For a free pdf download of this resource click here
THIS WEEK’S PASSAGES : 10:38-42, JOHN 11:1-44
PREPARATION
You will need: a large bag of Skittles (or other different coloured sweets), three paper circles for each member of the group in three different colours, writing materials and a ball of string or wool.
SKITTLE
10 mins
Invite each member of the group to take a handful of Skittles from a bag or bowl, but then explain that for each Skittle they eat, they will need to share something about themselves with the group.
You could make the activity more varied by having different colours signifying different topics:
• Red: favourite song or band
• Orange: ideal holiday destination
• Yellow: favourite film or TV show
• Green: hobby or interest
• Purple: favourite subject at school
Explain that today’s session is all about who we are as people and how we can begin to work together as a team to reimagine church together. If we’re going to try something new, we need to put all our skills, passions and knowledge together. Together, we make up God’s Church.
LOOKING AROUND
10 mins
We previously discussed how the traditional Western style of church is not the only way to do church. Ask the young people to discuss where else we can experience community (school, football clubs, youth club), connectedness (friends, family), mission (helping out at a food bank, anti-bullying committee at school) and worship (God’s creation, poetry, music). Can you think of how these key elements might be present in your life outside of church?
KEY POINT
Together, these four key elements make up church, in whichever form it takes. But we can also find these elements of discipleship in other parts of our lives.
LOOKING AT ME
15 mins
Read the stories of the famous New Testament siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus in Luke 10:38-42 and John 11:1-44. Here we have three siblings with completely different stories, personalities and passions. Martha works hard, she serves Jesus and runs to him first. Her thoughts are practical and grounded in reality. How does she worship? What is her mission? What is her community and how does she connect to them? Think about people like Martha in your life.
Mary is a free spirit. She abandons all to sit at the feet of Jesus, to listen to him and spend time with him. She wears her heart on her sleeve and her emotions on full show. How does she do mission? What community does she belong to? How does she worship and connect? Can you think of someone like Mary? Do you have ‘Mary- Moments?’
Finally, we have Lazarus. He died. He came back. Is there anyone who wouldn’t want to hear his story? He’s got a testimony and it is powerful! He spends his time telling people, and bragging about what Jesus did for him! Is this his mission? How does he worship? How does he connect with people and be part of a community? Do you have a life-changing story to connect you to Lazarus?
Martha, Mary and Lazarus all have strengths and weaknesses, and they are all very different, but they are also an important part of Jesus’ life and story.
KEY POINT
Each of us is different. It is natural for us all to have different passions and interests, just as it is natural for us all to worship and connect with God in different ways, but God has a part for each of us to play.
HANDS, HEART, HEAD
10 mins
Explain that we’re now going to think a little bit about our own strengths – the things that make us who we are. Give out the circles to the group. Ask them to label one ‘hands: what can I do?’, another ‘heart: what am I passionate about?’, and the last one ‘head: what do I know?’
Invite the young people to write something in each circle, before placing them on the floor in the middle of the group, then work together to group the circles into similar themes and topics, moving them into clusters on the floor.
HOW CAN WE MAKE IT HAPPEN?
5 mins
Remind the young people of some of the ideas they had in the previous session about how to do ‘church’ differently. Ask the group how they could make one of the dreams or ideas a reality, drawing on their own strengths as a group to make it happen.
STRING PRAYER
10 mins
Have everyone sit in a circle, with one person holding the end of a ball of string. Throw the ball of string to someone and compliment them on a strength that they have or encourage them in some way. That person then wraps the string around their finger and passes the ball on, complimenting and encouraging someone else. Carry on until everyone in the circle has been encouraged, and the string has gone to and from everyone to create a web. Close by praying: Lord, we thank you for this web of encouragement that you have created. Thank you for binding us together in love and care for each other, and connecting us through your love. You created each of us individually in your image Lord, help us to appreciate our differences and strengthen each other in your name. Amen.
