PRAYER POSTURES: (10 minutes)
During Confirmation Camp this summer, we will be transitioning from the third year of Deep Roots Confirmation, the Gospel of Mark, to the fourth year: Small Catechism and Creative Prayer. We will begin each session praying with our bodies by using yoga poses, Bible verses, and silent prayer to mark a change between the busyness of summer camp and the sense of “time out of time” during our confirmation time.
You can learn more about how to do this here: https://goodgodideas.wordpress.com/2018/07/19/postures-of-prayer/
You can find the Prayer Postures Card here: Postures of Prayer Mat Card
HIGHS AND LOWS: (10 minutes)
We will share highs and lows from the past 24 hours as a prayer practice. We will respond to highs with “Thanks be to God,” and lows with “Lord, have mercy.”
INTRODUCTION: (1 minute)
During Confirmation Camp this summer, we will be studying the events of Holy Week in chapters 14-16 in the Gospel of Mark. I plan to do a Holy Week timeline on butcher paper on the wall using Janelle Thompson’s images that grows as the week goes on. You can find these images in poster form here: Mark Posters Chapter 14-16
EXPERIENCE THE WORD: (15 minutes)
Today, we will watch Mark 14:53-72 and Mark 15:1-15 from “The Gospel of Mark,” a movie released by Lionsgate in 2016. I suggest the settings that have the audio as “English NIV” and the subtitles as “English NIV.” This will be the most similar to the students’ NRSV Bibles. You can purchase the movie here: https://smile.amazon.com/Gospel-Mark/dp/B06XCXZXWH/
Questions to think about as you watch (introduce before showing the movie, so they know what to look for)
- Tell me the story you just saw.
- What is different/the same about the story that you remember learning in the past?
- What was your favorite part?
- What is God doing in this part of the story?
Take a few minutes after watching the movie to let the students ask any questions that they might have. If possible, turn the questions back to the group for their wisdom.
DWELLING IN THE WORD (20 minutes)
Today, we will focus on only four of the images from Janelle Thompson’s “Gospel of Mark: The Never Ending Story.” Take some time with your Bible to discover the verses that each of these four images depict, as well as the titles of the sections. Choose your favorite image of the four to fill out as a journal page (you may do this on your own or in pairs). Report back to the group and record other’s answers when you are finished.
Sample journal page: Gospel of Mark Journal Page Example
Images for journal pages: Mark Postcards Chapter 14 : Mark Postcards Chapter 15
Slide show of images: Mark ch 14 : Mark ch 15
PRAYER PRACTICE ELECTIVES (10 minutes)
As we introduce the creative prayer year of the curriculum, students will have the opportunity to engage in several electives, as they choose. No matter what they choose, we will again have quiet music and essential oils, and I will ask them to light their tealight and set up their cross in front of them, no matter where they are. Here are the options for our time at camp:
Prayer Journal: Students may choose to use the Prayer Starters bookmark to write a journal entry into their prayer journal. You can find this book mark here: Prayer Journal Bookmark
Praying in Color: Students may choose to use their blank drawing pad for Praying in Color. You can find helpful handouts on how to engage this practice here: https://prayingincolor.com/handouts Choose “Praying in Color Handout” or “Step by Step Praying in Color for Intercessory Prayer.”
Prayer Coloring Book: Students may choose to engage one of the illustrations in their prayer coloring book. I found this resource here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/514813523/coloring-scripture-cards-set-of-8
Here’s a helpful guide to praying with a coloring book: http://www.pauline.org/Pauline-Books-Media-Blog/ArticleID/3247/How-to-Use-Coloring-Books-for-Prayer-and-Meditation
Prayer Postures: Students may choose to review the prayer postures from the beginning of class.
Conclude your time together with the Lord’s Prayer.
Deep Roots Confirmation 