for us. Help us to listen for your voice in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. Questions: 1. What do you think God’s voice sounds like? 2. What kinds of things do you think God wants to say to you? 3. How does it make you feel to think about God talking to you? 4. Do you talk to God? When?
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 10:1-10 (God’s Word, My Voice)
Jesus talked to them about sheep and shepherds. He said that the sheep know the shepherd’s voice and won’t follow a stranger whose voice they don’t know. The shepherd comes through the gate into the place the sheep are kept, the sheepfold. People who try to get into the sheepfold by hopping over the fence are thieves.
When Jesus said all this, the disciples had no idea what he was talking about. So, Jesus explained it to them. He said, “I am the gate for the sheep. Others who have come were thieves and the sheep didn’t know their voices, so they didn’t listen to them. They wanted to steal and destroy the sheep. But whoever comes through me will find good pasture. I have come so that you all may have life, a better life than you could ever imagine.”
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: