Dark Sayings and Glorious Deeds || Psalm 78
Sunday, September 27, 2020 — Worship@Home resources for FirstPres Hayward
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 God, of humanity and ourselves is not complete without reflection on both the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, the beauty and the brokenness
Lesson Objective: to encourage an attitude of lifelong reflection and growth that accepts both successes and shortcomings (individually and communally); that rejects the idea of perfectionism and hiding our mistakes
Parent/Caregiver Resources:
- “How To Help Your Perfectionist Kid” (NYT article)
- “Perfectionism Isn’t Part of The Christian Story” (blog)
- “Reclaiming My Theology… From White Supremacy: Perfectionism” (podcast)
Opening or Closing Prayer: Dear God, We hear aloud from voices that it is okay to make mistakes, but somehow we live in a world that quietly tells us it is not. Comfort us, help us remember that we are all more than our biggest mistake — kids, parents, criminals, countries — anyone that has done wrong, sinned, separated themselves from you. Help us to remember that being “perfect” is a lie. Help us to remember our past, to not forget, to learn and grow from our missteps instead of running from them. Help us to sit with our discomfort, instead of trying to fight or flight like our instincts tell us, because we are safe, we are in God’s hands. And God loves us no matter what. Amen.
Scripture:
- Psalm 78:1–4
Videos for Kids:
- What’s a Psalm? — “Psalms: Part I — The Overview”
- Perfectionism distracts us: “Martha’s Visit With Mary”
Discussion Questions:
- What is a Psalm? Who is speaking in Psalms and what are they talking about? Whose voice isn’t in the Psalms?
- What is the best thing that has ever happened in your life? What is the worst thing? Why is it important to remember both your highs and lows?
- What makes you afraid of making mistakes? What makes it hard to admit or apologize when you did something wrong? Why?
- How do you feel when you make a mistake? How do adults make you feel? Do you think they react in a good or not so good way?
- How do you think God feels when you make a mistake?
- How can we create a world where it is okay to make mistakes?
Play:
- Did you know it’s just as hard to “fail” at Rock, Paper, Scissors as it is to “win”? Try it! Practice failing!
Make:
- Write your own Psalm — a story, a poem or even a piece of art that shows the story of you, the ups, the downs. And think about where God was working in your life. Watch one of the following videos about how to write a poem:
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 see below for my quick picks that you can “read” online!
- “15 Great Picture Books To Help Children Manage Perfectionism”
- Quick pick: A Perfectly Messed Up Story by Patrick McDonald
