What is happening in Godly Play in November

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What is happening in Godly Play in November Preschool to 3rd Dear Parent(s), As we enter November it is time to prepare for Advent. To make the most of your Advent, you’ll probably find it beneficial to spend some time preparing a way for your family to enter this season. Often times, if we aren’t intentional, we find ourselves half way through Advent wondering how we can slow down and make sure we are taking time to dwell on ‘God with us.’ If your family doesn’t have an Advent tradition, we encourage you to check out Common Ground’s resources for using an Advent Wreath or a Jesse Tree. These are great ways to explore faith at home. They can be found at www.cground.org Nov. 1

Jonah, the Backward Prophet This story of Jonah shows ‘the backward prophet’ doing everything wrong, yet everything comes out all right except, perhaps, his own relationship with God. The story leaves us with many questions, and we are left to finish the story for ourselves. What happened to Jonah next? At Home: This well known story is known by most of our children already. Ask your kids to tell you the story of Jonah. Maybe they want to make their own story pieces, with your help. Wonder together about what their favorite part of the story is.

Nov. 8

Jesus Sermon on the Mount This sermon covers so much territory! Jesus’ words are so poetic and full of images that children can understand. As your child’s teacher told this story, we gave the children time to wonder about which part they related to most and had them respond to that. At Home: Read Matthew 5-7 Ask your child which part of the story speaks to them. Was it the Lord’s Prayer? Take time to read and illustrate it. Some children may be interested in the upside down nature of the Beautitudes. Take time this week to discuss them with your child.

Nov. 15

Jesus Welcomes the Children Today’s story is from Luke 18:15-17. The story alludes to several other stories from the Bible in which children play important parts, hopefully helping our children understand more of what Jesus is saying is important about how children think, love, believe, and trust.

At Home: Read Luke 18:15-17. Ask them how they think Jesus feels about them. Read and discuss other stories in the Bible that talk about children. A few ideas are: Samuel - 1Samuel 1-3 Isaac- Genesis 22:1-19 Ishmael-Genesis 16:1-13, 21:1-20 David - 1 Samuel 13 Little sick boy-Mark 9:14-29 Rhoda- Acts 12:1-19 Paul's nephew- Acts 23:1-22 Timothy- 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Nov. 22

The Circle of the Church Year This lesson sets the context for the whole year. Each year, the Christian people move through a circle of memory and expectation of the presence of God. The children learn about Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary time. *At Home: Ask your children what their favorite time of year is and why. Share with them your answer to the same question. Discuss ways you will get ready as family to come close to the mystery of Christmas. See Common Ground’s website for further resources.

Nov. 29

Advent 1 To welcome this new season it’s time to bring out the color purple. Purple is the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King. In lieu of the typical monthly parent page for December, we encourage you to utilize the 2015 Advent Guide with your family. During Advent, the Godly Play lessons mirror the Advent Wreath that is used during our worship gatherings. At home, we encourage you to engage your children in the use of the Advent Wreath and/or Jesse Tree which are detailed in the Advent Guide.