Identity Initiative: Study Guide - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Understanding Who We AreAs Disciples of ChristSUGGESTED POSSIBILITIES FOR CURRICULUMBackground InformationUnderstanding our identity is a vital concern for all of the Christian Church (Disciplesof Christ). Many long-time Disciples want us to name and claim our foundationalvalues and commitments as a church. New Disciples want to know about ourdistinctive gifts as a community of faith. All of us need to have clarity about who weare in order to be faithful and effective witnesses to Jesus Christ, especially in a worldthat is increasingly pluralistic, globally connected, and yet so often violently divided.The Council on Christian Unity (CCU) and Communication Ministries (CM) haveteamed up to launch an “identity initiative” to help Disciples understand and claimwho we are as a distinctive community within the whole church of Jesus Christ in ourworld today.Identity Initiative: Study GuideIn this partnership, the CCU has produced a series of brief videos, with anaccompanying discussion/study guide for regions, congregations, church leadership,and small groups, that focus upon the four key concepts found in the Disciples“Identity Statement” adopted by the General Board in 2009:“We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in afragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcomeall to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.”Supporting congregations in their local efforts, Communication Ministries is offering aseries of practical suggestions and materials for Disciples to share what is unique aboutthe Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).Study Guide: Suggested Possibilities for CurriculumThe possibilities for this curriculum are as endless as your and your congregation’simagination. It is our hope that you use these materials in the most fitting way foryour individual congregational needs. We offer these suggestions, as well as a possiblemeeting outline to use as a jumping-off-point for this curriculum’s ministry in the lifeof the church.Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA 1
Identity Initiative: Study GuideSuggested groups: Elders, deacons, Adult Sunday School Classes, Small Groups,CYF & Chi Rho**If using these materials with CYF or Chi Rho groups, we suggest you shorten the time for the study, limitingdiscussion time to 30 minutes, and possibly reframing the questions for a more youthful approach.Suggested time: 45-60 minutes, in 4 different sessionsSuggested Leadership: These materials can be facilitated by a minister, a leader, orshared leadership within the group of participants. If you share facilitating leadership,it is important to establish who the facilitator is at the beginning of each session.Suggested Adult Outline:• Gathering:Gathering: Include introductions, with possible response to an “icebreaker” question (an “ice breaker” is suggested below for each session)Allow 10 minutes for Gathering time.• Opening Prayer: This can be led the facilitator, or a volunteer.Allow 5 minutes for Opening Prayer.• Watch Video (3-4 minutes)• Discussion QuestionsAllow 40 minutes for Discussion Questions[In each of the four suggested “discussion guides,” re-watching the video (orjust one or two sections of the video) might be fruitful, either in the midst of thediscussion or as a concluding summation of the group’s conversation.]• Closing PrayerAllow 5 minutes for Closing PrayerSuggested Youth Outline:• Opening question & prayer (include introductions if needed): What’s your hopeor prayer for tonight as we discuss [insert theme] tonight? After each personshares, collectively say “Amen.”Allow 10 minutes• Possible Opening Game: Group building, team work, or community focusedgames help illustrate the four themes.Allow 15 minutes• Watch Video (3-4 minutes)• Discussion QuestionsAllow 30 minutes[In each of the four suggested “discussion guides,” re-watching the video (orjust one or two sections of the video) might be fruitful, either in the midst of the2Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Page 1: Identity Initiative: Study GuideChr
Page 5 and 6: Identity Initiative: Study Guide3.

Identity Initiative: Study Guide - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?