There is an updated 2022 version of this post with more resources - see my archive at left
Bible readings: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35
Theme: Risking Everything/God's Wings
Listening Song: Why
by Tracy Chapman on her self titled album; 1998.
Discussion: On the Genesis reading
1. What do we learn about God in this reading?
2. What do we learn about Abram?
Drama: Don't You Get It?
4: God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
1: Yes, but I don’t know if my money is going to out-last me. If I can just do a good job with my investments I know everything will turn out all right.
2: And if we could only get some extra money - the kids will be going off to uni soon and at the moment I can't see how we'll manage. With a little more money I know everything will turn out all right.
4:But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
3: If only I could get my hands on that hotted up Torana everybody's being eyeing off down the street. Everyone would look up to me, envy me ..... then I know everything will turn out all right.
1: And I am so frightened of the future. All my family live a long way away. If I could work out some way to be near them then I know everything will turn out all right.
4: But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
2: Yes, but if only we could get the house paid off and the renovations finished then I know everything will turn out all right.
3: If only I could get the results I really want at school then I know everything will turn out all right.
4: But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
1: Yes, but what if I get sick – what if I can’t look after myself any more. I’m going to find my self the best health specialists in the world… then I know everything will turn out all right.
2: And if I could only make sure than I have the best time possible for as much of the time as possible then I know everything will turn out all right.
3: If only I could convince myself and everybody else that I'm not nearly as much of a dork as I seem to be then I know everything will turn out all right.
4: But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward .......
Written by Rosemary Broadstock and Ann Scull: Permission granted for use and adaption however it would be nice if you could let us know, via this blog, that you are using it
Discussion on the Drama:
1. How do we stop becoming like persons 1,2 and 3?
2. How do we put our faith in God into action?
Story: The Tightrope and the Wheelbarrow
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 206 (pictured in an earlier blog). This story, featuring Blondin the famous tightrope walker, can also be found in numerous books and by Googling.
Story: Personal
Ask someone in your congregation to share a story from their own life where they had to trust God when they did not know what the final outcome was going to be. Ask the person before hand so that they can prepare what they are going to say.
Story: An Antidote for Fear
Found in The Youth Bible, Word Publishing, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 497 (pictured in an earlier blog)
Quote: Darren Beadman, Leading Australian Jockey
"It's all about relationship and what lies within your heart.....Some people are at a stage in their life where they feel secure in their environment and don't want to step out because they don't know what the future holds. But if you've got the relationship with the Lord, and you believe that he is your provider and that this is what he wants you to do, well - do it" This is part of an interview found in Alive Magazine 1998 can't source the month, sorry.
Quote: Old Scandinavian Proverb
Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark.
Response Activity:
Give everyone a coloured feather (found in craft shops).
While they concentrate on the feather ask:
1. Where in your life at the moment do you need to hear God say; " Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your very great reward"?
2. What situation are you in at present which should make you seek shelter under God's wings?
3. Are you trusting God or are you looking in other places for shelter and reward?
Have a time of silence.
Theme: Risking Everything/God's Wings
Listening Song: Whyby Tracy Chapman on her self titled album; 1998.
Discussion: On the Genesis reading
1. What do we learn about God in this reading?
2. What do we learn about Abram?
Drama: Don't You Get It?
4: God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
1: Yes, but I don’t know if my money is going to out-last me. If I can just do a good job with my investments I know everything will turn out all right.
2: And if we could only get some extra money - the kids will be going off to uni soon and at the moment I can't see how we'll manage. With a little more money I know everything will turn out all right.
4:But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
3: If only I could get my hands on that hotted up Torana everybody's being eyeing off down the street. Everyone would look up to me, envy me ..... then I know everything will turn out all right.
1: And I am so frightened of the future. All my family live a long way away. If I could work out some way to be near them then I know everything will turn out all right.
4: But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
2: Yes, but if only we could get the house paid off and the renovations finished then I know everything will turn out all right.
3: If only I could get the results I really want at school then I know everything will turn out all right.
4: But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward.
1: Yes, but what if I get sick – what if I can’t look after myself any more. I’m going to find my self the best health specialists in the world… then I know everything will turn out all right.
2: And if I could only make sure than I have the best time possible for as much of the time as possible then I know everything will turn out all right.
3: If only I could convince myself and everybody else that I'm not nearly as much of a dork as I seem to be then I know everything will turn out all right.
4: But God says: Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your great reward .......
Written by Rosemary Broadstock and Ann Scull: Permission granted for use and adaption however it would be nice if you could let us know, via this blog, that you are using it
Discussion on the Drama:
1. How do we stop becoming like persons 1,2 and 3?
2. How do we put our faith in God into action?
Story: The Tightrope and the Wheelbarrow
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 206 (pictured in an earlier blog). This story, featuring Blondin the famous tightrope walker, can also be found in numerous books and by Googling.
Story: Personal
Ask someone in your congregation to share a story from their own life where they had to trust God when they did not know what the final outcome was going to be. Ask the person before hand so that they can prepare what they are going to say.
Story: An Antidote for Fear
Found in The Youth Bible, Word Publishing, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 497 (pictured in an earlier blog)
Quote: Darren Beadman, Leading Australian Jockey
"It's all about relationship and what lies within your heart.....Some people are at a stage in their life where they feel secure in their environment and don't want to step out because they don't know what the future holds. But if you've got the relationship with the Lord, and you believe that he is your provider and that this is what he wants you to do, well - do it" This is part of an interview found in Alive Magazine 1998 can't source the month, sorry.
Quote: Old Scandinavian Proverb
Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark.
Response Activity:
Give everyone a coloured feather (found in craft shops).
While they concentrate on the feather ask:
1. Where in your life at the moment do you need to hear God say; " Do not be afraid. I am your shield and your very great reward"?
2. What situation are you in at present which should make you seek shelter under God's wings?
3. Are you trusting God or are you looking in other places for shelter and reward?
Have a time of silence.
4 comments:
Stumbled upon your page by 'accident' its super. thank you
Thank you for your ministry! God bless you and your work.
I plan to use the drama at our informal early service. Thanks!
Thank you for your ministry through this page...will be using your drama this Sunday with intergenerational voices and a child reading the 'do not be afraid' part...I'm finding more and more that in ministry that 'a little child shall lead them'...thanks again!
Rev. Adrianne Robertson
Bethel Stone United Church
Paris, Ontario Canada
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