Instead of inviting a local musician to provide entertainment for your annual Mother/Daughter/Sister/Friend Banquet, how about taking this opportunity, with so many different generations together in one room, to practice Cross+Generational faith conversations through storytelling? We tried this at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte, Nebraska this spring, with great success.
In this event, I was able to pair the gifts of the ELCA’s Book of Faith Initiative, and its goal of helping us to see ourselves in God’s story through the life stories of our great-great-great-grandparents in faith, with my geeky obsession with all things NPR (National Public Radio) and storytelling. Several years back, StoryCorps got its start with storytelling booths all around New York City as a way to preserve the stories of our older generations that we were in danger of losing. As it has evolved, my favorite stories have become the Cross+Generational conversations between children and parents, children and grandparents, where there is as much story-sharing as there is storytelling. I wanted to foster those types of conversations between women who might already know each other well, adding both a bit of Biblical storytelling and intentionality across generations, as well as in story sharing.
Are you interested in creating this kind of experience in your own context? Find a leader’s script for the Biblical storytelling/story sharing, a pdf of the PowerPoint slides (images from the Spark Story Bible), and a pdf of the take-home booklet to encourage more conversation here:
One of the churches in our parish has begun having inter-generational Sunday School once per month. We call it “Children’s Devotion Time” or “CDT.” Each child in the class has an older adult who serves as an individual mentor during devotion time. It includes an opening prayer, a large group Bible Story, an age-appropriate leaflet about the day that they work on in child/adult pairs, a closing prayer, and a simple craft. It is based on Family God Time, but done at church and for a larger group. Join us in this new faith formation experiment!
Play the video of the song with motions and ask the learners to sing and move along. It is a short song, so you might want to try it two or three times.
3. Read: Love Your Enemies (Matthew 5:38-48 )
Read this story out loud as a large group in the Spark Story Bible, page 274.
Tell a story about a time when you found it hard to love someone.
5. Do: Use the large heart punch and strips of paper to make 3 hearts for each person in your group. (Please help those who are not able to read/write well)
On one heart, write the name of someone who you love.
On the second heart, write the name of someone who loves you.
On the third heart, write the name of someone who you find hard to love.
6. Pray: Have each person hold their three hearts in their hands. Pray this pray repeat-after me prayer (choose one member of your group to lead):
Dear Jesus,
We thank you
for the people we love
the people who love us
and even for the people we find hard to love.
Open our hearts to love you
one another,
and ourselves.
In your name we pray, Amen.
This fall we are using Illustrated Children’s Ministry Compassion Family Devotions to guide our time together. You can purchase a copy for your group here:
1. Large
Group Story: Read the story out loud
with the group, taking time to look at the pictures in the leaflet as you go.
(Use Story Time from “Shiphrah and Puah’s Courage” pg. 19 and pictures on pg.
21-23)
2. Large Group Song: Saved By Grace (chords: DAGA) Sing the song together.
I wanted to make a basket instead of a pencil cup for this craft, so I went to the dollar store, and found a single serve Rice-A-Roni container that was the right size and shape. One of the flavors was on sale for $1, so that’s the one I chose. Remove the top and contents, wipe out the container, remove the label, and then follow the instructions from the first post, above.
As you weave, remind them about the story they just learned, and then tell them about how the story leads to Moses. After Pharaoh ordered the babies thrown into the river, Moses’ mother kept her son safe and hidden in a basket until he was too big to hide. Then, she put him in the river in the basket, and a princess found him and raised him as her own. Many people worked to keep the babies safe in that time.
When you have finished weaving, add
something soft for the baby to lay in (we used fleece scraps left over from another
project), and add a baby (you could use a mini doll or a wooden doll, as shown
in the picture).
5. Large Group Prayer: Use the provided prayer in a repeat-after-me fashion.
Dear God, thank you for the story
of the midwives in Egypt
and the way that they helped the babies
and moms who were in trouble.
Help us to have compassion
for those who need our help. Amen.
Gathering Prayer
(Large group, repeat after me style)
Dear Jesus, we thank you for this time to learn more about
what happened to you during Holy Week.
Send your Holy Spirit to us, that we may know how much you love us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
The Story of Holy Week (Do in pairs)
**Learn the story of Holy Week and put together your Holy
Week Story Box.
I edited it for length and content, including only pages 1, 3-6, and 8-9 plus copyright information. I also added circles that indicated which story went to which day of Holy Week, and a condensed paragraph about Good Friday.
I printed the palm leaves on green cardstock. I printed the stickers on a full sheet prinatble sticker page.
Palm Sunday
1. Read the front
page of “The Story of Holy Week” (Palm Sunday) with your partner.
2. Open your box and
find 2 green palm papers. Cut them out
along the solid line, and add fringe as indicated in the example.
Maundy Thursday
3. Read the next
three pages of “The Story of Holy Week” (Maundy Thursday) with your partner.
4. Find the sticker
with the white table cloth, loaf of bread, and glass of wine. Stick the sticker to the lid of the box.
Good Friday
5. Read the next page
of “The Story of Holy Week” (Good Friday) with your partner.
6. Find the two
strips of black paper. Use a glue stick
to stick the strips to the outside bottom of the box in the shape of a cross.
7. Find the gold pipe
cleaner section. Curve and twist it into
a crown of thorns, making sure that it will fit securely onto Jesus’ head.
8. Find the piece of
white cloth. Set it aside for now.
Easter Sunday
9. Read the next two
pages of “The Story of Holy Week” with your partner.
10. Find the piece of
brown cereal box. Add a tab to one of
the short sides with a piece of tape as indicated in the example.
11. Find the
“Alleluia” sticker. Stick it to the
inside bottom of the box, and then cover it with the cereal box, brown side
up. You are now ready to tell the story
of Holy Week with your box and the following song:
Holy Week Story
Box (Do as a large group)
**Tell the story with your box, singing the song in between
each day of Holy Week. Here is the
Youtube video that accompanies this experience:
https://youtu.be/GwBGwyiQhD0
Palm Sunday (Jesus with palms) Were you there when they had a palm parade? Were you there when they had a palm parade? Oh, oh, oh, oh. Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they had a palm parade?
Maundy Thursday (Jesus behind altar box) Were you there when he gave the bread and wine? Were you there when he gave the bread and wine? Oh, oh, oh, oh. Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when he gave the bread and wine?
Good Friday (Jesus with crown of thorns next to cross on back of box)
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Sometimes it causes me
to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Good Friday (Wrap Jesus in cloth, close into box) Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Oh, oh, oh, oh. Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Easter Morning (Open
box, Jesus out of box, remove false bottom to reveal Alleluia!)
Were you there when he rose up from the dead?
Were you there when he rose up from the dead?
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Sometimes it causes me
to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when he rose up from the dead?
Closing Prayer
(Large group, repeat after me style)
Dear Jesus, we thank you for loving us so much that you died
and rose again. Help us to follow where
you lead, and tell the great news of your love to others.
Now, Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to
pray: (Lord’s Prayer with motions)
One of the churches in our parish has begun having inter-generational Sunday School once per month. We call it “Children’s Devotion Time” or “CDT.” Each child in the class has an older adult who serves as an individual mentor during devotion time. It includes an opening prayer, a large group Bible Story, an age-appropriate leaflet about the day that they work on in child/adult pairs, a closing prayer, and a simple craft. It is based on Family God Time, but done at church and for a larger group. Join us in this new faith formation experiment!
Use the front side of the
pray dough mat to retell the story together.
As you tell the story, fill in the shapes with play dough. Once you have done this, flip the mat over
and pray as you use the dough to fill in the same shapes, considering the
questions on the mat as you pray.
Large Group Closing Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)
Dear Jesus, we thank you that you love us no matter what. Help us to stay near to you, especially in tough times. In your name we pray, Amen.
Activity: Lenten
Pray Place
Supplies needed per learner purple napkin clear bowl decorative sand red strips of paper heart paper punch pipe cleaner 6 black flat-sided marbles (or small stones)
Instructions
I found this graphic on Pinterest, and thought it would make a great activity to welcome Lent:
I added a tealight to this
Pray Place so that we can remember that, even in dark times, Jesus is the Light
of the World. Turning the light on and
off helps to begin and end our prayer time.
One of the churches in our parish has begun having inter-generational Sunday School once per month. We call it “Children’s Devotion Time” or “CDT.” Each child in the class has an older adult who serves as an individual mentor during devotion time. It includes an opening prayer, a large group Bible Story, an age-appropriate leaflet about the day that they work on in child/adult pairs, a closing prayer, and a simple craft. It is based on Family God Time, but done at church and for a larger group. Join us in this new faith formation experiment!
You can learn more about just how we have set this up here:
Large Group Gathering Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)
Dear Jesus, we thank you forthis time to learn more about the story of Christmas. Help us to remember the reason for this holy season. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Nathan Drake is a church musician who makes classic hymns available on guitar with simplearrangements. Check it out!
Large Group Closing Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)
Dear Jesus, we thank you for coming down to live with us in the miracle of Christmas. We are looking forward to your coming. In your name we pray, Amen.
Activity: Angel Luminaries
Supplies needed per learner
(1) large clear plastic cup (16 oz.)
(1) copy of angel luminary skirt printed on vellum
(Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)
Dear Jesus,
we thank you
for this time
to learn more about how to talk to you.
Help us to learn and grow together.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Bible Story: James 5:13-20
Read the story out loud for the group, and answer the question together. We are using the Whirl Story Bible for our story time.
Partner Time: Prayer
Working together in child/adult or youth/adult partners, complete the level-appropriate leaflet on prayer:
I printed them on cardstock and laminated them so that they could be used multiple times. We used Play Doh that I had on hand, though you could certainly make your own. This recipe looked especially good: https://theimaginationtree.com/best-ever-no-cook-play-dough-recipe/
Large Group Closing Prayer:
(Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)
Dear Jesus,
we thank you
for this time
to talk to you
and to listen to you.
In your name we pray, Amen.
One of the churches in our parish has begun having inter-generational Sunday School once per month. We call it “Children’s Devotion Time” or “CDT.” Each child in the class has an older adult who serves as an individual mentor during devotion time. It includes an opening prayer, a large group Bible Story, an age-appropriate leaflet about the day that they work on in child/adult pairs, a closing prayer, and a simple craft. It is based on Family God Time, but done at church and for a larger group. Join us in this new faith formation experiment!
Large Group Gathering Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)
Dear Jesus, we thank you for this time to learn more about the last thing that Jesus said to us. Help us to learn to be your witnesses, all the way to the ends of the earth. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Each child/adult pair has a four-page leaflet to work on which is developmentally appropriate for the child. They work through the leaflet together, taking as much time as they need. This month, I made a leaflet with a map activity. Children identified where they lived on a state, country, and world map, and drew stars where they live and arrows to the ends of the earth. I also found an Ascension Paint-By-Number Image here: http://www.biblewise.com/kids/fun/ascension-paint-by-num.php You can also use the children’s bulletin from your church.
Large Group Closing Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)
Dear Jesus, we thank you that you that you went back home to heaven so that we will have a home there too. Help us to spread your love to the ends of the earth. In your name we pray, Amen.
Activity: String Art Arrows
Supplies Needed
(1) 14” section of 2 x 4 per student
(1) arrow template, printed on cardstock and cut out
(1) ruler
(1) awl
(19) 16 x 1” wire nails with large heads per student
(1) hammer
(1) scissors
crochet thread in multiple colors
Instructions
Center the arrow template on the section of 2 x 4 and tape down, if desired. Mark the nail holes according to the dots on the arrow with an awl. Remove template.
Drive one nail into each marked spot. Once they are each in securely, adjust the height of the nails until they are fairly even (I left ½” sticking out).
Let the children and youth use string to fill in the design. On the example, I used red to outline, cream to fill in the middle, and red to do a double outline at the end. I secured the ends of each string around the bottom right nail.
Put it on a shelf in an upright position to remind us that Ascension Day is when Jesus returns to heaven!
One of the churches in our parish has begun having inter-generational Sunday School once per month. We call it “Children’s Devotion Time” or “CDT.” Each child in the class has an older adult who serves as an individual mentor during devotion time. It includes an opening prayer, a large group Bible Story, an age-appropriate leaflet about the day that they work on in child/adult pairs, a closing prayer, and a simple craft. It is based on Family God Time, but done at church and for a larger group. Join us in this new faith formation experiment!
Large Group Gathering Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)
Dear Jesus, we thank you for this time to learn more about Jesus’ friend Thomas. Help us to learn to give and receive peace. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Work in Pairs:
Each child/adult pair has a four-page leaflet to work on which is developmentally appropriate for the child. They work through the leaflet together, taking as much time as they need. This month, we used the children’s bulletin from Spark, available on Sundays and Seasons. You can use the children’s bulletin from your church.
Large Group Closing Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)
Dear Jesus, we thank you that you that you give us the gift of believing in you. Help us to spread your peace to those we meet. In your name we pray, Amen.
Activity: Peace Doves Supplies Needed
dove kite printed on white cardstock (find the image on Pinterest here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/433753007856479485/)
scissors
stapler
drinking straw
white duct tape
hole punch
light weight string
clear tape
white crepe streamers
Instructions
Cut out dove and fold on lines. Staple where indicated (this is important for how the kite will fly).
Cut the end off of a drinking straw and staple to the back of the wings.
Put a small piece of duct tape over the place where you are the punch the hole, approximately at the chest of the dove. Punch hole through all layers.
Tie a six to eight foot length of light weight string through the hole.
One of the churches in our parish has begun having inter-generational Sunday School once per month. We call it “Children’s Devotion Time” or “CDT.” Each child in the class has an older adult who serves as an individual mentor during devotion time. It includes an opening prayer, a large group Bible Story, an age-appropriate leaflet about the day that they work on in child/adult pairs, a closing prayer, and a simple craft. It is based on Family God Time, but done at church and for a larger group. Join us in this new faith formation experiment!
Large Group Gathering Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)
Dear Jesus, we thank you for this time to learn more about how you truly God’s Son. Help us to learn and grow together. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Work in Pairs:
Each child/adult pair has a four-page leaflet to work on which is developmentally appropriate for the child. They work through the leaflet together, taking as much time as they need. This month, we used the children’s bulletin from Spark, available on Sundays and Seasons. You can use the children’s bulletin from your church.
Large Group Closing Prayer: (Do this prayer repeat-after-me style)
Dear Jesus, we thank you that you are God’s Son. Help us to always listen to you. In your name we pray, Amen.
Activity: Bury the Alleluia
One tradition that our churches practice on Transfiguration Sunday is to prepare for Lent (which begins on the Wednesday after Transfiguration Sunday) by burying the Alleluia. We say goodbye to the Alleluia because it is a celebration word that we save until the miracle of Easter. You can learn more about this practice here: https://www.buildfaith.org/saying-goodbye-to-the-alleluia/#gref
Supplies Needed
A small box (we used shiny jewelry boxes)
A print out of the coloring Alleluia or “tracing” Alleluia on cardstock: Transfiguration Alleluia 18, Transfiguration Trace Alleluia 18
Scissors or paper cutter
Tape (we used gold washi tape)
coloring utensils
Instructions
Cut out the individual letters of the Alleluia. Our younger ones will use the “tracing” Alleluia, and the older ones the “coloring” Alleluia.
Tape them together on the back, accordion style.
Decorate them as you wish.
Once they are decorated, sing a little Alleluia song. Our favorites are “Halle, Halle, Hallelujah” and the “Celtic Alleluia.”
Fold your Alleluia up and place it in the box. Tape the box shut, and write “Do not open until Easter” on the tape.
Hide your box in an out of the way place that you will still remember by Easter.
(I am planning to put jingle bracelets in the boxes and re-tape them just before Easter. We will open them in church on Easter morning!)
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Family God Time 