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Preparation Materials Bible Studies and Worship Ideas

Preparation Materials Bible Studies and Worship Ideas.

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Preparation Materials Bible Studies and Worship Ideas

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  1. Preparation MaterialsBible Studies and Worship Ideas

  2. When you covenanted to join this FAST, one of the things you promised to do was to prepare your group for service. In this section, you will find several experiential studies to do just that. As with all Bible Studies and Activities, you can adapt these to fit your location and group. These studies can be used with any ages. Do not hesitate to use these with children. You may be surprised at their insight. Before leading any of the studies, read carefully the information about the Appalachian region.

  3. The studies included are: ISAIAH 58:6-12 This study helps us understand biblically why we are called to do mission. It works well with a group going on a trip or could be used with an official board or board of elders of a church. “ENTITLED NEIGHBORS” REFLECTION BRIDGE BUILDERS (Romans 12:1-13) A look at our role as bridge builders while on the worksite...bridging cultural differences. APPALACHIA HOUSING ISSUES A chance to think about economic justice and housing issues. SAFETY, SENSITIVITY AND SPIRIT This is a study of the three important S’s on a worksite with specific Bible verses focusing on the sensitivity issues. COVENANT and COMMISSIONING LITURGY concludes this section as the congregation sends the group and promises an openness to change as the group returns.

  4. WHY MISSION? Read Isaiah 58: 6-12

  5. Isaiah 58: Is this not the fast that I choose?

  6. Isaiah 58: 6-12 • List commands in this text • List promises in this passage

  7. Why Mission? Isaiah 58: 6-12 What happened during this mission experience? How were you changed? How were others changed? • List mission actions you have done

  8. Entitled neighborsA biblical perspective on living wage by Walter Brueggemann From the prophets: Like fowlers they set a trap; they catch human beings. Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of treachery; Therefore they have become great and rich, they have grown fat and sleek. They know no limits in deeds of wickedness; they do not judge with justice the cause of the orphan, to make From the commandments: If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor; you shall not exact interest from them. If you take your neighbor’s cloak in pawn, you shall restore it before the sun goes down; for it may be your neighbor’s only clothing to use as cover; in what else shall that person sleep? And if your neighbor cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate. (Ex. 22:25-27)

  9. From wisdom: Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him. (Prov.14:31)Conclusion: Every strand of biblical faith shows God to be deeply engaged in and passionately concerned for economic issues. It does seem that the God of the Bible – contrary to much popular religion – cares a great deal about debts, mortgages, wages and interest, and is preoccupied with the well-being of the poor. From the Psalms: Their eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; they lurk in secret like a lion in its covert; they lurk that they may seize the poor; they seize the poor and drag them off in their net. they stoop, they crouch, and the helpless fall by their might. They think in their heart, "God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it." Rise up, O Lord: O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the oppressed. Why do the wicked renounce God, and say in their hearts, "You will not call us to account"? (Psalm 10:8-13)

  10. Article “Entitled Neighbors” available in printed F.A.S.T. Guide

  11. BRIDGE BUILDERS A Training Event for Interaction with Another Culture Based on the Spirit of Unity found in Romans 12:1-13 in printed F.A.S.T. Guide

  12. “Appalachian Housing Issues” Activity In printed F.A.S.T. Guide

  13. Safety, Sensitivity, Spirit The three S’s of a mission trip (as shared at all VIM worksites) are Safety, Sensitivity and Spirit. Perhaps you could focus an evening on the three S’s (and throw in the big F too...FLEXIBILITY). Do some skits on safety challenging them to demonstrate both safe work and unsafe work. You can use these scriptures to focus on our need for sensitivity on a mission trip. Then, close with a worship service focusing on the presence of the Spirit with the group. We are going to be there because God called us together. All that we do should reflect the Spirit that calls us (our attitude, willingness to work, how we interact with each other and those we come in contact with).

  14. Loving Others I John 4: 7-12 1) How does the fact that God loved us first enable us to love others? 2) How do we do this with people we disagree with or dislike?

  15. Making JudgmentsLuke 6:37-42 1) What two activities does Jesus encourage and discourage? (verses 37-38) 2) How can you lay aside your judgments to serve others? 3) Can you give an example from your own life?

  16. Unity Acts 4:31-35 1) What do you think it means to be “Of one heart and mind?” 2) What enabled the first believers to live like this? 3) What effect did it have on their lives? 4) What are some practical ways you can be “Of one heart and mind” with your and other groups at F.A.S.T.?

  17. Being a WitnessPeter 3:13-18 1) How can you be sensitive to people of other faiths while remaining true to your own? 2) What situations may arise during your week with F.A.S.T. where this could apply? 3) How would you make a gentle, reverent witness of your faith?

  18. Becoming All Things to All People I Corinthians 9:19-23 1) What does it mean to “become all things to all people?” 2) How does this relate to being sensitive to others? 3) In what situations do you have the opportunity to “become all things to all people during your week with F.A.S.T.?” 4) How do you maintain your own identity when trying to “become all things to all people?”

  19. Being an Example Ephesians 5:14 1) How does God set the example for us to follow in our every day lives? 2) How does the strength of your character relate to being sensitive to others?

  20. Priorities Luke 12:32-34 1) What does our society see as treasures? 2) What treasures does God want us to embrace? 3) How does focusing on God's treasures help us to be sensitive to others?

  21. WORSHIP • Choose a song to be a theme song and have the worship group write a new verse every day. When returning home, sing the entire song to the congregation. • Let the worship group develop a theme for the day surrounding the events of the day. • Worship does not have to be solemn! Praise and joy should be very evident in worship. • Include in worship a time for participants to share what they experienced that day. • Have a journal for each participant and give them time during worship to write their feelings in it. Make sure they are confidential. Some options for journals: • Purchase a small spiral notepad for everyone • Have someone with a computer design journals with clever clip art and quotes (Some ideas for pages are included) • Invite people in the congregation (parents, pastor, youth minister, past group members, outreach chair, etc.) to write short daily devotions and put them together into a journal for each participant. Leave a blank page for each day as well as for notes. These journals could also be given to parents (if yours is a youth group) and supporters of the trip so they could pray each day for the group. • An affirmation circle on the last night can be a powerful closing event. Each person sits in the middle of the group and listens as all others share positive things about that person.

  22. Examples of Worship Themes Be creative with ways participants can share stories or feelings of the day. Give them a specific thing to write about in their journal dealing with the theme. These are examples. Have the worship group design a theme that “comes out of” the day’s experience. Many Gifts ~ One Spirit (I Cor. 12.12-27) • Rewrite the scripture to include different “types” of participants. • Share all the different jobs being done and discuss importance of each one. • Have each work group (or individual) bring a symbol of their work (block of wood, paint brush/can, rock, nail, etc.). • Share what gifts you bring to this community and work. Our Call to Mission (Isaiah 61.1-4 or Isaiah 58.6-12) • How is what we’re doing helping to fulfill this call? • Why are you here? Have you been “called?” What do you offer to this work?

  23. A Vision Shared (Isaiah 65.17-25) • How is this vision “happening” this week? • When have you experienced one of these views of God’s new Jerusalem this week? Getting tired, midweek? A “Strength for the Weary” Theme (Isaiah 40.27-31) • How has God given you what you needed to keep working this week? • How can we help each other when we get tired or discouraged? The Least of These (Matthew 25.31-40) • When did you see the face of Jesus today on • ...other workers? • ...those you’re helping? • ...leaders of organizations? • Writing a haiku poem is a great thing to do for worship and works for this (and other) themes

  24. Covenant & CommissioningFor F.A.S.T. Groups & Congregations Based on Matthew 25: 31-40 Mission Trip Group: We embark on this mission trip EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED To meet God in new ways

  25. Congregation Side One: Congregation Side Two: I was hungry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and you gave me food I was thirsty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and you gave me something to drink I was a stranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . and you welcomed me Mission Trip Group:To be present with our sisters and brothers in difficult life situations Congregation Side One: Congregation Side Two: I was naked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and you gave me clothing I was sick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and you took care of me I was in prison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and you visited me Mission Trip Group: To ask new questions of faith

  26. Congregation (Together): When was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? Mission Trip Group: To commit ourselves anew to action as part of God’s mission in the world Congregation (Together): Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.

  27. One from Congregation: Now as we send you out – we commission you Go with our gratitude for your willingness to embody your faith in the world through this mission trip Go with our prayers for your safety. Go with our expectation that you will experience God, yourselves, and the world in new ways and will return to live that faith.

  28. One from Mission Trip Group: Now as you send us out – we commission you -- Pray for us and the people among whom we serve Receive our stories of love and transformation when we return and open yourselves to God’s transformation Engage even more faithfully in this community, the wider United States, and the globe inspired by the experiences of this mission trip.

  29. 2010 Local partner Morgan-Scott Project for Cooperative Christian Concerns Deer Lodge, Tennessee

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