Proper 24 C (21 October): Never Give Up

There is a 2022 updated version of this post - see archive at left.

Bible Readings: Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 119: 97-104, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8 Theme: Never Give Up

About the Image:
Quill is from Microsoft Clip art so feel free to use.
Listening Song: Written on My Heart
By Plus One on their album. The Promise or WOW 2001.
Discussion Questions:
What should we persist with in our own personal faith?
What sort of things is Timothy encouraged to persist with? What sort of things should we persist with together? Are people fighting battles we know nothing about? How deep does our commitment to each other go?
What scripture do you have written on your heart?
What does it mean for our congregation to live in confidence and hope?
Story: Never Give Up
Found at http://www.tribforces.com/lofiversion/index.php/t17017.html
Story: The Horse Trader
Found in More Hot Illustrations for Youth by Wayne Rice, Zondervan 1995, ISBN 0310207681, page 86.
Story: Forgiveness
Found as story No 75 in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch, 2003, ISBN 1854245929 (pictured in an earlier blog).
Story: God, the Recreator.
I have a beautiful clock made by a man who makes all his clocks out of wood from houses which have been pulled down. For God, nothing is too far gone to be restored or recreated into something of beauty.
Response Activity:
Give everybody a red heart cut out of paper or cardboard and a pencil. Ask people to write a short prayer about faith and persistence.

Also:

Taize Service: A Great Help

Found in Worship Feast by Taize, Abingdon Press, 2004, page 44 (pictured at left). This is based on the Psalm reading.