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Why do Godly Play at Home?
Recent research shows a growing lack of spiritual intimacy within Christian families. Adults don’t want to interfere with their children’s development as independent thinkers, or they are uncomfortable talking about God because as parents we also have many unanswered questions about our faith and life’s big questions (questions about good and evil, freedom and oppression, love and aloneness, life and death, and the presence of God). Godly Play can bridge this gap. It is easy to do and it is non-threatening for both parents and children because there are no right or wrong answers. Families come together using bible stories to wonder and explore the “middle realm” of our faith. Godly Play can lead us to a place of authentic intimacy and spiritual maturity. |
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Godly Play: click here to learn more about Godly Play in general.
Creating a Sacred Space: click here to learn more about making space for Godly Play at home, including ideas for a family altar and resources for storytelling materials.
Creating a Wondering Space: click here to learn more about how to wonder and lead others in holy wondering.
Creating a Creative Space: click here to learn more about materials for “work time” (free response/reflection time), and how to foster creative responses in children.
Godly Play Library: click here to learn about how to borrow storytelling materials from Good Shepherd’s collection of stories.
Other resources:
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BOOKS
Berryman, Stories of God at Home: A Godly Play Approach Berryman, Godly Play: An Imaginative Approach to Religious Education Berryman, Teaching Godly Play: How to Mentor the Spiritual Development of Children Berryman, Complete Guide to Godly Play, Volumes 2 – 4 & 6 – 8
Stewart & Berryman, Young Children & Worship Similar to the core Godly Play stories (in both style and content). This book is very useful for the patterns provided for making your own materials. Stewart, Following Jesus Sequel to Young Children & Worship. This book also has patterns for making your own materials. |
YOUTUBE CHANNELS
GodlyPlayFoundation CFMUPres BLOGS BY GODLY PLAY PRACTITIONERS Explore and Express Godly Play Blog Easterkind Also checkout Pinterest and Facebook! |
Weekly Lessons
October 18: Welcome to Godly Play at Home!
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Lesson materials:
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October 25: The Story of Creation
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In the story of Creation (Genesis 1:1 – 2:3), we begin to trace God’s elusive presence with, love for and gifts to God’s people. These threads are woven into all of Scripture. In the Godly Play presentation of this story, participants experience the days of creation through simple pictures that engage the imagination and lead to rich wondering!
There are at least two ways you can enjoy these materials with your family: you can watch a video of the story presented by the Godly Play Foundation, or you can print out the set of pictures provided below and tell the story together (or you can do both!). Blessings on your Godly Play time! |
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Lesson Materials:
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November 1: The Story of Noah and the Great Flood
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In the story of Noah (Genesis 6:5 – 9:17) and the Great Flood, God sees a world full of sin and God decides to wash it clean and provide a new beginning for God’s creation.
There are two ways you can enjoy these materials with your family: you can watch a video of the story presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using a toy Ark, or simple materials that are very easy to make out of paper. Lesson Materials:If you do not have a toy Noah’s Ark at home, the buttons below will take you to a template for paper cut-out animals, or you can use animal crackers. A basket or box can be used as an Ark, or see the second link below for directions to make a paper-bag Ark. The story script uses four pairs of animals, two people figures (for Noah and his wife), a boat, and a couple of stones to make an altar – but you can adapt as needed.
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November 8: The Ten Best Ways
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The Godly Play story of the “Ten Best Ways” is the story of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-21). God was not looking to control the people and give them orders; God was providing loving guidance on how to live the best possible life. In the story, God comes so close to Moses, and Moses comes so close to God, that Moses knows what God wants him to do. Moses brings the Ten Best Ways to live to the people of God.
Lesson Materials:This story is usually told in a “desert box” containing sand, but it is easy to improvise. You can use regular play sand or kinetic sand. Other people doing Godly Play at Home have told the story outside in the dirt, or on a towel the color of sand. Even a tray of rice would work. Because imagination is such a big part of Godly Play, there is plenty of room to do whatever works for you!
The central item for your story materials will be a set of tablets displaying the Ten Commandments. You can make these from cardboard, construction paper, or whatever else you have on hand, following the template below. You will also need something to represent Mount Sinai (a rock, lump of clay, small pillow, etc.), and people figures to represent Moses and the “people of God” (these can be Lego or Playmobile figures, simple stick figures made out of clothes pins or pipe cleaners, wooden peg people). For other ideas for people figures, click here. | ||||||
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November 15: The Ark and the Tent
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Last week’s story was about the Ten Best Ways (the Ten Commandments). This week’s story is about the Ark and the Tent (or Tabernacle), a special place built by the people of God so that they could keep the Ten Best Ways close to them, wherever they went. (Exodus 25-31 & 35-40) This is one of the most popular Godly Play stories ~ children love to explore the rich detail and symbolism in the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
There are two ways you can enjoy this story with your family: you can watch a video presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using your own model Tabernacle and furnishings. Lesson Materials
Here is an easy to make free, printable 3D tabernacle!
Works best if printed on cardstock.
For $20 you can find some fun options on Amazon:
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November 22: The Holy Family
Bonus materials: Jesse Tree Ornaments:
Print and color in these lovely ornaments to count down the days to Christmas!
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One of the themes in Godly Play is learning how to “get ready”: getting ready to enter a sacred space and time, getting ready to listen to God and to one another, getting ready for the mystery of Easter, and getting ready for the mystery of Christmas. Getting ready for the mystery of Christmas is, of course, the work of Advent. As we stand on the precipice of a new liturgical year, our Godly Play at Home story this week is the Holy Family.
There are two ways you can enjoy this story with your family: you can watch a video presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using your own Nativity set. Lesson Materials:
If you do not have a child-friendly Nativity set at home, here are a few free printables: Also, here are instructions for making a Nativity using lego pieces you have on hand:
Or, for about $20, here is a simple wooden Holy Family set for Godly Play at Home families:
Other reasonably priced sets made from olive wood can be found on Amazon on eBay.
The other figure that’s used on the Holy Family story is a silhouette of the Risen Christ. You can make one of your own (cut from cardboard or foam-core) using this photo as a model. | ||||
November 29: The Story of Advent: Getting Ready for the Mystery of Christmas
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One of the themes in Godly Play is learning how to “get ready”: getting ready to enter a sacred space and time, getting ready to listen to God and to one another, getting ready for the mystery of Easter, and getting ready for the mystery of Christmas. Getting ready for the mystery of Christmas is, of course, the work of Advent. This Sunday is the first in a four-story series on Advent and Getting Ready for the Mystery of Christmas.
There are two ways you can enjoy the Advent stories with your family: you can watch a video presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using your own materials. In addition, enjoy the two-minute Season of Wonder video (right) produced by the Godly Play Foundation specially for the 2020 Advent: “In the midst of a holiday season that will be like no other, the Godly Play Foundation wants to offer another way for you to be grounded in wonder. Every Sunday in Advent, we will share a Season of Wonder Video to inspire a moment of wonder for you and your families. After you watch the video, try a WONDER WALK...whether that is walking along the beach, trekking through the snow, riding through the woods, looking out a window, or moving through your house...and notice, wonder, and rest.” Blessings on your Godly Play time, and best wishes for a Holy Advent filled with wonder. Lesson Materials:
Note: The materials and video links are the same for all of the stories in the Advent series. The materials for this series of stories include:
Advent Cards can be printed on cardstock, mounted onto cardboard, or recreated with any other medium of your choice. (The set of cards that we use at COGS are cut from pieces of felt.) 
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December 6: Advent II
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This Sunday is the second story in the Godly Play series on Advent, Getting Ready for the Mystery of Christmas. There are two ways you can enjoy the Advent stories with your family: you can watch a video presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using your own materials.
In addition, enjoy the Godly Play Foundation's 2020 video series, Season of Wonder, listed above in our first Advent lesson. Blessings on your Godly Play time, and best wishes for a Holy Advent filled with wonder! Note: For materials, story scripts and video links, see Advent I. The materials and video links are the same for all of the stories in the Advent series. |
December 13: Advent III |
This Sunday is the third Advent story from the Godly Play series, Getting Ready for the Mystery of Christmas. There are two ways you can enjoy this series of stories with your family: you can watch a video presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using your own materials.
In addition, enjoy the Godly Play Foundation's 2020 video series, Season of Wonder, listed above in our first Advent lesson. Blessings on your Godly Play time, and best wishes for a Holy Advent filled with wonder! Note: For materials, story scripts and video links, see Advent I. The materials and video links are the same for all of the stories in the Advent series. |
December 20: Advent IV
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This Sunday is the fourth story in the Godly Play series on Advent,
Getting Ready for the Mystery of Christmas. There are two ways you can enjoy the Advent stories with your family: you can watch a video presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using your own materials. In addition, enjoy the Godly Play Foundation’s 2020 video series, Season of Wonder, listed above in our first Advent lesson. Blessings on your Godly Play time, and best wishes for a Holy Advent filled with wonder! Note: For materials, story scripts and video links, see Advent I. The materials and video links are the same for all of the stories in the Advent series. |
January 15: Psalm 23 & Parable of the Good Shepherd––Psalm 23 & Luke 15:1-7
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The Parable of the Good Shepherd is, without question, one of the most loved Godly Play stories. Parables are one of three main “genres” in Godly Play: Sacred Stories, Parables, and Liturgical Lessons. Parables are distinctive for their two-dimensional materials, which distinguish the parables as stories that were told by Jesus as opposed to historical events. Parables are typically stored in a gold box, because they are precious and full of mystery, and sometimes they are difficult to open. “If that happens don’t be discouraged. Come back to the parable again and again. One day it will open for you.” Blessings on your Godly Play time!
Lesson materials:
The materials for this story includes:
Parable materials can be printed on paper or cardstock, colored in and cut out. The other pieces (underlay, blue pond, etc.) can be made from any medium of your choice: felt, fabric, construction paper, etc.
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January 24: Parable of the Sower
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Parables can be intimidating, but these mystery-filled stories are a wonderful fit for Godly Play at Home (for all ages!). The materials are easy to make, and parables are perfect for wondering. Remember that in Godly Play, “wondering” is about exploring and finding personal meaning -- there are no wrong answers!
Parables are distinctive for their two-dimensional materials, which differentiates them as stories that were told by Jesus as opposed to historical events. They are typically stored in a gold box, because they are precious and full of mystery, and sometimes they are difficult to “open.” If that happens don’t be discouraged. Come back to the parable again and again. One day it will open for you. Prayer:
Lord, plant my seed in good ground. Help me to grow in faith so my relationship with you is not shallow and weak, but a deep and mature faith. Grant me a faith that can move mountains of doubt and oceans of fear. Teach me to triumph over temptation. Help me to believe in you, even when I do not understand. Lord, I am yours. Take me as I am. Shape me. Make me. Mold me into the person you would have me to be. Amen. Lesson materials:
The materials for this story includes:
Parable materials can be printed on paper or cardstock, colored in and cut out. The underlay can be made from any medium of your choice: felt, fabric, construction paper, etc. | ||||||||
January 31: The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Parable figures (patterns from Sonja Stewart & Jerome Berryman, Young Children and Worship, 1989)
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This week’s story, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrates Christ’s Greatest Commandment to love God and love others. Parables are mystery-filled stories that are a wonderful fit for Godly Play at Home. The materials are easy to make, and parables are perfect for wondering. Remember that in Godly Play, “wondering” is about exploring and finding personal meaning -- there are no wrong answers!
Parables are distinctive for their two-dimensional materials, which differentiates them as stories that were told by Jesus as opposed to historical events. They are typically stored in a gold box, because they are precious and full of mystery, and sometimes they are difficult to “open.” If that happens don’t be discouraged. Come back to the parable again and again. One day it will open for you. Prayer: Lord, help me to be ever aware of the commandment to love You and to love my neighbor as myself. Lord, help me to be a merciful neighbor, even when it is inconvenient, when time is short or other responsibilities loom. Help me to remember the Good Samaritan and Jesus’ simple message: Go and do likewise. Amen. (by Catholic Health Association, USA) Materials: The materials for this story includes:
Parable materials can be printed on paper or cardstock, colored in and cut out. The underlay can be made from any medium of your choice: felt, fabric, construction paper, etc. Alternatively, you can simply watch the video together as a family and then “wonder” together. | ||||||
February 7: The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
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This week’s story is the Parable of the Great Pearl. It is a parable that is just one sentence long, but it is packed with so much to wonder about: “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it." Remember that in Godly Play, “wondering” is about exploring and finding personal meaning -- there are no wrong answers!
Parables are distinctive for their two-dimensional materials, which differentiates them as stories that were told by Jesus as opposed to historical events. They are typically stored in a gold box, because they are precious and full of mystery, and sometimes they are difficult to “open.” If that happens don’t be discouraged. Come back to the parable again and again. One day it will open for you. Prayer: The pearl of great price, the hidden treasure, where should I seek them Lord? Do I seek them in the depths of my soul where you pour out your Spirit? Or in scripture where your word speaks to me? Do I seek them in prayer and hymns where you unite us with the angels? In the bread and the wine where you gather us to yourself? In your church where you teach your wisdom? I have found you in all these places. But the pearl and the treasure for which I would give all I have is love, reciprocal and without end: it enlightens my soul, grants me understanding of scripture, and makes my heart sing, it gathers us in unity it offers us true wisdom, And this love has a name, your name, Jesus. Amen. (Rev. Martin Hoegger, Reformed Church of the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland) Materials: The materials for this story includes:
Parable materials can be printed on paper or cardstock, colored in and cut out. The underlay can be made from any medium of your choice: felt, fabric, construction paper, etc. Alternatively, you can simply watch the video together as a family and then “wonder” together. | ||||||
February 14: Making Silence
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Creating comfortable space for silence is a central part of Godly Play – in the pace of our storytelling, in the space between wondering, and in the reflective work of response time. In the words of Jerome Berryman (the creator of Godly Play):
The genre of contemplative silence is very important. It appears between the words as the lesson is spoken in a measured, energy-filled, and mindful presentation. It is in the movements of the materials. It is when the children are concentrating. It is in the room, woven among the materials, which do not speak. It is in the children who can speak but choose not to. It is in the awareness, even when speaking, that there is more about God's presence than can be said. In these ways, our children learn that God speaks to them in the silence. As we ready our hearts for the season of Lent, we invite you to spend time “making silence” with your family, and to consider making it a Lenten practice. Godly Play’s Parent Page on “Making Silence” offers a simple format for making silence (and for wondering about the silence). For more ideas, please see this blog post by an experienced Godly Player, who provides many wonderful (pun intended!) resources and ideas. Materials:
There are no special materials for this story, but if your child (or adult) is fidgety or new to this kind of practice, it may help to have a small object to hold or a coloring page to work on quietly. Jerome Berryman has written a lovely book for children about making silence. Another book that we have used in Godly Play teaches the practice of centering prayer. | ||
February 21: Lent– Faces of Easter, Week 1– Jesus' Birth |
One of the themes in Godly Play is learning how to “get ready”: getting ready to enter a sacred space and time, getting ready to listen to God and to one another, getting ready for the mystery of Christmas, and at this time, getting ready for the mystery of Easter. Getting ready for the Mystery of Easter is the important work of Lent. This Sunday is the first in a series of stories called The Faces of Easter, which follows Jesus on his journey towards the Cross and Resurrection. The series begins this week with the story of the Incarnation, the birth of Jesus.
There are two ways you can enjoy the Faces of Easter stories with your family: you can watch a video presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using your own materials. The Godly Play Foundation has provided a special guide (below) for sharing these stories at home this Lent, which includes wondering questions designed for family use. Materials:
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February 28: Lent– Faces of Easter, Week 2– Jesus is Lost and Found |
Getting ready for the Mystery of Easter is the important work of Lent. This week we continue the series of stories called The Faces of Easter, which follows Jesus on his journey towards the Cross and Resurrection. The series began with the story of the Incarnation, and continues this week with the story of the boy Jesus in the Temple, Jesus is lost and found.
There are two ways you can enjoy the Faces of Easter stories with your family: you can watch a video presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using your own materials. The Godly Play Foundation has provided a special guide, which you can find above in last week's lesson, for sharing these stories at home this Lent, which includes wondering questions designed for family use. The Foundation has also produced special videos to accompany these stories, which you will find on the left. Materials:
The materials for this series of stories include:
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March 7: Lent– Faces of Easter, Week 3– Jesus' Baptism |
Getting ready for the Mystery of Easter is the important work of Lent. This week we continue the series of stories called The Faces of Easter, which follows Jesus on his journey towards the Cross and Resurrection. The series began with the birth of Jesus and the boy Jesus in the Temple, and continues this week with the story of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. The people that day heard a voice: “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.” I wonder what it is like to hear the voice of God?
There are two ways you can enjoy the Faces of Easter stories with your family: you can watch a video presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using your own materials. The Godly Play Foundation has provided a special guide, which you can find above in the first Lenten lesson, for sharing these stories at home this Lent, which includes wondering questions designed for family use. The Foundation has also produced special videos to accompany these stories, which you will find on the left. Materials: The materials for this series of stories include:
Faces of Easter story cards can be printed on cardstock, mounted onto cardboard, or recreated with any other medium of your choice. |
March 14: Lent– Faces of Easter, Week 4– Jesus' Desert Experience |
Getting ready for the Mystery of Easter is the important work of Lent. This week we continue the series of stories called The Faces of Easter, which follows Jesus on his journey towards the Cross and Resurrection. Following his baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus went to the desert “to discover more about who he was and what his work was going to be.” I wonder what he discovered there?
There are two ways you can enjoy the Faces of Easter stories with your family: you can watch a video presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using your own materials. The Godly Play Foundation has provided a special guide, which you can find above in the first Lenten lesson, for sharing these stories at home this Lent, which includes wondering questions designed for family use. The Foundation has also produced special videos to accompany these stories, which you will find on the left. Materials: The materials for this series of stories include:
Faces of Easter story cards can be printed on cardstock, mounted onto cardboard, or recreated with any other medium of your choice. |
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March 21: Lent– Faces of Easter, Week 5– Jesus the Healer and Parable Maker
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Getting ready for the Mystery of Easter is the important work of Lent. This week we continue the series of stories called The Faces of Easter, which follows Jesus on his journey towards the Cross and Resurrection. Following his baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus went to the desert “to discover more about who he was and what his work was going to be.” Then Jesus came back across the Jordan and began to do his work, which was “to come close to people, especially the people no one else wanted to come close to. … When Jesus came close to people, they changed.”
The Godly Play Foundation has provided a special guide, which you can find above in the first Lenten lesson, for sharing these stories at home this Lent, which includes wondering questions designed for family use. The Foundation has also produced special videos to accompany these stories, which you will find on the left. Materials: The materials for this series of stories include:
Faces of Easter story cards can be printed on cardstock, mounted onto cardboard, or recreated with any other medium of your choice. |
March 28: Lent– Faces of Easter, Week 6–Jesus Offers the Bread and Wine |
Getting ready for the Mystery of Easter is the important work of Lent. This week we continue the series of stories called The Faces of Easter, which follows Jesus on his journey towards the Cross and Resurrection. Following his baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus went to the desert “to discover more about who he was and what his work was going to be.” Then Jesus came back across the Jordan and began to do his work, which was “to come close to people, especially the people no one else wanted to come close to. … When Jesus came close to people, they changed.”
The Godly Play Foundation has provided a special guide, which you can find above in the first Lenten lesson, for sharing these stories at home this Lent, which includes wondering questions designed for family use. The Foundation has also produced special videos to accompany these stories, which you will find on the left. Materials: The materials for this series of stories include:
Faces of Easter story cards can be printed on cardstock, mounted onto cardboard, or recreated with any other medium of your choice. |
April 4: Lent– Faces of Easter, Week 7–The One Who Was Easter and Still Is |
Our Lenten series of stories called The Faces of Easter has followed Jesus on his journey to the Cross and Resurrection. We have reached the Mystery of Easter!
There are two ways you can enjoy the Faces of Easter stories with your family: you can watch a video presented by the Godly Play Foundation, and then proceed to your wondering. Or you can tell the story together using your own materials. The Godly Play Foundation has provided a special guide, which you can find above in the first Lenten lesson, for sharing these stories at home this Lent, which includes wondering questions designed for family use. The Foundation has also produced special videos to accompany these stories, which you will find on the left. Materials: The materials for this series of stories include:
Faces of Easter story cards can be printed on cardstock, mounted onto cardboard, or recreated with any other medium of your choice. |