Search the siteAn Heroic MinistryIntroducing Pastor Steven from Rwanda:
Pastor Steven Turikunkiko has set up a community in Rwanda for victims of the genocide. 160 widows & teenagers & 80 younger children live with him; farming, sharing their lives and caring for those dying from AIDS. The community subsists on less than $1 per person per day. At enormous personal sacrifice, Pastor Steven and his wife have also adopted 20 orphans - who live with them and their 2 other children. For more information on Steven and this incredible community of hope, click here
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Generational Understanding
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ObjectPrior to the session ask everyone to bring an object which reveals something about who they are as a person or an experience they’ve had. It could be a book which had an impact on them, a picture or a CD. Get everyone in a circle and one by one as people hold up their objects, get others to guess what it says about them. Allow people to explain what their object says about them after. War and perspectiveStart the evening by showing a clip from a World War Two film such as Saving Private Ryan, Pearle Harbour or The Great Escape. Beware however of bloody scenes which may be unsuitable. Select several short clips before the meeting which illustrate something of what war was like for those at home and for those on the front line in battle. Explain that an age separation of 50 years means a different perspective on life. In a fast changing society it means different generations see things very differently. Show the clip(s) and ask the following:
Unpack and develop the idea that for older people World War 2 was a real event which raised fear, uncertainty, tension and panic. It brought death to families in their towns and made the future seem frightening. For younger people however, the War is a distant, past reality which makes good material for films and can seem thrilling, if bloody. Explain this means that our reactions to the things we encounter will be shaped by these perceptions and experiences. For example guns might remind old people of the pain of war, while for young film lovers they might be a fictional object which has little impact on real life. PicturesThis will work well in helping everyone get to know each other’s names. Prior to the session ask everyone involved to bring a photo of themselves as children. Display these on the wall and write numbers next to the photos. Get everyone to write their names on sticky labels and display them on themselves. Get each young person to partner an older person. Give the pairs five minutes to go round the room and match up the photo with the person by writing down the names of the people next to the number of each photo. Award a prize to the pair with the most correct answers. Bible study Split the group into four smaller groups – with a mix of older and young people. Give out the following passages and questions, one to each group. Allow 20 minutes for them to read and discuss. Allow time for each group to feedback their findings Read these passages then spend some time discussing the questions: Group 1Exodus 7:1-7 Joshua 13:1
Group 2Psalm 71:9 / 71:18 Proverbs 20:29
Group 3Proverbs 23:22-24 Ecclesiastes 4:13 Ecclesiastes 1:11
Group 42 Kings 14:19-22, 2 Kings 21:1, 2 Kings 24:8 Luke 1:28-38 Acts 2:17-18
Carpe DeumEnd the session on a sobering note by showing the clip from Dead Poets Society in which Robin Williams stands next to the school photo gallery with his class of boys. He encourages the boys to use their lives – to seize the day, because in 80 years they will all be ‘food for worms’. Invite one or two of the older people present to comment on how fast life seems to go by, and that there are no second chances. Challenge the young people that they have much to learn from the experiences and perspective of the older people present, and challenge the older people that they are in a position to be able to help and advise the young people. Try to get each young person matched to an older person and suggest they meet up once each month. Give out sheets of paper to the young people for them to write the name and contact number of their older contact on, along with several questions / subjects for them to discuss when they meet. CloseAsk an older person to read out 1 Timothy 4:12 and a younger person to read Proverbs 20:29. Finish the session by devoting ten minutes to group prayer thanking God for these points from the passages:
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Although these ideas can be used individually as stand alone activities, they will work best when used as part of a special evening focusing on creating understanding and interaction between older people and the younger generation. Invite the same number of older people (try to get mostly over 65s) as there are young people in your group. Bill the evening as a special ‘generational mix-up’ evening. Be sure to read through the ideas before you run the session as there are several things everyone will need to bring for some of the ideas below to work.
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