Hidden cities, stolen paintings, and a house divided.
Welcome to the Play-by-Play. Every other week, we’re taking three recent stories from our God’s WORLD News publications and breaking them down to help you spark conversation in the home or the classroom.
As you move from discover to explore to discern, the themes go deeper. But any of these stories can work for conversation with the whole family. We’ll also include a Conversation Kickoff to help you break the proverbial ice if your kids aren’t ready to dive deep right away.
This week, we’re noticing an overarching theme of houses and foundations. Look out for different meanings of house and foundation as you talk through these stories.
Would you live here?
🧠 What do we need to know about this story?
In 1963, a Turkish man discovered an ancient cave city beneath his house. In 2020, an even larger underground city was discovered.
❤️️ How does this story affect our understanding?
Notice the theme of ingenuity. Why might somebody build a city out of caves? What would it be like to live underground? Look for the theme of God’s protection. Persecuted Christians once used the cave city as a hiding place. How does God protect and provide for His people?
✋ How does this story inspire our actions?
Do your own historical research. Learn more about the land where you’re living now. What was on that spot before your house was built?
Conversation Kickoff! If you could build a city anywhere—even somewhere impossible—where would you build it? What would it be like?
A Painting Returns Home
🧠 What do we need to know about this story?
A U.S. soldier took a painting from Germany while serving in World War II. A company called Art Recovery International has now returned the stolen work.
❤️️ How does this story affect our understanding?
Notice the theme of art and value. What makes a painting so valuable that Germany would want it back, all these decades later? One man in the article says “being on the winning side doesn’t make [stealing] right.” What is our foundation for deciding what’s right and what’s wrong?
✋ How does this story inspire our actions?
Get creative. Spend time as a family painting or drawing. If you know any veterans of World War II—or any foreign war—ask them about their experiences.
A New Speaker in the House
🧠 What do we need to know about this story?
In early October, the U.S. House of Representatives made history by ousting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. After weeks of uncertainty, Louisiana Representative Mike Johnson has become the new Speaker.
❤️️ How does this story affect our understanding?
Notice the theme of unity vs division. What does the Bible say about a “house divided”? (Hint: Abraham Lincoln quoted this verse in a speech.) Why did the House vote out its former Speaker? (For this info, you might need to follow the link in the story.) What is compromise? When does compromise mean something good, and when does it mean something bad?
✋ How does this story inspire our actions?
Look up division in the Bible. Learn about your local politics. If you live in the United States, in which congressional district do you live? Who is your representative? If your kids don’t know, help them look it up.
For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. — 2 Corinthians 5:1
Together, let’s get the conversation started. As always, remember: He has equipped you for the work.
