(See below for a reflection and tips from Associate Pastor Jeremiah Banks on how you can use this week’s Lenten Family Devotional Guide with your family!)
Week 3- “This is my Body” Lenten Family Devotional Guide.
One of the first and longest standing heresies of the church was the belief that Jesus did not come in a human body like you and I (or our kids) live in, but came as some sort of supra-human or disembodied spirit. Which is not too unreasonable of an assumption right? I mean, how in the world is GOD supposed to come down to earth. There’s no way Jesus had a body just like us! After all, even Jesus said things like “God is spirit” (John 4:24), right?
Then we encounter chapters like this one, where Jesus thirsts. If we allow ourselves to believe it… this is scandalous. The God of the universe subjected himself and was dependent on bodily needs. The same bodily needs each and every one of us have.
Yet as our reflection today reminds us, it was not in spite of these bodily needs that Jesus ministered to others, but it was in the middle of paying attention to and respecting his body that God moved powerfully in not only his life- by providing Jesus access to water through the kindness of the Samaritan woman- but also changed the Samaritan woman’s life forever!
Tips for this week’s devotional.
This story has “mature” themes that will go over most kids heads prior to 3rd or 4th grade (i.e. racism, sexism, religious diversity, the “Messiah” or “Christ”, etc.). In spite of this, it can be a great way to introduce these conversations, or continue them, with kids.
While this story does not talk about anything sexuality explicitly, the portions discussing the Samaritan woman’s previous relationships and divorce can often feel tricky to many of us, especially with younger kids, due to the implicit elements of sexuality. Remember though- it’s never too early to have conversations about sexuality with kids, because sexuality is about more than sex. It is about knowledge and respect for our bodies, relationships (and what does or does not match your family’s values), and ultimately about how we relate to one another across the spectrums of gender and sexuality.
With this said, most kids understand that sometimes relationships don’t work out. Much of this story can be framed in this way- so start here for young ones and then feel free to dive deeper into the complexities behind the stories for older kids.
When discussing the “Messiah” or the “Christ”, feel free to substitute the phrase “the savior of the world” for younger kids as it communicates much of the big idea. For older kids, challenge them to learn this language by leaving it as is and discussing that “messiah” and “Christ” are not Jesus’s last name, but literally mean “the anointed one of God”.
Tips for this week’s activity.
One of the most important values we can instill in our kids for their ongoing faith development is a sense of wonder and enjoyment of God’s good world! So don’t feel a need to over-spiritualize this activity. Almost all kids (regardless of age) will find it engaging as it engages their God given instincts to engage with God’s good world.
If you do wish to bring an explicitly spiritual component to the conversation- take time as you are filtering the water to discuss our call to serve others, especially those who are thirsty, hungry, and in need!
To help them connect the dots to our everyday world- show kids the water from your sink and then show them the dirty water you are filtering. Talk about how cool it is that we have people in our towns that help us make clean water and how we can show them gratitude.
To add a broader lens- discuss how not everyone can turn on their sinks and get clean water: whether because they are homeless, their water is shut off, or they do not live in a part of the world with people who can help them make clean water or places to find clean water. Brainstorm how your family can serve these people in our town and in our world.
Questions on the go (car rides, at the dinner table, etc).
What is the thirstiest you have every been?
If you could fill a well full of any drink in the world- what would it be?
Is there anyone that no one ever talks to at school? What would it feel like to go and say “hi” to them or invite them to join you at your table, at recess, or at church?
What’s your favorite subject in school (or your favorite thing to learn about)? What is your hardest subject?