BECOME || picture of a disciple: David, Loving and Being Loved by God
Sunday, August 9 — Worship@Home resources for FirstPres Hayward’s BECOME || picture of a disciple series
As our congregation has made the decision to move to a digital online format for our Sunday Family Gathering due to COVID-19, FirstPresKids is here to provide resources that can help you create your own at-home family worship experience or supplement the one that will be streamed on Sunday mornings, 10PST from FirstPres Hayward.
NOTE: You can also go to the FPK YouTube Channel to view most (not all) of these materials on this week’s FirstPresKids YouTube Playlist.
Scriptural Focus: the story of David (and Goliath); David had a full relationship with God based on his knowledge of God’s unconditional love; this love filled and emboldened him to act out of this love in the service of God and others
Lesson Objective: when you fully feel and experience God’s unconditional love, you fully love God; loving God is also loving others
Parent/Caregiver Resources: as parents we can never love our children as much as God does, but we can help them to know a healthy, unconditional love by working on interrupting our own problematic narratives and “shark music” in our interactions with them
- “Episode 71: Do You Want to Be More Patient?” from Greater Good Magazine (podcast with transcript)
- “Happy Healthy Little Ones Circle of Security Parenting Being With and Shark Music” (video)
Opening or Closing Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for loving us no matter what. You loved us from the moment we were created. There is nothing we can do to earn your love and nothing we can do to lose your love. Help us to remember this and feel this every single day. When we live our lives full of your love, we feel safe and secure and it makes it possible for us to fully love others. We love you, God. And we show you that we love you by loving others. We pray that our days are filled with your love as it flows into and out of us! Amen.
Scripture:
- God’s Story: David and Goliath (video, older kids); content warning: Goliath gets decapitated!
- (Slapstick Theatre) David and Goliath (video)
Videos for Kids:
Discussion Questions:
- Why did God love David? Why does God love you? (trick question!)
- What are ways that you feel God’s love?
- What is a way that you can love God back?
- When you know that God loves you, it makes you feel safe and brave like David. What can God’s love give you confidence to do?
Do:
- Play “David and Goliath” Tug of War
- With God’s love, you can be courageous and help others! David made a sling but you can Make a Pencil Catapult. Make a target (on the ground, taped to a wall) and practice your aim.
Make:
- Make an ASL “I Love You” craft:
- Be reminded of God’s unconditional love: How To Draw Heart Hands
Books: libraries are closed and you may not have time to order books, but check out the lists below and often a quick internet search will turn up a video version of many picture books. Or scroll down for my quick picks that you can “read” online!
- 7 Great Children’s Books to Teach About God’s Love
- 10 Kids Picture Books About Unconditional Love
- Picture Books About Unconditional Love
- Quick picks: The Boy and The Ocean by Max Lucado (older kids) and LOVE by Matt de la Peña and Loren Long
