Godly Play

-Sunday School here at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is called Godly Play
You may be wondering: What is Godly Play, and what are some benefits for the children? Godly Play is a distinctive approach to Christian ministry with children, both innovative and deeply grounded in our spiritual tradition. It is a form of the Montessori style of teaching. 
We meet on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.
Godly Play helps to re-sacralize the everyday things of the world, such as bread, wine, candles, oil, wood, linens, and clay. It reintroduces a sacramental worldview in an often practical and materialistic society, reminding us that the ordinary can be infused with the divine.
In a culture that often values noise and busyness, Godly Play teaches children and adults the value of quiet contemplation and deliberate engagement. It offers a counter-cultural message in a comforting and consistent manner, inviting participants to slow down and reflect amidst the rush of modern life.
By providing sensorial materials within a safe and stimulating environment, Godly Play integrates language and play, offering children multiple avenues for exploration and understanding. This holistic approach acknowledges that each child learns differently and seeks to engage the whole child—mind, body, and spirit.
Unlike traditional teaching methods, Godly Play is not about rote memorization or passive learning. Instead, it fosters discovery and personal meaning-making, allowing children to actively engage with sacred stories and parables in a way that resonates with their individual thoughts and feelings.
Craft activities in Godly Play serve as opportunities for creative expression rather than predetermined outcomes. Each child is encouraged to respond authentically to the stories they've encountered, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of their faith journey.
Teachers in a Godly Play classroom benefit from a stable setup and routine, allowing them to focus on facilitating meaningful experiences rather than constantly planning new activities. This consistency creates a supportive environment where both teachers and children can fully immerse themselves in the exploration of scripture and spirituality.
At its core, Godly Play teaches reliance on a gracious and accessible God, shifting focus away from transient worldly distractions towards enduring spiritual truths. It cultivates respect for oneself, others, and the world around us, fostering a sense of care, patience, and interconnectedness.
By embracing the rhythm of action, reflection, engagement, and prayer, Godly Play encourages participants to develop a spiritual rule of life modeled after the biblical principles of living in community and relationship with God.
Through its rituals and organizational structure, Godly Play instills kindness, mutuality, and respect for others—a living embodiment of the biblical ethic of communal living and love.
As a contemporary adaptation of lectio divina, Godly Play invites children to engage with scripture in a meaningful and personal way, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding to a deeper encounter with God's word.
Ultimately, Godly Play affirms the holiness inherent in all of creation and invites participants to recognize the sacredness of every moment and encounter. It offers a glimpse into kairos time, where the presence of God transcends the limitations of clock time, inviting us to dwell in the eternal now and reflect on the deeper purpose of our existence.
​- Sophie Jobe

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