Small Church September 2, 2024

Conversation Guide for September 29, 2024

Becoming Present to God

While lighting a candle to remind you of God’s Presence, have someone read the candle prayer.

Candle prayer inviting the presence of God.

Conversation Starters

 

Share a consolation/desolation from your week.

Video Starter

Watch this video with Kim and Todd introducing the concept of pathos.

Discussion Questions

Read Jeremiah 9:1-3

  • What is Jeremiah feeling? Why?

  • There are two desires mentioned by Jeremiah in these few verses, what are they?

  • How are these two things felt today? What does it mean to want to weep because of the circumstance of other people? (This is an example of pathos)

  • How is the second desire an expression of being overwhelmed?

  • How do  we feel similar things today?

  • How does this demonstrate a different idea of what a prophet was?


Poetry, Person, Pathos

  • You can see, in how the text is shaped, that it is part of a poem?
  • How does poetry work differently than other forms of language?
  • Take a line like, “O that my head were waters!” – how does the poetic image help us more than simply saying , “Jeremiah was anguished over the situation of the people”?

 

Resources

Consider listening/watching this song by Johnny Cash

  • How does this song present a pretty classic view of prophecy?
  • How is what we see in Jeremiah different than this?
  • How is it the same?

Abraham Heschel notes that

“The disparity between God and humanity is overcome in God, not in humanity.”

We see in Jer 9:1-3 that Jeremiah feels pathos.

  • What might it mean that God does the same?
  • How can the incarnation of Jesus be seen as a fulfilment of the divine pathos of God and of a hope for renewal beyond judgment?

 

 

Christ is Lower Still
  • How does this song express the idea of Jesus’ presence in the depths instead of the heights?
  • Perhaps use this song to lead and guide a time of prayer.

Blessing One Another

As one person reads the final blessing, let it be something you all offer and receive from one another as the candle is blown out.

Blessing Prayer
CapKids Title

This fall CapKids will be learning all about the Psalms in a series called “Make a Joyful Noise”. Click here to download the guide for this week or scroll down. 

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David
The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that
I need.
The Shepherd brings me to green fields,
and leads me by quiet waters,
The Shepherd gives life to my soul,
and leads me in the right paths.
Even when I go through the darkest
valley
I am not afraid,
For the Shepherd is with me,
with a rod and staff to protect me.
The Lord prepares a feast for me
as my enemies watch nearby.
The Lord anoints my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
Goodness and love will follow me,
every day of my life.
I will live in the Lord’s house all my
days.

Psalm 23

God is my shepherd.
He leads me in the right direction. And
even if I have to walk in a dark place,
I am not scared.
I know nothing will hurt me if I walk with
God!
(Psalm 23 from Psalms for Young Children)

Wonder Questions

  • The Psalm Describes God as a Shepherd. What is another way you could describe God
    and why?
  • Share about a hard or painful time in your life. How did you feel? Who helped you?
  • What are some ways God leads us and comforts us? Can you think of a specific
    example from your life?

Prayer Activity

Express your prayer through art. Draw green fields, water, and a valley. In the fields and water draw things that make you feel happy and peaceful. In the valley, draw things that worry or upset you.

Finish by saying “Amen!”

Book Resources

CapKids Playlist

Looking for some music to enjoy with your kids? Check out this curated playlist that Janine and Mikaila have put together. Each week they’ll be adding more songs to the list.