Alternate Activity 1: Story - Finding God in Silence
Part of Windows and Mirrors
Activity time: 10 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Copy of the story "Finding God in Silence"
- A bell, chime, rain stick or other musical noisemaker
Preparation for Activity
- Review the story. We suggest using it after children have initially explored the concept of prayer in Activity 2, Praying Thanks, Regret and Hope.
- Prepare to read or tell the story to the group. Practice adopting different voices.
- Create an atmosphere to set this time apart from other activities of the session. Turn off overhead lights and use lamps. You might don a storytelling shawl to enhance the moment and help you claim the storytelling.
Description of Activity
Gather the children. Say, in your own words:
Many (but not all) of us find meaning in prayer that is addressed to a particular entity or force, which we might know and address as God, Allah, Bhagavan, Great Spirit, Jehovah, Adonai, Jah, etc. This story explores the mystery of what such an entity might be, whether we believe it listens to us, and how we might listen for its voice in our prayer or meditation.
Before you begin, ring the chime, bell or other noisemaker. Make eye contact with each participant.
Ring the chime again to signal the end of the story. Lead a discussion with these questions:
Do you think the man in the story was praying? Why, or why not?
If he was not praying, what else might you call his actions?
At the end, does the man think God hears him? Or, that God does not hear him? Does anyone hear him?
Does the man think God speaks to him, or not?
What is the result of the man's experience? What does he learn?