A blessing is words or actions that bring about God’s favor. So, when we say a blessing at mealtime, we ask God to bless the food and so it will strengthen us to do God’s work in the world. When Mother Jenny pronounces God’s blessing on us at the end of the service, she is doing what priests do: using words, on behalf of God, to bring about God’s favor to us. The blessing she is using right now is, “God’s blessing be with you. Christ’s peace be with you. The Spirit’s outpouring be with you, now and always. Amen.”
When God promised to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), that was God’s promise to make us God’s people.
Whether you are alone, with another, or with your family this week, read the story of Abraham (Click on “About the Abraham Project” on the FISH site for more direction).
Follow these easy steps:
· Read the Abraham story out loud
· Close the Bible and tell the story in your own words
· Choose an activity, do it, and post your response to the FISH blog. If you are doing the activity with others, work together on your response.
Remember, don’t be intimidated. Be open to your own learning and, if you are doing this with young children, model for them that adults can be open to God giving them a new message. And have fun!
Activities (choose one):
1. Count the stars: pick a time to go outside at night and try to count the stars in the sky.
a. How many can you count? Try holding up two fingers against the sky (like a peace sign). Can you count the stars between your fingers? Is there a number big enough for all the stars?
b. God promised Abraham that he would have more children than there are stars in the sky. Abraham and Sarah had Isaac, and Isaac and Rebekkah had twin boys, Jacob and Esau. Jacob had twelve sons, who became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. In your own words, how did God’s promise come true?
c. Post on the FISH blog: If you counted all of God’s people, would it be a big number? Post the funniest (or most clever) number you came up with.
2. Family Tree: How far back can you name the people in your family?
a. Draw (or list) a family tree (just skip the parts you don’t know and don’t worry about getting the little lines, boxes and squares just right. Unless you want to).
b. How many places are your ancestors from? Do you know their stories, and why they moved? How many people are there if you include three generations? Five? Can you name anyone who is “like family” even if they aren’t in your bloodline?
c. Post on the FISH blog: Why do we call Abraham “Father”?
3. Draw it: Use paper, crayons, markers, stickers, whatever you have on hand.
a. Draw your favorite image from the story: stars, sand, the angels come to Abraham’s tent, anything you like. Take your time.
b. If you are doing this with others, give each person the chance to tell about their picture.
c. Post on the FISH blog: a cell phone photo of your picture, and the part of the story that inspired it.
4. Risk and Promise: try to list as many symbols of promises you have made (examples: wedding rings, checkbook, etc.)
a. List at least three symbols.
b. Talk about the promise that each represents, and the risk you are taking in making the promise. Who else is affected by this promise? What risks did Abraham and Sarah take when they left their home? What is our responsibility in being God’s people?
c. Post on the FISH blog: a few sentences about the promise and who else agreed to it.
When God promised to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), that was God’s promise to make us God’s people.
Whether you are alone, with another, or with your family this week, read the story of Abraham (Click on “About the Abraham Project” on the FISH site for more direction).
Follow these easy steps:
· Read the Abraham story out loud
· Close the Bible and tell the story in your own words
· Choose an activity, do it, and post your response to the FISH blog. If you are doing the activity with others, work together on your response.
Remember, don’t be intimidated. Be open to your own learning and, if you are doing this with young children, model for them that adults can be open to God giving them a new message. And have fun!
Activities (choose one):
1. Count the stars: pick a time to go outside at night and try to count the stars in the sky.
a. How many can you count? Try holding up two fingers against the sky (like a peace sign). Can you count the stars between your fingers? Is there a number big enough for all the stars?
b. God promised Abraham that he would have more children than there are stars in the sky. Abraham and Sarah had Isaac, and Isaac and Rebekkah had twin boys, Jacob and Esau. Jacob had twelve sons, who became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. In your own words, how did God’s promise come true?
c. Post on the FISH blog: If you counted all of God’s people, would it be a big number? Post the funniest (or most clever) number you came up with.
2. Family Tree: How far back can you name the people in your family?
a. Draw (or list) a family tree (just skip the parts you don’t know and don’t worry about getting the little lines, boxes and squares just right. Unless you want to).
b. How many places are your ancestors from? Do you know their stories, and why they moved? How many people are there if you include three generations? Five? Can you name anyone who is “like family” even if they aren’t in your bloodline?
c. Post on the FISH blog: Why do we call Abraham “Father”?
3. Draw it: Use paper, crayons, markers, stickers, whatever you have on hand.
a. Draw your favorite image from the story: stars, sand, the angels come to Abraham’s tent, anything you like. Take your time.
b. If you are doing this with others, give each person the chance to tell about their picture.
c. Post on the FISH blog: a cell phone photo of your picture, and the part of the story that inspired it.
4. Risk and Promise: try to list as many symbols of promises you have made (examples: wedding rings, checkbook, etc.)
a. List at least three symbols.
b. Talk about the promise that each represents, and the risk you are taking in making the promise. Who else is affected by this promise? What risks did Abraham and Sarah take when they left their home? What is our responsibility in being God’s people?
c. Post on the FISH blog: a few sentences about the promise and who else agreed to it.