Church Family Moment for Sunday, September 22, 2024

By Director of Spiritual Formation Rebecca Guzman

1. Listen to a readaloud of The Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume. This story is kind of like version of the disciples’ discussion about who is the greatest. We all want to be special and the most lived, but Jesus is telling us that those feelings are dead ends.  We need to stop worrying about ourselves and start paying attention to people around us.  The surprising thing is that when we do that we are happier.
2. In 1993, the PC(USA) adopted “A Vision for Children and the Church.” Here is a link to the document. What can we learn from this? Do you think we’re doing a good job or living it out?
3. Pay special attention to the Offertory song today and the way that it relates to the Gospel scripture. Here is a link to a video and lyrics in case you missed worship (but go watch our soloist on the livestream!). What do you notice about the words in this song? What can they teach us about God?
4. Journal, considering the following:
   1. Why do you think Jesus does not want anyone to know what he is teaching?
   2. Why don’t you think the disciples wanted to talk about Jesus’ death and resurrection?
   3. What do you think he means when Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and a servant to all?”
   4. To what extent would we say that children are valued in our community and in our culture?