The Face of God || Exodus 20:18–20 & Psalm 80:3
Sunday, October 4, 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: In Biblical times, humans could not directly talk with God; God used prophets to communicate. After Moses delivers the Ten Commandments, God sends thunder, lightning, trumpets and smoke and the people are afraid to witness God — Moses replies “do not be afraid” — when we walk in God’s way — in harmony with each other and God — we have nothing to fear, we grow closer to God; the refrain (chorus) of Psalm 80 reminds us to prayerfully seek God’s face, God’s presence
Lesson Objective: to be aware of the image of God we have in our heads; to understand that God speaks through all things: prophets, thunder, the faces of other people — our neighbors; and to always look for God’s face — in all things, places and people
Parent/Caregiver Resources:
- “Are you a fear driven parent?” (blog)
- “Who people believe rules in heaven influences their beliefs about who rules on Earth, Stanford scholars find” (article)
- “Why is inclusive language still important” (article)
Opening or Closing Prayer: Dear God, Like the Israelites prayed in Psalm 80, “Come back to us, O God; make your face shine on us, that will save us.” Be with us, restore us, revive us — put us back together, in harmony with you and each other. Help us to “not be afraid” to grow closer to you as Moses comforted the Israelites when they feared your thunder and lightning, your signs and presence. Help us to see your face, to listen to your word, to live in your Way. God we know your face is reflected in all people, in all places and in all your creation. Help us to grow closer to you by growing closer to your people, your places and your creation — no matter how different, how distant they seem. We will not be afraid. Amen.
Scripture:
Videos for Kids:
- The Face of God (slide show) — as the pieces of art appear on the screen, notice where your eyes land. What do you feel in your body? Where do you see God? What is God saying to you through these images?
- Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Videos: See What It Is, The Fireworks Are Scary, No Matter Where You Go, You Can Find Something You Know
Discussion Questions:
- What is your picture of God? Are you afraid of God like the Israelites?
- When we are afraid, it’s usually because we are faced with something different or unfamiliar. What is something that has made you feel afraid? How did you overcome your fear? What are the ways Daniel Tiger overcomes his fear?
- How can learning more about something or getting closer to it make you less afraid?
- How can getting closer to God make us less afraid?
- After seeing the images of God from “The Face of God” slide show, how did your image of God change? How can seeing God’s face in all people help us grow closer to God and be less afraid?
Play:
- Mirror Me — our faces are reflections of God. Grab some chalk and a family member and practice being a reflection!
Make:
- Draw the Face of God — use this blind-contour portrait tutorial to look into a “face of God” and draw a self-portrait. Or use a “sketch pal” and draw each other while looking into another face of God.
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!
- "18 Multicultural Books About Fear and Courage”
- Images of God for Young Children by Marie-Helene Delval
