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: I can be-attitude!
Supplies: popsicle sticks or scraps of paper, cup to hold them
Write a few of the beatitudes on each popsicle stick: peacemaker, meek, merciful, pure in heart, righteous.
Each person can draw a popsicle stick out of the cup and spend the day trying to live into the word written on their stick. At dinner time, talk about where you succeeded and where it was hard.
The next day, draw a new stick and try again!
Story Time: The Sermon on the Mount
Watch this video together and then use the discussion questions below to reflect as a family.
Discussion Questions:
1. I wonder what you noticed in this story?
2. I wonder what part you liked best?
3. I wonder how you think the people felt who heard Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount?
4. I wonder how you feel hearing what Jesus said?
Dinner Time: Upside Down Blessing
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, Jesus taught us that taking care of each other is one of the most important things we can do. Help us to watch out for each other and treat each other with kindness and love. Amen
Questions:
1. A beatitude could be thought of as an upside down blessing. Could we try to make up some of our own?
2. Work together as a family to name a few things that don’t seem like blessings, but that would make you a ‘hero’ in Jesus eyes.
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 5:1-12 (God’s Word, My Voice)
Jesus looked around and saw lots of people around him. He went up the mountain to talk to them, so they could hear him better. This is what he wanted to teach them:
When you are feeling down and think you're worthless, know that you are blessed. For God’s kingdom is yours.
When you are sad because someone has died, know that you are blessed and you will e comforted.
Wen you feel like you have nothing to offer, know that you are blessed, because you will be given everything.
When you are hungry and thirsty for God, know that you are blessed and that God will fill you up.
When you are kind, even when you don’t have to be kind, know that you are blessed. Because God notices and will be kind to you.
When you eyes and hearts are open to God, know that you are blessed, because you will see and feel God.
When you try to bring people together in peace, know that you are blessed, because that’s what God’s children are supposed to do.
When people make fun of you because you love me, says Jesus, you can be happy about it, because that’s exactly what they have done to all of God’s people before you.
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: