Theme Discussion
Do you know what a simile is? It’s when we compare something to something else using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’, such as when we say “I’m as busy as a beaver!” or “I sing like a bird!”. We aren’t really beavers or birds, but these sentences help make a picture in our minds to explain how things are; we are LIKE those things.
Can you complete these similes?
It is as straight as…
My uncle is as tall as…
The decoration shines like…
Those kids are as loud as…
She runs like…
It is as sweet as…
I am as fast as…
My friend swims like…
Now what if you were asked to describe God? It is so hard, isn’t it?! Many of us come to church and Sunday School to ask questions and figure that out. The Bible and our discussions are often full of similes and symbols to try to explain God and God’s vision for the world.
When Jesus was on Earth, he talked and taught a lot about what God was like, what God kin-dom was all about, and people asked him lots of questions. One of those people was Nicodemus. Here’s his story:
Jesus used similes and other comparisons to help Nicodemus understand. He told him to really be part of God’s kingdom, it’s like being born again! What do you think that really meant? Maybe Jesus meant Nicodemus needed to start all over in learning about God wants for us - to stop worrying about all the laws and rules and to let his decisions and actions be based on love.
Sometimes those comparisons are still tricky to understand, aren’t they?! But the great thing to remember is there is not just one way to explain or know God. In the Storytime today, Rev. Karen showed us the triquetra symbol that helps to explain and show how there are many ways to thinks about God. Sometimes we try to explain God as a loving caregiver with words like Creator, Father, or Mother. Other times God seems closer to being human, like Jesus, and the love and support shared between people around us. Other times God is like a Holy Spirit giving us encouragement to live well and do good. God can be like more than one thing for us, and God may mean different things to different people.
Where do you ‘see’ God?
How or when do you feel God’s presence?
What is God ‘like’ for you?
Response Activities
Triquetra Drawings
Print out the triquetra page or draw one of your own (Click here for an easy tutorial!). Think of the 3 different loops of the knot as three different ways you understand God or feel God’s presence. Draw something that represents each of the ideas inside the three loops.
Click to print PDF
Alphabet Challenge
Can you think of a way to describe God using each letter of the alphabet? You could use adjectives – God is Loving! Or similes – God is like a Mother hen! Or short phrases – God Guides us!
Celtic Knot Colouring
Print and colour the designs or try your hand at drawing your own!
Click to print PDF