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Learning the Meaning of Ministry - Household Activities
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Learning the Meaning of Ministry: Household Activities for Lent
Accompanies "Learning the Meaning of Ministry," originally in the packet "As God Has Sent Me, So I Send You." (Cycle A: Matthew)
by Judy McMillan and Jan Adams-Williams
These sessions are for families who want to prepare for Easter by exploring the Gospel passages for Lent. Most of the Lenten passages focus on Christ's ministry, and the goal of the household activities is to encourage family members to develop new perspectives and undertake disciplines that will make them participants in this ministry. The activities also include plans for a Passover Seder (a model of family-centered celebration that will help us to celebrate our Jewish heritage) and an Easter Seder for family celebrations at Easter.
Participants: The family may consist simply of those living in one household. It could also include others from the community, such as an elderly neighbor, a divorced person with children, a single person, homeless individuals, or an unemployed couple with children.
Scheduling: Set aside one day a week, preferably the same day for continuity. The first session should be held on Ash Wednesday and the last on Easter Sunday. Lent lasts forty days and does not include any of the Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter, since every Sunday is considered to be resurrection Sunday. Because of this, some may want to choose another day of the week for meetings.
Preparing: Review all the materials in advance. Purchase one large purple candle and small white candles for each person in the group. Gather enough Bibles for each person if possible. It would be helpful for the leader and other group members to read "Learning the Meaning of Ministry: Reflections on the Lenten Gospel Passages," which corresponds to this article.
Session One: Ash Wednesday
Self-Denial Without Self-Congratulation
GOAL:
To explore secret self-denial as a preparation for ministry.
ADVANCE PREPARATION:
1. Review Matthew 6:16-21.
2. Materials: Large purple candle, small white candles, shoe box, tape, paper to cover the box, scissors, marking pens, pencils, small pieces of paper, Bibles.
Family Plans
CHECKING IN:
Have each person in the family briefly tell about the best day they had at work, school or home this past week. (Checking in each week helps to bring the group together and fosters a better understanding among group members.)
BIBLE READING:
1. The leader asks each person to read through Matthew 6:16-21 silently, with adults reading softly to non-reading children. (In today's session, we will only deal with
Matthew 6:16-18.)
2. Select one person to read Matthew 6:16-18 aloud and encourage the family members to pantomime the story, with gloomy faces, anointing of oil and face washing.
3. Ask: What is fasting? What did the hypocrites do as they fasted? What does Jesus ask us to do if we fast? What will God do if we fast secretly?
4. Leader asks everyone to slowly walk around the room with sad, gloomy faces saying: "Woe is me. I'm so good because I'm fasting. Look at me." Give everyone time to really get into it. Next, ask everyone to sit quietly in prayerful poses, eyes closed, and listen to what God is saying to them. Do this for two minutes. Then ask: In
what position did you feel closer to God? What was it you were doing that made you more aware of God's presence?
ACTIVITIES:
1. The leader explains that one reason for fasting is to raise our awareness of God's presence. Another is to express our alliance with those who are poor and hungry.
During Lent we either give something up or take something on in an effort to be more aware of God's presence and more involved in Christ's work. These practices are forms of spiritual discipline that help to prepare us for participation in Christ's ministry.
2. Have the family decide whether they want to do individual or group disciplines. If each person decides to do an individual discipline, s/he is to tell no one, even
family members -- with the exception of children who may need the help of an adult. If the family takes on a group discipline, no one outside of the family is to know
about it.
3. Ideas:
Adults may wish to read Richard Foster's "Celebration of Discipline" and decide from that reading what sorts of disciplines to take up during Lent.
Decide not to buy clothes unless they are absolutely necessary during the Lenten season. This means no new Easter clothes. Donate money saved to a local clothes closet established for the poor.
Fast one day a week. Since it is not healthful for children to fast, they could give up after school snacks. Donate money saved to in organization that feeds the poor or publishes educational materials on world hunger, or to your denominational hunger program.
Volunteer to work directly with the poor in some capacity.
Spend a period of time each day in prayer and meditation.
Spend time with a person at work or school who seems to be left out, someone who is different from you and your other friends.
Seek out and spend time with a person from another generation.
Write at least one letter a week to people who hold political power, stating your view on issues important to you.
4. (Individual disciplines). The leader instructs each participant to spend some time deciding what s/he wants to do, explaining the importance of not telling anyone. Each person writes down the discipline s/he has chosen on a piece of paper and drops it in the shoe box. (Some people may need extra time to decide what they want to do. They can bring their decision to the next meeting.) After everyone has placed their piece of paper in the box, tape it shut. Cover the box with paper like a package, make a slit in the top, and write in large letters: "Secret Box." Let different group members use the marking pens to have a hand in the decoration. Decide on a place to hide the box.
5. (Group disciplines). Discuss as a family what discipline you would like to undertake. Follow the same procedure as in 4 above. Be sure to keep the secret in the family.
LIGHT THE CANDLE. (Explain that throughout Lent the purple candle will be lit at each session. As the candle gets smaller it symbolizes the ending of Christ's ministry on Earth. Show the white candles which will be lit on Easter symbolizing Jesus' resurrection and the continuation of his ministry on Earth through his followers.)
PRAYER: O God, you know us for who we are. In this season, call us to acts of self-denial in which we may identify with your Son and all those who suffer. Save us through renewed senses of honesty and humor from the foolishness of our pretensions, so that we may truly grow in spirit and commitment. Amen.
Session Two: Temptation as Preparation for Ministry
GOAL: To understand how temptation diverts us from the ministry to which we are called.
ADVANCE PREPARATION:
1. Review Matthew 4: 1-11.
2. Materials: secret box, purple candle, coat hanger, yarn, circles cut from paper (preferably different colors, 4-inch diameter), crayons or marking pens, small pieces of paper, pencils, Bible.
Family Plans
CHECKING IN:
1. Each week those who have chosen a particular discipline write "yes" or "no" on a sheet of paper and place it in the "Secret Box" to indicate whether or not they have kept to their intentions during the previous week. If the whole group has chosen to share a discipline, follow the same plan, but encourage people to talk about their experience in carrying out the discipline during the previous week.
2. Ask each person to tell the color that describes how they are feeling that day.
BIBLE READING:
1. Choose a narrator, Jesus and the Devil to read Matthew 4: 1-11.
2. Ask: How did the Devil tempt Jesus to work miracles to satisfy his immediate needs? How did the Devil tempt Jesus to show his power to all people? How did the Devil
tempt Jesus to use his power to enhance his own ego? If Jesus had yielded, how do you think his life and ministry would have been different?
ACTIVITIES:
1. The leader asks everyone to close his or her eyes. Some may want to lie down. Group members are asked to visualize a road. At the end of the road, they picture
what they feel God wants them to do in their lives to continue Christ's ministry, taking a minute or so for reflection. Then they visualize a road block that is keeping them from reaching their goal, again pausing for a minute. Next, group members think about what they could do to remove the barrier, sitting in silence for a moment after the visualization is completed.
2. Choose a partner and discuss what you thought about the previous exercise.
3. Construct a mobile: Group members use the colored circles to draw a picture or write a sentence about some of the obstacles and temptations that interfere with their
participation in the ministry they feel drawn to. On the other side of the circle, they should draw a picture or write a sentence about what they could do to overcome
this. Hang the circles with yarn from a coat hanger to make a mobile.
4. Ask everyone to find a baby picture of themselves for the next session.
LIGHT THE CANDLE.
PRAYER: O God, whose wisdom and power know no limits, through resistance to the temptation to serve ourselves in your name, through knowledge that you call and empower us, prepare its to do your work in the world, even as did your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Session Three: Accepting New Beginnings
GOALS:
To explore the idea that God is never finished with us or the world. We are constantly changing and being reborn.
To find ways to open ourselves to the spirit so God can call us to rebirth and ministry.
ADVANCE PREPARATION:
1. Review John 3:1-17.
2. Collect the baby pictures before the meeting.
Family Plans
CHECKING IN:
1. See Session Two, Checking In
2. Tell what you have seen this past week that indicates that the season is changing to spring.
BIBLE READING:
1. The leader reads John 3:1-17 out loud. After this, s/he reads it again, sentence by sentence, pausing after each sentence to ask, "What do you think this means?"
Do not force a discussion. If no one has anything to say, move to the next sentence. When the entire passage has been read out loud, let another read it again in its
entirety.
2. The leader explains that we are being reborn when we are willing to open ourselves to the winds of the spirit in our lives, and encourages people to think about how
they can open themselves so that God can push or move them toward rebirth, new life, and commitment to Christ's ministry.
ACTIVITIES:
1. Put out the baby pictures for all to see. Ask someone to try to match each person with the correct picture. Let different people do this until all are matched correctly. Ask about each person and his or her picture. How is the person like the baby in the picture and how is s/he different? Ask the group: How are you different from a year ago: your appearance, your ideas, your job, etc.
2. Can you think of a time in your life that was a spiritual turning point, indicating that God wanted you to go in another direction? Was it a difficult time for you? Did your idea about your personal commitment to Christ's work change? If so, how? Have you experienced changes through the disciplines you have undertaken during Lent? What sorts of changes?
3. Sing "And they'll know we are Christians by our love."
LIGHT THE CANDLE.
PRAYER: O God, giver of life and light, call its from our wombs of security and isolation to rebirth into the world you are creating; call us from the darkness of our fears and anxieties to the daytime of hope and confidence in your ministry. Amen.
Session Four: The Inclusiveness of Ministry
GOAL:
To understand that Christ's message is open to all.
ADVANCE PREPARATION:
1. Review John 4:5-26.
2. Materials: cup of water, masking tape, secret box, pieces of paper and pencils.
Family Plans
CHECKING IN:
1. See Session Two, Checking In.
2. Briefly tell the most humorous thing that has happened to you this week.
BIBLE READING:
1. Take turns going around the group having each person read a sentence at a time.
2. Ask: What did Jesus ask of the Samaritan woman? Why was she surprised? (Explain that Samaritans were shunned by the religious establishment, also discriminated against both socially and economically.) What was the difference between the water Jesus offered and the water at the well? Even though the woman was a Samaritan who had had five husbands, which was against the religious laws of the time, did Jesus try to exclude her from his ministry? Why do you think he included her?
ACTIVITIES:
1. Place masking tape on the floor in a square large enough for all to stand comfortably with room left over. The leader asks for one volunteer to stand outside of the square. This person will not be allowed in the square unless s/he is asked by the other members. The rest of the family is to stand in the square and talk, laugh and act as if the other person were not there. The person outside of the square asks to come in but no one notices. After a few minutes, allow the person inside the circle, hug the person and let her/him know how happy you are that s/he is part of the family. Let each person be the "outsider."
2. The leader asks the group to sit on the edge of the square facing in, and asks each person to tell in a few words how it felt to be left out. Then go around the circle and talk about how it felt to be included.
3. Before lighting the candle, ask if someone would like to read the scripture for the next session and tell the story to the group.
LIGHT THE CANDLE. (After the candle is lit, pass a cup of water for all to drink out of saying, "The life giving water of Christ is offered for all to drink.")
PRAYER: O God, Parent of us all -- Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles, Female, Male, Privileged and non-Privileged -- break down the walls of exclusiveness we build around ourselves and our families with the "right kind of people" so that we may receive life-giving water from your Son, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
Session Five: Knowing Our Blind Spots
GOAL:
To explore blind spots that keep us from being aware of God's grace and presence in unexpected persons and places.
ADVANCE PREPARATION:
1. Review John 9:1-41
2. Materials: secret box, purple candle, cloth for blindfold, large sheet of paper, markers.
3. Prepare the paper for the family activity by drawing a large circle and dividing it in half with a line down the middle. Draw a large open eye on the right side of the circle and a large closed eye on the left hand side.
4. If someone has volunteered to tell the Bible Story, check to make sure they are prepared.
Family Plans
CHECKING IN:
1. See Session Two, Checking In.
2. Have each person tell briefly about the time this week when they have been the happiest.
BIBLE READING:
1. Have a storyteller tell the story of the blind man and Jesus or have someone read the story while others follow in their Bibles.
2. Ask the group to act out the story using the blindfold. The person who plays Jesus will remove the blindfold. Let others play the role of the Pharisees. Afterwards ask:
"How did it feel to be blind? To have your sight restored? To be a Pharisee? Why do you think the Pharisees said that Jesus was doing something wrong? Who in the story
was really blind? Why?"
ACTIVITIES:
1. Have the group briefly answer the question, "What do the words 'God's grace' mean to you?" Suggest that group members answer this question in short phrases
and record their answers on newsprint.
2. Bring out the newsprint previously prepared and tell the group you are going to do an "eye-opener." On the side of the circle with the open eye, have group members
write experiences when they have seen/felt the grace and presence of God in the world in unexpected places.
On the side with the closed eye, write down places where group members feel closed to God's grace and presence (people they are prejudiced against, places they won't be seen in, attitudes that are closed, people they have trouble listening to, people and situations they are afraid of).
Have each person share what they wrote on the two sides of the circle. Ask: "How are our feelings toward certain people and places keeping us from experiencing God's presence with us? How can we open our eyes to some of these situations so that we are not blind as the Pharisees were blind? Do "moral standards" ever keep us from allowing God to act in our lives? When?"
LIGHT THE CANDLE. (Sing the first stanza of "Amazing Grace.")
PRAYER: Almighty and merciful God, whose power will open the eyes of the blind, open our eyes to see your healing power among those and in places that we do not expect, so that instead of opposing you we may be numbered among those who minister in your name. In the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Session Six: Overcoming Skepticism
GOAL: To explore places where we are waiting for God.
ADVANCE PREPARATION:
1. Review John 11: 1-45.
2. Materials: purple candle, bathrobes, towels, one sheet, a small stone for each person, world map or globe, a volleyball or some other large round object, paper, pens, markers.
Family Plans
CHECKING IN:
1. See Session Two, Checking In.
2. Have each person describe a time when they were in a waiting room. Where was it? When? How did they feel while waiting?
BIBLE READING:
1. Read the Scripture aloud. After each section, stop and discuss the suggested questions.
Vs. 1-4 Who is sick? What are the names of the two sisters?
Vs. 5-16 Where did Jesus decide to go? Why were the disciples afraid for him to go there? What had happened to Lazarus?
Vs. 17-27 Where was Lazarus when Jesus got there? How did Martha greet Jesus?
Vs. 28-37 How did Mary greet Jesus? How did he respond?
Vs. 38-45 Why was Martha afraid to roll away the stone? Why could we call her a nose holder? What did Jesus do for Lazarus?
2. Have props available. Dress in bathrobes, using towels to create Biblical headdresses. Wrap someone in a sheet to be Lazarus in the grave. Let the group act out the story. Ask each person how they felt to play their part.
ACTIVITIES:
1. Leader explains that Mary and Martha had a situation that they wanted Jesus to change. Jesus came and rolled away the stone and raised Lazarus, but they had
to wait for him. Ask the group if they can think of any situations in their personal lives that they would like for God to help change. Have they been waiting for this to
happen? Allow time for discussion.
Then ask if there are any places or situations in the world that are waiting on God's healing? Have a map or globe available for people to point these places out.
2. Ask each person to write a sentence or draw a picture about the situation s/he would like to have changed. Tape the sentences and pictures to the volleyball or to some other "rollable" object. Have the whole group participate in rolling the stone.
3. Ask these questions: As you wait, what can you do to begin to help God roll away the stone? What are your fears about taking some action yourself to roll away this stone? What are the fears that cause you to be a "nose holder" like Martha rather than a "stone roller" like Jesus?
4. Hand each person a small stone. Remind them that God is with us while we wait. Ask them to be looking for ways this week that they can help God to roll away the stone.
LIGHT THE CANDLE.
PRAYER: O God, as we seek to labor in the ministry of your Son Jesus, grant that we may not be nose-holders but stone rollers, unintimidated by the mystery of your actions and ready to be surprised by your grace. Amen.
Session Seven: The Cost of Discipleship
GOAL:
To explore the concept that continuing Christ's ministry may involve taking unpopular stands.
ADVANCE PREPARATION:
1. Read Matthew 21: 1-11.
2. Materials: Branches, construction paper, markers, purple candle, Bibles.
3. Be sure you have enough copies of the Easter Seder and the Passover Seder for each family member.
Family Plans
CHECKING IN:
1. See Session Two, Checking In.
2. Have each person tell how they are feeling that very moment.
BIBLE READING:
1. Read Matthew 21:1-11 aloud. Act it out using spring greenery branches for palms, if palms are not available. Let different people be Jesus.
2. Ask these questions: How did the people along the road respond? What did they shout? Read vs. 15, 16. Why were the priests indignant? How was Jesus going
against their authority on this Palm Sunday? Do you think Jesus knew how dangerous this was? Can you think of anyone you know who has spoken out against the "powers that be" the way Jesus did? Can you think of any who stood up for people who were mistreated even if they knew it would be unpopular?
ACTIVITIES:
1. Leader asks: Have you ever been to a parade? Have you ever been to a demonstration where people express their beliefs by making signs, speeches, or by their presence? What signs have you seen before? Sometimes people at demonstrations are expressing views that might not be too popular. Can you see any ways that Palm Sunday could be like a demonstration?
2. What is something that Jesus would demonstrate about if he were here today? What's something you believe in strongly enough that you might want to demonstrate if it were threatened? Often at demonstrations, people will make signs to express those beliefs. (Perhaps the palms used on Palm Sunday were like signs.) Have each person make a sign out of construction paper that expresses a belief that he or she holds strongly, particularly one that might not be too popular with the authorities.
3. Act out the Palm Sunday scene with people using their signs instead of greenery.
4. To prepare for the Easter Seder, duplicate enough copies for each person in the family. Pass these out and assign parts. If you plan to do the Jewish Seder, follow the same procedure for Passover, which begins on April 17.
LIGHT THE CANDLE. (Sit silently and reflect on Christ's ministry.)
PRAYER: O God, who called your Son to go to Jerusalem, as we prepare for this week before Easter, help us to see beyond the waving of palms to the cost of discipleship. Amen.
Passover Session: The Seder
GOALS:
To celebrate our Jewish heritage. We are spiritual Semites.
To better understand the lie faith of our Jewish brothers and sisters and the faith of Jesus.
To learn a model of family celebration.
ADVANCE PREPARATION:
1. Leader studies thoroughly the Seder provided in the packet.
2. Be sure each person in the family has a copy and that each person is assigned a part. It would he helpful for the leader to mark his or her copy so the meal will run smoothly.
3. Materials: Listed on the Seder.
4. The procedures to follow are described in full on the Jewish Seder.
Easter Session
GOALS:
To discuss the experience of carrying out disciplines during Lent.
To determine how family members will continue Christ's ministry throughout the year.
To experience the significance of the resurrection of Christ by means of an Easter Seder.
ADVANCE PREPARATION:
1. Plan Easter meal.
2. Make copies of the Easter Seder. Assign parts and practice during the week. All family members should have a part.
3. Materials: Secret Box, Easter Seder copies for each person and one small white candle for each person, large purple candle.
CHECKING IN:
Have each person tell briefly how they feel now that Easter is her.
ACTIVITIES:
1. Gather the family together and bring out the Secret Box. Open the box up and have each person find his or her piece of paper with the discipline written on it. Encourage each person to tell about their experience. Ask: "What was your discipline? How was it for you? What did you learn from it? Were you able to carry out your discipline without telling anyone? Was that hard?
2. Now that Lent is over what can we as individuals or as a family do to continue Christ's ministry throughout the year? Do any of you plan to continue with your discipline? If not are there any others that you would like to begin to engage in?
3. Then have the family gather around the table with copies of the Easter Seder. Follow the Seder, concluding with the meal.
LIGHT THE CANDLES. (Light the purple candle. The leader lights her or his candle from the purple candle, passes the light to each person in the group, and then snuffs out the purple candle. Leader says: "As God has sent me so I send you." Sit quietly in the light for a few minutes.
SINGING: Sing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" as well as other favorite Easter hymns.
*Judy McMillan is a former staff member at Alternatives, a former pre-school director at Oakhurst Baptist Church, and teacher.
Jan Adams-Williams conducts family enrichment workshops for churches in Atlanta, has worked in family counseling and taught children.
GRAPHIC: Worship Alternatives #2796
Page updated 3 Jan. 2014
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