HIGHS AND LOWS: (13 minutes)
Write down one high and one low from your week in your prayer journal and share them with the group. Pastor Breen or another student will gather them in prayer as we light our candles.
REVIEW: (2 minutes)
What sticks with you from last class? You may refer to your one sentence summary from last week if you are stumped. What questions remain about Saul’s conversion?
INTRODUCTION: (5 minutes)
Healings: Turn to page 1264 in your Connect Bible NRSV and read the paragraph under “Healings” on that page. This will give you an idea about what we are studying today.
EXPERIENCE THE WORD: (10 minutes)
Today, we will watch a scene from the miniseries “AD: The Bible Continues.” Begin on disc four, and choose “play all.” Fast-forward to 1:20:55 and watch until 1:25:00.
DWELLING IN THE WORD: (15 minutes)
First, read Acts 9:36-43 from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (take turns reading aloud, verse by verse). Answer the following questions about the whole story as completely as possible (group activity: do this with your parents):
Comprehension Questions:
- What was the name of the disciple in Joppa? (verse 36)
- To what was she devoted? (verse 36)
- What happened “at that time”? (verse 37)
- What did her family and friends to for her next? (verse 37)
- To whom did the disciples send two men? (verse 38)
- What was the request? (verse 38)
- What did Peter do? (verse 39)
- What did the widows show him? (verse 39)
- What did Peter do with all of the people? (verse 40)
- What did Peter do next? (verse 40)
- What did he say to the body? (verse 40)
- What did Tabitha do next? (verse 40)
- What did Peter do for Tabitha? (verse 41)
- To whom did Peter call? (verse 41)
- What did Peter show them? (verse 41)
- When this became known, what happened? (verse 42)
- Where did Peter stay? (verse 43)
Content Questions:
- What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?
- What is my favorite part of this text? Why?
- What stories or memories does this text stir up in you? You might remember a time when you changed your mind about something significant, for example.
- What is God doing in this text? What is God up to?
TAKING IT HOME (5 minutes)
- During this week, in your prayers, try using “God of Life” as your title for God.
- Write a one sentence summary in your prayer journal. In this sentence, describe your answer to the question “What did you learn about in Confirmation class this week?” in as much detail as possible.
OUT LOUD PRAYER: (10 minutes)
Rising Arms Prayer: Each participant needs to find a door frame to stand in. When they have found a door frame, ask them, with their arms straight, to press the backs of their wrists to the door frame as hard as they can for one minute. During that minute, they are to offer to God all of the things which are troubling them, hurting them, or killing their communities (things which lead to death). After the minute is up, instruct them to step out of the door frame as they release all of those troubles to God. Like Tabitha, their arms will rise!
Conclude your time together with the Lord’s Prayer.
Deep Roots Confirmation 