The Youth s Call A Curriculum Exploring Youth s Callings (Curriculum created by Sarah Caudill, Duke Divinity School, class of 2014)

Transcription

1 The Youth s Call A Curriculum Exploring Youth s Callings (Curriculum created by Sarah Caudill, Duke Divinity School, class of 2014) Introduction Note to Teachers & Parents Goals This curriculum is intended to help youth learn a vocabulary of calling. What is it that God is calling them to do with their lives? Through study of call narratives in Scripture, participation in worship, and spiritual practices, youth will begin to talk about their own unique call from God. This curriculum is best suited for youth ages With older youth it can be tied into a discussion on the future, with appropriate conversations about college, choosing a vocation, or choosing a career path. o Introduce youth to a vocabulary of calling o Introduce youth to call narratives in Scripture o Involve youth in worship and spiritual practices so that they can begin to recognize call stories; experience God s call upon their lives; and think about to respond to that call Structure of the Lessons Method This curriculum is one unit, made up of four lessons. You can do all four lessons, or you may choose any of lessons 1, 2, or 4, plus lesson 3. These lessons can be used in place of normal Sunday School curriculum, during youth group or weekly youth small group times (for example, during Wednesday night Bible studies), or they can be done on their own during a special event. The lessons can be done consecutively, or spread out over the course of a few months, interspersed with other lessons. The lessons are structured in three sections: Tell the Story, Reflect on the Story, React to the story. The lessons are meant to increase the youth s familiarity with Scripture, while also encouraging them to engage spiritually with Scripture and with prayer. Each lesson teaches youth a new spiritual practice to help them explore God s Word.

2 Each lesson begins with a session of Lectio Divina ( Tell the Story ). Lectio Divnia is an ancient method of praying the Scriptures. To practice Lectio Divina follow the formula below: o Sit in a comfortable position and become silent. Some may wish to close their eyes. You may say a centering prayer or a prayer phrase. Sit in silence for a few moments o Read the assigned text from Scripture. Read it slowly and thoughtfully. o As you read, listen for a word or phrase that stands out to you. o Read the text again. o Read the text for a third time. o Contemplate how God is speaking to you through the text. Resources for practicing Lectio Divina with youth: o Lectio-Divina.aspx o o What to Listen For What do I look for to see a call upon a youth? o High interest in Scripture and learning the stories of Scripture o High interest in participating in worship o High spiritual awareness of God and a rudimentary ability to articulate that awareness How do I draw out the calling of God within each person? o Encourage them in their particular interests (i.e. reading Scripture, sharing stories of how they have experienced God, etc.) o Allow them to participate in worship or in leading youth group activities o Help them begin to narrate God s call upon their lives o Begin to ask them questions o Where do you think God is calling you? How do you think God is calling you? o Where do you see God when you are at church? At home? At school? Lesson 1 Abraham Instructor Note Goals o Teach the story of Abraham s call o Learn about and practice Ignatian Deep Reflection o Reflect on God s promise to us and our response to God

3 Themes o God makes promises to us o We must respond to claim God s promise Scripture o Genesis 12:1-5 Materials Needed Tell the Story o candle & matches o Bible Light a candle and say an opening prayer, welcoming God into your time of study and refection. Read Genesis 12:1-5 in the style of Lectio Divina (see Method above). Reflect on the Story Ask: What stood out to you as I read this story? What word or phrase stood out to you? (allow time for discussion) Ask: Consider the 5 W s (who, what, where, when, why). What is going on in this story? Ask: Consider the perspectives of each character. What is Abraham thinking when God calls him? What is Sarah thinking? Etc. Ask: Consider the setting of the story. What comes before, during, and after the story in the Bible? Ask: What promise did God make to Abraham? How did Abraham respond? React to the Story Spiritual Practice 1 Say: Today s spiritual practice is called Ignatian Deep Reflection. Saint Ignatius of Loyola would invite members of his order, The Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, to join in the Biblical story by using their imaginations. Today we are going to practice this kind of reflection with Abraham s story. 1 Adapted from Way to Live The Story

4 I invite you to close your eyes, breathe deeply, and calm your heart. Enter into a state of relaxation. As I read Abraham s story, picture the scene. Focus on the details of the story. Fill in the blanks. (Read Genesis 12:1-5) Allow the scene to come to live. Who is there? What is happening? What are the sounds and smells? (pause) Put yourself into the scene. Where are you and why? What are you doing and feeling? (pause) Focus on Abraham. What is he doing? How is he feeling? What about Sarah? (pause) Choose a sentence to dwell on. (pause) Rest in the company of God. Think about the promises that God makes in your life. Breathe slowly and deeply. Let this be your prayer. (pause) Ask: Would anyone like to share something that they thought about or discovered through this practice? (Allow for discussion to flow naturally as youth share their reflections) Ask: Through your reflection, did you discover any promises that God makes to you? How have you responded to those promises, or how can you respond to them? Ask: In what ways do God s call on our lives and God s promises to us match up? Or how do they diverge from one another? Close the session by extinguishing the candle and saying a short closing prayer. Lesson 2 Jeremiah Instructor Note Goals o Teach the story of Jeremiah s call o Learn about and practice the Vasteras Method o Reflect on God s plan for us and ways that we can act upon that plan Themes

5 o God has a plan for us o We can do God s work now, regardless of age Scripture o Jeremiah 1:4-19 Materials Needed Tell the Story o candle & match o Bible o printed copies of Jeremiah 1:4-19 for each youth o pens Light a candle and say an opening prayer, welcoming God into your time of study and refection. Read Jeremiah 1:4-19 in the style of Lectio Divina (see Method above). Reflect on the Story Ask: What stood out to you as I read this story? What word or phrase stood out to you? (allow time for discussion) Ask: Consider the 5 W s (who, what, where, when, why). What is going on in this story? Ask: Consider the perspectives of each character. What is Jeremiah thinking when God calls him? What is God thinking? Etc. Ask: Consider the setting of the story. What comes before, during, and after the story in the Bible? Ask: How did Jeremiah respond to God? What was his initial feeling? How did he overcome that feeling? React to the Story Spiritual Practice 2 Say: Today s spiritual practice is called the Vasteras Method. This is a method developed in Sweden that helps us to respond to Scripture. I will read the passage from Jeremiah again. Then, each of you will read it silently, marking symbols on your printout of the text as you go. 2 Adapted from Way to Live The Story

6 Make an exclamation point (!) beside phrases that give you new insight. Make an inverted v ( ) by phrases that tell you about God. Make a v ( ) by phrases that point out a need you have or a challenge you face. Make a question mark (?) by anything you do not understand. Read Jeremiah 1:4-19. Allow time for the youth to read and make notations. After everyone has finished, have them share their insights. Answer questions as needed, and help the youth to help one another make sense of the passage. Say: We are never too young or too ill-equipped to fulfill God s plan for our lives. God knows us before we are born, and guides and sustains us throughout our lives, just as God sustained and helped Jeremiah. We will be taking these insights from today s lesson and last weeks lessons and putting them into action next week, by planning our participation in worship. Close the session by extinguishing the candle and saying a short closing prayer. Lesson 3 Help plan and participate in worship In response to the call stories the youth have heard in Lessons 1 & 2, allow them to help plan and participate in worship. Worship is one of the main ways the church responds to God s call upon our lives. Worship is where the church can meet God. Allowing the youth to participate in worship gives them the opportunity to experience God s call in a new way. This lesson can be done in many different ways to meet the needs of your church. Have the youth participate in a way that fits your church. Here are just a few options to help you brainstorm: o Have youth lay read, lead a prayer, or help with communion o Allow youth to assist in planning and leading music, or writing and sourcing prayers o Have youth give their testimony during a service o Have your youth group plan and carryout a Youth Sunday, where they lead all aspects of worship Lesson 4 Mary Instructor Note

7 Goals o Teach the story of Mary s call o Learn about and practice Praying in Color o Reflect on God s job for us and ways that we can do that job joyfully o Reflect on participation in worship (Lesson 3) Themes o God gives each of us a job to do, that is uniquely suited for each of us o We should do this job with joy Scripture o Luke 1:26-38; Materials Needed Tell the Story o candle & matches o Bible o blank paper o coloring materials (colored pencils, crayons, etc.) Light a candle and say an opening prayer, welcoming God into your time of study and refection. Read Luke 1:26-38;46-55 in the style of Lectio Divina (see Method above). Reflect on the Story Ask: What stood out to you as I read this story? What word or phrase stood out to you? (allow time for discussion) Ask: Consider the 5 W s (who, what, where, when, why). What is going on in this story? Ask: Consider the perspectives of each character. What is Mary thinking when God calls her? What is God thinking? Etc. Ask: Consider the setting of the story. What comes before, during, and after the story in the Bible? Ask: How did Mary respond to God? What was her initial feeling? How did she overcome that feeling? React to the Story Spiritual Practice

8 Say: Our spiritual practice today is called Praying in Color. As I guide you through prayer and reflection on Mary s call, you will respond through art. Each of you will have a blank page and coloring utensils. As I speak, draw whatever comes to mind and is on your heart in this moment. Pass out materials. Allow each person to relax, breathe deeply, and center themselves before beginning. Read Luke 1:26-38; again. Ask: Mary was surprised by God. Have you ever been surprised by God? Say: Mary reminds us that God gives each of us a special job to do. God gives each of us a task that we are especially suited for, and that we have unique talents for. What job has God given you? Say: Mary also shows us how to respond to God s call with joyful obedience. We praise God when we do God s will. How do you respond joyfully to God? Ask: What were your feelings when you participated in worship? Where was God in that act? After allowing everyone enough time to finish their drawings, allow for a time of sharing. Give youth the opportunity to share their insights. Help them to form a plan for further reflection on God s call based on these lessons. This could come in the form of further study, more participation in worship, or other leadership opportunities in the church. Close the session by extinguishing the candle and saying a short closing prayer. Other Resources Holy Things for Youth Ministry Brian Hardesty-Crouch Way to Live Ed. by Dorothy C. Bass and Don C. Richter Greenhouses of Hope Dori Baker