Note: This week will be very different from previous weeks. Ideally, this week will be a transition period as you finish the course and begin working together as a community of believers to discover what unique opportunities exist within your context. Depending on whether this course is being used in isolation or as part of a congregation-wide initiative including the sermon series etc, you may want to make changes in this lesson. If multiple sections of this course have been offered and you are hoping to start a planning phase for the congregation as a whole, then consider running this session as one large group that includes all the other sections.
Be sure to arrive early and have the environment set up. You want to be ready to greet people at least five minutes before class begins.
Ask a student ahead of time to open in prayer and another to close.
Officially begin class by asking them to join in prayer. Once they have opened in prayer, move directly into:
Lead a discussion centered on the question: What are we already doing? Divide your chalkboard or white board into three sections and write down the items people come up with. For the three sections, use the headings:
It is important to take time to acknowledge the positive impact your congregation is already having and to give thanks to God for using the community in this way. Inevitably every congregation is doing something related to the care of creation. Supporting missionaries in Turkey might not be “environmental,” per se, but it definitely counts toward caring for creation. If your congregation has a recycling program, it is already an important step and worthy of being recognized and celebrated.
When it seems natural to do so, make a transition into asking what your congregation can do going forward. Again, center the conversation on the same three categories:
It will be helpful for you to have come up with a list of ideas unique to your community before class. Often students need help getting started, but once ideas begin to be generated, more tend to come easily.
Close in prayer, ending with the Lord’s Prayer