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Study Four

This is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of work.

Gather
Create a centrepiece for tonight’s group which will include some symbols of the type of work carried out by the participants. Work is not just paid employment. Light a candle or two in this central display.  As people arrive, give them a copy of the following prayer from the NZ Prayer Book:
God, give us work till our life shall end, and life till our work is done.

Greet
State two types of work that have been important in your life, and invite others to do the same.

Read
I Timothy 2:1-15

Discuss
What phrase from this reading stands out for you? Let each person contribute to this, saying why the phrase seems important to them. If no one else mentions it, read verse 15, and comment on the “Worker who has no need to be ashamed”. State that all of the work we do is part of our ministry as Christians, and therefore is part of the ministry of your church. Invite people to comment on how their work is ministry, whether it is paid or unpaid work, wherever it is offered. For example, ask a person to name a significant work that they are engaged in, and then to describe how that is a ministry.

Create
Have materials for a cooperative creation which pictures your “works” and “ministries”. This may be a collage on a large sheet of paper, a poster, a banner or something else.

Spend 15 minutes working on this with the intention of displaying it in your church so that people will be more aware of the importance of daily works as ministries of the church.

Reflect
Take this opportunity to think about the Lenten study experience. What has been helpful? What new insights have been gained? What new actions will people take?

Pray
In the manner most appropriate for your group, offer your lives, church, and community to God in prayer.