When I was a child, I believed all promises were binding and equally important.  If a friend said she could play outside tomorrow, I expected to see her on the front lawn rain or shine.  If my parents promised we’d get doughnuts for breakfast on Saturday morning, we best be heading to the grocery store to pick them up bright and early no matter what.  If a couple promised “til death do us part” to one another, divorce was off the table.  Of course, now I know that life isn’t black and white.  There are reasonable explanations for why a promise may not be kept.  And there are consequences – good and bad – for keeping promises. Promises are important to children.  They are something many young people value — while also wrestling with the challenges of keeping them and responding when they are broken.  This week’s at-home lesson gives your children a chance to explore two calls for promises in the Bible.  They will hear of God’s covenant with Abraham to make him “ancestor of a … [Read more...]

Sometimes, out of nowhere, life seems to thrust difficulties upon us.  An injury.  A snowstorm. A pandemic.  The seemingly randomness of such things can be confusing to children.  They may wonder why something tragic happens and they may even wonder where God is in the midst of such a challenge.  While we cannot always give a clear reason why these things happen, we can remind them that they are always God’s beloved.   This week, you’ll explore the paired stories of Jesus’ baptism and his 40 days in the wilderness with your children. Begin the time with your children by asking them to share what wilderness means to them.  What do they associate with the wilderness?  What might they encounter in this space?  What are the joys and challenges of being in the wilderness?  Once they have shared their thoughts, ask them to consider what it would be like to spend 40 days in the wilderness.  They likely will note that it would be quite difficult.  It would be hard to find food and shelter … [Read more...]

The story of Jesus’ transfiguration ranks high on my list of Tricky Biblical Texts to Explore with Young Children.  The event seems to come out of nowhere, its purpose isn’t immediately clear, and it’s so unusual that it’s difficult for concrete thinkers to imagine.  Despite all this, I love when this passage comes up in the lectionary!  Not only does it encourage children to use their imaginations, it also provides an opportunity to recognize the value of experiencing God’s presence even when we don’t fully understand it.  This lesson gives your children the opportunity to connect to the mystery of Jesus’ transfiguration. Begin the time with your children by sharing the story of a dream you had while sleeping.  Be sure to talk about a dream that made perfect sense while you were experiencing it, but one that becomes confusing and even unusual when you try to explain it.  Focus on the way it made you feel while you were dreaming.  Ask your children to share similar dreams.  Explain … [Read more...]

Even though the pandemic has shifted how and when we do things, we’re no less busy than we were pre-COVID. Many of us still have to “go” to work.  Our children “go” to school.  Groceries need to be bought, animals need to be cared for and friends and family members need to be checked on.  And in the midst of all this, we still need to care for ourselves.  This balancing act isn’t unique to adults.  Children do it too — sometimes with less success because they don’t always know the best ways or times to slow down.  This week’s Gospel lectionary reading provides an opportunity to talk with children about how to care for others while also caring for oneself. Before looking at this week’s Scripture, talk with your children about batteries.  Ask them why we use batteries in some devices.  Then ask them to think about why the batteries need to be replaced or recharged.  Note that there is only so much energy stored in a battery.  When it has been used up, the device it was powering will … [Read more...]

“Our country is more divided than ever.” This statement (or some version of it) has been repeated over and over during the last several years.  And the proposed solution to this challenge has followed a similar pattern.  “We have to reunite.”  “It’s time for unity.”  This all seems well and good, but many of us struggle to see how true unity can exist when there is so much hate, anger and sometimes even violence driving this division.  If adults feel this way, how do we talk to our children about repairing this breach?  How can we explain what true reconciliation is and encourage our youngest disciples to work toward it? Of course, the answers to these questions are not quick and easy ones. But exploring stories of Jesus’ ministry together can provide starting points for conversations about unity with our children.  This week’s lectionary Gospel reading from Mark is a springboard for looking to Jesus as the one who can heal and reunite us. Begin the time with your children by … [Read more...]