Welcome
Invite various persons to bring a designated item and use this liturgy to begin your time of learning together.
One: Come, let us gather around and see how the Spirit will nurture our faith today.
All: Who is with us?
One: Christ, the light of the world.
(Place a candle on a table in your gathering place and light it.)
All: Who is with us?
One: The Love of God, who came to meet us in the world.
(Place a cross on a table in your gathering place.)
All: Who is with us?
One: The Wisdom of God, who speaks through the Scriptures.
(Place an open Bible on a table in your gathering place.)
All: Who is with us?
One: The Grace of God, who proclaims we are children of God.
(Place a symbol of baptism – a bowl of water, a seashell – on a table in your gathering space.)
All: Who is with us?
One: Our risen Lord, who meets us at the table.
(Place a symbol of communion – a plate and cup, a loaf of bread, grapes – on a table in your gathering space.)
One: We are here, Holy Spirit, ready for your leading.
God sightings and prayer offerings
Invite each person to share where they saw or experienced God this week. Invite each person to share something — a person, community, experience, event, etc. – for which they want to offer prayer.
Good and gracious God, we thank you for all the ways you were and are present in our lives and in the world. [Invite each person to say aloud the sighting they named earlier.] We bring our prayers to you, prayers for… [invite each person to say aloud the prayer need they named earlier]. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
Connecting with Scripture: Psalm 119:105-112
Read the Scripture aloud the first time using the New Revised Standard Version or the Common English Bible.
For the second reading, listen and watch this psalm expressed in a song by Amy Grant.
Connecting through story
Watch this clip from the movie “Les Misérables.” The clip can be stopped at the 3:15 mark as the bishop blesses Jean Valjean or can be continued through the end to include Jean Valjean’s pledge to God.
- Why did the bishop welcome the homeless man, Jean Valjean, into his home?
- Why did Jean Valjean steal the silver?
- Why did the bishop tell the police Jean Valjean had not stolen the silver and even gave him more?
- Where did the bishop learn to act like this?
Connecting with our lives
Engage in dialogue:
- Where can we find God’s Word?
- What does it mean that God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path?
- How does the Bible guide us?
- What does Scripture teach us about God?
- What does the Bible say about how we should live?
- What are some of the specifics teachings for living according to God’s Word?
Teaching points that can be incorporated into your discussion:
- The Word of God incarnate is Jesus Christ.
- The Word of God is written in the Bible.
- For Christians, the Bible witnesses, or points us, to God’s act of grace in Jesus Christ.
- The Bible tells the story of God’s mighty and faithful acts in the world.
- The Bible is the story of God’s people and the relationship between God and humanity.
- In the Bible we can see how our stories intersect with God’s story.
- The Bible teaches us how to live according to God’s will and expectations.
- When we are afraid, uncertain, sad, happy or any feeling imaginable, we can turn to Scripture and find comfort, help, guidance, reassurance and hope in the stories and words of Scripture.
In the response activity, you will need:
- Bibles (hard copy or electronic).
- Paper, markers or pens (or use a computer to generate a list or infographic).
- A concordance — a reference resource that helps people find Bible verses even if they only know a word or two of it. A concordance works best if it matches the translation of the Bible (NRSV, CEB, etc.) you are using. Concordances come in hardcopy stand-alone books, are in the back of some study Bibles or can be found electronically. Here are two options for online concordances.
Make a list of feelings (sad, angry, lonely, afraid) and find Bible verses that bring comfort in those situations. Create a poster or reference sheet with the list to keep in your room or tuck in your Bible. Here are few examples to get you started.
When you feel
- Afraid: Psalm 27
- Sad: Psalm 23
- Frustrated or angry with someone: Colossians 3:12-17
- Uncertain: Jeremiah 29:11
- Alone or separated: Romans 8:31-39
Prayer
Close your time together by praying for one another, your neighbor, community and the world.
REBECCA DAVIS is the associate professor of Christian education at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. A teaching elder and certified educator, she served congregations for over 20 years before moving into academic teaching. In addition to teaching and mentoring students, her passion is child advocacy and ministry.
