This lesson plan is for the book Where Does God Live?, by August Gold and Matthew J. Perlman. Published in 2001, the book is a delicious invitation to wonder and explore. The lessons are made for ages 3-6. They focuses on the Equality testimony and “that of God” within all people.

Where Does God Live? can be purchased on Bookshop.org, which is connected to QuakerBooks of FGC. For more lessons from books, see Book Reviews and Lesson Plans for Children.

Overview

These lesson plans are for ages 3-6, but they can be used for most elementary-aged children.

Synopsis of Story

The book begins with a girl asking her parents “Where does God live?” The rest of the book is filled with a wide variety of answers using both pictures and words. The pictures are very inviting and add a lot to the book. The description of where God lives is very open and compatible with Quaker theology. 

Opening

Use an opening which includes introduction of the children and a check-in. Sitting in a circle, everyone shares his or her name and something that happened over the past week or something he/she is looking forward to. 

Have a short discussion about the many words we use to talk about God. Some of us use the word God. Some of us use the word Light. Some of us use the word Spirit. Ask the children what words are used in their homes. The author of this book uses the word God. Invite the children to respond to the author’s words out of their own felt experience of the divine.

Worshipful Preparation

Explain that you will read the book followed by one or two minutes of silence (candle optional). Ask children if they want to sit for one or two minutes. Sometimes this prompts them to ask for five minutes. Suggest what they can do while sitting in silence: 

• think about the book 
• clear their heads of thoughts and listen for God 
• concentrate on their breathing in and out 
• look into the flame (if a candle is used) 

Explain how they will know when the silent time is over (shaking hands, putting out the candle).  Then, read through Where Does God Live.

Group Sharing

At the end of the silent time, ask if anything came to them that they would like to share. After a short time, the leader can share. 

“God lives in everyone
here on the earth
That’s why we all shine
from the day of our birth.
God lives in all people,
we all are God’s light;
God lives in our laughter,
God is our delight.”  

Activities

• When the sharing is over, consider providing a time to hold people in the Light. If you have some visitors you will want to explain about the practice of “holding in the Light.”
• Hold up the book and retell the main points of the book and invite the children to use the art materials to respond to the story in any way they like. You may want to have one or several of the following available:
• paper and markers
• paint with brushes of different sizes
• play dough or clay
• magazines, scissors, glue sticks, paper for making collages
• a box of knickknacks such as beads, eyes, feathers, chenille stems, smooth stones, etc.
• things for dramatic play such as small people and animals or dress-up clothes

It is easy to have the art materials in a portable box if you need to take First Day School on the go. A variety of materials will allow children to choose how they wish to respond. 

Closing + Song

End with a closing circle. You may offer a time for people to share. Some like to end with a song. George Fox, #2 in Worship in Song (Quaker Press of FGC), would be a good one for the topic of the book. 

Credits

Lesson prepared by Robin Wells of Ashville Friends Meeting