Daniel 6:6-23I wonder how Daniel felt when he heard the king’s new law? The Bible doesn’t tell us: I wonder if he was afraid when he went up to pray? Or I wonder if he loved coming close to God so much that he couldn’t imagine changing his ways?I...

Esther 4:8-17Today’s symbol is Esther’s crown. Queen Esther bravely protected God’s people when they were living far away in another land. I wonder how Esther felt as she fasted and prepared to go in to see the king? The story doesn’t mention...

Isaiah 9:2-7Today’s symbol is Isaiah’s scroll. Isaiah and other prophets came close to God, and wrote down God’s promises. One of these promises was a coming child, who would grow up and be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,...

1 Kings 18:21-39Today’s symbol is fire. When Israel turned away from God and worshipped other gods, Elijah the prophet called them back. God sent fire down on Elijah’s sacrifice, to show Israel that he heard Elijah’s prayers and wanted to hear their...

1 Samuel 16:1-13Today’s symbol is a lyre, which is a kind of harp. King David played songs of praise to God on the lyre. David was Israel’s greatest king, and he showed the people how to love and trust God. I wonder how Samuel knew which of...

1 Samuel 17:2-11, 32-37Today’s symbol is David’s sling. When everyone else in Israel was afraid, David trusted God to deliver his people. David grew to be a king who showed Israel how to love and trust the LORD.I wonder what it was like to see...

1 Samuel 3:1-10Today’s symbol is Samuel’s oil. Samuel learned to listen to God. Because he listened and trusted in God’s words, Samuel knew who God would choose to be king over Israel. God gave Samuel the job of anointing, or setting apart, the...

Ruth 2:1-12Today’s symbol is a head of grain. Ruth gathered grain in Boaz’s fields, and he was kind to her. God brought Ruth into his family, and she became the great-grandmother of Israel’s greatest king. I wonder how Ruth felt, as she stepped...

Joshua 6:1-5, 12-17Today’s symbol is the shofar, which is a musical instrument made from a ram’s horn. God brought the people into the Promised Land, and saved them when they blew the shofar outside of Jericho. I wonder how it felt to walk...

Deuteronomy 5:1-22Today’s symbol is the two tablets of the law. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mt Sinai, and Moses gave them to God’s people. The Ten Commandments teach us how to love God and how to love one another.I wonder what it was...

Exodus 3:1-14Today’s symbol is the burning bush. God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and promised to save his people. I wonder what it was like to see that bush, wreathed in dancing flames but still itself? Can I see anything about God in...

Genesis 37:3-4; 23-36Today’s symbol is Joseph’s colored coat. God was with Joseph. Even though his brothers tried to hurt him, God used Joseph to save his family. I wonder how Joseph’s brothers felt when Jacob gave him that beautiful robe? Has...

Genesis 27:18-35Today’s symbol shows Jacob’s ladder. God came close to Jacob, even when Jacob ran away. I wonder how Jacob felt, as he pretended to be his brother and stole Esau’s blessing? I wonder if he was nervous? Triumphant? Afraid of being...

Genesis 22:3-14Today’s symbol is a ram. Abraham trusted God, and God was faithful to Abraham. God gave Abraham a ram for a sacrifice, instead of his only son. I wonder what Abraham felt like on the inside, as he hiked up the mountain with Isaac,...

Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-7Today’s symbol is a sky full of stars. God promised to give Abraham a family larger than the number of the stars.Can I remember a time when it was hard to wait for something? How did I feel? Can I ask God to stay close to me...

Genesis 6:5-8; 7:11-24; 8:1-3Today’s symbol is the ark and the rainbow. In the flood, God washed the earth clean. In baptism, we are washed and given new life. I wonder what it was like to see the water rising from inside the ark? Can I imagine...

Genesis 3:1-13Today’s symbol is the serpent and the fruit. When God’s people listened to the serpent instead of God, they sinned. But God loved them so much that he did not leave them alone: God’s Son came to save the people who had turned away.I...

Genesis 1:26-31Today’s symbol is our planet, Earth. God made the world and everything in it, and God made everything good. I wonder what is good about the place where I live, and the creation around me? How can I say “thank you” to God? I...

Isaiah 11:1-10Today’s symbol is a tree stump, with a little shoot growing out of the top. This tree stump is a Jesse Tree: it reminds us of Jesus’ family tree, and the family tree of all God’s people. I wonder what needs to be made right today? In...

Why do we close in prayer together? Because we want to hear children share what they wonder about, and to lead us in giving thanks to God.

Why do we wonder together? Because we want to cultivate the practice of wonder, engagement with, and curiosity about the God who made us, and who is at work in our world.

Why do we reflect on God's good words together? Because we want to sit with the people who have been the characters in God's saving story, and the witnesses to God's work in the world.

Why do we read God's good words together? Because the Bible we have is the Bible God wants us to have: when it is hopeful and comforting, and when it is strange and scary! So we enter its world together with wonder.

Why do we wait together during Advent? Because this season reminds us that we are a waiting people.

We Wonder: Advent will begin on December 1st. New episodes will release every day throughout Advent. Do you know what the word Advent means? It’s an old word that means “coming,” or “arrival.” Advent is the season when we remember the first time God...