: : Young Children Formation: Godly Play

Godly Play is a method of Christian formation and spiritual direction for children aged 3-12. The goal of Godly Play is to teach children the art of using religious language, parable, sacred story, silence, and liturgical action to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God's presence around them and in their lives. Godly Play encourages children to consider and reflect upon Bible stories, religious parables and lessons about religious traditions.

Godly Play opens up the Bible and our traditions for children in a way that allows them to explore and interact with our stories of faith.

: : What happens during Godly Play?

Children are invited into a peaceful room, where adults model reflective behavior and where lessons can be explored.

Religious stories or parables are shared with children using three-dimentional materials that invite them into the stories and connect them to their personal experience.

Open ended "I wonder..." questions and ample response time give the children the chance to consider their own questions and reflect on the story from their own perspective. They then choose from a range of options to respond to the story. After they clean up from their response time they enjoy a "feast" (snack & juice).

Each class parallels the experience of the Eucharist. Each session includes a period of Preparation (meeting and greeting), the Ministry of the Word (listening and responding to a Bible story), Communion (sharing food and drink) and Blessing and Dismissal.

This is play. It is Godly. It is meeting God along with the children rather than teaching them what we, as adults, think they ought to know.

: : Godly Play Schedule

Godly Play will take place during St. Paul's Christian Formation hour at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday except the first Sunday of the month when a Children's service is held at that time.

: : Godly Play Stories 2009-2010

• The Circle of the Church year
• The Holy Family
• The Days of Creation
• The Flood and the Ark
• The Great Family
• Exodus
• The Ten Best ways to Live
• The Exile and Return
• Advent I - V
• Epiphany
• Jesus is Baptized
• Parable of the Good Samaritan
• Parable of the Great Pearl
• Parable of the Sower
• Parable of the Mustard Seed
• Jesus and the Children
• Jesus and Zaccaeus
• Jesus and the Last Passover
• Mystery of Easter
• Jesus Appears to Mary
• Road to Emmaus
• The Good Shepherd and World Communion
• The Synagogue and the Upper Room
• Circle of the Holy Eucharist
• The Mystery of Pentecost