Nov 4, 2020
God’s Justice + Righteousness || Amos 5:18–24
Sunday, November 8, 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 righteousness God calls for through the Prophet Amos is not the righteousness of this “world”; be careful of people who call for “righteous” living that follows human-made rules and traditions; God’s righteousness is about justice and fairness; it is a righteousness that requires a new way of living that most humans are barely willing to follow
Lesson Objective: to better understand the words justice and righteousness; to understand that despite all human-made rules, structures, practices… it all comes down to, back to, around to God
Parent/Caregiver Resources:
- “Justice” (video) — Biblical meaning and perspective
- “The arc of the moral universe bends towards justice — with the help of parents.” (Aha Parenting Blog) — whether you are tuned into or discouraged by “the state of the world”, the political climate, the literal climate, white supremacy, etc., remember that you, your children and your work are not of this world; God’s kingdom will come if only we persist in our part to ushering it in
Opening or Closing Prayer: Dear God, It is an uncertain time in our world right now. In times of uncertainty, anxiety, worry, we know that it is natural for humans to look for certainty, guidance, reassurance. Help us to remember that Truth comes from you. Not from politicians or principals. Nevertheless, we pray for all your children right now who are suffering on earth, who are victims of injustice. We pray that you help us in big and small ways to be a part of bringing your righteousness to earth (not our pastor’s version, not our president’s version, not our version, but yours). Help us to know that even if we don’t see it, your day will come. And it won’t be easy. It will take hard work for your true vision of peace, harmony and shalom to come. Amen.
Scripture:
Videos for Kids:
Discussion Questions:
- What is injustice? Share an example you have witnessed or experienced.
- What is justice? What does it look like? How does it make people feel?
- What is righteousness? In what ways is it similar or different from justice?
- What do you think “self-righteousness” is? Do you think it is possible for a human to ever have “God-righteousness” instead? How?
Play:
- “God Says” —play “Simon Says” and practice being “righteous”
- Take a hike with your family. Reflect on difficult, rocky or slippery portions of the hike and think about what keeps you up-right, keeps you from falling. How can we think about God in this way?
Create:
- Draw this waterfall to remind you of Amos 5:24 — “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (NIV)
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!
- God’s Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
