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Meditations/Closings Backpack Meditation This
meditation is good for high school and college students.
Close
your eyes and relax. Breath
deeply. Imagine each part
of your body relaxing. Feel
the calm travel up from your toes to your legs.
Relax your back and your shoulders...your neck and your head.
Imagine yourself sitting here (the place where you are at).
You get up and walk to the door.
You open the door and you are in your favorite place.
Where are you? Picture
the sights and sounds of this place as you walk around.
As you reach the center, you can see Jesus standing there with
his arms outstretched. What
do you say to him? What
questions do you have for him? What
does he answer? As you are
talking, Jesus hands you a backpack.
It is filled with symbols, words, phrases, and memories of all
the experiences which have influenced your faith journey throughout your
life. You look inside.
What do you find? Think
back to your childhood - what you first learned about God.
Who or what have influenced you most since then?
What obstacles have you faced in your faith journey?
Who has helped you through these rough times?
What questions have you wondered about?
You see at the top of the backpack those issues which you and
Jesus have just discussed. You
also notice that there is still room left for future growth and
learning. Jesus explains
that you will always wear your backpack.
However, once you leave this place, it will become invisible.
When you are finished talking to Jesus, say goodbye.
Walk back the way you came until you come to the door of (the place where you are now).
You walk inside and sit back down where you are now and open your
eyes. Devotional - the
"sin" rock For
devotional, how about giving everyone ten minutes to go off and find
something that reminds them of their relationship with God. Tell them
that they will have to explain why their item reminds them of God.
You'll get lots of flowers, a few rocks, and some surprises. Talk about
how beautiful or solid or amazing that a relationship with God is.
After that, hand each of them a softball size rock that you had
collected before that day in private. Call each of these rocks
"sin." Talk about
what sin is and how heavy and ugly it is. Talk about how rough sin is
and how, after awhile, we all get tired of carrying sin around. Make
sure that everyone gets a good idea in their little noggins about what
sin is then challenge them to, silently, think of what their sins are
and the areas in their lives that need improvement. Talk about how if
this rock was really like sin, it would grow and grow and grow to a
point that it would be too big for us to carry. Read Romans 3:23
("for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"),
then go on to tell them about what Jesus did and the read the second
part of the sentence ("and are justified freely by his grace
through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.") Talk about how
God allows us to "throw off" our sin (Hebrew 12:1-2 -
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of
witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so
easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out
for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus...") and how God can take away
our sins and throw them far away (Psalm 103:12 --"... as far as the
east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from
us.") Finally, have
each kid, individually take their "sin" rock down to the
shoreline and toss it as far out into the lake as they can, never to be
seen again. If you want to, have them go to the shoreline in pairs (to
bring in the example of helping each with their problems (Galatians 6:2
- "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the
law of Christ.") Eyes are the Windows to the
Soul Age
Group: All Youth This
is not so much a game as it is a powerful way to bring down walls in
your youth group. Divide your group in half and have each of the two
groups line up single-file and shoulder-to-shoulder, facing each other
so that everyone has a partner. For instance, if you have 20 people,
divide them into group 1 and group 2 like this:
1111111111
2222222222 Each
person in group 1 holds hands with his/her partner in group 2, and must
stare deep into the other person's eyes without saying a word -- this
may be hard to achieve at first but it is absolutely essential. Play
some mellow Christian music in the background. Every ten seconds or so,
pause the music briefly (one second or so) to signal that the entire
group is to shift clockwise so that everyone changes partners. Continue
this until everyone has been a partner with everyone else. The point?
Many youth stay in their own cliques and avoid contact with others. This
activity forces ten seconds of total concentration on another person's
soul -- "the eyes are the window to the soul." You may be
amazed at the results. Everyone gets the same measure of respect from
everyone else for a change. This might lead to an excellent discussion
on any number of topics. You could instruct the ten seconds to be spent
in prayer for the other person, or have everyone forgive each other for
any hurts, etc. The Eyes of Christ Have
the group form an inner circle and an outer circle facing each other and
to pair up with someone in the opposite circle.
You must have an even number of people to do this activity, so if
a leader must participate, please do so.
Then inform the group that this is a serious activity that there
should be no touching, hugging, laughing and to be quiet at all times.
When the reader says move only the inside circle will move one
person to the right. Come
with me and each other in a journey of friendship as we look into the
eyes of Christ. Read
Luke 24:13-15 (The Walk to Emmaus) The
Walk to Emmaus--the breaking of bread; looking into the eyes of Christ.
What would it have been like to look into the eyes of Christ?
How could you NOT know how special and powerful Jesus was?
Yet how many times do we look into the eyes of others--of family,
friends, and strangers--and FAIL to see all the good they have inside? Look into my eyes... We
came together as partners just now.
You are my friend and you are a stranger.
Look into my eyes. Even
if I know you well, you are a stranger because we have so much more to
learn about each other. And
even if we are meeting for the first time today, you are my friend just
because we stand face to face for this moment in time. MOVE Look into my eyes... Can
you see that I am uncomfortable? It
is not easy to let my guard down and allow someone to see me as I really
am.
MOVE Look into my eyes... Do
not be afraid to look at me. I
am here to comfort you. Please
let down your bold front. Let
me see the real you. Let me
see the real you, the one whom God created.
MOVE Look into my eyes... Can
you know that there are times I feel alone because I am different?
Sometimes the loneliness seems unbearable.
I need to know that someone cares about me.
Look into my eyes. Be
my friend and accept me as I am. MOVE
Look into my eyes... I
see so much that is good. I
try to be the best person I can, but sometimes it is very difficult.
Look into my eyes. Being with you has made me realize how important it is to
strive to be better. MOVE
Look into my eyes... I
want to get to know you, and I want you to get to know me. But what if I am rejected?
Courage, I need courage. As
I look into your eyes, I see kindness.
I am willing to take the risk to ask for your friendship. MOVE Look into my eyes... There
is so much that I want to know about you.
Can I see how much you care?
Look into my eyes. I
want to know the Jesus within you. MOVE I
can see kindness. I know
you will allow me to be myself when I am with you.
Thanks for being my friend. MOVE Look into my eyes... Can
you feel the love that surrounds you?
I love you and God loves you.
Do you love yourself. It
is ok to be your own friend. MOVE Look into my eyes... You
are important to me. You
have helped me discover my strengths and to deal with my weaknesses. I thank you for sharing yourself with me today. MOVE Look into my eyes... I
see light. I know that when
you leave today you will let that light shine so others can see it too.
I know that you will make a difference. MOVE Look into my eyes... Do
you know that I accept you unconditionally?
Do you know that I admire you for who you are? MOVE Look into my eyes... I
see faith hope and love. You
have helped bring those gifts to me.
You have made me realize how much God loves me.
I know that you have come into my life for a reason. A part of you will stay with me always. MOVE Look into my eyes... Can
you see Jesus there? I want
to be Christ to you because you have been Christ to me. MOVE Look into my eyes... You
and I were called here by our loving God, and I have been called to be
your friend. A Love Story One
day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.
Ah the beauty of God’s creation is beyond description.
As I watched, I praised God for his beautiful work.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord’s presence with me.
He asked me, I
answered, Then
he asked, I
was perplexed. I looked
down upon my arms, legs, and the rest of my body and wondered how many
things I wouldn’t be able to do, the things that I took for granted.
And I answered, “It would be tough Lord, but I would still love
you.” Then
the Lord said, How
could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how
many of them still loved God and his creation. So
I answered, “It’s hard to think of it, but I would still love
you.” The
Lord then asked me, How
could I listen to anything being deaf?
Then I understood. Listening
to God’s Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts.
I
answered, “It would be tough, but I would still listen to your
Word.” Then
the Lord asked, How
could I praise without a voice? Then
it occurred to me. God
wants us to sing from our very heart and soul.
It doesn’t matter what we sound like.
And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are
persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks.
So
I answered, “Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise
your name.” And
the Lord asked, “Do you really love me?” With
courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, “Yes Lord!
I love you because You are the one and true God!”
I thought I had answered well, but God asked, “THEN WHY DO YOU
SIN?” I answered,
“Because I am only human. I
am not perfect.” “THEN
WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST AWAY? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?” No
answers. Only tears. The
Lord continued, “Why only sing at fellowships and retreats?
Why seek me only in times of worship?
Why ask things so selfishly?
Why ask things so unfaithfully?” The
tears continued to roll down my cheeks. “Why
are you ashamed of me? Why
are you not spreading the Good News?
Why, in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer my
shoulder to cry on? Why
make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in my name?” I
tried to answer, but there was no answer to give. “You
are blessed with life. I
made you not to throw this gift away.
I have blessed you with talents to serve me, but you continue to
turn away. I have revealed
my Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge.
I have spoken to you, but your ears were closed.
I have shown my blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away.
I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed
away. I have heard your
prayers and I have answered them all.” “DO
YOU TRULY LOVE ME?” I
could not answer. How could
I? I was embarrassed beyond
belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this?
When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said,
“Please forgive me Lord. I
am unworthy to be your child.” The
Lord answered, “That is my grace, my child.” I
asked, “Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do you love me so?” The
Lord answered, “Because you are my
creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have
compassion and cry with you. When
you shout with joy, I will laugh with you.
When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up.
When you are tired, I will carry you.
I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you
forever.” Never
had I cried so hard before. How
could I have been so cold? How
could I have hurt God as I had done? I
asked God, “How much do you love me?” The
Lord stretched out His arms and I saw his nail pierced hands.
I bowed down at the feet of Jesus Christ, my Savior.
And for the first time, I truly prayed. Bible Passages That Give Comfort About Tests and
Exams: I
AM PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY FATIGUED. “...but
those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not
grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) I
AM WORRIED ABOUT A PARTICULAR SUBJECT. “Do
not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) I
AM TOO NERVOUS TO THINK PROPERLY. “Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
(John 14:27) I
DON’T HAVE WISDOM TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION “If
any lack of wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all
without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
(James 1:5) DOESN’T
GOD CARE IF I FAIL? “Cast
all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) “For
I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.
Plans to give you hope and a future.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will
listen to you. You will
seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
(Jeremiah 29:11-13) Meditation Relaxation
Techniques 1.
Instruct the students to sit comfortably wherever they like. As you read
the following words. Instruct them to keep their eyes open, in order to
withdraw into their heads. 2.
Feel your feet in your stockings Feel
your stocking on your feet Feel
your feet in your shoes Feel
your stockings on your legs Feel
your legs in your stockings Feel
your slacks or skirt over your legs Feel
your legs in your slacks Feel
your underclothing next your body Feel
your body in your underclothing Feel
your blouse or shirt against your chest and your chest inside your
blouse or shirt! Feel
your ring on your finger Feel
your finger in your ring Feel
the hair on your head and your eyebrows on your forehead Feel
your tongue in your mouth Feel
your ears Go
inside and try to feel the inside of your head with your head Feel
all the space around you Now
let the space feel you Reconciliation Sand Bucket This
is a good way of allowing retreatants to open up their sins to God,
without being intimidated by a priest or other people.
You will need a dish washing bucket and some sand.
Fill the bucket with the sand.
Then during the time of reflecting on the wrongs that we have
committed, the retreatants can have an option of confessing to a person
or quietly go over to the bucket and write the sin in the sand.
Then when they feel they are ready to get rid of that sin, have
them wipe it away in the sand, symbolically removing the sin from that
person’s heart. Stones and Water Closing This
closing activity is great for trying to explain how we can fit God into
our busy life and how God is always with us in all that we do.
You need 2 pitchers and stones.
Hand out the stones to the retreatants and tell them to think of
something they do or someone that influences them and have each stone
represent one person or one action. After they have talked about their stones with the small
group, have them come up and put the stones into an empty pitcher.
You can have them share what they shared with the small group in
front of the large group. You can fill up the pitcher with stones.
After the pitcher is filled with stones.
Explain to the kids how full the pitcher is, just like our life
is full of activities and people. Then
list examples that the children gave.
Then propose the question, “How can God fit into our busy
schedules?” and “How can we fill this pitcher any more?”
Then bring in a pitcher of water that is half way filled.
Then pour the water into the pitcher with the stones.
Then explain that there is plenty of room in the pitcher where
the stones are and that there is plenty of room for the water. Just like there is plenty of room for God in our lives.
Just how the water surrounds the stones.
God also surrounds us and is part of everything we do in our busy
lives. He is there for us
always, even when we think we do not have time for him.
This is a good way to end a retreat or to drive home this point.
It really works well with anyone and it takes about 15-20
minutes. What if Jesus Came... (Poem) Would
you have to change your clothes before you let him in? Or
hide some magazines, and put the Bible where they’d been? Would
you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out? Could
you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about? And
I wonder...if the Savior spent a day or two with you, Would
you go right on doing the things you always do? Would
you go right on saying the things you always say? Or
would life for you continue as it does from day to day? Would
you take Jesus everywhere you go? Or
would you maybe change your plans for just a day or so? Would
you be glad to have him meet your closest friends? Or
would you hope they’d stay away until his visit ends? Would
you be glad to have him stay forever on and on? Or
would you sigh with great relief when he at last was gone? It
might be interesting to know, the things that you would do, If
Jesus came in person, to spend some time with you
Yarn Talk Bring
a ball or skein of yarn. Best time - late evening, after a snack.
Everybody sits in a large circle (so they can see each other - no back
rows). Introduce a topic (i.e. - how can we have better unity in our
group? What are the hindrances to unity, and how can we overcome them?)
Then lay out the ground rules: a.
ONLY the person holding the yarn ball may talk. He/she will talk
uninterrupted - everyone will get their turn. (you may need to set a 3-5
min. time-limit if you have a large or very talkative group - use a
watch with an alarm to signal the end of their time, or an egg timer). b.
The yarn begins with the first person to raise their hand, then proceeds
to the left. Everybody has the opportunity to talk - but no one is
required to. c.
The first person holds the end of the yarn, passing the ball; the next
person continues to hold onto the string of yarn as it is passed - once
the ball has gone all the way around, you will have a large yarn circle.
After it has gone all the way around, those who want to talk silently
raise their hands. The person holding the yarn tosses the ball to one of
them, still holding their section of yarn. As the ball gets passed and
unrolled, you will have a large spider web forming. d.
No bashing people - present or absent (i.e. - one youth, who was
extremely negative and made most of the group angry, was not at the
retreat, and we didn't allow them to speak about him). Any comments
about those present need to be made in a loving, e.
This is not a gripe session - our goal is finding solutions to our
problems. f. What is said here is CONFIDENTIAL and should not leave this room (esp. important to teach them how to keep confidences).
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