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PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
Because we are people of the Book, it is good to call on Scripture as we examine God’s call. Because we are human, it is fun if we can have a little friendly competition in the process.
Whether it is at a presbytery meeting or at a clergy retreat, divide your group into at least four (depending on size possibly more) groups. Number your groups, or even more fun, have your group convene and choose a name for their group. Set up a very visible score sheet with each group defined. If the group is large, an overhead projector on a large screen and a scorekeeper with a marker will serve well.
PLAYING THE GAME
The leader will point to the first group and ask them a biblical question about God’s call. If they can answer it, they will score a point. If not, the question will move from group to group until someone provides an answer and thus their group scores a point. Once the point has been scored, the process begins again but with the second group being asked the question.
I have proposed ten questions below for the first phase of the game. This is perhaps the easier phase and is designed for people to relax and enjoy the game. It also refreshes people’s memories to biblical events and reminds them that even as we enjoy the process, we are listening for God’s word.
QUESTIONS FOR THE GAME
The leader asks the first group if they can identify a biblical story about someone responding to God’s call by expressing a lack of confidence in their ability to do what God asks. (In many cases there will be more than one correct answer. You might even offer bonus points if the group can give more than one correct answer.)
- lacked confidence.
____________________
Ask the second group for a biblical example of someone called by God that the world would consider a failure.
- The world would consider a failure.
____________________
Group 3 is to name an example where the obedience to the call was not rewarded economically.
- Was not rewarded economically in responding to the call.
____________________
Group 4: The one called was ridiculed or mocked, even by other people of faith.
- Was ridiculed or mocked.
____________________
If there are four groups, then begin a second round. Adapt to fit your circumstances.
Biblical example where the person who was called was afraid.
- Was afraid.
____________________
Biblical example where the person who was called had doubts.
- Had doubts.
____________________
Biblical example where the person(s) trusted God to give them directions later.
- Trusted God but didn’t know where they were going.
____________________
Biblical example where the person called lacked energy to continue.
- Lacked the energy to continue.
_____________________
Biblical example of where the person called experienced deep depression.
- Experienced depression.
____________________
Biblical example of where the person lacked the skills to do what God asked.
- Lacked the skills to do what God asked.
_____________________
This is the first phase of the game. The second phase will be shared in the next blog. However, at this point, the score should be totaled and the winners should be asked to stay seated while the losing groups rise, face the winners, bow and say, “Hail O great Biblical scholars. We salute you.” Or some may add, “until the next time.”
It will be most effective if the next phase of the game is played while this experience is still fresh. A refreshment break will enable people to kid each other and generate more energy.
Interesting approach.