Listening to God (Aug. 31st)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)

Story in Scripture: John 8:12

This week, we revisited the concepts from our lesson about the Classroom Sanctuary again. These behaviors are so important and they require quite a bit of repetition for the little ones, especially those who have just transitioned from the younger classrooms. We moved in to a discussion of Prayer and the ways that we interact with and talk to God. As a group, the children learned together about Jesus’s explanation that he is “the Light.” They will discuss what it is to be in darkness and how listening to and seeking after Jesus brings light into our lives. Through a beautiful ritual of lighting a candle for each child present, the teacher will help to illustrate the ways that the love and compassion of God radiate out of us through our acts of service, caring for others, and glorifying God. One of the most beautiful realizations that often comes from this lesson is that the light does not grow dimmer as it spreads from the Christ candle to the other candles (one to represent each child). It grows stronger, more brilliant, and more beautiful. Finally, a good deal of time was devoted at the end of today’s lesson for children to write, draw, paint, or sculpt a prayer to God. The children will be encouraged to spend their response time thinking about and creating something that reminds them of Jesus’ light and the light that they can share through following Jesus and loving others. They will also be encouraged to spend quiet time listening to God and being quiet with him.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Now I wonder what you think of when you think of God?

I wonder why Jesus said that he is “the Light”?  

I wonder what dark things Jesus might be able to bring light to?

I wonder how you can show the light of Jesus to others, so that they will want to know him?  

Prayer:

“Dear God, thank you for listening to me when I share my thoughts and prayers with you. I know that you care for me and I am so glad that we can talk every single day- in the morning, in the daytime, and even late late at night. Thank you for speaking to us and reminding us of your light. Be with us as we spread your light to others, that they may come closer to you. Amen.”